New UHP From Bridgestone
Bridgestone Americas has introduced the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11, a V- and W-rated UHP line. The tyre, introduced in Japan last year, features Bridgestone’s “Stealth Technology,” an aid in water dispersion. “The tyre’s unique new sidewall shape and radical new ‘stealth’ block, which was derived from Bridgestone’s Formula One race tires, promotes higher tread stiffness while enhancing water evacuation,” the company said in its description. “An asymmetric cavity shape offers improved handling and ride characteristics. Large outer tread blocks improve cornering performance, and grooves around the tyre’s circumference help channel water from the tyre’s footprint to decrease hydroplaning.” Bridgestone said the tyre targets such cars as the Honda S2000, Nissan 350Z, the Mini Cooper S and the BMW 3 Series. It will be available in 31 sizes covering 15- to 19-inch wheel diameters, and carries a UTQG of 180 AA. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingAutomechanika Middle East
Automechanika Middle East is the largest automotive aftermarket exhibition covering entire UAE, Gulf Countries, wider Middle East and Africa. Automechanika ME 2009 will be held from 31 May–2 June, 2009 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, UAE. Some of the most lucrative export destinations can be reached through the ports of Dubai. Automechanika Middle East is the only platform for the Tyre related companies to target $1.1bn Tyre Industry. For further information contact: Jasmeet Bakshi Show Manager Automechanika Middle East Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH PO Box 26761 Dubai, UAE Tel. +971 4 3380102 Fax. +971 4 3380041
Continue ReadingApollo Presents New Corporate Identification
Following three decades of its existing logo, Apollo Tyres of India is freshening up its image with a new corporate image. With a new font and black, purple, grey or orange colouring, the change is striking indeed, especially when the colours combine on the company’s circle-themed backgrounds. “The new look brings in the vibrancy of colors and shapes, and an overall look and feel of energy to a fast growing company with global ambitions,” the company states. “The change was a felt need, given Apollo’s recent growth and expansion into new markets and products. In a sense, this change captures the evolution of Apollo Tyres from being a predominantly commercial vehicle tyre maker to a leader across diverse customer segments.” The new logo features the company name in lower case lettering, accompanied by series of colored discs, which Apollo said makes “a strong association with tyres and mobility. The discs, in fact, represent the various kinds of tires Apollo makes. The slim to thick outlines portray passenger to industrial tyres.”
Continue ReadingAutomechanika ME Sets Venue, Dates
Automechanika Middle East - the largest automotive aftermarket exhibition covering the UAE, Gulf Countries, wider Middle East and Africa - has set its dates for 2009. It will be held from 31 May–2 June, 2009 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, UAE. Some of the most lucrative export destinations can be reached through the ports of Dubai, so Automechanika Middle East is set to be a useful platform for companies to target a $1.1bn tyre industry. More information is available in the Events section of Tyrepress.com.
Continue ReadingDisused Tyre Factory Remoulded into Community Theatre
A disused tyre factory, which previously produced Dunlop-branded products, has been transformed into community theatre. The National Theatre of Scotland has taken over the former Dunlop plant in Dunfermline to stage its latest production. At its height the factory employed more than 6,000 people, but now the younger generation are using the shop floor as an auditorium in a piece which centres on the experiences of factory workers. Tickets are said to be sold our, which suggests audiences won’t “tyre” of watching
Continue ReadingOTR Implements New Service Management System
OTR Tyres Ltd has implemented a new Service Management System as part of its strategy to continually improve onsite service for customers. According to the company, the system provides a seamless transfer of data to and from the OTR Service Engineer and Regional Depot and gives real time information to allow accurate job management. “Travel time and distance, job start and finish information, vehicle downtime, details of work requested and work done are all recorded and used to continually improve the service offered,” said UK operations director Darren Flint.
