At the tail end of 2012, Nokian Tyres plc has signed a co-operation agreement with the Wissol Group conglomerate to expand its Vianor retail chain into Georgia. With this agreement, Wissol Group’s 15 existing “AutoExpress” retail outlets will be re-branded as Vianor. In the future, the chain will also be further developed and expanded under the Vianor brand.
Drummond Distribution, a logistic provider for Hankook, has rolled out new liveries featuring the manufacturer’s corporate identity. The family run business, Drummond Distribution has worked with Hankook for over 12 years providing a next day delivery service to customers across Scotland.
Four years after trialling its first Montracon trailer with Michelin X One MaxiTrailer tyres, Nestlé Customer Logistics reports that 25 per cent of its 200-strong tri-axle ‘Cooliner’ fleet is operating on the uniquely sized 455/45 R22.5 tyres. Nestlé Customer Logistics’ fleet operates on trunking routes between its production facility in York – which makes 6 million Kit-Kats a day – and distribution hubs throughout the UK. Moving forward, engineering manager Ralph Defty specifies the Michelin tyre on all new standard length trailers joining the fleet.
Following the introduction of the 3D Ultra last year, Avon is further expanding its motorcycle tyre range with the release of the Storm 3D X-M. In a short release introducing the new product, the tyre maker says the new X-M delivers 15 to 20 per cent greater mileage in comparison with the current Storm range. The sipes on the X-M also contain three-dimensional points that are designed to improve stability, grip, limit tread flex and allow the tyre to warm-up in less time – a feature also seen on the 3D Ultra. High performance single and multi compound super rich silica (SRS) treads are also present; Avon says these enhance wet grip. The tyre maker adds that the X-M possesses outstanding handling and stability qualities.
As one of the UK and Europe's most progressive contract tyre manufacturers, Shanghai based SD-International offers four individual brand and pattern options to the van and light truck market sector with their Pace, Zeta and Maxtrek labels.
The cost of moving tyres and wheels between Asia and major European markets such as the UK should stabilise in 2013 after the wild fluctuations of 2012, according to the CEO of Suffolk based freight forwarding company Maritime Cargo Services, Rob Shelley. As shippers and shipping lines battled hard on this trade route in particular the cost of moving containers varied greatly over the course of the year, “making costing and budgeting in the tyre industry somewhat challenging,” Shelley says. As fewer goods were imported under economic austerity measures towards the end of 2012, shipping lines reduced capacity accordingly. But with global trade expected to creep upwards again in 2013, Shelley expects shipping rates to rise moderately as shippers control their expansion.
At the start of this year, Kumho Tire Europe GmbH appointed a new executive sales director and car dealer key account manager for the German market. Thomas Schlich has taken on the position of executive sales director and in this role he is responsible for the replacement car and truck tyre market business relating to tyre and car dealers throughout Germany. The 47-year old has been employed in the automotive industry for more than 16 years, including nine years in various positions with Bridgestone.
Some 1,700 Continental motorcycle tyres sold in North America are the subjects of a voluntary recall. Based upon market feedback it has received, the tyre maker says that under certain service conditions the size 180/60R16 M/C 74H ContiMotion may experience uneven wear, groove cracking and in some cases belt lift, which can lead to a loss of inflation pressure and a potential loss of control. These service conditions have been observed on the rear tyre of Honda Gold Wing 1800 motorcycles, particularly under conditions of overloading and/or under-inflation. Continental adds that has not received any reports about accidents resulting from this condition.
With a view towards improving safety standards and raising awareness of the law relating to part-worn tyres, Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards team and Cumbria Police plan to visit tyre retailers throughout February.
Bridgestone Corporation subsidiary Bridgestone Middle East & Africa FZE has opened a new multipurpose facility in Dubai. The centre, known as ‘Bridgestone Park’, is located in the Jebel Ali Free Zone and will be used for training company employees and distributors throughout the Middle East and Africa in the areas of sales and technical support for passenger, truck and bus tyres, along with training in the technical skills required in the manufacture of Bandag brand retreads. The 21,678 square metre facility also contains a passenger tyre retail shop that is intended to serve as a model for shops in the Middle East and Africa that handle passenger tyres and car maintenance, plus a truck and bus tyre service centre. At present 20 people are employed at Bridgestone Park.
Avon Tyres has added several versions of the 3D Ultra motorcycle tyre range to its Road Hazard Warranty. This means that, in certain instances, should a 3D Ultra tyre become unserviceable as a result of what Avon considers “qualified tyre damage”, such as through a puncture, a replacement will be offered at no charge.
Stellana, Inc., a moulded polyurethane wheel manufacturer recently introduced its Optima line of polyurethane tyres for the material handling industry, which apparently differ from press-on bands. “Standard press-on tyres come with costly trip charges, press-on charges, and downtime expenses. The Optima Tire System eliminates these costs: simply bolt the tyre onto your lift truck and you are up and running again,” said Stellana’s sales and marketing manager, Michael Scoon.
Pirelli has announced that BMTR has won its annual Pirelli Performance Centre (PPC) of the Year award, attaining a near-perfect score on the final audit of 2012. Founded in 1919, BMTR remains a family-owned independent tyre retailer as part of Group Tyre. Its flagship outlet in Perry Barr is Birmingham's largest tyre and wheel outlet, offering top wheel alignment and MOT technology. Pirelli Performance Centres are audited high performance tyre dealerships; the Italian manufacturer directs high performance car drivers to these centres preferentially. The annual award was inaugurated in 2007.
TyreSafe will be hosting its first ever webinar on Monday 25th February in a bid to “improve the standards of part worn tyres” being sold in the UK. According to the organisation, the session will provide attendees with a summary of the legislation affecting the sale of part worn tyres. It will also deliver some practical advice on how the tyres should be inspected, common problems to look for and what steps must be taken to ensure used tyres are sold legally.
Infinity Tyres and Westlake Tyres will exhibit at Madrid’s aftermarket automotive parts, equipment and services trade show Motortec Automechanika Ibérica. Infinity’s range will be displayed in conjunction with its authorised distributors in the region, Euro Tyre, while Eskay Tyres – Westlake distributor in the UK and certain other European markets – will take a stand to show the Hangzhou Zhongce brand’s passenger and truck and bus ranges.
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