Clarke Jumpstarts with compressors
Motorists worried about being caught with a flat battery or tyre need panic no more. Machine Mart sell two handy portable units that can both start batteries and inflate tyres.
About Andrew
Andrew is an editor for WhatTyre, Tyrepress, and Tyres & Accessories magazine. He has more than a decade of experience in editing, writing, and journalism.
Entries by Andrew
Bulk haulier on the road to safety and savings with Cam-aligner
One of north Yorkshire’s largest and best-known bulk hauliers, Alfred Hymas, is using a wheel alignment system to reduce tyre wear and cut workshop time. Established near Harrogate in the early part of the 1900s, Alfred Hymas operates a mixed fleet of 76 vehicles, predominantly serving the aggregates and agricultural industries.
Related news:
Mitas adds to Touring Force scooter tyre range
Mitas is extending Touring Force tyre range with 15” sizes which can be used on modern maxi scooters as well as innovative and powerful three-wheelers. Two new sizes, 120/70R15 56V front and 160/60R15 67V rear, will be available on the market from May 2023.
Van market continues strong start to year
The UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew for the third consecutive month in March, rising by 17.3 per cent to 47,634 units, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Traditionally a large volume month due to the new number plate, the growth was amplified by comparison with a weak March last year, when chronic supply chain shortages drove the market down by -27.6 per cent.
Tyrefair integrates Fitter-Force, e-jobsheet
Kinross independent garage Tyrefair is integrating CAM’s Fitter-Force into its business. The platform will allow the business to introduce connectivity options with the four major tyre manufacturers participating on the network and to digitise its operations principally through its adoption of e-jobsheet. The company will also use the software to manage its busy retail operation.
GB Tyres launches exclusive Aerotyre truck tyre brand
2022 Tyre Industry Awards Truck and Agricultural Tyre Supplier of the Year, GB Tyres has announced the latest phase of its commercial vehicle tyre portfolio development with the introduction of its own exclusive brand, Aerotyre. The company states: “Aerotyre is more than another brand in our portfolio. It is made specifically for us and is our own tyre brand, Aerotyre products are only available from GB Tyres. We are delighted to provide a product which offers such excellent quality at a highly competitive price.”
Falken ‘increases foothold’ in UK truck tyre market as distributor reports increase in sales
UK truck tyre sales for Falken Tyres have increased significantly during the past 12 months, according to the Sumitomo Rubber Industries brand and its distributor Micheldever Tyre Services. In 2022, Falken sold more than 8,000 more tyres in the UK market than it did during 2021. During 2022, Falken’s RI 151, BI 856 and GI 368 proved to be the bestsellers among its portfolio of customers, managed by MTS retail chain Protyre. The 2022 increase has also supported Micheldever and Protyre’s UK truck tyre sales, with “significant” year-on-year growth since 2020 and an overall increase of 350 per cent since 2018.
Related news:
Giti Tire extends British Truck Racing Championship tyre supply, sponsorship deals
The British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC) will run exclusively on Giti Race-Tuned v1 global competition truck tyres in size 315/70R22.5 for a second season in 2023, beginning on 8 April at Brands Hatch. Competitors will decide the series over seven race weekends at some of the UK’s leading circuits, Pembrey, Thruxton, Donington, Snetterton, and coming full-circle to end the season, presumably with the hope of some on-track fireworks, on 5 November. Giti will augment its BTRC official tyre partnership status with the sponsorship of the two fully-liveried Team Oliver racing trucks, piloted by the father and son duo, Stuart and Michael Oliver.
Kraiburg Austria maintains steady ship through securing supply, boosting sustainability
Retread supplier Kraiburg Austria navigated choppy 2022 waters successfully to achieve 92 million euro in sales, a figure the company called “satisfactory” and a demonstration of its crisis resistance according to managing director Stefan Mayrhofer. The company registered growth in high-performance compounds for hot cured retreads alongside stable mould cure figures, while developing its business in key Central and Eastern European markets. New Kraiburg products in 2022 included the local public transport focussed K708, the Nordic winter K727 tread, and the 3PMSF-certified K738, which was operational on construction sites and public roads from September. Kraiburg Austria also bolstered its sustainability credentials via its membership of the Global Platform for Sustainable Rubber.
