Apollo Tyres Owned Zimbabwean Fast Fit, Retreader Restructures
Zimbabwe’s National Tyre Services (NTS) is in the process of finalising a strategic restructuring exercise to rationalise its operations. Dunlop Group (Dunlop Zimbabwe, owned by Apollo Tyres, is a major shareholder in NTS) managing director Kennedy Mandevani, recently appointed to oversee operations at the distributor and retreader, said the exercise would also increase the company’s operational efficiencies. “Given the trading environment, the exercise brings NTS and Dunlop Zimbabwe closer to each other in order to deliver increased synergistic benefits to all stakeholders,” Mandevani said. “The right-sizing and restructuring will see a more flexible and customer focused entity poised to take advantage of current and future opportunities.” Mr. Mandevani added that NTS has maintained a strong presence in key geographical locations in order to maintain its market share.
Continue ReadingDunlop Ad Voted one of Ten Best Cinema Commercials Ever
A Dunlop Tyres advertisement from 1994 has been voted one of the UK’s ten best cinema commercials of all time. The online poll, conducted by Digital Cinema Media (DCM), ranked Dunlop’s ‘Tested for the Unexpected’ commercial number four on its list of the ten best, commenting that its “perfect soundtrack”, which featured the Velvet Underground song ‘Venus in Furs’, accompanied film made with an “apparently limitless budget”. The result, says DCM, was “deliciously surreal”. DCM comments that the commercial’s director, Tony Kaye, thought it so good he even attempted to have it exhibited at the Tate.
Continue ReadingSibur Holding Progressing with Amtel-Vredestein Deal
An article published by the Moscow Times appears to confirm speculation that Sibur Holding will acquire control of Amtel-Vredestein. The January 26 news piece prints comments from a company executive that Sibur will issue bonds as part of the deal, a possibility previously reported by Russian business daily Vedomosti. The previous merger arrangement was cancelled last September due to an unavailability of credit to fulfil the necessary terms and conditions. However, Amtel-Vredestein’s press department in Moscow told Tyres & Accessories on September 30 that the deal was still “an ongoing work in process.”
Continue ReadingCooper’s Fuel Saver
Among the tyres on show on the Cooper stand was the Cooper GFE. The initials stand for Greater Fuel Efficiency and it is the companys first low-rolling resistance touring tyre. Compared to the Cooper GSE, rolling resistance is improved by 21 per cent. The GFE is designed to reduce rolling resistance without sacrificing tread life or traction. This green tyre combines state-of-the-art mixing technology together with an enhanced polymer system and silica tread compound, to provide exceptional wear, fuel economy, improved wet traction and a smooth, quiet ride.
Continue Reading‘Stash of Cash’ Found Within Tyre
Given the current state of our banks it is hardly surprising that people may consider alternative places to safe keep their valuables – inside the mattress is a tried and proven location, and numerous other spots around the house may also serve nicely as an ersatz safety deposit box. But inside a tyre? It’s probably not a great idea…
Continue ReadingPirelli’s New All-Rounder
Hugh Pace, chairman and CEO of Pirelli Tyre North America, introduced the latest tyre dedicated to the North American market; the Z-rated P Zero Nero All Season. The tyre incorporates a silica-based compound and the asymmetric tread features a solid centre rib for optimum braking and acceleration, while four longitudinal and numerous lateral grooves minimises the risk of aquaplaning. Low rolling resistance maximises fuel economy and the two zero degree nylon cap plies and steel belts minimise footprint deformation under extreme handling conditions. The P Zero Nero All Season has a growing list of OE homologations and the tyre is available in almost 30 sizes, including a number of runflat dimensions. It is manufactured at Pirellis factory in Rome, Georgia, using the companys Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) technology.
Continue ReadingFree Tyres Offered to Lure Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Competitors
Motorsport is admittedly not the cheapest of pastimes, but at least competitors taking part in this year’s Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship will not have so many worries about tyre costs. Pirelli, in conjunction with the Association of National Championship Rally Organisers (ANCRO) has announced that all registered competitors will be eligible to receive four brand new Pirelli tyres, completely free of charge. This decision has been taken, say the organisers, in a bid to tempt competitors to contest the eight-round national series.
