The deadline for reaching a new contract agreement at a number of Goodyear, Michelin and Bridgestone plants in the US is Saturday, and the likelihood this will be settled to the satisfaction of both tyre makers and union decreases with every hour.
It is with great sadness that Tyrepress.com reports the passing of Infleet founder Bill Hall, following a long battle with cancer. A prominent figure in the tyre business for nearly 30 years, Hall joined Goodyear in 1980, serving in several senior positions in the UK and Europe, before leaving to set up the independent tyre service network in the mid-2000s. His long and distinguished career also included two years as chairman of the British Rubber Manufacturers Association tyres committee, forging a close working relationship with most of the major tyre brands and the industry associations. Hall died on Friday, 19 July, and was commemorated at a funeral on Thursday, 25 July. A keen sportsman who was a lifelong supporter of Bolton Wanderers, he lived with his wife in Sandbach, Cheshire and has a grown up son and a daughter with three grandchildren.
Continental’s Nikolai Setzer recently outlined the company’s intention to invest in non-automotive areas (more on this in Tyres & Accessories’ August magazine), but his comments by no means indicate a drawing away from the automotive business. The German firm’s continued interest in this area could be seen at the groundbreaking for the new extension to its research and development centre in Singapore.
ATS Euromaster will fit and service the tyres of Stoke-on-Trent-based B&W Transport’s fleet of 44 tonners after the tyre specialist showed the potential five-figure savings on its annual vehicle operating costs through a properly managed tyre policy. B&W previously used an independent tyre dealer, but switched to ATS-E after viewing the data produced by the company’s new Service Value Calculator (SVC). It suggested that fitting regroovable and retreadable premium brand (Michelin and Pirelli) tyres with a commitment to accurate tyre pressure monitoring, could save B&W Transport up to £16,000 annually in fuel and tyre bills.
Maxxis has announced the planned extension of its 4×4 tyre range in the UK, confirming the full availability of every tyre in it. The company says this move is a result of increasing customer demand from distributor Stapleton’s. The manufacturer is also readying itself to contest the King of the Valleys endurance event in August – its tyres were used by the winner of the inaugural contest in 2012, and Maxxis is confident the fierce competition will be the perfect showcase for its range. Maxxis Marauder, Bravo, Bighorn, Trepador, Mudzilla and Creepy Crawler tyres will now be available to UK dealers through the Stapleton’s distribution network.
The launch of Avon Tyres’ latest sports touring motorcycle tyre aimed at the hypersport market, the Storm 3D X-M, took place near the brand’s Melksham, Wiltshire manufacturing base at Castle Combe in May. The Cooper-owned brand says it has since been reaping the plaudits for the new tyre, tested out by two-wheel specialist journalists on the fast and bumpy circuit.
Texa has announced it will be exhibiting this year at the Coach & Bus Show 2013 and wants to use this opportunity to discuss in detail with operators their current requirements for service and diagnostic tools. As TEXA provide a range of OE diagnostic tools for large coach manufactures, their Multibrand coverage is ideal for workshops maintaining mixed vehicle fleets.
Titan International reported second quarter 2013 sales of US$593.3 million 25 July 2013, up 29.2 per cent, compared to $459.2 million in the second quarter of 2012 partially driven by acquisition growth. Gross profit increased 5.6 per cent to $86.7 million, or 14.6 per cent of net sales in the period, compared to $82.1 million in second quarter 2012, or 17.9 per cent of net sales. However, second quarter income from operations was $36.9 million compared to $81.0 million last year.
UK-based WheelRight is aiming to “revolutionise tyre management across the automotive sector”, with the launch of a tyre-monitoring system designed to help the transport industry save “billions of pounds each year”. According to the company, the product enables critical tyre characteristics to be sent to a mobile phone within seconds, without the driver having to leave the vehicle and without the need for sensors to be fitted to the vehicle.
Serbia’s Ministry of Finance and Economy has published its list of the country’s leading exporters in the first quarter of 2013, and the automotive sector was amongst the major contributors in this area. Third on the top exporter list, behind Fiat Automobili Srbija and the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), was Tigar Tyres.
Michelin shares fell 5 per cent after the publication of its first half 2013 financial results. Writing just a couple of hours after the earning details had been published, the Wall Street Journal opined that because first-half net profit fell 45 per cent and because Michelin is taking a 250 million-euro restructuring charge to improve manufacturing efficiency some investors became unsettled and closed their positions. However, Michelin was the not the only firm suffering in Europe and mixed responses to British GDP improvements and German business confidence are thought to have affected investors too.
India’s RPG Enterprises, parent company of Ceat Ltd, shares that the tyre maker aims to become one of the most profitable firms within the domestic market. Comments made by Ceat managing director Anant Goenka to this effect during an interview with local motoring journal Motown India were published on RPG’s website on 25 July.
Upon announcing first half 2013 results, Michelin voiced its expectation that mature markets will continue their recovery from last year’s weakness in the remainder of the year, while expansion should be seen in emerging markets. Should this trend play out, the French manufacturer sees itself in good stead to achieve its projected full-year volumes. This is all well and good, however Michelin’s reportage of its latest results said little about the first-half bottom line, which is markedly down on the same time last year.
Pirelli is back at Silverstone this weekend following its recent Formula One visits for the Silverstone Classic. The manufacturer will sponsor a Porsche 911 parade of the GP circuit on Sunday 28 July to commemorate its 60th anniversary, having signed a minimum three-year deal to sponsor Porsche Club Great Britain. Pirelli’s financial support of Porsche Club GB, as well as providing it with tyres and on-event technical expertise, are part of this agreement, makes it the official tyre supplier to the 16-race Porsche Club Championship series for production-based Porsches. Pirelli will also bring its F1 simulator and hospitality unit to the annual three-day event, from which it will run a number of competitions with prizes including drive experience days at Thruxton race circuit.
For a decade or more the case has been made for the development of winter tyre market in the UK. While there have always been residual levels of winter tyre take-up in the most northerly and mountainous parts of Britain, in the past 10 years or so tyre manufacturers have invested considerable time, effort and resources in making it a relatively normal part of the UK tyre culture. In recent years there has been development in the winter tyre market and it seems clear that this has far from peaked. However, at the same time there is now evidence that sales of all-season tyres have matched and overtaken these. With all this in mind Tyres & Accessories spoke with representatives of Bridgestone, Falken and Hankook and asked what is the right tool for the job in the UK? And is the UK becoming an all-season tyre market?
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