Tyre Show For London Next Autumn
Hot on the heels of the demise of InterTyre comes the news that a new UK exhibition for the tyre and related trades has been organised for October at Earls Court in London. To be called Tyre World, the show will be run by London-based conference and events organisers Idex Media. The arrangements were confirmed only yesterday and, as such, few details are available at this time.
Continue ReadingManagement Changes At Goodyear
Goodyear has appointed Jonathan Rich (47) as president of the companys North American Tire unit. He succeeds John Polhemus (58), who is to retire after a career with Goodyear spanning 33 years. Rich was elected President of Goodyear Chemical last year, having joined the company in 2000. His successor as President is Joseph Copeland (41), director of finance for Goodyears Engineered Products and Chemical divisions.
Continue ReadingConfirmation Of Intertyre Cancellation
The SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) has confirmed that auto1 and InterTyre have been cancelled in a press release which blames the declining industry profits and reduced marketing budgets. The postponement decision has been taken rather than producing a show which would not fully represent the scale of the industry.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Makes InformationWeek 500
In the USA, Goodyear has been ranked number 118 in the InformationWeek top 500 list. This list ranks US companies with turnovers of more than $1 billion according to patterns of technical, operational and organisational innovation. The listing pleased Eric Berg, Goodyear vice president for e-commerce and chief information officer, who pointed out that the list is compiled on the basis of an organisations innovative use of information technology, rather than merely who spends the most on IT.
Continue ReadingBridgestone To Raise Prices In US
Bridgestone/Firestone North America is raising prices from 1st January because of increased raw material costs. The increases - up to 5 per cent - will apply to car and light truck tyres for the Bridgestone, Firestone and Dayton brands, as well as associate and private brands. Bridgestone, Firestone and Dayton heavy-duty and medium-duty truck tyres will rise by 3-4 per cent. The move follows similar increases in the US by Goodyear, Michelin and Cooper.
Continue ReadingEnvironmental Award For Goodyear North America
Goodyears North American Tire region has been recommended for certification to ISO 14001 environmental standard. The standard requires an organisation to identify and reduce its impact on the environment beyond legal requirements.
Continue ReadingLisoni & Lisoni Request Re-Opening Of Firestone Investigation
Lisoni & Lisoni has filed a petition with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) formally requesting that the agency reopen its investigation of the Firestone Steeltex tyre series, which it suspended. At the close of the investigation in April, 2002, the NHTSA said it would reopen its investigation if sufficient additional safety-related evidence became available. Lisoni & Lisoni announced it had provided the NHTSA with extensive documentation and evidence, which included remnants of the Steeltex tyres series R4S, R4SII and A/T which had suffered severe tread separation. Commenting on the source of the alleged defects, William Hagerty, a tyre analyst stressed: We have reason to believe that Bridgestone ordered Firestone to “de-engineer” the tyres to cut production costs, thereby compromising the quality and safety of the Steeltex tyres. Ultimately, these less robust tyres were unable to withstand the demands of larger vehicles. We also have reason to believe that Firestone instructed store owners not to submit warranty claims and tyre failure complaints in exchange for purchasing discounts, bonuses and other incentives. This alleged directive allows Firestone to report artificially low failure rates on the Steeltex tyre series.
Continue Reading1.23 Million tyres For China In 2003
A brief news item in a Chinese business weekly says that China plans to import 1.23 million auto tyres next year.
Continue ReadingIsraeli Company Develops Devulcanisation Technology
Levgum, of Israel, has developed a new rubber devulcanisation technology, allowing the rubber to be re-used. Exclusive rights to the western hemisphere have been purchased by Oklahoma-based Softstone Inc.; a company involved in rubber recycling. Softstone invested in the Levgum process after extensive testing by Akron Rubber Development Laboratory Inc. and holds 10 per cent of the companys shares. Softstone has the right to sub-license the technology and is negotiating with several major rubber product manufacturers. Levgum has signed licensing agreements with two companies in India and talks are under way with companies in Australia, Brazil and the UK.
Continue ReadingContinental Wins Auto Express 4×4 Tyre Test
Continentals 4x4Contact tyre has been placed top in a 4x4 tyre test, carried out by Auto Express magazine. The test leaned heavily towards on-road driving, with some off-road capability, reflecting the real-life use of the majority of 4x4 vehicles.
Continue ReadingCumbrian Man Punished For Waste Offences
Whitehaven Magistrates imposed a 240 hour community punishment and 350 pounds costs on a man found guilty of breaches of Waste regulations. Stuart Cowman illegally collected waste tyres on industrial land and ignored warnings from the environment Agency to clear the illegal waste. Cowman failed to take any steps to remedy the situation, and on a date after March 2001 his business left the site - leaving the tyres behind. Cowman attended an interview with Environment Agency officers at which he admitted depositing the tyres. He also admitted he had been advised by Agency officers of the illegality of his operation. The court heard that the defendant had three verbal warnings, one formal notice and three written warnings, and that he had ample opportunity to remedy the situation. He made profits of up to 7,200 pounds by taking in the tyres, and left the landowner with clean-up costs estimated at up to 10,000 pounds. The tyres remain on the site and the Agency is now negotiating with the landowner to decide the best way of removing them and cleaning up the land.
Continue ReadingPirelli Teams Up With Maserati In US Race Series
Pirelli is to be sole supplier of tyres and tyre technology to Maserati, the Ferrari-owned sports car maker. Next year Pirelli P Zero tyres will be fitted to Maserati cars competing in the Maserati trophy and, the following year, to Maserati cars competing on the GT race circuit. Maseratis Spider and Coupe sell for around $100,000 and the brand was named as a must-have for affluent Americans in two lifestyle magazines. Maserati is concentrating on the US market and by 2006, hopes to sell 45 per cent of its global total of 10,000 vehicles in North America.
Continue ReadingSlick Tyres To Return To Formula One?
Formula Ones Technical Working Group is said to be considering allowing slick tyres to make a comeback in the race series. Grooved tyres were introduced in an attempt to slow cars down, but lap records continue to be broken and, it is argued, the net effect was to make overtaking harder, as drivers felt they had less stability and grip. Formula One has seen a fall in TV viewing figures and the Technical Working Group is exploring ways of making the races more exciting.
Continue ReadingBandag Declares Quarterly Dividend
Bandag Incorporated declared an increase in the regular quarterly dividend from $.315 per share to $.32 per share on the Common Stock, Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Company payable January 17, 2003 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 19, 2002.
Continue ReadingJacques Nasser Back In Business
Jacques Nasser (54), ex-Ford CEO, has been appointed a Senior Partner at One Equity Partners LLC, where his task will be to identify, evaluate and implement direct equity investments in various industries world-wide. Nasser will also become the Non-Executive Chairman of Polaroid Corporation, the company acquired by an affiliate of One Equity in July this year.
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