Fulda Tops Tyre Tests
Fulda’s high performance tyre, Attiro, has topped the medium/large car category in the recent Which? tyre tests.
Continue ReadingPoor’ US Roads Cost Drivers $52 billion Annually
The poor quality of American roads cost vehicle owners an extra $52 billion in annual repair, according to Market Analysis, a quarterly market research newsletter published by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). According to the Tire Review report, poor road conditions may also play a role in nearly 30 per cent of traffic fatalities, MEMA has found.
Continue ReadingApollo Tyres Cuts Prices
India’s Apollo Tyres Ltd tyres has reduced its prices by a range of 2-4.5 per cent. The announcement follows Indian finance minister, P Chidambaram’s decision to reduce excise duty on tyres from 24 to 16 per cent. After MRF and Ceat cut their prices there was speculation that other large manufacturers would also pass the savings onto consumers. “The price cut is in the range of 2-4.5 per cent across products and various categories,” a company official said, declining to go into the specifics of the price reduction.After the Budget announcements, the excise duty on truck and bus tyres for the replacement market was reduced to 16 per cent. Truck and bus tyre accounted for over 70 per cent of the turnover of the tyre industry in value terms.
Continue Reading‘Think Before You Drive’
Bridgestone and the FIA have launched a joint global road safety campaign. Designed to help reduce road deaths, the ‘Think Before You Drive’ campaign is due to be launched in May at the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix in Barcelona.
Continue ReadingTurkey to Privatise Telecom Company, Two Tyre Manufacturers Involved
The Turkish government is planning to privatise its national communications company, Türk Telekomünikasyon AS (Turk Telecom). Two tyre manufacturers have been linked to the prospective bidders. One of the favourites to complete the purchase is Oyak, the Turkish army pension fund, which is involved in a joint venture with Goodyear. But at the same time Telecom Italia, controlled by Pirelli, is also said to have a good chance of winning.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Raises Retread Material Prices in US
In the US, Goodyear Tire & Rubber has raised prices on its pre-cure tread stock and cushion gum by up to 6 per cent. The increases came into effect on 1 March, Tire Review has reported. The company said the increases were necessary due to the “increasing costs of raw material, higher energy charges and rising transportation costs.” Prices on the company’s Ultima brand of pre-cure tread stock increased by up to 8 per cent, while prices for strip and slab rubber were bumped up by up to 7 per cent, according to Tire Review.
Continue ReadingRMA Introduces Training Programme
The Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA) has announced that it will introduce a series of specialist training courses as part of a development programme aimed at increasing the range of value-added benefits offered to RMA members.
Continue ReadingBekaert Handling on a Roll
Roll containers are proving the most efficient method of distributing goods in the supply chain, according to Bekaert Handling. In recent months the company reports that it has seen the use of roll containers rise sharply throughout a variety of different industries. The company claims that it is unique in offering a complete bespoke design capability, developing innovative solutions to storage and handling problems.
Continue ReadingMichelin Denies Trenco Interest
Michelin will not buy the whole Trenco Egyptian conglomerate, as some new sources had reported. According to an article in French newspaper, Les Echos, Michelin was likely to buy the conglomerate for $10 million, despite its daily losses of $40,000 and debts of $200 million. Deutsche Bank analysts contacted Michelin and report that the company denied being interested in the whole conglomerate, but only in the Nisr tyre brand. Nisr is much smaller in comparison, producing only 30,000 tyres each year. Egypt is the 5th largest North African market with an annual volume of 3 million passenger tyres and 700,000 truck tyres. This is an attractive market for Michelin which aims to expand its production capacity in this region, the analysts believe.
Continue ReadingKwik-Fit Staff Set for World Record Attempt
Kwik-Fit is urging the fleet and tyre industries to sponsor its world record attempt and support the Tsunami appeal at the same time. 300 Kwik-Fit staff family and friends are aiming to break the existing record for the most people rolling tyres simultaneously over a designated distance.
Continue ReadingMore Brands than Shelf Space?
In a mature market like the UK, one thing is clear. There are a lot of different brands competing for the same customers. The so-called ‘premium’ brand manufacturers are each responsible for a handful of second line brands. While the so-called second line manufacturers are also often responsible for different names. On top of this, there seems to be an ever increasing number of budget brands, some with well known names and some still establishing themselves in the market place. The situation is confusing enough, but is the large number of brands available hindering retailers’ sales efforts? This month Tyres & Accessories would like to hear the trade’s views on this subject. So, why not take this opportunity to answer the brand new question of the month and leave a comment stating your views in more detail. To read the new ‘question of the month’ and to add your own views, click here.
Continue ReadingConti’s Discusses Building New Factory
Continental is currently considering plans to build a new tyre factory in Europe, according to Dr Alan Hippe, chief financial officer. If demands continue to be as strong as they are today, it would be the next logical step, said Dr Hippe speaking at the Geneva Motor Show. Such a new facility would have to be built in Eastern Europe, possibly in Lithuania, writes the Berliner Morgenpost. Recently Continental invested a considerable amount of money in Eastern Europe in order to cut production costs. Deutsche Bank analysts reported that Continental’s presentation was both “bullish“ and “striking.” In his presentation, Dr Hippe explained that Continental had revised its ESP penetration expectations for the US market to about 18 per cent in 2006, lifting the volume target to 1 million units. The CFO also suggested that the German manufacturer could be in a net cash position as early as the end of 2005. According to the analysts, “the bottom line is the growth and free cash story continues (at least 600-700 million euros per year).”
Continue ReadingStoke Industrial Action Put on Hold
The Transport & General Workers Union (T&G) has agreed hold off on planned industrial action for seven days. Union members at Michelin’s Stoke-on-Trent plant had agreed to work to rule, but the decision was suspended following a “positive” meeting with management. If no agreement on the pay offer can be reached, the industrial action will go ahead on 11 March, the Birmingham Post reported. A planned demonstration will also be postponed, the newspaper added.
Continue ReadingMichelin Invests in ATS Euromaster
Michelin has confirmed that it will be injecting a multi-million pound investment package into its UK service chain ATS Euromaster this year, so that it can continue to develop its added value customer focus started in 2004. According to the company this 10-year programme is part of a wider investment schedule that will be introduced and rolled out throughout the coming years.
Continue ReadingTenneco on Tour
Tenneco Automotive is embarking on a new safety campaign called ‘Testing Days on Tour.’ The manufacturer is putting a fleet of testing vans on the road to travel across Europe, testing motorists shock absorbers, springs, exhaust systems and catalytic converters checked, free of charge at participating garages.
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