Kraiburg Complies Early With New Directive
On January 1st 2010, European Directive 76/796/EEC comes into force. The new Directive prescribes limits on the permissible percentage of processing oils containing PAHs (polycyclic aroma¬tic hydrocarbons) which are subject to declaration. It will be illegal to produce tyres which do not conform to the specified limits. Processing oils plasticise the rubber compound, making it more flexible and pliable during the blending process. However, Kraiburgs retreading partners neednt worry, as the company started to adapt all its precure retreads back in 1997 and completed the process at the beginning of 2007. The aim was to ensure that customers adhering to the Kraiburg three-year shelf life policy for precured treads would not have non-compliant goods in stock at the beginning of next year.
Continue ReadingEllerbrock Mixing Plant Doubles Output After Fire
Earlier this week Ellerbrock Reifenrunderneuerungs-Technologie GmbH puts its new North Hamburg (Henstedt-Ulzburg) mixing facility into operation. As a result of the six million euro investment, the plant has also taken on a completely new role within the Marangoni Group.
Continue ReadingPirelli Group Reorganises its Finances
Financial analysts are predicting that the Pirelli & C SpA will separate shares in its tyre business from the holding company. Writing in an investor’s note, Deutsche Bank analysts predicted “near-term action to reduce holding discount by giving shareholders two stocks: a pure tyre company and a pure holding company” and valued the tyre company at between 0.21 euros and 0.33 euros/share. Good take up of Pirelli Real Estate SpAs capital increase, which closed on Friday 3 July and was 99.4 per cent subscribed, has also resulted in a 14 per cent reduction in net debt, according to analysts. The company itself reported it raised 397 million euros throught the offer.
Continue ReadingDrunk Tyre Centre Arsonist Jailed
A worker who started a fire that caused £700,000-worth of damage at the Budget Tyre Auto Centre in Edinburgh has been sentenced to 28 months in jail. Colin McReadie reportedly drank 20 (yes, twenty) pints of lager when, paranoid about the potential loss of his job, he took a gas torch to a rack of tyres before locking the building and – incredibly – going back to the pub. McReadie had recently been promoted to branch manager, having worked at the branch for three months. The fact that he pled guilty at the first opportunity cut his potential sentence considerably from a possible 42 month stretch.
Continue ReadingBandvulc Enters New Tyre Market
The Bandvulc Group has entered the new tyre market by becoming the leading stockist of the Fulda range of commercial tyres in the UK. Covering sizes from 17.5 to 22.5-inch, Bandvulc will wholesale and distribute the Fulda brand alongside its own products and the recently agreed small order Goodyear/Dunlop arrangements.
Continue ReadingAeolus Announces New Truck Tyres
Aeolus Tyres has announced that it is introducing two new types of truck tyres. The new HN254 and HN369 truck tyres have a widened tread and a new rubber composition designed to improve road safety and wear resistance. They will replace the brand’s HN257 and HN355 profiles. “Aeolus Tyres puts all its efforts into the evolution of its current tyre programme. They will not be diverted off this course, not even in the current worldwide financial situation,” says Bertus Heuver on behalf of Aeolus Tyres Europe, exclusive importer for Aeolus in continental Europe.
Continue ReadingAutopromotec a “Fundamental Appointment” for MAK Wheels
At Autopromotec, MAK Wheels launched their new Tornado range. This wheel incorporates a five-spoke design, the spokes being positioned on the right side of the wheel which creates a light and shade effect. The silver colour underlines the slenderness and delicate elegance of this wheel. The Tornado is particularly designed for fitment on saloon and medium to high powered cars. “Autopromotec represents a fundamental appointment for MAK, since the show is probably the most suitable place and occasion to meet national and international dealers. Autopromotec represents a strategic showcase at which the company can present its most important wheel designs,” said MAK Wheels press and public relations manager, Elisabetta Rezzani.
