American Pacific to Market Pegasus PCR Tyre Brand in Europe
American Pacific Industries (API) is preparing to introduce its Pegasus passenger car tyre brand into the European market in the second quarter of 2009. The range, which will be available in a range of 14 to 24-inch sizes will be distributed exclusive in the EC countries by InterSprint. API told Tyres & Accessories that Pegasus is the European version of it Spector tyre programme, which has been re-engineered for the European market. According to company literature, API has built its name on developing “first class American engineered, Chinese manufactured products with a reputation for consistent quality and good value.” API says it is actively seeking partners “in most regions of the world.”
Continue ReadingSchaeffler CFO Pushed Out By Banks
Schaeffler chief financial officer, Thomas Hetmann, will reportedly resign from the automotive supplier at the instigation of the group’s creditor banks. According to various news reports emanating from the Financial Times Deutschland, the 46-year-old is negotiating the contractual conditions of his departure. In addition, the creditors have reportedly formed a crisis task force and have requested that Deloitte produces an independent picture of the company’s financial situation. Financial Times Deutschland described the move as a “clear vote of no confidence in the leadership of Schaeffler CEO Juergen Geissinger.”
Continue ReadingAutoRussia09 to Explore Russian Auto Outlook
The details of the AutoRussia09 conference for automotive industry executives have been announced. The event will take place on 16 and 17 June at the Astoria Hotel in St Petersburg, and is set to explore the latest developments and the effect of global economic downturn on the automotive industry in Russia. The events organisers say that, “Despite the difficulties in the automotive industry globally, most OEM projects are continuing to build and grow their production in Russia. GM, Suzuki, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Ford as well as hundreds of T1 and T2 suppliers are moving to the city to set up production facilities and supply this growing market.” With many of the aforementioned OEMs in attendance, the conference promises to present networking opportunities, practical solutions and cutting edge strategies for surviving the economic downturn through a series of interactive seminars; roundtable discussions with key OEMs; a gala dinner; strategic presentations; and chamber of commerce, automotive market and OEM updates. Interested parties are directed to the www.wbr.co.uk website, where booking details and early registration discounts are available.
Continue ReadingCoal Distributor Switches to ATS Euromaster
Bagnalls, a Nationwide coal and slate distribution company, has appointed ATS Euromaster to manage tyres across its fleet of commercial vehicles. Bagnalls has reportedly opted for a joint Taurus and Bandvulc tyre fitment policy. The agreement will see ATS Euromaster support the company’s 17-strong fleet which ranges from Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans to 13 and 18 tonne Mercedes Benz Atego and Daf LF rigid bodied trucks.
Continue ReadingStandards Testing Labs Nominated for Innovation Award
Standards Testing Laboratories (STL) has been nominated for the Tire Technology International Award for Innovation and Excellence, competing in the Tire Industry Supplier of the Year category. The winner will be selected during the Tire Technology Expo in Hamburg, Germany today. Five categories are under consideration at the event.: Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year; Environmental Achievement of the Year; Tire Technology of the Year; Tire Industry Supplier of the Year; and Manufacturer of the Year. The Supplier of the Year Award “recognizes excellence and new endeavours in the field by industry suppliers. We’re honoured to be considered for the Tire Industry Supplier of the Year award as we focus on company growth that allows us to serve tire and wheel customers throughout the world,” said Cheryl Schnuth, STL’s vice president of marketing.
Continue ReadingHiQ Aiming for 275 Locations by 2013
HiQ bosses recently held the retail network’s first National Franchise Conference. The leading fast fit retailer organised a franchise networking event at the impressive Crewe Hall venue in Cheshire, where the company’s recently named new managing director, Juergen Titz, outlined HiQs vision to grow in the fast-fit and vehicle servicing market. The event gave HiQ the opportunity to have an open dialogue with its franchisees and inform them of the types of services open to them, such as online ordering technology, marketing support and new corporate identity graphics. Despite trading in an unprecedented economic downturn, the company remained extremely upbeat about its future, mainly because of its National Franchise Programme. HiQ’s franchise structure is the only one of its kind in the fast fit industry, with 130 sites now run by 41 franchisees. By the end of February, this figure will rise to 138 sites and by the end of 2009, it is hoped that 170 centres will be franchised. Franchise manager Peter Tye underlined HiQ’s ambitious plans for the long term as well, declaring that by 2013, there will be 275 locations dotted around Britain. Company managers had previously stated that they were aiming for 250 locations by 2010. Goodyear Dunlop managing director Mark Brickhill told franchisees that recession must not be accepted, and declared that a partnership led structure will be fruitful in the long term: “We all know how tough times are, but so many of our franchisees are boasting some fantastic trading results. There are certainly opportunities to grow in a difficult environment. Successful businesses are all about leadership and those people who are innovative and determined to win will be successful.” Marketing manager Geraldine McGovern said: “After rolling out our national franchise programme, it was important to get existing and new franchisees