Earthmover/OTR Tyres
Following a global shortage of OTR tyres, mine operators and other consumers of the largest of tyres are tearing their hair out at the prospect of having wait for the opportunity to get their punctured vehicles moving again. Distributors and manufacturers however are seizing the opportunity to answer these needs with products and services. T&A will bring you the latest news from the OTR/Earthmover tyre segment.
Continue ReadingTitan Reaches Agreement With Union
Titan International, Inc. has reached an agreement with the United Steelworkers in a civil RICO case that began in September 2000. The case was dismissed on Wednesday, 1 February in Springfield, Illinois. “This disagreement started with the strike on May 1, 1998, and it has been a real fight,” said Maurice M Taylor, Titan chairman and CEO. “There’s no question that both parties were putting a lot of passion and money into this lawsuit. Titan believed it would have been successful, just as we were successful in the shareholder derivative suit brought against Titan by law firm Milberg Weiss, Bershad, Hynes, and LeRach LLP, but during negotiations with Goodyear on their North American farm tyre business, which took over 22 months, it became clear that Titan and the USW have a common goal—American jobs that pay fair wages and benefits. Titan agrees with that, but Titan believes it runs the factories, and if you pay for eight hours of work, you should get eight hours of work,” said Taylor.
Continue ReadingBandag Net Earnings Halve
Bandag Inc’s fourth quarter 2005 net earnings slid to less than half of their 2004 level despite strong net sales of $252.3 million (£142 million), up seven per cent. Consolidated net earnings totalled $12.1 million, compared with $30.8 million in 2004. According to the company, net sales were positively impacted by foreign currency translation to the tune of approximately $3.5 million. Announcing its full-year 2005 results, Bandag reported consolidated net sales of $914.6 against $864.3 million in 2004. Consolidated net earnings for 2005 were $49.5 million compared to $66.9 million in 2004.
Continue ReadingSome Freedom for Shredded Tyres in Landfill Engineering
Defra has allowed some shredded tyres to be used for “certain landfill engineering purposes” after the landfilling of tyres is officially banned in July. The news follows research conducted by the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP). Initial interpretation of the Landfill Directive declared that from July this year only whole tyres would be permitted for this purpose and the use of shredded tyres was therefore precluded. However, according to the NISP this move would have had serious environmental consequences; because NISP had already identified replacement aggregate as a re-use option for up to a quarter of this year’s UK tyre waste.
Continue ReadingGoing, going, gone – Blackcircles launches Online Auction Site
Online tyre business, blackcircles.com, has launched a ‘virtual auction’ website. Designed as a way of bringing cut-price quality products to the masses, the company is aiming to use its reputable image to shine a light on the sometimes questionable world of Internet tyre auctioning. Whether or not the site is aiming to or, can realistically compete with, global giants like eBay is another question.
Continue ReadingChinese Boom Depletes Global OTR Markets
Recently the global mining industry has had to face a new obstacle. And it has nothing to do with a lack of demand for the raw materials that this business harvests from the earth. Far from it. In the wake of economic expansion in Asia and America, global demand for raw materials has increased rapidly. Order books are full. Despite this, without an integral component, some mining companies have been brought to a standstill. Like cars, earthmovers and other off-the-road (OTR) vehicles cannot go anywhere without tyres. The chronic shortage of the right kind of rubber for these, often enormous, vehicles means wheel loaders, earth movers and other quarry, mine and dump orientated machines are increasingly rolled out to customers shod only with wooden bandages designed to protect the rims. Frustrated at the pace of delivery, some mine and quarry operators have even sourced new tyres from the tyre trade themselves, new tyres that are intended to fit newly bought vehicles. Although now, even the tyre trade is finding it difficult to offer anything in this respect.
Continue ReadingThe Next Millennium
Viking International is set to launch a new “competitively priced” ultra high performance tyre range – the Millennium. According to the company, the new exclusive tyre comes as the result of massive investment and is designed to deliver “the ultimate in reliability and predictability at the extremes of performance handling.” Viking reports that it has completely re-engineered its Millennium UHP range and that the line is now available in 36 sizes, fitting 15 to 18 inch diameter wheels. An 18 inch option is set to follow later in 2006. The new European-produced Millennium, uses a unique silica compound and is W – Y rated for speeds of up to 186 mph. Millennium’s new UHP directional tread pattern represents the very cutting edge in design technology, according to the company. It is currently available in 35, 40 and 45 series to fit wheels from 17 – 18 inches. The directional pattern is available in both W and Y speed ratings. Unusually for a UHP tyre the Millennium claims to be a class leader when it comes to wear rates. Viking representatives report that this is down to low rolling resistance and point out that an integrated rim protector helps safeguard alloy wheels. Furthermore, the Millennium’s asymmetrical tread pattern is said to deliver superb all weather handling. Featuring new “tri zone” technology, the Millennium also claims “superior” ride comfort and reduced noise with excellent high-speed water dispersal; superb corning stability and steering response. Available from 40 series to 65 series to fit wheels from 15 – 17 inches, this variation is available in V and W speed ratings. Mike Curry, managing director at Viking International, said: “The new Millennium range offers an exceptional quality alternative to the more expensive, premium-branded high performance products, with the added advantage of providing significantly better profit potential for the retailer. We will be supporting the launch with a high profile trade marketing campaign running throughout 2006 and we have developed a full range of support including point of sale; signage; merchandise; clothing and consumer / trade incentives.” He added: “The Millennium range is only available through Viking International and with the rapid growth in the performance market, we are expecting a very high level of demand for this exciting new range.”
