Hankook China workers protest shift changes
On 1 March 2016 around 100 Chinese Hankook tyre workers protested against the decision to move to a three-shift rather than a four-shift working pattern. However while some sources described this as strike action, Hankook representatives denied these claims and said production has not been affected.
Continue Reading![Hamaton launching OE-R sensors on 108m2 Essen stand](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Hamaton-Clamp-in.jpg)
Hamaton launching OE-R sensors on 108m2 Essen stand
Hamaton has booked a 108 square metre stand for the Essen show, where the TPMS firms plans to exhibit “a complete range” of its sensors and valves including its new OE-R sensors. Hamaton will be in hall 1, at stand 1C15. Reifen 2016 takes place from 24 to 27 May at Messe Essen in Germany.
Continue Reading77% of SMMT members want to stay in Europe
OEMs making cars in the UK want to stay in Europe. 77 per cent of SMMT members say remaining in Europe is best for their business, according to 2016 survey by independent pollster ComRes. Indeed, there is strong support for EU membership across the board, with 88 per cent of large SMMT member companies and 73 per cent of SME members in favour of remaining. This is the second time SMMT members have been canvassed on their Brexit views – and the second time the overwhelming majority have stated that staying in Europe is best for their business.
Continue ReadingFinnish lawyers: Nokian tyre consumers could claim 30% money back
Turre Legal, a Helsinki-based law firm, believes anyone who bought tyres from Nokian Tyres during the last decade could be eligible for a settlement, following the firm’s tacit admissions that it mishandled magazine tyre tests.
Continue Reading![Tyre wholesaling – a decade of change](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/tyre-warehouse.jpg)
Tyre wholesaling – a decade of change
Ten years is a long time in the tyre world. Over the past decade, European industry observers have witnessed the eco tyre niche blossom into a mainstream segment, seen the implementation of regulations such as REACH and the EU tyre label, and looked on in amazement as end users stopped sniggering at Chinese-made tyres and began looking upon them as a serious, and cheaper alternative to established brands.
Continue Reading![Top Ruote becomes regional Membat distributor in Italy](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/MembatTopRuote.jpg)
Top Ruote becomes regional Membat distributor in Italy
Membat, the Barcelona-designed “Mediterranean tyre brand”, has appointed Top Ruote its distributor in the Marche and Abruzzo regions of Italy. The tyre and wheel distributor and wholesaler will have exclusive rights to the Membat brand within these two territories. Through this arrangement, Membat anticipates “considerably” higher sales through Top Ruote and a closer business relationship.
Continue Reading![Top tyre manufacturers deny involvement in tyre test manipulation](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/nokian-reports.jpg)
Top tyre manufacturers deny involvement in tyre test manipulation
Along with Nokian’s admission and apology for “mistakes” in its practices concerning tyre tests, the Finnish tyre manufacturer stated that “several operators in the field… have been suspected or evidence has been presented against them of differences between tyres in magazine tests and tyres that are for sale in stores.” After the Nokian statement’s implication of other tyre manufacturers in malpractice regarding independent tyre testing, Michelin immediately responded by stating categorically that it has “never designed or manufactured tyres specifically for tests conducted by the media, automobile associations or any other organisations.” Tyres & Accessories approached 11 more of the world’s leading manufacturers, many of whose products regularly appear in magazine tests, for their response to the question: Have you ever designed or manufactured tyres specifically for tests conducted by the media, automobile associations or any other organisations? Listed below are their responses.
Continue Reading![Honesty is the best policy](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/honesty.png)
Honesty is the best policy
As in life, when it comes to tyre testing, honesty is the best policy. Nokian Tyres’ “worst day ever” happened at the end of February – with the Finnish manufacturer and well-known winter tyre specialist accused of manipulating tyre test results for a decade and then apologising for “mistakes” relating to tyre tests. The two quickest responses to the story were from Nokian Tyres itself and – more surprisingly – Michelin, which deftly pre-empted the widening of questions relating to tyre testing by putting out a statement of its own. As a result, both Nokian and Michelin have adopted exactly the right approach, from a communications perspective at least. Looking at the story through this lens we can see practical examples of the golden rules of PR in action – control the narrative, take initiative and tell the truth.
Continue ReadingNokian: Several firms involved in tyre test manipulation
As well as admitting that its “practices concerning tyre tests have not always…been in line with the sustainable approach of Nokian Tyres” and that it has made “mistakes”, Nokian has now explicitly implicated other tyre manufacturers in tyre test rigging.
Continue Reading![Nokian CEO ‘proud’ to come clean about tyre testing](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screenshot_2016-02-29-09-30-58-2-e1456748163705.png)
Nokian CEO ‘proud’ to come clean about tyre testing
Yesterday was “my worst day ever” Nokian CEO Ari Lehtoranta tweeted on 27 February 2016. The reason? The last Friday in February (the 26th) saw Finnish news reports suggesting Nokian had cheated in tyre tests for a decade translated and distributed around the world. This was followed by an official statement in which Nokian apologised for tyre test “mistakes” and began to outline what it was doing about it, while also reassuring customers and consumers that its products have always been safe.
Continue Reading![Tyres in Stock appoints field agent for Germany](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Rainer.jpg)
Tyres in Stock appoints field agent for Germany
Dutch-based B2B online tyre platform Tyres in Stock is active in a number of European markets, and the company now reports that at the end of last year Rainer Will was appointed to the role of field representative for the firm’s business in Germany. In his new position, Will takes over responsibility for major customers and new partners.
Continue Reading![Bridgestone expanding capacity at Joliette, Canada tyre plant](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Joliette.jpg)
Bridgestone expanding capacity at Joliette, Canada tyre plant
Bridgestone Canada Inc. (Bridgestone) is expanding its Canadian passenger and light truck tyre manufacturing facility in Joliette, Quebec, as part of a five-year investment that could total upwards of CA$300 million (£160 million). Groundbreaking for this multi-phase expansion of the facility is expected to occur this year; new plant equipment will be phased in over a five-year period in an effort to help the plant support the North American market and meet demand for larger diameter tyres, such as those fitted to modern pickup trucks and SUVs. The project will lift plant capacity by 3,000 tyres per day to bring daily production to 20,000 tyres by 2023.
Continue Reading![Bus manufacturer Solaris approves ContiPressureCheck for OE fitment](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/solaris.jpg)
Bus manufacturer Solaris approves ContiPressureCheck for OE fitment
The ContiPressureCheck tyre pressure monitoring system from Continental has been approved for operational use by Polish bus manufacturer Solaris, and will be fitted as original equipment on the city and regional buses it produces. Solaris began delivering the first 60 city buses equipped with ContiPressureCheck to a customer in Krakow at the start of February.
Continue ReadingNokian clarifies executive remuneration policies
As news coverage of Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian’s apparent involvement in fixing magazine tyre test results got underway on 24 February, the company was taking step to clarify its pay and bonus policies. One of the key parts of the firms statement regretting tyre test mistakes the firm also addresses concerns related to suggestions that the alleged tyre test rigging was financially motivated: “The board of Nokian Tyres has never decided on such stock option schemes that would have encouraged cheating in tests, unlike what has been implied in the media.”
Continue ReadingNokian “regrets” tyre test “mistakes”
Nokian Tyres has apologised for past “mistakes” with magazine tyre tests. In an official statement company representatives said: “we apologise and regret the mistakes we have made in the past,” adding that the company’s tyres have “always been safe.
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