together, to tell them our vision for the future, and how important they are to the company. They were also introduced to a range of contacts, who will be available to them as they strive to make their businesses successful. A number of services were also underlined for them, which we want them to utilise in the future.” cja HiQ Director Predicts ‘Bright New Dawn’ HiQ Retail Director Andy Morris has already set a bold New Year’s resolution for the fast fit company in response to “one of the busiest years imaginable.” HiQ, which has over 120 centres nationwide, announced a national franchise programme designed to speed up the transfer of Goodyear Dunlop owned stores long-term franchise agreements. If that wasn’t enough to keep them busy, the company also embarked on the first year of a three-year sponsorship of the British Touring Car Championship. Looking forward to 2009 Morris is optimistic: “Our company New Year Resolution is to offer ‘fast fit you can be sure of’ and that is our new company message that you will be hearing more of. It will be relevant to every single one of our centres. It has certainly been a hectic year, but one which has put us in a far stronger position now than we were 12 months ago. “We are unique in becoming the only national fast fit chain to unveil a radical franchise programme, and the results already show us that we are an attractive proposition to so many franchise partners, in spite of the economic climate we find ourselves in. Far from ‘selling off’ our centres, we are making a bold, sustained commitment to our network, and see this model of partnership as the best way to achieve success. With the franchisees we already have on board, and the new additions to be announced shortly, we are proving that partnership brings greater knowledge, meaning we can out perform company owned equity solutions.” To coincide with HiQ’s national franchise programme, the company is significantly investing into its systems and online services to attract more customers and position the company as leaders in online fast fit technology. Each franchisee will be given greater exposure on the website, allowing every business manager to communicate directly to his or her customers, through interactive podcasts and blogs. “While the New Year will present its share of challenges and opportunities, we feel that we have never been better prepared to deal with them,” Morris concluded. Preston HiQ ‘bucking credit crunch trend’ Meanwhile managers at HiQ, Blackpool Road, Preston claim business has never been better with an average of 1,000 tyres a month being sold at the site. Corporate communications manager, James Bailey reportedly told the Lancashire Evening Post: Even though we are in the midst of a credit crunch, people are not buying new cars like they used to and are instead turning to reputable centres like ourselves.” Kisby’s Easy Autocentres Acquires 27 HiQ Outlets A number of HiQ fast fit premises have been taken over by Chris Kisby’s Easy Autocentres. A total of 27 centres are included in the deal, including the company’s flagship Nottingham outlet. Following the acquisition from Goodyear Dunlop, Easy Autocentres is set to become one of the Midland region’s largest fast fit operators, with a turnover of around £10 million. Kisby’s former role as managing director of Goodyear Dunlop’s HiQ operation puts him in a strong position to appreciate the value of the deal. “I recognised that the opportunity to acquire these units would provide a strong platforms in the Midlands,” said the Easy Autocentres managing director and majority shareholder. “We will seek to build, both organically and through acquisition, to be a significant player in the sector.” The acquired centres include 12 freehold and 15 short leasehold properties. HiQ Names Three More Franchisees HiQ has attracted three new partners in its national franchise programme. HiQ now boasts more than 140 centres across Britain, having secured Alister McGill, who will take over the company’s Alnwick, Berwick and Sunderland outlets, adding to his existing Blyth and Gateshead centres. Gary Thomson will take on the Exeter, Bath, Honiton and Weston Super Mare stores with four experienced partners. Meanwhile, Phil Godfrey has added HiQ’s Banbury store to his Abingdon and Carterton businesses. According to the company the latest announcement means HiQ’s national franchise plan is now more than half full, with all remaining partners to be announced in the coming months. Alister McGill, aged 48, said the time had never been better to invest and expand his business, despite the current economic difficulties: “We are really bucking the trend in the motoring trade. Whereas retailers are having a tough time shifting cars as a result of a drop in spending, we are finding that an increasing number of people are keen to fix up or improve their current vehicles as a cost-cutting alternative. This also allows them to cut down on their emission as well as the cost of fuel, so it really is a great time to take on the extra HiQ centres.” Gary Thomson, aged 40, already owns HiQ outlets in Walmley and Taunton, and is delighted to add four more outlets to his portfolio, alongside four senior partners with more than 50 years combined experience. He said: “I have 25 years of experience in the industry, having been a mechanic for 15 years, and a regional manager for 10 years. So I am extremely confident about the future, not just for these HiQ outlets, but the fast fit sector generally.
Continue ReadingCJ Bird Reports ‘Going the Extra Mile’ with Michelin
Welsh haulage firm CJ Bird Transport regularly clocks up 500,000 km on its Michelin drive axle tyres and 600,000 km on its Michelin trailer tyres thanks to an active programme of tyre husbandry carried out by independent tyre dealer Celtic Tyres. The Llantrisant-based company specifies Michelin as original equipment wherever possible, and the tyres’ longevity means many of the trucks it purchases never need to be fitted with a new replacement tyre during their life on the fleet.
