John A. Bailey Jr. Receives ASTM Award of Merit
John A. Bailey Jr., quality systems manager at Continental Carbon Co. in Houston, Texas, has received the Award of Merit and accompanying title of fellow from ASTM International. The Award of Merit is ASTM’s highest organizational recognition for individual contributions to ASTM standards activities. ASTM Committee D24 on Carbon Black recognized Bailey for his exceptional leadership and his contributions in the area of sampling and statistical measurements and the development of new analytical standards.
Continue ReadingMichelin Says Truck Tyre Sales Won’t Improve Before 4Q
Michelin managing partner, Michel Rollier has spoken has predicted that the currently stagnant truck tyre market won’t get any better until at least the closing stages of 2009. Qualifying the depressing news with the positive observation that the passenger car tyre market appears to be showing signs of picking up, Rollier told reporters: “There are some improvements in light-vehicle tyres, but in truck tyres there frankly isn’t much happening at all.” According to Michelin’s predictions, the global truck-continues its downward spiral in the next two quarters, with the full-year drop likely to be steeper than in 2008, when demand for replacement tyres plunged 9.7 per cent in Europe and 8.2 per cent in North America, according to company data.
Continue ReadingCenturion Names New Distributor
Aurora Parts & Accessories, with 400 dealers in its network, has been named a master dealer for Centurion Wheel Manufacturing. Centurion produces wheels for trucks and trailers at produced at factories in China. “We are excited by the prospects afforded by Aurora Parts’ long-established relationships with many leading trailer manufacturers and by its exceptional reputation as a supplier of premium-quality parts,” said Doug Ginder, vice president of Sales at Centurion. “Centurion’s footprint becomes broader as Aurora Parts joins forces with us, providing greater access to the Centurion product line anywhere in the country.” Aurora Parts is the exclusive distributor of aftermarket semi-trailer parts for Wabash National, Transcraft, Fruehauf, Lufkin and is a supplier of Hyundai Translead parts.
Continue ReadingChrysler Seeks to Cut 789 Dealers
Yesterday in the US, Ailing Chrysler LLC announced plans to cut 789 of its brand dealerships, while struggling General Motors is expected to cut more than 1,100 of its dealers by the end of next week. In a motion filed in US Bankruptcy Court in New York, Chrysler listed the dealers it wants to eliminate, claiming their sales were too low. While many of the dealers also offer other non-Chrysler brands, it is expected that some may take the issue to court. Dealers were informed via letter – delivered by UPS – that they would lose their Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep brands. A bankruptcy court hearing is scheduled for June 3 to decide Chrysler’s motion to eliminate the dealers. Under bankrutpcy, a company is allowed to vacate contracts, such as car dealer franchise contracts.
Continue ReadingApollo Vredestein Banden Buyout Imminent
Apollos vice chairman Neeraj Kanwar was quoted today as saying “We are looking at closing this deal [to acquire Vredestein Banden] in the next few days,” a new press release indicates. Indian manufacturer Apollo Tyres expects to acquire Dutch sector player Vredestein Banden for an undisclosed sum soon, according to Dow Jones. The companys board gave the green light to the buyout, which is part of Apollos strategy to expand its presence in Europe, on 30 April. Vredestein Banden is fully owned by tyre producer Amtel-Vredestein NV. The company went into bankruptcy last month, but its unit Vredestein Banden and its European subsidiaries, which have separate financing arrangements, remained unaffected.
Continue ReadingAlcoa Dura-Flange Wheels an Option on Scania Trucks
Alcoa Dura-Flange wheels are available as option choice for Scania Trucks from May. According to the company, they will be offered in sizes 22.5 x 8.25, 22.5 x 9.00 and 22.5 x 11.75 (135 mm offset). Dura-Flange wheels have a patented treatment that provides a protective shield to prevent rim wear. Alcoa Dura-Flange wheels, says the manufacturer are the only wheels on the market that are protected from this type of wear, giving them at least double the life time of other aluminium wheels and four times the life time of steel wheels under the same conditions. Dura-Flange wheels are said to be most suitable for Scania trucks in applications such as liquid food transport, local fuel distribution, heavy hauling such as logging and operations under extreme conditions like mining where shifting loads cause the tyre to rub against the wheel.
Continue ReadingYokohama Makes Organisational Changes
Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has executed an internal reorganization process that will take effect as of 26 June 2009. According to the manufacturer, the company’s Tire Group aims to improve its business efficiency and speed by shaping itself around six functional organizations: sales & marketing, production, technical, quality assurance, product planning, and logistics. The group says it also aims to form “an organization capable of developing and executing a global business strategy with the establishment of an integrated sales setup to cover both domestic and overseas markets and the enhancement of global functions in technical and production divisions.”
Continue ReadingKumho Wins Two Consumer Digest ‘Best Buys’
Kumho Tires won two Best Buy awards in a recent tyre test run by Consumers Digest magazine in the US. Kumhos Solus KR21 and Ecsta STX were honoured in the Touring Cars and Performance SUV categories respectively. The Consumers Digest evaluation ranged from all-season passenger and performance tyres to those for light trucks and SUVs. “The Solus KR21 is an outstanding touring tyre and the Ecsta STX is an exceptional performance SUV tyre and all of us at Kumho are excited about the recognition these tyres have received, said Rick Brennan, Kumhos vice president, sales and marketing. Earning Consumers Digests Best Buy award is a key indicator of Kumhos pledge to value and performance.”