Continue ReadingTruck Orders See a Rebound
FTR Associates said that preliminary data shows Class 8 truck orders for June increased 9.7 per cent from the month prior. All told, FTR said, 8,101 units were ordered in June, the first improvement in three months. The figure includes orders for the US, Canada, Mexico and exports. At the same time, June 2009 orders were down 52.7 per cent compared to the same month in 2008. Orders were placed at an annualized rate of 97,212, an improvement over the past three-month annualized rate of 94,872 units, FTR said. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingSEMA Chairman-Elect Tapped
Paul Scooter Brothers of Comp Performance Group will serve as chairman-elect of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) beginning 1 August. Members voted Brothers to fill the position that was held for the past two years by Rick Rollins of Rollins Performance Marketing/Consulting. Rollins takes over as SEMA chairman on 1 August. “Rick and Scooter are both industry veterans who have proven track records for knowing and understanding what’s important and relevant to the industry,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We are fortunate to have such dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers leading the association during these challenging times.” Dan Gresham of Coutant Capital will serve as the new secretary/treasurer for the board, while Russ Deane of Trainum, Snowdon & Deane continues as general counsel. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingTIA Announces Candidates for 2009 Board Election
The Maryland, US based Tire Industry Association (TIA) has announced the slate of candidates for its 2009 Board of Directors election. TIA members will vote in open elections to place ten individuals onto the board for three-year terms. Members will receive ballots in the mail before the end of July, and can also download a ballot from the ‘members only’ section of the TIA website (www.tireindustry.org).
Continue ReadingApollo Tyres Hands Out Monsoon Driving Advice
London may have suffered enough torrential rain to close a couple of tube stations, but that nothing to the monsoon downpours experienced in countries like India. That’s why leading Indian tyre manufacturer, Apollo Tyres has kicked off a “Safe Drive” public awareness itiniative. With heavy rains crippling normal life of Mumbai citizens, employees of Apollo Tyres drenched in rainwater, were busy at the Juhu and Andheri areas of Western Mumbai handing out the Safe Drive Handbook on Disaster Management, containing safety tips and useful numbers, to assist citizens of Mumbai in taking precautions to ensure a safe monsoon. This activity will continue till 14 July2009, at various traffic intersections and other important locations.
Continue ReadingPolice Set-Up Nets Serial Tyre Thief
A serial tyre thief in the US has been called to account for his deeds after walking into a police trap. Surveillance video released to Florida television station WFTV 9 shows a man, identified as Phu Tran, entering the car dealership where he was previously employed and rolling tyres out the door, unaware that law enforcement officers were waiting to strike. And police knew Tran would, sooner or later, be tempted to help himself to the rubbery circles – tyres and rims had been mysteriously disappearing from the Ford dealer for the last three months.
Continue ReadingMaxxis Supports Grass Roots Football
Following on the from the company’s three-year deal with Liverpool FC, sponsorship of the 2009 Isle of Man TT Races, ongoing role as title sponsor of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship and increased involvement in professional drifting tend to make the biggest headlines, Maxxis has reiterated grass roots sport. At the end of June the company announced it has sponsored two Kenilworth Wardens youth teams, which play matches every Sunday in the Mid-Warwickshire Football Leagues. Last season the Under-9s were among 66 teams competing in the Mid-Warwickshire Junior Football League and they finished fourth in Division 1 and made the quarter final stage of the League Cup.
Continue ReadingMichelin Closes Mexico Tread Pressing Plant
Overcapacity in Michelin’s North American retreading operations led the company to close its truck tread pressing plant in Querétaro, Mexico on July 7. Production from the Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT) plant, which employs approximately 80 people, will be relocated to the company’s retreading facility in the United States. Michelin states that the decision to stop production of this particular product line has no impact on the continuing operations of its passenger car and light truck tyre plant in Querétaro.
Continue ReadingThe 2 Minute Alloy Wheel Curing Oven
Yorkshire-based manufacturer and supplier of SMART Repair Systems, Ayce Systems, has introduced what it calls “The Cure Rite Curing Oven,” which reportedly cures a Solaq UV lacquered alloy wheel in just two minutes. According to Ayce, this is the fastest process available for fully curing lacquer on alloy wheels. Conventional lacquers take at least 15 to 30 minutes with infra red.
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