Tyre Recovery Professionals turn out in Force for “Successful” Event
Taking place on Friday 15 May in the conference rooms of the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth, the Tyre Recovery Association’s annual Forum Day was labelled a “success”, having attracted a populous audience of recycling professionals, which remained in place throughout all of the afternoon’s speakers. In addition to introductory remarks by Peter Taylor, the TRA’s secretary general, and chairman of the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, Mark Brickhill, the day featured a wide variety of tyre recovery presentations – ranging from French collection methods at Aliapur to the potential of pyrolysis – focused by the theme of “Innovation and Opportunity”. For his part, Brickhill was keen to stress the quality of recycling in the tyre industry within his keynote introduction, stating that it is currently “top class”. He also referenced the continuing themes of increased regulation, the environmental theme that is very much entrenched within the industry in the widest sense – particularly when one considers the omnipresence of rolling resistance – and the continued emphasis on safety.
Continue ReadingMobile Awareness Releases Obstacle Detection System
Mobile Awareness, a US provider of leading transportation safety products today announced the SE (Sensor Enhancement) version of its SenseStat Obstacle Detection Sensor System family, designed to prevent accidents caused by commercial vehicles reversing. SenseStat simultaneously monitors four zones at the rear of a vehicle indicating the area closest to an object. It is accurate within one inch, affordable and intended for use on commercial, off-road, lift truck and construction vehicles. The SE version is a new design improvement which maximizes protection of the sensors, while providing greater mounting flexibility and reliability. These features found on the SE version are further enhanced by a full three year limited warranty.
Continue ReadingJK Tyre Sponsor Indian National Karting Championship
JK Tyre are to sponsor the fifth JK Tyre Indian National Rotax Max Karting Championship, which begins with its first round of the season at Coimbatore. The championship will take off at the Kari Motor Speedway with the qualifying & heat races to be held on Saturday June 6 and the main races on Sunday June 7, 2009. The winners of the 3 classes will have the honour of being declared the National Rotax Karting Champions of India. The concept of the championship has been formatted to develop the burgeoning field of Indian motor sports. For the first time several teams will be in the fray for the prestigious event, with Amaron-Meco Pro Kart, Red Rooster, Mohites, Indus, AW, Rayo and Meco-City Kart all taking part. Also, for the first time the entries will have an international flavour, with a Scottish driver and an Iraqi girl participating.
Continue ReadingYokohama HPT to Support RX Racing in Portugal
The UK distributor for Yokohama tyres, Yokohama HPT, will be heading south to Portugal next month, as it supports RX Racing when the buggies form part of the first regional final towards this year’s Race of Champions. With the 2009 Race of Champions moving to the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, home of last year’s Olympics, the organisers of the event have responded to demand from numerous countries to join the Nation’s Cup by creating the first regional final. The event, to be held in the Estadio do Dragao in Porto, the home of FC Porto, will see teams from Portugal, Spain, Italy and Monaco fight for a place in the ROC. The format for the first final will follow a similar one to the ROC, with teams of drivers from every discipline of motorsport competing on a tarmac course laid out in the stadium. Saturday will see Portuguese drivers going head-to-head for a place alongside local Production car World Rally Championship leader Armindo Araujo to form the four-strong team for Sunday’s competition.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Finally Sells Lake Property
After two years on the market, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. was finally able to sell its Wingfoot Lake property near Akron. The 540-acre lake and 150-acre park area was acquired by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife for a reported $3.2 million. The sale does not include the tyre maker’s blimp port and hangar there. The state plans to open the park to the public by mid-2010. In 2007, Goodyear announced plans to sell the property as part of its financial plans. Once a company-only facility, the complex includes picnic shelters, playgrounds, ball fields and courts, a miniature golf course and driving range, boat docks, and a snack bar. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingNew Touring Tyre from Hercules
Hercules has launched the Hercules Roadtour 655, a new all-season touring radial. Available in both H- and T-rated sizes, the Roadtour 655 features a computer optimized tread for treaction and wear, and a nylon over-wrap for stability and treadlife. “The Hercules Roadtour 655 has one of our most aesthetically pleasing sidewall designs to date,” says Joshua Simpson, vice president of marketing. The tyre features a distinct sidewall design that includes icons representing fuel efficiency, road handling, noise control, all weather performance and spiral wound nylon over-wrap, the company said. “The sidewall icons act as silent salesmen, communicating the tyres’ benefits to consumers,” said Simpson. The Roadtour 655 is being launched in 24 SKUs covering 14- to 16-inch sizes. Hercules said that H- and V-rated sizes will be added later. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingConti South Africa Appoints New Marketing Manager
As of June 1 Russel Stewart has taken on the role of marketing manager at Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA). Stewart has been with Continental since 2004, most recently holding the position of key accounts manager in the Original Equipment division. He has also served as product marketing manager and marketing services manager.
Continue ReadingMarshal Launches Matrac MH11
Marshal has reported the introduction of its Matrac MH11 tyre, adding that the new line-up is already available nationwide. The directional tread MH11 is designed for top selling family saloons and hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra, and is available in a range of sizes from 155/65R13 to 236/60R16 and speed ratings H to V The MH11 features four wide channels and optimally curved outer tread blocks, which Marshal notes are intended to increase resistance to aquaplaning, and a solid circumferential rib for strong straight line performance. Tyre design was carried out by the company’s European Technical Centre, which is based in Birmingham, UK, a facility it shares with parent company Kumho. Given its local design, Marshal comments that customers can be particularly confident of the tyre’s suitability to Britain’s road surfaces and climate.