Continue ReadingJK Tyre Tops Indian OE Survey
JK Tyre has topped the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2009 India Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Index. Now in its ninth year, the study analyzes new-vehicle buyer satisfaction with original equipment tyres by examining five key factors - durability, ride, traction and handling. With an overall score of 811 on a 1,000-point scale, JK Tyre performed particularly well in all factors that drive overall satisfaction. MRF came second with 804, followed by Bridgestone (797), Apollo (784) and Goodyear (767). Overall satisfaction has declined by 10 points from 2008 to an average of 798 in 2009. Furthermore, the percentage of customers reporting a problem with their original tyres increased from 19 per cent in 2008 to 22 per cent in 2009. “The occurrence of even a single problem leads to a strong negative impact on tyre satisfaction, with satisfaction averaging 70 points lower among customers who experience a tyre-related problem, compared with customers who do not,” said Mohit Arora, senior director at J.D. Power Asia Pacific, Singapore. “Problems like excessive tyre noise while driving, poor traction on wet roads and recurring flat tyres not only cause driving inconvenience, but also can be safety hazards, which intensifies the negative impact on customer satisfaction.”
Continue ReadingHayes Lemmerz Files Chapter 11 Again
Yesterday afternoon Hayes Lemmerz, the worlds largest wheel manufacturer, filed for so-called Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time this decade. The company was last in this position between November 2001 to June 2003 when it formulated a strategy of focusing on core business, namely steel and aluminium car wheels and truck steels wheels. Now having sold virtually all the areas that don’t fit into these categories, Hayes Lemmerz has collapsed under the heavy burden of debts. The news follows an earlier announcement that Hayes had received a written warning that it faces listing compliance issues for filling full-year 2008 results too late. In a statement Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. said the majority of lenders holding the companys secured debt have reached an agreement regarding restructuring. Some will provide a debtor-in-possession loan to the company, which will make available up to $100 million of additional liquidity, to enable it to continue operating during the restructuring period.
Continue ReadingSchaeffler Group to Make 250 million euros of Savings
Schaeffler Group has announced that is to implement further cost adjustments, while trying to prevent layoffs. In the first quarter of 2009, the company’s Automotive division recorded a downturn of 33 per cent compared to the previous year, which has now stabilized at a level 25 per cent below last year’s. The Schaeffler Group’s Industrial division, which accounts for 40 percent of total sales, sustained losses of 12 per cent in the first quarter. At 7.5 billion euros, current sales expectations for 2009 are significantly below 2008 levels. In a statement the company said it does not expect the markets to return to 2008 levels until 2012 or 2013.
Continue ReadingAlliance Launches 800/70R 38 HP Agricultural Tyre
Alliance Tire has announced the release onto the US market of its 800/70R 38 tyre as the newest addition to the 370 series for high-powered agricultural tractors and combines. The heightened performance values are joined by a wide base to provide an additional 10 per cent on top of the load capacity as the normal section size (at the same pressure) it is designed to replace. The larger footprint should also help to reduce soil compaction and improve flotation, says Alliance. The company adds that the tyre possesses aggressive lugs with a non-skid depth of 78/32nds, rigid radial belts and a rugged nylon casing, and unique shoulder and mudguard design. The tyre is suitable for any soil conditions.
Continue ReadingConsumer Reports Survey: Independent Shops Prefered
A new Consumer Reports’ survey shows US consumers prefer using independent vehicle repair shops over car dealerships for vehicle maintenance. “The magazine’s survey points up something independent shops have known for a long time: independent service is more satisfying,” said Ron Pyle, president and CEO of ASA. “The magazine is to be commended for its work in coming up with good, solid data that verifies that claim. That’s a real service to its readers and today’s motorists.” According to Consumer Reports, in a story in its June 2009, issue: “Eighty-four per cent of owners reported being satisfied with maintenance performed at independent shops compared with 77 per cent at (car) dealerships.” The magazine based that finding on a survey involving 349,000 vehicles. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingMichelin NA Gets Retreader, Sells Centres
In the US, Colony Tire Corp. has signed on as a Michelin retreading franchisee, and bought three of Michelin North America’s Tire Centers Inc. commercial truck tire centres. The Edenton, North Carolina, dealer and retreader has 45 locations – 20 of them commercial centres – and acquired TCI locations in Newport News, Belle Haven and Norfolk, Virginia. It will convert over to the Michelin Retread Technologies retreading system by the end of this month, Michelin said. “At Colony Tire, our primary objective is to exceed our customers expectations for products and service,” said Charlie Creighton, CEO of Colony Tire. “Michelin’s process and product offering are a perfect match for that objective. Our customers demand high-quality retreads, and MRT enables us to provide those products, which support our customers’ long-term growth and prosperity.” (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingStarco Launches New ATV Range in UK
Starco has announced the launch of its new range of low cost, good quality ATV tyres. The brand, which has been previously established on the US market, will run alongside Starco’s existing Kenda line up, a move that the company says will offer customers greater choice. The range includes both crossply and radial sizes and is available with a choice of tread designs to suit all applications and conditions. Starco’s warehouse in Rugeley, Staffordshire holds £3 million of stock, comprising comprehensive ranges of wheels, tyres and tubes for not only ATV but also turf, wheelbarrow, high speed trailer, industrial forklift, implement, skid steer and small materials handling applications. In response to customer demand and market trends, the ATV addition to the existing range is designed, says Starco, to maintain the company’s position as a major supplier of ATV tyres from the premium to the budget end of the market.
Continue Reading