Continue ReadingBridgestone Stock Up After Credit Suisse Upgrading
Bridgestone’s stock jumped 3.9 per cent to 1,332 yen (10.17 pounds sterling – 1 GBP: 131 JPY), when Credit Suisse reported that its new stock rating was “outperform”, from a previous ranking of “neutral.” The bank also raised its target price to 1,700 from 1,400, reasoning that the manufacturer has shown resistance to generally negative market trends. The upgrading could be taken positively in the wider tyre business too. In his report, Credit Suisse analyst Toru Iwai wrote that, “We believe the tyre subsector is the only auto parts subsector capable of generating profits in FY09. We believe top-line growth, a major factor in assessing the company, will likely recover faster than auto production.”
Continue ReadingKumho Reviewing Global Creative Account
Kumho Tire is conducting a review of its creative business in eight key global markets. The account under review is said to cover all markets outside of Korea and Japan, and is believed to be worth between US$5 million and $10 million. Submissions from interested agencies will be evaluated following the late February close date.
Continue ReadingWould-Be Recycler Fined for Breaking Storage Law
Borough Recycling Services, a company hoping to construct a new tyre shredding plant near Folkingham, Lincolnshire, has been fined £10,000 after it was found to be storing a quantity of baled tyres 100 times greater than is allowed by law at its existing Kirton Holme-based operation near Boston. The company admitted that it had failed to obtain the correct permits for storing the tyres, alongside other related charges brought after the Environmental Agency visited the site.
Continue ReadingSurvey Shows Motorists Are Downsizing
A survey by LV= car insurance has revealed that almost one in five UK drivers (19 per cent) has downsized or sold one of their cars since the onset of the credit crunch in a bid to save money. The main reason given by motorists for downsizing their vehicle over the last eighteen months was to save money in fuel (61 per cent) while nearly a third (29 per cent) said they did it to cut the cost of road tax. Those who downsized their vehicle estimate they have already saved an average £309. Despite the emphasis from the Government on greener driving, only one in six (15 per cent) of those who had downsized cited environmental concerns as part of their decision.
Continue ReadingMichelin Energy Saver Sole OE on New Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVT-i
Michelin Energy Saver tyres will be exclusively fitted to future models of the Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVT-i. According to the manufacturer, the tyre contributes to the low environmental impact of the new Toyota, which is scheduled for launch in early 2009, by reducing fuel consumption by 0.2 litres per 100 km and consequently, CO2 emissions by 4 grams per km. According to Michelin, new forms of silica have been introduced into the tyre’s rubber compound and combine with structural improvements to generate the fuel saving results. Michelin first demonstrated that integrating silica in rubber compounds would reduce the tyre’s energy requirement while optimising performance in other key areas such as grip and wear-resistance in 1992. Since the market launch of these first tyres, Michelin has helped to generate fuel savings of more than 10 billion litres, thereby reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by more than 25 million tonnes.
Continue ReadingCooper Tire Ceases American Kenda Distribution
Cooper Tire & Rubber has ended its marketing and distribution agreement with Kenda Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd. (Kenda USA Corporation) effective 1 May 2009. This means that from May, Kenda will resume responsibility for the sales and marketing, distribution and customer service of the Kenda brand in the United States and Canada. Cooper has been the exclusive marketer of Kenda radial passenger and light truck tyres in US and Canada since November 2004. According to the companies, both parties will continue as partners in the radial passenger and light truck tyre plant in China, “and technical and other related matters.” The decision to end our marketing and distribution relationship was a mutual decision between Cooper and Kenda, said Phil Caris, vice president of sales and marketing at Cooper. And while the results of the joint venture were positive, it was agreed that a new approach would be beneficial in pursuing each companys brand strategy. We have been very happy with our relationship with Kenda. As we begin to look into the future, we felt this strategy put both companies in a better position in this tough economic environment.
Continue ReadingOliver Rubber Introduces Envelope Spreader For 16-58” Retreads
Michelin North American subsidiary Oliver Rubber recently introduced a new envelope spreader for use in the retreading process, which helps mechanically facilitate enveloping prior to curing. With a push of the foot pedal, Olivers 1137 Envelope Expander uses preset adjustments to mechanically stretch the envelope to the optimum diameter, thus minimising envelope stretch and in turn increasing envelope life. The new Oliver spreader was developed and manufactured by the companys Salisbury Machinery Division in Salisbury, North Carolina.
Continue ReadingI’ll Have Four ViaductRock Tyres Please….
According to the much used childhood retort, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. This, however, doesn’t apply to companies whose vocabulary includes words suspiciously similar to well-known trademarks…. On February 17 Bridgestone Corporation gave notice that its complaint of trademark infringement against two Chinese tyre manufacturers has been upheld. Bridgestone claimed that the companies in question, Shandong Santai Rubber Co., Ltd and Hangzhou Bridgesteel Rubber Co., Ltd, attempted to infringe on the goodwill established by certain Bridgestone intellectual property through the use of their respective brand names, Rockstone and Bridgesteel.
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