Shapps’ retreads ‘ill-advised’ MOT frequency changes again
Reports suggesting UK transport secretary Grant Shapps is once again considering changing MOT frequencies to two-yearly intervals began being published on the evening of 26 April 2022. On the morning 27 April, Shapps was refusing to rule out those changes. Whenever the transport secretary came up with the plans they are old news which has been repeatedly debated, consulted on and ultimately rejected. Such proposals are also “ill-advised” according to the National Tyre Distributors Association, whose chief executive Stefan Hays blasted Shapps’ alleged MOT proposal in a statement released at noon on 27 April.
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TiDaeX tyre servicing exchange a first for Tyre Maintenance
Tyre Maintenance will use the open-access e-jobsheet app for its commercial tyre servicing operations. The company has also introduced a new group call centre, which will support its customer service operations. Operating across five depots employing 70 technicians, Tyre Maintenance will be able to establish an interchange of work with sister-company R & J Strang aligned via the TiDaeX platform, securing intercompany accuracy, and delivering time and admin cost efficiencies.
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Goodyear Total Mobility takes Drive Results on European roadshow
Goodyear will be showcasing its commercial Goodyear Total Mobility solution on a roadshow across 13 European countries in 2022. The tour follows the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship calendar as well as a number of key cities and trade events. The year-long Drive Results tour and campaign kicked-off on 22 April in France, before heading to the United Kingdom and Italy in May for the first round of the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship at Misano. The UK leg sees the company engage with this years ITT Hub at Farnbourgh International 11-12 May.
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UK government blocks Russian and Belarussian tyre, rubber product imports with 35% tariff increase
On 25 April 2022, the UK Government announced a further tranche of trade sanctions against Russia. The new sanctions, which were introduced by International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, include import bans on silver, wood and high-end products like caviar. At the same time, the government has raised tariffs by 35 percentage points on items from Russia and Belarus, including diamonds and “rubber products”. Additional duties of 35 per cent were already introduced on “new pneumatic tyres, of rubber” on 25 March 2022.
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Alba Tyres Management: Premium approach and Marangoni Ringtread partnership key to growth
Not far outside Glasgow, Alba Tyres is taking on an increasingly influential position in the Scottish retreading business. The company has got there by virtue of the combination of a sharp focus on its core business and an increasingly efficient – and technologically driven – production process. Tyres & Accessories took the high road to Scotland to meet directors Alex and David Wilson to find out more.
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Michelin damage guarantee proves its worth for BJ Clarke
Wrexham-based haulage firm BJ Clarke is reaping the benefits of Michelin’s accidental tyre damage guarantee following a recent incident which totally wiped out two of its trailer tyres. James Clarke, Director at BJ Clarke and son of owners Brian and Nancy, says: “One of our trucks rolled over a girder that was sticking out near the roadside, at no fault of the driver, completely taking out two of the trailer’s tyres on one side. Usually, we would have been looking at a replacement bill of roughly £900 but thanks to the tyre guarantee we got 75 per cent of that paid back to us, to help fund the new tyres.”
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Sales-i continues BTCC sponsorship of Power Maxed Racing
Sales-i, the sales enablement software with data analytics and CRM, announced its renewed sponsorship of Power Maxed Racing (PMR) for the fifth year. Power Maxed, the leading brand of cleaning and detailing products behind the PMR team, owned by Automotive Brands, is a long-standing sales-i customer.
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BTCC legend Gordon Shedden continues as GS Yuasa brand ambassador
Triple British Touring Car Champion Gordon ‘Flash’ Shedden is set to continue his position as brand ambassador for GS Yuasa. The Shedden/ GS Yuasa partnership is long standing, with the Scottish ace having had the company’s Yuasa or GS brand’s backing since 2011 and claiming three BTCC titles with the Yuasa-sponsored Team Dynamics outfit in 2012, 2015 and 2016. During the 2022 season, ‘Flash’ as he is affectionately known by fans, will carry GS Yuasa’s distinctive green and orange logo on his helmet.
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Serenco becomes latest member of IAAF
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) is continuing to grow its membership and has added automotive tools and equipment wholesaler, Serenco UK to its network.
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SUV tyre sell-out value up 12 per cent in 2021
During 2020, the whole of the sell-out market declined albeit not as badly as was feared. Still, with the exception of some distinct niches – such as instances in the logistics industry where tyre service providers were kept busy throughout the lockdowns – everyone was affected. SUV tyres were no different and saw overall value and volume figures fall 12 per cent, according to market analyst GfK’s January to December 2020 panelmarket data. 2021, however, was almost the mirror image of 2020 with the value of UK 4x4 and SUV tyre sales up 12 per cent compared with the equivalent full-year 2020 data. In other words, SUV tyre sales returned to growth mode in 2021, something that sets 2022 up for an even better year for those selling SUV and 4x4 tyres.
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Grouptyre member EG Wholesale opens Isle of Wight warehouse
Independent tyre distributor EG Wholesale has opened a new warehouse in Newport, Isle of Wight. The company is one of 10 members of leading independent tyre wholesaler Grouptyre. The new EG Wholesale site is located at 44-50 South Street, Newport, PO30 1JG. Managing director Richard Whittemore said, “The central location in Newport is fantastic and allows us to provide a reliable delivery service across the whole island. As well as reliable delivery, we have excellent product availability and competitive pricing, which are encompassed in Grouptyre’s ‘National Strength, Local Service’ philosophy. We also pride ourselves in being a local, independent tyre supplier who delivers the personal touch you would expect from a family business. Our experienced and friendly wholesale team are always on hand to help.”
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LKQ Euro Car Parts CEO highlights importance of ongoing investment
The CEO of LKQ Euro Car Parts, Andy Hamilton, has explored the challenges and opportunities being posed by this period of unprecedented change for the UK automotive sector in an interview with Automechanika and The UK Garage & Bodyshop Event organisers Messe Frankfurt’s digital platform, auto:resource. The first in a series of three interviews trailing the contents of the upcoming show offers an insight into how garages can futureproof their businesses, embrace emerging technologies and meet ever-changing demand.
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Apollo Tyres invests £5 million in London digital innovation hub
Apollo Tyres is investing £5 million in a London-based digital innovation hub as part of a five-year growth plan, which involves significant investment in technology and cloud infrastructure. The announcement is set against the backdrop of UK prime minister Boris Johnsons visit to India to discuss UK-India economic partnership, with Johnson specifically commenting on Apollo’s investment.
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Bush Tyres expands north into Darlington
BA Bush & Son Ltd has opened a new Bush Tyres branch in Darlington, County Durham. Bush Tyres Darlington can be found just off Allington Way on the Yarm Road Industrial Estate. The branch opens its doors this month under the management of branch manager, Dave Smith and his team.
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Nigel Hampson joins Point S
Nigel Hampson has been appointed as project manager at Point S UK. Hampson brings with him a wealth of experience from his 25 years in the tyre industry.
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