Maha Doubles Truck Brake Tester Sales
MAHA UK Limited reached a milestone in UK growth when it received its 500th order for a truck brake tester at the recent CV/AT Show. The sale of MAHA truck brake testers in the UK has grown from only 1 sold in 1997 when MAHA UK started trading, to more than 500 in the UK market today. MAHA UK now claims the position of market leader when it comes to truck brake testers and has recently won the tender to supply brake testers to VOSA for roadside testing. MAHA is the preferred supplier to Scania worldwide and MAHA UK also supplies truck brake testers to all the leading truck manufactures and bus companies throughout the country. MAHA has even supplied a truck brake tester to a workshop in the Shetland Islands. Commenting on the development Gus Gregory, managing director of MAHA UK said: “The growth of MAHA truck brake testers must prove we have the best product, backed up by a nationwide service department.”
Continue ReadingToyo Drives Towards Growth with Engine
Toyo Tyre UK has appointed Engine, a cross-media design agency, to handle the first phase of its new UK marketing communications programme. This will involve the creation of brand new press advertising campaign with a total budget of £600,000.
Continue ReadingAll The Fun Of The Fair With BEN
On Saturday 16 July, BEN, the Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund will, for one night only, transform the grounds of Lynwood, its residential centre near Ascot, into a traditional fairground with a difference.
Continue ReadingEarthmover Tyre Shortage
Deutsche Bank analysts have confirmed what industry insiders were already thinking, there is a shortage of earthmover tyres. However, this provides numerous opportunities for the right parties. Operating profit margins are high, reaching double digit levels. Despite this the sector is relatively small with annual sales worth $5.5 billion, or 7 per cent of the $80 billion world market. According to the analysts, the earthmover sector is dominated by the “big three.” Bridgestone is said to hold a 60 per cent market share, followed by Michelin with 30 per cent and Goodyear with 10 per cent.
Continue ReadingNew Disc Brake Catalogue
Honeywell Friction Materials has introduced the 2005 edition of the Bendix and JURID Disc Brake Catalogue for passenger cars and light utility vehicles. Containing over 1000 pages, and with a new cover design, this catalogue proposes a full range of disc brake products including brake pads, brake discs, disc kits (boxed set of pads with corresponding discs) as well as accessories and wear indicators.
Continue ReadingFormer Michelin Man Returns to Renault
Carlos Ghosn, former chief operating officer of Michelin North America, has been appointed as chief executive of Renault. The well-known executive, also known as “the cost killer,” is a celebrity in Japan due to the radical turnaround he led at Nissan.
Continue ReadingRace Team Goes For Pole Position With Beissbarth
Beissbarth’s wheel aligner technology continues to be the top choice for motor sport, says Beissbarth UK, announcing that the ML8R Easy Wheel Aligner has been selected by the RML team for one of their busiest seasons. The Chevrolet Lacetti WTC will tackle rounds three and four of the 2005 World Touring Car Championship in Magny-Cours, France. In Magny-Cours, the team will be closely watched by Nick Reilly, CEO of GM Daewoo Auto & Technology in South Korea. “We’ll do our best to put up a good show for the boss,” said Mark Busfield, project manager, Chevrolet WTCC, “we are now looking at qualifying in the top 15.”
Continue ReadingContinental Pleased with Situation in Czech Republic
Looking back at its decision to operate a plant in the Czech Republic, Continental AG says it is pleased with the situation in the country. The company reports that is plans are on track and it has noticed some real benefits of operating in this area. For example, the elimination of border controls on what used to be the EU frontier has noticeably reduced transport times. What’s more, the paperwork involved and the costs entailed are also said to have been cut. Purchasing is also benefiting from improved material procurement from all of Eastern Europe, the company says. “Continental AG decided in favour of an engagement in the Czech Republic 12 years ago, and thus very early on. This has long since proved to have been a smart move. The EU’s eastward expansion makes the location even more attractive,” said Manfred Wennemer, chairman of Continental’s executive board, on the occasion of Czech president Vaclav Klaus’ visit to the company’s Otrokovice factory.
Continue ReadingNew UK Distributor For Toora Alloy Wheels
Toora, the Italian alloy wheel manufacturer, has announced that its new UK distributor is to be Exclusive Tuning & Design. Established in 1993, Toora have modern facilities based in Bergamo, and have a range of popular designs which have sold well throughout the UK. Exclusive Tuning are based in Exeter and have a management team with decades of experience in the UK’s aftermarket industry. Paul Normington of Exclusive Tuning said: “We are delighted to have been selected by Toora to supply their well designed range of wheels. We will be holding large stock levels to ensure we can cope with the strong demand.”
Continue ReadingUnipart Profits Up
The Unipart Group of Companies, one of Europe’s leading privately–owned distribution and logistics businesses, has reported sales for 2004 of £1.064bn (2003: £525.8m) and a net operating profit of £25.4m (- £1.3m). After tax, interest and other charges, the Group reported a profit of £26.3m (£0.9m).
Continue ReadingIndia: The Fastest Growing Car Producer in the World
(India/Rubber Asia) In 2004 India recorded the fastest growth among the top 15 passenger car producing countries in the world, according to the Paris-based International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA). As per the OICA’s latest rankings, India’s car production grew 30 per cent in 2004. Brazil came second with 17 per cent growth. What’s more, India is just a step away from being one of the 10 largest automobile producers in the world. The country jumped up two places to 11th.
Continue ReadingJP Morgan: Goodyear Shares ‘Overweight’
JP Morgan analysts have changed Goodyear’s share rating from “neutral” to “overweight,” while raising their estimates for the company. The analysts mentioned that the company’s share price has depreciated by 22 per cent year-to-date, creating an attractive investment opportunity. According to the analysts Goodyear is likely to benefit from moderating raw material costs in the short term and a healthy pricing environment globally. JP Morgan raised earnings per share estimates for 2005 and 2006 from $0.65 to $0.80 and $0.75 to $0.90 respectively.
Continue ReadingCambridge-MIT Institute publishes ‘Who killed MG Rover’ Report
The Cambridge-MIT Institute’s Centre for Competitiveness and Innovation (CCI), at the University of Cambridge has published a 33-page report investigating the final collapse of the MG-Rover in April 2005. Report authors Dr Matthias Holweg and Professor Nick Oliver investigate the final collapse of MG-Rover in April 2005, and address two main questions. First, what were the reasons for the final collapse, and was this avoidable? Second, who or what was responsible for the circumstances that put MG Rover in such a precarious position, and what critical choices sealed the fate of Rover?
Continue ReadingTitan Announces First Quarter Results
(Akron/Tire Review) Titan International Inc has reported record first-quarter net income of $11.2 million, up 111 per cent from last year’s first quarter. Net sales were $136.1 million for the first quarter, ended 31 March and gross profit was $24 million. Basic earnings per share also set a record at $0.68 for the quarter, the company said. Classified by segment, revenues were $89 million for agricultural, $39 million for earthmoving/construction and $7.5 million for consumer.
Continue ReadingKwik-Fit For Sale
Following its acquisition by British private equity firm, CVC Capital Partners, Kwik-Fit has put itself up for sale in a move that could raise as much as £800 million. CVC is reported to have sent information on the company to “a string of prospective buyers.” Although the names of the these companies have not been officially released, Reuters speculated that the list would include all the leading buyout firms including Cinven, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, BC Partners, Permira and J P Morgan Partners. The sale is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.
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