TIA Seeks a Presidential Thumbs-Down on Proposed Tariffs
The Tire Industry Association has reiterated its position regarding Chinese tyres and duties upon them in a letter sent to US President Obama. The TIA has urged the President to reject the recommendation for duties of up to 55 per cent on passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyres, as voted upon by the US International Trade Commission on June 29. A copy of this letter was also sent to the United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk. In the letter, the TIA argued that the ITC proposed tariffs will not protect US manufacturing jobs and will result in higher prices and fewer choices for customers. It also addressed the possibility of safety issues arising should consumer access to affordable tyres be restricted.
Continue ReadingTrade Group Launch Trademaster T1035
Trademaster recently launched the T1035, hydraulic, two-post car lift, which the company believes will “take the market by storm.” Trade Group spokesman Terry Bullworthy explained: “The Trademaster T1035 is…[an] open top, base type lift, with a 3.5 tonne lifting capacity that has been designed and developed specifically for Trade Group. Importantly, it is has ‘traceable CE approval’ and is manufactured and built to our exacting standards to ensure that safety, quality and reliability are paramount. We believe the Trademaster T1035 is the most cost-effective entrant into the world of two column hydraulic lifts, it has rugged construction, three-stage support arms and ergonomic control allows for safe, easy and efficient operation in the garage workshop.”
Continue ReadingScorpion Introduces Exhaust System for Focus ST
Those with a penchant for modifying their ‘motor’ have long cast a favourable eye upon the Ford Focus ST. Early examples of the hot hatch are now emerging from their warranty window – and Scorpion is ready and waiting with its Focus ST sports exhaust system. The exhaust manufacturer reports it has created a 63mm diameter system that perfectly balances optimum gas flow with the required back-pressure to keep the turbo spinning ‘on song’ throughout the rev range.
Continue ReadingRaybestos Taps Police Veteran as Brake Consultant
Retired cop Ronnie Faison has joined Raybestos as technical consultant and official spokesperson for the new Raybestos Police Braking System. Faison served for 35 years as equipment superintendent for the North Carolina Highway Patrol, managing one of the largest police fleets in the country, Raybestos said. “The North Carolina Highway Patrol was involved in countless research and development tests with Raybestos product engineers at our driver training facility,” said Faison. “They are constantly striving to improve their product and that’s why Raybestos police brakes have always outperformed the competition, and why the new complete Police Braking System from Raybestos will perform unlike anything else in the fleet industry.” In his new role, Faison’s responsibilities will include everything from product development and testing to public speaking engagements and appearing in Raybestos product spotlights and ads. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingCentury Textiles Resumes Rayon Tyre Yarn Production
Following a half-year pause, India’s Century Textiles & Industries Ltd has resumed the production of rayon tyre yarn at its factory in Kalyan, Maharashtra state. Production had been suspended in February due to market conditions, and the decision to resume production on July 1 means that overall annual production capacity will fall about 12 per cent, as opposed to the previously estimated 25 per cent. The company states, however, that ongoing market conditions may necessitate further decisions being taken.
Continue ReadingSafety Scholars Finalists Set, Voting Begins
The top ten finalists have been selected in the 2009 Bridgestone Americas Safety Scholars video contest, and now consumers get their chance to vote. The national competition challenges 16- to 21-year-old drivers to create short videos about automotive safety or making eco-conscious decisions when operating a vehicle. The finalists were selected by a panel of judges from 817 entries received by Bridgestone Americas. The top ten videos are now posted at safetyscholars.com for online voting until 3 August. Votes will determine the three grand prize winners who will be announced on 10 August. Finalists’ videos are also available for viewing on social networking sites including Facebook, YouTube and MySpace. The grand prize winners will receive a $5,000 scholarship and a set of new Bridgestone or Firestone tyres, and their winning videos may be used on TV stations nationwide as part of a public service announcement campaign. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue Reading91 Laid off from Bridgestone Factory in US
Further layoffs have been announced at a Bridgestone facility in the US following a week-long shutdown. An additional 91 employees at the OTR tyre factory in Bloomington, Illinois were laid off on July 12, four months after 67 of their colleagues were let go. The company expects to re-hire 40 of these workers on August 1, however it comments that due to inventory levels and industry demand, 19 workers will also be laid off on August 15.
Continue ReadingMaxam OTR and High Speed Crane Tyres to be Displayed at CITExpo
Produced by Mai (Shandong) Radial Tyre, a subsidiary of the Italian Mai Group, Maxam tyres boast an “advanced” range of all steel radial OTR products which play an important role in accelerating the group’s market development strategy, both in the local market and for global export. Mai (Shandong) Radial Tyre Company is headquartered in Shandong Province, China and says that it possesses a “technically-advanced radial tyre manufacturing plant with a highly skilled workforce.” Mai has manufacturing plants in Asia and Europe, enabling the fast development of heavy duty, application-specific products for divergent markets. All its products are available through the Maxam dealer network. The company will be exhibiting the Maxam range in booth 2828.
Continue ReadingTyre Industry Organisations Working with HSE to Reduce Injuries
Musculoskeletal disorders, which often arise from poor manual handling practice, are the most common cause of occupational ill health in Britain and currently affect a million people a year – and they are said to cost the nation some £5.7 billion. The need to increase awareness of such risks amongst tyre industry employees has prompted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to team up with the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) and the British Tyre Manufacturers Association (BTMA). It is hoped this three-way cooperation can inform workers of potential dangers and reduce the number of injuries caused each year.
