The Learning Curve: Trelleborg Wheel Systems UK
It was at the beginning of 1999 when Trelleborg Wheel Systems UK was formed as a result of the joint venture between Trelleborg and Pirelli’s agricultural tyre division. Clive Thawley is the managing director of the UK company and, in our article, he and product manager Robert Hughes talked of the first year or so since the merger; a year of consolidation and of learning. The changes not only affected the sales staff, who had to get to grips with a suddenly-expanded product range, but the customers wanted to know what was happening, and why. By keeping customers fully informed, Trelleborg Wheel Systems ensured that the reaction was a positive one. It is no secret that agriculture in the UK is facing a very tough time, and the possible consequences for a company that specialises in agricultural tyres are obvious. Fortunately, Trelleborg Wheel Systems has contracts with a number of original equipment manufacturers, for both Trelleborg and Pirelli brands. What of competition, especially with Sterling as high as it is? While it is true that some cheaper, imported tyres are finding their way on to the market, many farmers buy on benefits and value for money, rather than price alone. For these customers, the benefits of a premium brand outweigh the higher initial cost. The past year or so has been a period of integration and learning for Trelleborg Wheel Systems, and now the company is poised to reap the benefits of its hard preparation work. Read more in TYRES & ACCESSORIES 5/2000.
Continue ReadingSecond Tyre Factory For Marangoni
Marangoni Tyre plans to invest US$ 200 million to build a second tyre factory in Europe with a capacity of 4.5 million car and SUV tyres a year.
Continue ReadingTurnover Of Passenger Car Tyres Increase
As the 14th annual meeting of the German tyre dealers association announced, the turnover of passenger car tyres increased 44 p.c. over the previous year. Responsible for this positive development was the winter tyre segment which increased 14.8 p.c. to 17 million pieces. In spring 2000 43 percent of all passenger cars had been equipped with winter tyres. This year the association expects – in contradiction to the positive prognosis – a stagnant market. Reason: the bad results in the passenger car sector during the first months of this year.
Continue ReadingIs General Motors Smashing Opel?
The German GM daughter-company Opel is likely to be smashed by General Motors. So said a spokesman for the Unions in an interview with the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
Continue ReadingConsumers Do Not Fear Flat Tyres
According to a study, organised by Dunlop GmbH in Hanau, only 3% of 1,400 car drivers questioned are worried about flat tyres. 10% are more concerned about speeding and 37% say that reckless driving by others is far more dangerous.
Continue ReadingLatest Truck Initiatives From Michelin
In June, Michelin UK appointed Thierry Martin as Commercial Director – Truck and, in an exclusive interview with TYRES & ACCESSORIES, he spelled out the latest efforts of Michelin to woo customers in the competitive truck tyre market. The emphasis has switched from merely supplying product to providing a comprehensive service for customers. A good example is the Michelin Euro Assist breakdown programme, where customers with tyre problems in any of 17 countries across Europe can dial one number for 24-hour help. Today’s service advisors aim to significantly cut costs for customers across the total package and double digit savings are not uncommon. Michelin’s technical advisors monitor maintenance and diagnose problems in order that the customer gets optimum usage from his tyres. Of course, in a fixed-price contract, increasing tyre life benefits the manufacturer too. The importance of the service element was underlined when Michelin won the contract to supply tyres to Transamerica Trailer Leasing (which has 21,000 trailers in its European fleet) for the next five years. The clinching argument was not the price, but the availability of service and back-up across Europe. Michelin has extended its Michelin Business Advantage (MBA) scheme, originally aimed at car tyre customers, to truck tyre buyers. MBA is a scheme whereby independent customers and Michelin sit down together to discuss how they can work together to improve the service on offer to customers, thereby benefiting all three parties. This leads to what Thierry Martin describes as a win, win, win situation.