Continue ReadingSnap-on Unveils New Corporate Innovation Centre
On May 29 Snap-on Incorporated announced the official grand opening of its “Innovation Works” facility in the US town of Kenosha, Wisconsin. The opening, which took place in front of more than 600 current and former company employees plus local and state officials, was presided over by Snap-on chairman and chief executive officer Nicholas T. Pinchuk and Wisconsin Governor, Jim Doyle. “The Snap-on ‘Innovation Works’ is a functioning example of our commitment to the continued development of industry-leading products, processes and technologies. This is truly a unique facility that will provide our associates with the critical resource needed to further accelerate Snap-on’s global innovation,” said Pinchuk.
Continue ReadingUSW Testifies Against Chinese Imports at ITC
The United Steelworkers (USW) reports that its president, Leo W. Gerard, asked the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on June 2 to give the U.S. tyre industry a fighting chance against consumer tyres imported from China. According to the USW, Gerard told the ITC that the union has used every tool at its disposal to save the US consumer tyre industry from total collapse, including contract concessions, wage increase deferrals and improved productivity. But all of these efforts arent worth a dime if the market is being pulled out right from under us, Gerard said. With a short period of relief, we can start to build a sustainable foundation for the future of the American tyre industry and its workers.
Continue ReadingMaxxis Looking to Appoint More Industrial Tyre Distributors
Maxxis reports that its industrial range – a line-up that includes skid steer tyres purpose-designed for use in a variety of heavy duty applications, including construction, agriculture and dockside loading/ unloading – is selling well and that further distributors are required to help develop business opportunities in a number of sectors. “Since the range was officially launched in the UK last May we have seen a good level of interest from heavy industry, especially dockside freight businesses, and are now looking to appoint additional distributors to enable us to take full advantage of the opportunities this niche marketplace presents,” states Maxxis International UK’s managing director Derek McMartin. “Our skid steer tyres are designed to tackle the most demanding jobs and are highly versatile, delivering superior traction and wear as a result of their extra strong casings, sturdy sidewalls and specially formulated rubber compound.”
Continue ReadingInterstate Appoints Copadex as French Distributor
A statement released by Interstate Tire and Rubber Company announces that the manufacturer has put pen to paper on an exclusive distribution deal in France with Copadex. During a recent meeting, chairman and vice president of the Dutch manufacturer, Theo de Vries and Bruno Clairay (director of Copadex) agreed a long-term cooperation deal. Interstate’s de Vries explained that Copadex is one of the leading tyre distributors in France with a very professional organisation and an emphasis on added value in terms of service and marketing. The distributor started business in 1980 and now has more then 5,000 different sizes in stock. The complete programme of Interstate Tires will soon be available and is set to be displayed during the Equip Auto in Paris on 13-18 October, 2009.
Continue ReadingMaxxis Signs 3 Year Deal with Liverpool FC
Maxxis has announced that it will extend its brand awareness activities at Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC, following its tie up for the final stages of the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League. The company has concluded a deal which will lengthen the relationship by a further three years. As an Official Partner of Liverpool FC until the end of the 2011/12 season, Maxxis will be heavily involved with the club – one of the giants of the game – showing the company’s desire to further its commitment to football and sport in general. Under the terms of the deal, Maxxis will be entitled to an extensive rights inventory, providing it with prominent exposure through a pitchside advertising presence at every home fixture (except Champions League matches) plus advertisements in This is Anfield (the matchday programme) and in LFC Magazine, the club’s weekly magazine. Maxxis will also feature on Liverpool FC’s own TV channel, LFC TV – which was launched in 2007 and keeps almost three million UK viewers up to date with the club’s activities. The brand will continue to advertise on one of the UK’s most popular football websites, www.liverpoolfc.tv.
Continue Reading25-Year Colleagues Open New Gloucester Tyre Retailer
Former Ebley Tyre and ProTyre colleagues John Price and Chris Mullins have resumed a working relationship spanning almost 25 years by joining forces to open a new tyre retail centre in the heart of Gloucester’s busy commercial centre. The new venture, Chris Mullins Tyres, is a £250,000 investment in a 5000 sq ft centre specialising in car, motorcycle, 4x4 and van tyres on the city’s Bristol Road, a few hundred yards from the ProTyre centre which Mullins managed for 10 years. The pair first met while working for the west country independent group Ebley Tyres in 1985 and their career paths ran in parallel when both moved on to ProTyre in the late 1990s. Price owned and managed centres in Gloucester, Bristol and Alcester before selling his interests in the company in early 2006, while Mullins looked after the flagship centre in Gloucester until late last year.
Continue ReadingGM on the Hook to Tyre Companies
With General Motors now in bankruptcy, details are starting to emerge about what the troubled automaker owes some of its key suppliers. According to reports, GM still owes Goodyear some $7 million, Continental AG some $15.5 million, and another $4 million to Bridgestone Americas. GM plans to pay all of its key suppliers in full, say reports. (Tire Review/Akron)
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