Continue ReadingCITExpo: Teijin Aramid Aiming to Become Leading Aramid Supplier
Teijin Aramid will be continuing to pursue its aim of becoming the leading and preferred aramid supplier from booth 3106 at CITExpo. Its products include Twaron, the synthetic fibre made from aramid polymer, which can be found in a comprehensive range of products including protective clothing, ballistic vests and helmets, tyres, hoses, composites, conveyor belts, optical fibre cables, transmission belts, gaskets, brake linings and clutch facings. The company says that it anticipates sustained across-the-board expansion in all sectors. In the tyre industry, Teijin Aramid provides Twaron- and Technora-dipped tyre cord and anti-puncture fabric for tyre reinforcement. It also provides Technora-dipped chopped fibre and Sulfron product for tyre compounds. Teijin Aramid is a member of the Teijin Group, a global, technology-driven company, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of $4.2 billion. Teijin’s consolidated turnover amounts to $8.5 billion. It has approximately 19,000 employees worldwide.
Continue ReadingMaxxis Rewards Top PCR Tyre Retailers
Maxxis has completed its second Maxxis Rewards prize draw, giving 13 tyre retailers £500 worth of gift vouchers from either Marks & Spencer, Thomas Cook or High Street Gift Vouchers, which they can spend at more than 18,000 stores across the UK, including Boots, HMV, Debenhams, Waterstone’s, M&S, House of Fraser, Carphone Warehouse and Threshers. Under the terms of the Maxxis Rewards initiative, the more Maxxis car, van and 4x4 tyres that accredited retailers purchase during the promotional period, the greater their chances of winning a major prize. The Maxxis Rewards dealer support programme has been organised in conjunction with Grouptyre, the exclusive Maxxis distributor in the UK. Dealers who sign up are automatically entered into the quarterly prize draws, which run until 11 December. Based on their purchase levels, retailers also have the opportunity to earn Argos vouchers and Maxxis-branded promotional clothing and accessories. The winning tyre dealers and Grouptyre members who supply them are: Auchinlea Tyres (dealer) - Cooper Bros. (Grouptyre member) Baker Tyres - Broadway Tyres Baldonrie Garage - Kenway Tyres Carmarthenshire Tyre Services Ltd - King David Tyres DIY Motorist Centre - WJ Wood & Son Holderness Tyre Services Ltd - BAB Distribution Hometyre Services - Car Tyrestore Homend Tyres - ETB K&M UK Ltd - EG Wholesale Leeds Commercial Vehicles - NE Wholesale Lurgan Tyre Company - MT Wholesale Tyre Care Ltd T/A Havers Tyres - We Sell Tyres (Wholesale) Wheels ‘n’ Tyres - Oak Tyres
Continue ReadingApollo Tyres Launches Refreshed Website
During the first quarter of 2009, Apollo Tyres launched its new corporate identity across its operations. Now it’s the turn of its website to don the new look and colours. Apollo has moved away from the earlier usage of black and red to the vibrancy of purple and orange, moderated by shades of grey – colours and usage, which no other tyre company has, and only a few companies across the world dare to incorporate. The colours have allowed Apollo, it says, to bring to the fore its “internal reality of youthfulness and dynamism”.
Continue ReadingDelticom Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Europe’s leading online tyre business, Delticom AG (mytyres.co.uk in the UK), has been celebrating its 10th Anniversary by offering special additional discounts of up to 10 per cent off its normally competitive prices. “The formula for our success is our more than 3 million satisfied customers to date and the fact that we do not want to stop being better,” Rainer Binder, CEO of Delticom AG, explained, adding: More and more drivers buy their tyres online. In the current economic situation across Europe, a rising number of consumers are discovering favourably priced purchasing opportunities on the Internet, which they can find with us in 35 countries and in more than 100 online shops. According to Delticom, the company’s prices are on average 20 to 25 per cent cheaper than traditional tyre dealers. Moreover customers are offered a worldwide network of about 24,000 service partners, who mount the tyres professionally for “reasonable prices.”
Continue ReadingArkansas Association Head, Bulldog Drummond, Dies
Long-time state association executive director and retired Bridgestone Americas sales executive Nelson Drummond passed away on 6 July. He was 69. The gregarious and gracious Drummond, known as Bulldog to friends and associates alike, had been executive director of the Arkansas Independent Tire Dealers Association, a post he held since late 1996. Drummond retired from Bridgestone in 1995 after a 34-year career with the tyre-maker, where he served as manager of dealer sales in the northeast. He is survived by his wife, Marguerite; sons Dan and Eric; daughter Michelle Mayo; and five grandchildren. Services were held on 12 July in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingTyreSafe Reminds Caravanners to Carry Out Tyre Checks
With more than 2 million extra caravan holidays predicted in the UK this year, TyreSafe is reminding caravanners to make sure all of their tyres are safe for travel before taking to the road. Caravans left standing throughout the year can develop flatspots or suffer from exposure to UV rays which may lead to handling issues or premature failure. Additionally, tyre pressures should be checked not only on the caravan, but also on the towing vehicle and adjusted accordingly to take account of the extra load. VisitBritain is predicting a 20 per cent rise in British holidays this summer. Earlier this year The Caravan Club reported advance bookings up by 40 per cent on 2008, and the National Caravan Council predicts that nearly 14 million holidays will be taken in 2009 in touring caravans, motor caravans and caravan holiday homes.
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