Tanzanian Government Restricts Import Of Tyres
The Tanzanian Government has restricted the import of tyres in a protectionist measure. A spokesman said that businessmen have been taking advantage of consumer ignorance by importing cheap, sub-standard products and also used tyres, which is illegal. This has threatened the countrys only domestic tyre factory, General Tyre (EA), which has been unable to sell all of its annual production of around 330,000 tyres.
Continue ReadingOne Year On – Viking International
It was early in the year 2000 when Continental merged its two UK wholesalers, Viking Express and Birkenshaw International, to form Viking International. The move made a lot of sense, as the two companies had separate territories and there was little duplication of services – this was underlined by the fact that Viking International was formed with no redundancies being made in either company. In our article, Viking Internationals MD Alan Revie talks about the events of the past year, how the merger had affected customers and company alike and the prospects for the future. Times are difficult today for wholesalers, with costs increasing and price pressure on tyres and Viking International places great emphasis on IT and its role in modern business practice. One year on from the merger and Alan Revie is upbeat and confident about the future for Viking International, believing that the company is ideally placed to develop and grow.
Continue ReadingSale Rumours Denied By National
TYRES & ACCESSORIES, on hearing stories of a Continental sale of National Tyres and Autocare decided to put the question to National. In response to enquiries about the possible sale by Continental, Roger Hawkins, Managing Director of Nationals Retail division told TYRES & ACCESSORIES, Continental has no immediate plans to sell National Tyres, rather it has invested a considerable amount into the fast-fit chain in the past 18 months on branch refurbishment and acquisition of High Street locations and will soon be unveiling an ambitious new fleet programme. National Tyres and Autocare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental AG and reports to Continental AG in Germany. If the Equity were to be sold off it would send shock-waves through the UK retail and wholesale trade.
Continue ReadingCost Reductions Planned By Michelin
Michelin achieved a 2.8 per cent growth in sales for the first quarter of 2001, compared to the same period last year. The passenger car divisions in Europe and the USA were successful, selling more UHP tyres than ever before and improving the mix. Obviously, price increases are sticking, with the exception of truck tyres in the USA. Michelin has announced a cost reduction plan for the US, designed to save around 125 million Euro. Despite a sharp fall in EBIT, Deutsche Bank analysts confirmed Michelin shares as a buy.
Continue ReadingNew Technology Tyre For Concorde From Michelin
Following the tragic Concorde crash last summer, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) approached tyre manufacturers to see if any research was on-going to improve the resistance of tyres to damage by foreign objects. In Paris, Michelin unveiled its response, the radial NZG. NZG, which stands for near zero growth is described as the latest innovation in radial technology. It uses a high-modulus reinforcement material which is lighter and offers higher damage resistance. The tyre was tested by running over a 30 cm blade both at taxiing and take-off speeds and the tyre suffered no damage.
Continue ReadingIll Wind Might Assist Rubber Industry
The fall out from the Firestone/Ford debacle may not only assist tyre manufacturers in increasing market share at the expense of Bridgestone Firestone, but the natural rubber market may see a boost in demand. An estimated 39,000 tonnes of natural rubber will be needed to replace the 13m tyres being recalled. Traders expect prices of natural rubber to start rising as production is increased to meet the sudden demand for replacement tyres.
Continue ReadingCooperation Bandag/Continental Brings Only Advantages
Ron Carver (Bandag) and Dr. Nikolin (Continental) said during a joint press conference held in Hanover, that the cooperation creates a win-win-situation. On the one hand there will be a quality product and on the other hand the franchise net is, according to Carver, strong enough across Europe to guarantee deliveries in the shortest possible time. In the Precure Retreading market more and more customers are insisting on having their own casings retreaded.
Continue ReadingFaulty Wheel Bolts Cause Recall
The possibility of faulty wheel bolts being fitted to Honda vehicles has prompted the company to recall all vehicles manufactured between 9 January and 20 April. Defects have been found in 37 cases. Honda is investigating whether cars produced in North America or Europe are affected.
Continue ReadingInternet Solutions for Fleetpark Management Systems
Truck manufacturer Scania (minority shareholder VW) and electronic systems specialist gedas (100 % owned by VW) will co-operate in order to connect the fleetpark management system FAS (Fleet Analysis System) and the logistic portal logiweb. The planned telematic solution will make far-reaching analysis of the condition of a truck – for example the tyre pressures – possible via the internet.
Continue ReadingCooperation Between Cooper-Avon And Kenda
An agreement has been reached whereby Taiwanese tyre manufacturer Kenda will make passenger car radials for Cooper-Avon. Cooper says that a number of brand names will be manufactured, including Cooper and Avon, initially T-rated tyres and, again initially, for sale in Europe. The agreement frees up valuable capacity for high performance tyre production at Cooper-Avons Melksham plant, says Managing Director Ron Shield.
Continue ReadingOfficial Opening Of Bridgestone Poznan Plant
Bridgestones tyre factory at Poznan, Poland, has been officially opened. It is the companys sixth tyre factory in Europe and one of 46 across the globe. It produces 10,000 Bridgestone and Firestone tyres daily, mainly high- and ultra-high performance tyres, with a workforce of 540. The factory is a joint venture with state-owned Stomil Poznan SA.
Continue ReadingInternet Sales Disappointment
Continental has ended its co-operation with Autobytel Europe. The tyre manufacturer had intended to invest 15 million Euro in retail sales via the Internet. The company has revised plans and is eschewing B2C activities to concentrate on B2B developments. Swedish customers in the test market can already access the tyre module from car broker Autobytel.
Continue ReadingCo-operation Between Goodyear and Siemens VDO
Goodyear and Siemens VDO have announced plans to develop a progressive tyre pressure monitoring system which can be introduced to the market at an early date. The co-operation brings together Goodyears knowledge in the fields of tyre pressure control, sensors and interpretation of tyre temperature and pressure, with the know-how of Siemens VDO in electronics and common automotive systems.
Continue ReadingLexus Chooses Bridgestone Run-Flat As OE
Lexus has chosen the Bridgestone Potenza RE040 run-flat tyre (RFT) as original equipment for its new flagship SC430 cabriolet, allowing the car to travel safely even when the tyre has a puncture. The RE040 RFT also eliminates the need to carry a spare wheel, thus gaining valuable storage space in the boot of the compact car and saving weight.
Continue ReadingRecommendation For Goodyear Shares Also
Deutsche Bank analysts have upgraded Goodyear shares from Market Perform to Buy. They are of the opinion that Goodyear has made significant progress in reforming its cost structure and this, coupled with lower raw material prices, will mean much better-than-expected profits. The analysts also believe that Goodyear can capture many Firestone dealers in February next year, when their contracts with Firestone expire.
Continue Reading