Continue ReadingContinental Number 34 In German Company Rankings
In a list of the 100 largest German industrial and trading companies, published in the newspaper Süddeutschen Zeitung, Continental was ranked in 34th place, with a 1999 turnover of 9.132 bn. Euros. This is a rise of eight places from the previous years list. The leading trio remains unchanged; undisputed leader is still DaimlerChrysler, followed by Volkswagen and Siemens.
Continue ReadingDifferences Between Ford and Firestone Continue
With court appearances imminent lawyers for Ford and Firestone are still discussing how to consiolidate some 100 cases being brought against them in federal courts. It is still hoped to draw all claims before a single judge for a pre-trial preparation. However, continuing differences between Ford and Firestone may lead to a split defence. Plaintiffs lawyers are said to be jubilant at the lack of united front on the recall.
Continue ReadingNo Recall For Cooper
Cooper Tire says it is outraged at the implication in recent press reports that there may be an investigation into its tyres. The company says that it has not been contacted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and there are no reasons for a recall. Furthermore, Cooper says it would be pleased to furnish the NHTSA with its records and data if required, and these data would confirm that the companys tyres are safe.
Continue ReadingNew Zealand Speed Limits For Space Savers
New Zealands land Transport Safety Authority is proposing that space saver tyres be limited to maximum speeds of 80kph. Other recommendations are that they only be used in emergencies, only one is fitted to a vehicle at a time, they are used in accordance with manufacturers instructions and to the correct tyre pressure. Recently, a parliamentary committee stated that it was concerned about the use of spacesaver tyres, but they did not want to see them banned.
Continue ReadingVehicle Recall Ordered For Ford In California
A Californian judge has ordered Ford to recall up to two million vehicles in the state. The vehicles were fitted with an allegedly faulty ignition module which, it is said, can lead to vehicles stalling. Ford says it will appeal. A law firm has filed an action against Ford to recall nationwide all of the vehicles fitted with the module and to reimburse customers who have been injured or who have lost out economically. It is estimated that there are 23 million such vehicles in the USA.
Continue ReadingLaw Suit Has Little Chance of Success Say DaimlerChrysler
DaimlerChrysler have said that they regard the nine billion Dollar law suit by its third largest shareholder, the Tracinda Investment Group, as completely unfounded. The lawsuit alleges that DaimlerChrysler have deliberately deceived the US Stock Exchange Control Institution as well as the shareholders. Analysts predict that this law suit has little chance of success. Although Deutsche Bank, the main shareholder of DaimlerChrysler, have demonstratively supported the management, the car manufacturers share price went down significantly to 45.85 Euros.
Continue ReadingOut of Sight – Out of Mind
According to results from Tyrecheck 2000, carried out by Police forces throughout the UK, as many as one in ten cars on UK roads may be running on illegal tyres, 27% are, at best, close to the end of their safe and legal life. That’s in excess of 13million illegal tyres in use every day. Imagine then the figures for faulty shock absorbers hidden out of sight? Recent research carried out in the UK suggested that over 6 million out of 25 million (24%) cars on the road were running on at least one faulty shock absorber. Belgian research confirmed that this is not purely an UK problem when figures produced there showed 20-25% of motorists driving with faulty dampers. If the car driver is unaware of a problem, how can the industry realise the potential sales in the shock absorber aftermarket? The market is estimated by Datamonitor to be worth in excess of 124M Euro at Retail Selling Price (RSP) in the UK alone, and across Europe has a value of some 471M Euro at Manufacturer Selling Prices (MSP). How does the fast fit salesman persuade the customer that he needs a new shock absorber? Moreover, how does he persuade him that he needs to change a pair? More about this can be found in the December issue of TYRES & ACCESSORIES.
Continue ReadingContinental Ends Champions League Sponsorship
At the end of this seasons competition, Continental will cease its sponsorship of footballs European Champions League. The company has been a major sponsor of the competition for the past five years.
Continue ReadingA New Name For Woosung
The Korean tyre manufacturer Woosung wants to change name and corporate identity. According to present information, this will be announced in Korea on 10th Febuary this year.
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