TyreSafe launches spring safety campaign – ‘Do you drive and hope?’
TyreSafe has launched its spring tyre safety message, asking drivers, “Do you drive and hope?” The road safety charity wants to spread its message, supported by its ACT acronym, that drivers should check their tyres’ air pressure, condition and tread on a regular basis. Spring is a particularly good time to get this message out, with unpredictable driving conditions due to inclement weather, more heavily laden cars as families travel over the long bank holiday weekends (of which there is one more in 2023 thanks to the coronation of King Charles III), and busier roads.
Pirelli visits Valencia in Ferrari Challenge 2023 European opener
Pirelli travelled to Valencia for the first European round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli at the weekend. The Italian tyre manufacturer has supported the single-make series since the competition’s creation in 1992, through its growth to a three-continent journey to some of the world’s best racing circuits. Pirelli supported the Spanish event with 2,500 tyres, transported by six trucks and mounted on the 47 competing cars by a team of 15 people, plus technical and support staff. Having started the series in Homestead, Florida, at the start of March, the 2023 edition will be augmented by the Ferrari Challenge Japan, with one of the three races to be held at Suzuka. The Japanese track joins other iconic circuits such as Silverstone, a race valid for the Ferrari Challenge UK, Monza, Spa, Spielberg, and Abu Dhabi. Le Mans is also on the packed calendar this year.
Giti collaborates with global racing equipment supplier Sparco in joint-branding agreement
Giti Tire has signed a multi-year global co-branding agreement with Sparco, one the world’s leading manufacturers of motorsport safety systems and racing equipment. The Giti brand becomes global automotive tyre partner of the Italian brand under the deal, while the slogan “Giti – Powered by Sparco” will appear on the sidewall of key UHP sizes from 2024. The development of these products will form a “bridge” between the businesses, according to Sparco.
Nottingham Tyre Company goes paperless with e-jobsheet and Fitter-Force
Nottingham Tyre Company has adopted CAM’s Fitter-Force and e-jobsheet. The 24/7 mobile tyre repair service is digitising its operations on the platform in a bid to boost the efficiency of its operations and its customer service.
87% of IMI members want first MOT interval to remain at 3 years
As part of its response to the Department for Transport’s MOT Consultation, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has researched the views of the motor industry and motorists. Alongside its own in-depth analysis of MOT data, the new research further underlines the IMI’s view that any change to the current date for the first MOT or the frequency of MOTs would significantly increase road user risk. “We received a resounding confirmation – 87 per cent – from our members that the first MOT should not be extended due to increased road safety risk”, explained Hayley Pells, policy manager at the IMI. “And whilst only 51 per cent of motorists we surveyed felt the same, we believe there is sufficient weight of evidence to give the Department for Transport a very clear indication that any change to the start date would be detrimental for all road users.”
One test, two winners – AMS compares EV-specific tyres with conventional flagships
The electric vehicle tyre market is evolving quickly, with manufacturers adding EV-appropriate technologies to existing ranges and in some cases launching new lines of specialist products. These products have several goals, most notably offering range-maximising fuel economy, increased resistance to wear, reducing noise, and the ability to carry heavier loads, all while demonstrating greater sustainability and continuing to offer a high level of safety performance. Naturally these characteristics require technological advancements in order to reconcile contradictory demands; for example, making lower-weight tyres that consume fewer materials while also increasing ruggedness to reduce wear and tyre emissions. With tyres specified for electric vehicles now appearing on the European aftermarket in greater numbers, the need for independent scrutiny is becoming greater, and German magazine Auto Motor und Sport has responded by comparing three of the newest EV-specified products with current flagships, fitted to comparable Kia EV and internal combustion engine (ICE) models.
