Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK MD on proposed closure of Wolverhampton plant
Following Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK’s proposal to close its Wolverhampton mixing and retreading facility, Tyrepress spoke to the managing director of Goodyear Dunlop UK, Erich Fric, who explained the business reasons for the decision. “We’ve taken the decision to put this proposal forward based on the economic environment, and in order to keep our companies competitive in the long term,” Fric said.
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End of the line for Respa
There’s been no happy ending in the insolvency proceedings related to German retreader Respa. Our sister publication Neue Reifenzeitung reports insolvency administrator Elisabeth Roggenhofer as confirming the permanent closure of the Respa retreading operation in Passau. The 19 employees at the Respa GmbH retreading facility have received their notice of termination.
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Antitrust authorities approve Mahle’s Delphi Thermal acquisition
Mahle has acquired the thermal business of UK automotive supplier Delphi Automotive, following approval from antitrust authorities on 1 July 2015. The Stuttgart-based group is expanding its Thermal Management business unit, which it describes as “strategically important”. Mahle reasons that its increased commitment in the sector is due to a comprehensive, energy-efficient thermal management system being as much in demand for combustion engines as for electric drives or fuel cells.
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Michael Küster to take on expanded PR role at Michelin
Michelin communications head, Michael Küster will take on additional responsibility for commercial vehicle tyres and the Travel Publishing Group public relations on 1 July. Küster was previously head of product and motorsport communications with responsibility for Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH region). Nina Grigoleit, who previously supervised these areas, will take on other duties within the company.
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Yokohama names new US technical service director
Following the retirement of Dan Guiney, Tom Kenny has taken over as Yokohama Tire Corporation’s director of technical service. He joins the company from Hankook Tire, where he served in a variety of roles for some 22 years, most recently as vice-president of technical. Previous industry experience also includes positions at Cooper Tire and Continental.
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Frank Delesen to head Pirelli’s operation in Germany
As of 17 July, Frank J. Delesen will replace Daniele Deambrogio as CEO of Pirelli’s German operation and as chairman of the management board at Pirelli Deutschland GmbH. Deambrogio, previously country manager for Germany and commercial director responsible for the Central European market, was officially named to these roles last December as part of a push to more closely integrate Pirelli’s German business into the company.
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Wendy Williamson appointed to FIGIEFA board
The chief executive of IAAF, Wendy Williamson has been appointed to the board and made treasurer of FIGIEFA, the association representing the needs of the European independent automotive aftermarket to governments and legislators of the European Union.
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Polish tyre racking firm appoints British sales manager
The Polish tyre and accessory racking manufacturer, Arcom has appointed Richard Ryder to the position of sales manager. Based at Arcom’s offices in Rzezawa, near Krakow, Ryder will deal mainly with UK customers, but with additional responsibility for other English-speaking customers in Europe.
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Karl Naylor joins Kumho as national sales manager
Kumho Tyre (UK) Ltd (KTUK) has appointed Karl Naylor to the newly-formed role of national sales manager. Naylor will lead the car tyre sales team in further growing its business within Kumho’s own network of independent retailers, while simultaneously developing new market channels for the brand. The former Grouptyre MD will report to sales director Kevin Peck.
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Hervé Richert becomes president of Lohr
Confirmation has been given that Giti Tire’s former head of passenger car tyre sales and marketing, Hervé Richert, has been appointed president of French transport systems specialist Lohr S.A. Richert joined Lohr as vice-president in May 2015, and at the time company head Robert Lohr referred to him as the firm’s “future president.”
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