Continue ReadingBridgestone and Scottish Coal – Tyre Management is the Key
The seemingly ever-increasing demand for plant and equipment from China in particular has had dramatic effects on the earthmover tyre market. In an attempt to meet demand, Bridgestone’s factories are operating at maximum capacity and the company has revised its production capacity forecasts. It had planned to increase earthmover tyre production by 80 per cent between 2004 and 2008, but this schedule is being accelerated. The effects of the tyre shortage are neatly encapsulated in what is happening to the UK coal mining industry. The opencast mining industry in the UK is Western Europe’s largest and accounts for around 18,500 tyres a year. Bridgestone has been the market leader in this sector for over 10 years.
Continue ReadingDoes Form Still Follow Function, or Tyre Testers?
During the course of Continental’s annual pre-Christmas event, which has now taken place for more than 10 years, the German manufacturer asked international tyre specialists from several reputed magazines to ponder the following question: “Do driver assist systems require new winter tyre testing procedures?” To summarise the stimulated discussions that took place in Ivalo, Finland, it seems development engineers at Hanover are obliged to try and serve the two masters at the same time. On the one hand, all tyre manufacturers are interested in achieving good test results for their products. On the other hand, tyre features have to be optimised according to road realities. And this is exactly where Continental has detected a discrepancy: because of the introduction of new driver assist systems some test set-ups seem to be out-of-date and could therefore generate misleading results. Driver assist systems like ABS, ESC and TCS are now common standard fitments, even on compact cars. They provide increased safety and intervene to correct driving errors. During tyre testing, however, ESC and TCS are switched off in order to test the tyres without the effects of those systems. But such test methods have now reached their limits – particularly when you consider that ESC cannot be switched off in some vehicles without interfering with the electronics. Transferability of the test results therefore also debatable because – depending on the vehicle manufacturer’s philosophy – driver assist systems have different performance parameters and so respond in different ways to different tyres grip characteristics. According to Dr Burkhard Wies from Continental, driver assist systems should also be switched on during tyre testing in the future. This would keep tyre tests in line with latest technological advances for both tyres and vehicles.
Continue ReadingSuperior Industries Restructures Van Nuys Facility
Superior Industries International, Inc is restructuring its manufacturing facility in Van Nuys, California, laying off approximately 375 employees, out of 635 manufacturing employees. Superior’s corporate offices and 125 corporate staff, which also are located at this facility, will not be affected by the downsizing. The company reports that manufacturing will continue despite the job cuts.
Continue ReadingPierce Selects SmarTire to Supply TPMS
SmarTire Systems Inc has announced that Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Truck Corporation company, will include the SmarTire’s active TPMS as an option for new and existing fire-fighting vehicles. Pierce Manufacturing is North America’s leading manufacturer of fire and safety apparatus.
Continue ReadingPro-Align Relocates
Pro-Align has moved into new premises at ‘The Old Orchard’, Towcester. Set in the heart of Northamptonshire countryside (a mile or two from the Silverstone Circuit), the barn conversion-style building provides offices, training facilities, service workshops and warehousing. Paul Beaurain, Pro-Align’s MD told Tyres & Accessories: “We are delighted with the new site, it is beyond all our expectations and provides a very pleasant working environment for the team. With the site being located centrally between the M1 & M40, access for customers and the Pro-Align team alike is very good.”
Continue ReadingBFNAT Gives Consumers 30 Days to Try, Decide
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) launched a new consumer tyre sales effort that gives buyers 30 days to decide if they want to keep their recently purchased Bridgestone, Firestone or Dayton brand tyres. “Buy & Try 30-Day Guarantee” starts 1 February, and “puts consumers in the driver’s seat,” said Phil Pacsi, BFNAT’s executive director of consumer tyre brand marketing. “If after 30 days or less the consumer is not satisfied with the performance of our tyres we will refund their money.”
Continue ReadingMagazine Says ‘Garages Don’t Care’
Five months after the introduction of Automotive Kitemark system, there are only three accredited workshops for consumers to choose from. So far the British Standards Institute says it has received fewer than 100 applications from the UK’s 25,000 garages. According to What Car, numerous mystery shop reports have all shown motorists are routinely overcharged, told they need unnecessary work or left with cars in a dangerous, un-roadworthy condition.
Continue ReadingBlackcircles Joins the Fleet Business
Blackcircles.com is to challenge the established fleet market with the launch of its own online fleet service. Recent appointment, Paul Collins, will be responsible for ensuring consistent delivery and on-going innovation by managing Black Circles Fleet. According to the company, the new service will be available to vehicle fleets of all sizes. Furthermore, blackcircles.com/fleet is said to significantly simplify the purchase process by providing access through a web-based system. Businesses will have their own private area containing all their vehicle details and will be able to make transactions using a unique PIN number.
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