Wholesaler praises Goodyear part worn initiative
Alan Baldwin, wholesale director at Micheldever Tyre Services, has praised Goodyear Dunlop UK’s recent part worn information initiative “in the strongest possible way.” Speaking to Tyres & Accessories, Baldwin highlighted what he called “their excellent initiative in exposing the dangers of part worn tyres to the consumer”. He continued: “Amongst all the tyre manufacturers, Goodyear has clearly grasped the horrendous dangers of what the almost totally un-policed and dangerous part worn market means to the consumers safety and pockets…Goodyear’s excellent flyer (“The Ugly Truth about Part Worns) is the best information a consumer could be given and should be applauded by the entire industry.”
Continue ReadingEuro-zone debt crisis hitting trailer market
The uncertain economic outlook in Europe looks set to hit sales of heavy trailers in 2012. Demand for new trailers is now forecast to fall below the level of 2011, according to some market analysts. As a consequence the sales figure for 2012 will be 10,000 trailers less than was forecast in May this year.
Continue ReadingL-Ray offers differometric tyre analyser for under $100,000
Non-destructive tyre testing equipment provider L-Ray has launched its newest differometric tyre analyser model for the tyre manufacturing and retreading industry. The new MDA-48 series machines will use the same differometric technology as previous, more expensive models, but in a manual load/unload, two-camera configuration with a base price of under $100,000.
Continue ReadingCam Systems introduces VMware
Independent tyre dealer software provider, Cam Systems has introduced its new VMware component, part of its .NET development. VMware allows companies to invest in a robust virtualised processing environment that the company says is flexible and able to deliver greater scope for growth. VMware allows businesses to run multiple virtual machines, housing applications such as Cameo, CRM and UniSerV on as few as two physical units.
Continue ReadingVauxhall backs Autosocks
Vauxhall has become the latest in a run of vehicle manufacturers to offers its customers winter traction advice, however while most vehicle main dealers who have take a public stance on this have promoted the benefits of winter tyres, Vauxhall appears to promoting the temporary AutoSock option. According to the company, Vauxhal retailers are once again offering “a comprehensive range of accessories in preparation for the winter months,” including AutoSock Snow Socks cold weather tyre covers.
Continue ReadingAlloyGator wheel rim protection product launched
AlloyGator, a patented alloy wheel protection system, has been launched with the aim of providing car owners with unrivalled protection against scuffs, scratches and other wheel damage. AlloyGator is an affordable solution in keeping alloy wheels looking better for longer for consumers and an opportunity to up-sell for tyre dealers.
Continue ReadingSKF wins NAPA quality award
SKF received the NAPA “Excellence in Quality” award at the recent 2011 NAPA Supplier Summit in Atlanta in the US. The award recognized SKF for quality in all areas of its business. “It gives us great pride to receive the ’Excellence in Quality‘ award from NAPA,” said Mike McGrath, president of SKF. “We are pleased to know that our distribution customers and end users recognize the value of SKF premium quality products in the aftermarket.”
Continue ReadingSchrader launches YouTube channel
For more than 165 years Schrader has sought to lead the design and manufacture of valve, mechanical and electronic system components and sensing technologies, now this taking on a YouTube channel as well!
Continue ReadingSaab dealerships offering winter tyre packages, snow socks
Swedish car brand Saab is offering winter tyre packages through its dealerships in October, offering alloy wheels and winter rubber from £559, excluding fitment. David Leighton, business development manager for aftersales at Saab GB, notes that winter tyres “reduce braking distances and suffer less wear and tear, thus offering not only peace of mind, but a cost-saving benefit too.”
Continue ReadingSyron extends Everest winter range
Germany’s Syron Tires has announced an expansion of its winter product line, introducing an SUV and truck iteration. The Everest SUV and Everest C, alongside an extension in the sizes available of the Everest 1 series, bring the total range of fitments to 52 sizes. The company says the Everest range will extend further in time for the 2011/12 winter season, making sizes from 13 to 19 inches available.
Continue ReadingMichelin launches Bibsteel range for skid steer loaders
Michelin has announced the introduction of its new range of compact line radial tyres. The initial BibSteel range comprises an all-terrain and a hard-surface tyre for off-road and asphalt and other hard surfaces use respectively. Michelin says the tyres are designed to increase the productivity of skid steer loaders used on building and construction sites, as well as on highways maintenance operations.
Continue ReadingZircotec launches glossy black coating for cast manifolds
Zircotec has launched a new ceramic coating to replicate the vitreous enamel finish of Jaguar manifolds. The product protects under-bonnet components and bodywork from the effects of heat and is suitable for all six cylinder Jaguars manufactured between 1948 and the mid-1980s. The coatings manufacturer says its “Liquid Black” ceramic coating “solves the long standing durability issues of the original enamel finish whilst also reducing under-bonnet temperatures, adding that the product had been tested to a simulated 100,000 miles of use.
Continue ReadingMartin Blakey appointed Tech Europe vice president
Tech Europe has announced the appointment of Martin Blakey as vice president of sales and marketing for Europe. According to the company, this appointment has been made to ensure that customers receive “the highest levels of service during a period of sustained growth for the Tech and Pang brands of Tyre repair products in the European markets.”
Continue ReadingAvon Tyres to supply Classic Safari Challenge competitor’s tyres
Shropshire couple Keith and Norah Ashworth, owners of Avon Tyres fleet customer Burnt Tree Vehicle Rental, are to tackle the Classic Safari Challenge 2011. The pair will contest a classic 1964 Mercedes-Benz 190 Fintail, shod with Avon rubber, in the event, which runs from August to September. The event, organised by the Endurance Rally Association, covers more than 3,500 miles of stunning African landscape as it crosses Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa on its mammoth journey.
Continue ReadingGerman industry leads the West European trailer market recovery
The German trailer industry is undergoing a very rapid revival in its fortunes, according to consulting group Clear. Output of trailers has been boosted by three key demand growth factors, says the firm’s latest report on the subject. Firstly, the German market itself has recovered from the nadir of 2009 in splendid style: sales of trailers will exceed the combined demand of France, the UK and Italy in 2011 as it did in 2010. Secondly, exports of trailers from Germany increased by 90 per cent in 2010 as markets in both East and West Europe, with a very few exceptions, started to recover. Thirdly, stocks of finished trailers which had accumulated as the recession bit, had been large cleaned out, leaving the industry in a very lean condition. This meant that all new orders went straight into increased production.
Continue Reading