Fintyre to open London head office
The last couple of years have been something of a whirlwind for the European Fintyre Distribution project, which has seen the business grow from a key player in the Italian market into a wider European operation with aspirations of being the leading force in pan-European tyre distribution and perhaps even beyond. Tyres & Accessories recently met with European Fintyre chief executive officer Mauro Pessi in order find out more about the company’s decision to base its central headquarters in London as well as its general, ongoing growth.
Continue ReadingMichelin, Bridgestone interested in TomTom telematics business
It appears that Michelin and Bridgestone are interested in acquiring the TomTom Telematics business unit from Netherlands-based company TomTom. According to Dutch financial daily Het Financieele Dagblad (FD), Michelin – one of four companies vying to acquire the business – allegedly aims to add the business into its Michelin Solutions portfolio. The other interested parties are said to be Pamplona Capital Management, which already holds a 26.5 per cent share in London-headquartered telematics and data analytics solutions provider Octo Telematics, and a second, unnamed investment company.
Continue ReadingCST extends Dutch football sponsorship
CST has extended its sponsorship of Dutch football club Ajax Amsterdam for a further three years until the end of the 2020-21 season. The Cheng Shin Tire brand’s connection to the club dates back to 2013, and their partnership was expanded two years later. The current arrangement sees CST represented by in-stadium advertisements, logos on the Ajax Amsterdam team bus as well as through diverse promotions and social media campaigns for CST car and bicycle tyres.
Continue ReadingBlackcircles.com entrepreneur launches online portal for US tyre retailers
Mike Welch, the founder of Blackcircles.com has founded Tirescanner.com, a new online portal designed for North American tyre retailers. Initially investing more than $1million in the venture, Welch claims it will be “North America’s first online portal for brick and mortar tyre retailers.” Welch sold UK “click and fit” tyre retailer, Blackcircles to Michelin three years ago, and will bring his online experience to the world’s largest tyre retail market in the US, where replacement tyre sales reached $39.6 billion in 2017. Earlier in 2018, Welch became strategic adviser and shareholder of Indian e-commerce venture Tyremarket.com, while he joined the board of US player Simpletire.com in 2017, prior to US distributor Dealer Tires, itself currently in the process of being acquired by Bain Capital, making an investment in the company this year.
Continue ReadingPon selling tyre wholesale business – new owner for GAC
Netherlands-based transportation sector firm Pon Holdings announced yesterday its intention to divest Gundlach Automotive Corporation (GAC) at the end of this year to private equity investor Gilde Buy Out Partners. The business will thereafter operate as an independent company.
Continue ReadingRema Tip Top introduces new Corghi Artiglio 5000 ‘Leva la leva’ tyre changer
Rema Tip Top has launched Corghi’s latest Artiglio 5000 automatic tyre changing machine. The Artiglio 5000 has third generation “Leva la leva” (lever-less) technology for vehicle, SUV and commercial vehicles wheels up to 28”. The new demounting tool with Lite Smart Corghi System movement reduces the stress on the tyre and never touches the rim.
Continue ReadingCarlson Vehicle Transfer introduces Michelin Effitrailer across car transporter fleet
Following a successful trial period, UK-based car transporter company Carlson Vehicle Transfer has rolled out Michelin’s Effitrailer package across its 150-strong fleet. The Groupe CAT company, which operates throughout the UK and Europe delivering cars for the automotive industry, tested the telematics system on a number of units in its car transporter trailer fleet.
Continue ReadingPirelli renews Porsche Club GB partnership until 2023
Pirelli has renewed its agreement with Porsche Club GB, Europe’s largest Porsche club. As such, it will continue to give the club – with its more than 22,000 members and 60,000 Porsche cars – technical and other types of support for an additional five years.
Continue ReadingApollo Tyres partners with Indian cricketing great
Extending its sports sponsorship engagement beyond football, Apollo Tyres has entered into a five-year agreement with former Indian international cricketer and team captain Sachin Tendulkar. This is the first time an individual celebrity has served as Apollo brand ambassador.
Continue ReadingRyder and Bridgestone renew fleet service partnership
Commercial vehicle contract hire, rental, and maintenance firm Ryder has renewed its strategic partnership with Bridgestone for a further three years.
Continue ReadingGhosn’s gone
Roughly two decades after taking the helm at Nissan (and later chairing the Japanese firm’s alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi), the carmaker’s board voted to remove company boss Carlos Ghosn following his arrest in Japan for underreporting his salary.
Continue ReadingVoltyre-Prom: Key shareholder announces aim to sell stake in tyre maker
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has informed Titan International of its wish to relinquish its shareholding in agricultural and industrial tyre manufacturer Voltyre-Prom. The Kremlin-backed sovereign wealth fund, which acquired the tyre maker together with Titan and private equity firm One Equity Partner in 2013, shared its intention via its exercise on 14 November of the settlement put option included within the Voltyre-Prom Shareholders’ Agreement.
Continue ReadingLiqui Moly sets new sales record in October
Liqui Moly rang in the last quarter of the year with a record result. In October, the company booked a turnover of 53.8 million euro. With that, the high reached eleven months ago is already history. “Our overall concept and the wide product range are the cornerstones of this success,” said Ernst Prost, managing director of the oil and additives specialist from Germany.
Continue ReadingPrincebuild fleet to roll on Michelin CrossClimate
Construction and property maintenance specialist Princebuild is rolling out Michelin’s CrossClimate+ and Agilis CrossClimate tyres across its entire fleet of 180 cars and vans. The move will ensure its vehicles benefit from traction all year round; the Peterborough-based company made the decision to switch after a meeting with Michelin showed the statistics and improved safety its CrossClimate range of tyres could offer.
Continue ReadingWorld Cup champion teams up with BKT for charity
Ever since signing up as sponsor to Italy’s Serie B and the Coupe de la Ligue in France earlier this year, football has become not just a means of promoting the BKT brand name. The off-highway tyre specialist has also integrated the beautiful game into its charitable activities.
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