Continue ReadingDunlop Gives Visitors The Needle
Visitors to the Dunlop Stand could take away a permanent reminder of the Sema show, as the tyre manufacturer was offering what was surely one of the more bizarre attractions of any exhibition – a tattooing service. On the tyre side, a great deal of interest was generated by Dunlops latest uhp summer tyre, the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec. Described as the tyre for hard-core driving enthusiasts and car club members, the new tyre features a special compound, Dunlop Jointless Band Technology and a high-response directional tread pattern with circumferential grooves. These elements help improve grip, create a consistent contact patch and maintain the tyres structural integrity at high speeds. The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is available in 20 sizes for fitment to most of todays most popular amateur motorsports vehicle choices. Rim sizes are from 15 to 18, aspect ratios from 55 series down to 35 and the tyre is V- and W-speed rated
Continue Reading‘Ledbetter’ Discrimination Bill Almost Ready for Obama’s Approval
A piece of legislation stemming from a pay dispute involving Goodyear was passed by the US Senate on January 22. It now only needs approval from the House of Representatives before it reaches Barack Obama’s desk for signing. The Senate passed the bill after a 61-36 vote, and an article posted on the White House blog on Sunday indicates the president supports it. The bill could well become the first that President Obama signs into law. If so, it will overturn a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that said former Goodyear supervisor Lilly Ledbetter could not sue for wage discrimination after being paid less than male employees performing the same job as she had not filed her suit within 180 days after the company first acted in discriminatory manner. The legislation will instead allow aggrieved workers to sue after the most recent discriminatory payment received, not the first one.
Continue ReadingSchaeffler Seizes Control of Conti Board
Schaeffler Group seized control of Continental AG’s supervisory board on 24 January. The Emergency General Meeting (EGM) held at the weekend concluded with chairman Hubertus von Gruenberg stepping down, reportedly to be replaced by Rolf Koerfer, a long-term Schaeffler Group legal aid and partner at Dusseldorf- based law firm Allen & Overy. At the same time, the ball bearing maker was able to negotiate the nomination of group owners Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler and Georg Schaeffler, not to mention company CEO Dr. Jürgen M. Geißinger to the Conti board. This shift in the balance of power led to the supervisory board “taking note” of Conti executives’ suggestion to “initiate a process to create an organizationally and legally independent Rubber Group.” In Schaeffler’s words, to “carve out” the rubber group into a separate entity. According to the company, this process will be overseen by the current (but apparently outgoing) chairman of the supervisory board, Hubertus von Grünberg. So while von Grünberg “wants to make his chairmanship available at short notice” he will continue to be a member of the supervisory board.
Continue ReadingDr. Hippe’s Departure from Continental Announced
Continental AG has officially confirmed media reports surrounding the future of Dr. Alan Hippe. According to a press release issued following the company’s January 24 Supervisory Board meeting, Hippe, who is currently chairman of the Executive Board, CFO and head of Conti’s Rubber Group, will leave Continental AG as of February 28. Continental says the decision on Dr. Hippe’s departure is a mutually agreed one, and his successor will be appointed in the coming weeks.
Continue ReadingKesoram Industries Rords Drop in Net Profit
Indian tyre manufacturer, Kesoram Industries has carded a 63.55 per cent reduction in net profit over the final quarter of 2008, finishing at 391.5 million rupees (5.8 million pounds sterling). The company has declared a suspension of work between 17 and 31 January to deal with the general market stagnation, an action first taken between 17 and 31 December , 2008, reports India’s Business Standard.
Continue ReadingGoodyear South Africa MD Announces Retirement
After more than three decades in the industry the managing director of Goodyear South Africa is to retire. Derek de Villiers, 61, will be replaced in April by current Dunlop Germany managing director Jean-Jacques Wiroth. The appointment was announced by Goodyear’s Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region president Michel Rzonzef. “Derek has been a strong leader for many years, both in South Africa and the Middle East. He is highly regarded by his peers both inside and outside the company. We thank him for his very considerable contributions,” said Rzonzef, paying tribute to de Villers’ 34 years with the company.
Continue ReadingKisby’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.
Continue ReadingHankook Achieves ISO Certification in Hungary
Hankook Tire has announced that its European facility, located in Rácalmás, near Dunaújváros, Hungary, has achieved full ISO-certification. The certification attained by the plant includes both the factory’s Quality Management System, certified according to ISO/TS 16949:2002 as well as its Environmental Management System certification according to EN ISO 14001:2004. The plant’s 1,200 employees, adds Hankook, are now producing a daily capacity of 15,000 tyres (5 million per annum), and manufacturing over 300 different sizes for European passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks.
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