NTDA says Au Revoir to Richard Edy
To mark the retirement of Richard Edy, after 27 years’ service as director of the NTDA, the association held a farewell lunch in his honour at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull.
To mark the retirement of Richard Edy, after 27 years’ service as director of the NTDA, the association held a farewell lunch in his honour at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull.
Consolidated net income at online tyre dealer Delticom has decreased for the second consecutive year, falling 47.9 per cent year-on-year to €11.6 million for 2013. This is 67.8 per cent lower than the 15-year old company’s best ever net income of €36.0 million, which it achieved in 2011. Nevertheless, upon releasing its 2013 Annual Report the company defended this result by claiming its business model “has once again proven its resilience” and that Delticom ran a profitable business last year despite an “adverse” market environment.
Researchers from Yokohama Rubber report making progress in a project that may lead to lower external tyre noise and improved tyre aerodynamics. The Yokohama contingent is working together with a team of researchers at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), which is a part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The team, led by Professor Kozo Fujii, has successfully conducted the world’s first simulation of near real-scale flow structures (turbulence) around a tyre rolling on a road surface and the acoustic waves, or noise, generated from these structures. Yokohama Rubber expresses confidence that the ability to simulate a flow structure that enables precise measurement of acoustic waves opens up potential for new technological breakthroughs, and the company says it will therefore continue to support further research in these areas.
Continental has begun producing and distributing radial truck tyres in the Indian market ahead of the product range’s official launch there on 1 April. The tyre maker says its initial truck radial capacity in India is 220,000 tyres a year; these will be distributed to a dealer network that contains more than 1,400 outlets in over 70 cities across the country. The first products to be launched include the HSR2 steer tyre and HDR2 drive tyre for freight carrying vehicles and the HSX2 and HDX2 coach tyres.
Continental AG majority shareholder Schaeffler AG is one of five companies that have been handed substantial fines for operating a cartel in the automotive bearing market. The European Commission fined the companies a total of more than €953 million, with the largest single fine given to Schaeffler. The German manufacturer must pay €370.5 million, almost 40 per cent of the total penalty.
Bentley has announced plans to expand the workforce at its Crewe headquarters by 100 people as the site becomes a “centre of excellence for all VW Group W12 engines”. The move will see the UK manufacturer produce up to 9,000 W12 engines per year, exporting units for the first time in its history. To manage increased production demand, Bentley will employ a further 100 people in 2014 as part of the £800 million investment programme it announced last year.
British chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne has opted to freeze fuel duty as part of his 2014 budget statement, given today (19 March) in the House of Commons. Arguably the most tyre-specific announcement after the freezing of fuel duty was the news that an extra £200 million for pothole maintenance.
Despite being built by ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik and having a semi-rigid construction, Goodyear is steadfastly referring to its newest airship a blimp – but whatever you call it, the new craft has taken to the skies. The new ‘blimp’ undertook its maiden flight on 17 March, the US flag proudly flying from the German-registered airship’s tail. Aided by a tail wind, the as-yet unnamed craft exceeded 80 miles per hour.
Gaining a foothold in a new market or securing the best deal on stock is easier said than done. It’s difficult for wholesalers, manufacturers or dealers to be experts in every aspect of the tyre business, and this means that companies often miss out on opportunities simply because they don’t know about them. In such instances you can either accept this limitation – or you can look for someone who can help. This year a new Netherlands-based company, Vimexa Automotive BV, entered the business of helping companies within the tyre, wheel and battery industries find what they want or need. Other automotive products, such as TPMS – a product of growing significance in Europe – may also be introduced into the portfolio. Tyres & Accessories recently met with company founder Rutger Veerman to discover more.
Additional space to expand Michelin’s Waterville truck and OTR tyre plant in Canada has been found – at the town’s civilian airport. According to Tire Review, on 10 March councillors in Nova Scotia’s King County voted to close Waterville Municipal Airport on 30 September and make the airport land available for purchase by the province or Michelin. While the tyre maker has not confirmed any expansion, it is understood that the layout of the plant and its equipment is such that expanding onto the land currently occupied by the airport is the only option open to Michelin at the Waterville site.
Although construction work at Bridgestone Americas’ new Aiken County plant in South Carolina is still ongoing, Tire Review reports that the production of 9-foot OTR tyres has already begun there. The tyre maker is building a 1.5 million-square-foot (approximately 140,000 square metre) facility to produce OTR tyres for quarry and construction machine applications. Bridgestone says equipment to produce larger 12-foot tyres should be ready by 2015.
Alfred Wolff has been appointed a managing director of the point S operation in Germany. Effective immediately, the former head of purchasing is responsible for purchasing, sales and marketing and serves as managing director alongside Rolf Körbler, who had been sole managing director at point S Deutschland GmbH since December 2011. Körbler is responsible for controlling, IT, finance and investments.
This week a new motorcycle championship gets underway for the first time, and Bridgestone will serve as sole tyre supplier for the series. The inaugural season of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup begins in Qatar on 21 March, and over the coming half year it will be followed by rounds in Indonesia, China, Japan, and two rounds in Malaysia. For the first race, Bridgestone will supply its Racing Battlax R03 (front) and R04 (rear) tyres; around 1,500 of the new Racing Battlax V02 (GP3) tyres will be supplied to subsequent rounds.
The third “Indonesia International Tyre & Rubber Industries Exhibition” takes place in Jakarta from 19 to 22 March 2014, again as part of the “Auto Parts, Accessories and Equip Exhibition” (INAPA). Further industry-specific trade shows are also being held there at the same time. The show’s organiser estimates that 1,100 exhibitors and 35,000 visitors will […]
The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship 2014 has launched at Donington Park, with a 31-car grid, running entirely to NGTC (Next Generation Touring Car) specifications for the first time. The Goodyear Dunlop Group has extended its partnership with the BTCC, continuing its title sponsorship and exclusive tyre supply. The latest multi-year deal continues Dunlop’s association with the series, started at its inception in 1958. Fast fit network HiQ will continue as Team Championship sponsor.
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