Continue ReadingStamford Tyres 3Q2009 Sales Down 6.6%
Stamford Tyres Corporation has reported double digit falls in both third quarter revenues (S$62.9 million, £29.2 million - down 21 per cent) and period gross profits (S$15.8 million, £7.34 million - down 16.6 per cent). The biggest quarterly fall was in the company’s net profits after tax, which fell to just S$100,000 (£46,426), down 94.9 per cent compared with the same period in the company’s 2008 financial year. Stamford puts the marked drops it experienced down to the “deteriorating business environment resulting from the global economic crisis.” Nevertheless the company evidently did turn a profit and continues to record healthy gross profit margins in excess of 20 per cent (2009:25.1 – 2008:23.8). For the nine months ended 31 January 2009 revenue was S$227.6 million (£105.6 million), down 6.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2008. Gross profit for the first three quarters of the 2009 fiscal year was S$54.6 million (£25.3 million), comparable to what was achieved at the same point in 2008 (down 1.8 per cent to be precise). However, according to the company “most key territories in Stamford Tyres’ marketing network continued to perform satisfactorily.”
Continue ReadingKumho Halts Korean Production for Five Days
Kumho has stopped its production for a period of five days at its three Korean plants, following a drop in demand. The factories closed today (Thursday, 12 March) and will be closed until Monday, according to a release from the manufacturer.
Continue Reading“A Very Demanding Situation for Our Gravel Tyres”
Drivers at the upcoming Cyprus round of the World Rally Championship are to face an increased challenge on the island following the decision to supply competitors with only hard compound gravel tyres, despite the change of format to include a first day on asphalt in addition to the more traditional gravel surfaces of the later stages. Mario Isola, the rally manager at Pirelli – the official tyre supplier to the WRC – stated, “this is a very demanding situation for our gravel tyres and surely the skills required from the drivers will be somewhat different. There is surely less grip but everyone has been surprised by how well the tyres stood up in the tests.”
Continue ReadingAAIA: Vehicle Repairs Cost 34% More at Car Dealers
Vehicle repairs cost an average 34 per cent more at car dealerships than at independent repair shops, according to a study by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). That price differential, AAIA said, results in $11.7 billion annually in excess costs to consumers. The study also reveals differences in the costs of parts and labor from city to city. Consumers in Los Angeles, the study showed, pay as much as 46.8% more for repairs at car dealers than at independent repair shops. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingFirestone Makes 71 Redundant at Prescott, Ark. Plant
The Firestone plant in Prescott, Arkansas will lay off 71 employees on 3 April 2009. Tina Gaines, a spokesperson for the plant, says the layoffs, based on seniority, were due to an “unprecedented decline” in construction. The plant makes a high-performance synthetic rubber compound for roofing AND employs about 525. Firestone Building Products is owned by Bridgestone.
Continue ReadingSchaeffler ‘Buys’ Time from Banks With ‘Bridging Loan’
Schaeffler Group has reportedly obtained a form of bridge financing that gives the automotive supplier more time to negotiate long-term funding, the German Die Welt newspaper has reported. Schaeffler owner, Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler, apparently agreed to contribute part of her fortune in the deal with a group of lenders including Commerzbank AG and Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, according to the report, which added: “The arrangement means Schaeffler is no longer in danger of breaching covenants in the coming months.” However, Bloomberg reports suggest the financing was drawn from a revolving credit facility and that companies “don’t usually draw on the facilities.”
Continue ReadingPlimsoll Report Tackles Rising Insolvencies Prediction
A new report from business intelligence analysts Plimsoll investigates the prediction by restructuring specialists that the number of UK insolvencies will soar by 55 per cent towards the end of 2009, a figure that has more than doubled since the credit crunch. Addressed specifically to the needs of the 156 UK tyres, exhausts and batteries companies rated as being at high risk of failure, the report suggests that if they are to survive, they must start to fix their problems now. Copies of the report are to be sold for £350.
Continue ReadingBreathe Easy This Allergy Season
With the rate of allergies rising and spring on its way, air conditioning and air purity should be top priority says Beissbarth UK. The company has introduced Saniflux, a new purification system which can be easily integrated into their advanced technology MAC aircon range. Managing director Philip Hodges said: Saniflux is highly efficient in terms of eliminating allergens, purifying the aircon system and neutralising annoying odours in the car interior.
Continue ReadingAutoglym Makes ‘Best Employers’ List
Autoglym, as part of The Altro Group, has been named in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies To Work For. The Letchworth-based group, which employs over 500 people across six sites, was ranked at number 70 in the annual survey. We are very proud to have been named in this prestigious list, said Paul Caller, Autoglym’s CEO. It is a testament to our inclusive management style and the strong values upheld by everyone in the company. We all strive to make our products the best on the market in every sector of car care. It is the desire for perfection and the need to remain the best that generates our great staff morale and motivates us all.
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