![Freezing winter predicted](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/weather-3920570_1920-e1601991483535.jpg)
Freezing winter predicted
Leading winter maintenance company, Ice Watch has taken delivery of more than 3,000 tonnes of salt in preparation for the upcoming season. The reason? Because Ice Watch is predicting its “busiest season yet”, weather which could benefit those selling seasonal tyres.
Continue Reading![Conti publishes European winter tyre breakdown guide](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Conti-Winter-Weather.png)
Conti publishes European winter tyre breakdown guide
Continental has once again released an overview of the European regulations regarding winter tyre equipment for trucks and buses. It also gives advice relating on who should be informed if you do breakdown.
Continue Reading![Michelin introduces Michelin MyPortal for commercial vehicle customers](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/431-Michelin-MyPortal-1000x675-1.jpg)
Michelin introduces Michelin MyPortal for commercial vehicle customers
Michelin has launched a new web portal that gives commercial vehicle customers quick “direct access to expert online tyre advice, the latest promotions, services and news about its tyre range”, according to the company. Michelin MyPortal replaces Michelin MyAccount, launched five years ago, and has been designed to provide users with “additional benefits and improved functionality”.
Continue Reading![Green restart: Retreaded tyres as a decarbonisation aide](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_25781-scaled.jpg)
Green restart: Retreaded tyres as a decarbonisation aide
Despite the fact that the UK was in the middle of lockdown, Michelin Tyre Plc’s ultra-modern retread manufacturing operation resumed production at the end of April. In fact, according to the company, there were only two reasons that the Campbell Road, Stoke-on-Trent site paused manufacturing at all: because the coronavirus-related closures coincided with a pre-planned maintenance stoppage; and because – again due to Covid-19 – there was trouble securing deliveries of the right raw materials from the continent prior to April (see Michelin Stoke up-and-running, looking forward to ‘steady market growth’ for Michelin UK factory manager Francois Levert’s view on how things have progressed after reopening). Therefore, Michelin UK’s retread manufacturing operation only actually endured a three-week factory shutdown. The neighbouring UK headquarters opened in mid-July and so now its truck tyre and retreading business is putting the focus on success in the new normal. This began with a communications drive that has seen the manufacturer promote the ecological benefits of retreads. Tyres & Accessories spoke with Michelin Plc managing director Chris Smith in order to find out more.
Continue ReadingVan registration figures inspire optimism – NFDA
The significant increase in LCV registrations in September was welcomed by the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised commercial vehicle dealers in the UK, whose Chief Executive Sue Robinson said: “It is encouraging to see the van market experience an uplift in registrations of over a quarter indicating that a degree of confidence has returned to the sector”.
Continue Reading![EAG named exclusive distributor of Celect range of brake pads and discs](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/thumbnail_BoxedProducts_002.jpg)
EAG named exclusive distributor of Celect range of brake pads and discs
Excel Automotive Group (EAG) has been appointed as exclusive distributor of the Celect range of brake pads and discs within the UK. With an extensive range of brake pads and brake discs in their Leeds-based distribution centre, EAG says it is able to offer “a braking range that has been developed to provide the marketplace with an affordable, full specification offering”.
Continue Reading![New car registrations drop -4.4 per cent in weakest ever ‘new plate’ September](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Car-regs-summary-graphic-Sept-2020.png)
New car registrations drop -4.4 per cent in weakest ever ‘new plate’ September
The UK new car market declined -4.4 per cent in September, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The sector recorded 328,041 new registrations in the month – the weakest September since the introduction of the dual number plate system in 1999 and some -15.8 per cent lower than the 10-year average of around 390,000 units for the month.
Continue Reading![Good September LCV sales, but YTD total down](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/LCV-regs-rolling-year-totals-Sep-2014-to-date-2020.png)
Good September LCV sales, but YTD total down
The UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew by more than a quarter (+26.4 per cent) in September, according to the latest SMMT figures. In total, 52,096 vans, pickups and 4x4s were registered in the month, up some 10,880 units on a weak September 2019, when regulatory changes distorted the market.
Continue Reading![September registrations: Market shifts towards private ownership of hybrid cars](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Car-regs-YTD-by-sales-Sept-2020.png)
September registrations: Market shifts towards private ownership of hybrid cars
Overall registrations remain under great pressure, but the latest new car sales figures point to another bumper month for electric vehicles. Meanwhile, diesel-fuelled internal combustion engine vehicles have taken the biggest hit. There are also signs that vehicle ownership preferences are changing. But what does this mean for the shape of the car market that feeds aftermarket tyre sales?
Continue Reading![Palatine Private Equity takes majority stake in NRG Fleet Services](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/thumbnail_NRG-is-a-leading-commercial-fleet-services-company.jpg)
Palatine Private Equity takes majority stake in NRG Fleet Services
Private equity firm Palatine Private Equity has completed the acquisition of a majority shareholding in NRG Fleet Services Ltd, a fast-growing provider of specialist services to the commercial vehicle sector. Headquartered in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, and operating 10 national technical centres, NRG has annual revenues of £90m and employs 280 people. It comprises two divisions, Riverside Truck Rental and Direct Tyre Management.
Continue Reading![Kirkby supports continuity of industry with strong specialist tyre and wheel line-up](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Kirkby-Site-Image-scaled.jpg)
Kirkby supports continuity of industry with strong specialist tyre and wheel line-up
While the challenges of the pandemic to the light vehicle markets are familiar due to the day-to-day experiences of people around Europe, commercial, industrial and agricultural markets experienced different levels of lockdown, as many companies in these sectors worked hard to reinforce supply chains. In the tyre wholesale sector, this meant distributors of products and services to these segments needed to stay strong to supply the rubber that kept countries rolling. Michael Rosenthal, marketing director of the UK and Ireland’s largest and most comprehensive distributor of off-highway tyre and wheel solutions, Kirkby Tyres, told Tyres & Accessories about the latest news from the Speke-based wholesaler.
Continue Reading![2020 vision impossible in an unpredictable year](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/glasses-1246611_1920.jpg)
2020 vision impossible in an unpredictable year
It is somewhat ironic that the number 2020 has inherent associations with perfect vision and yet this year has turned out to be the most unpredictable in a lifetime. For example, no-one saw President Trump’s twitter-borne sideswipe at Goodyear’s tyres coming last month – how could they? However, on a more serious note, the effects of uncertainty has real-life impact. And this month has seen more than its fair share of such harsh realities in the tyre industry. This article appears in full in the October edition of Tyres & Accessories magazine. Not yet a subscriber? You can change that here.
Continue Reading![The Auto Workshop joins First Stop, rebrands as flagship centre](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-Auto-Workshop-1.jpg)
The Auto Workshop joins First Stop, rebrands as flagship centre
First Stop Tyre & Car Services has revealed its striking new rebrand at a flagship store in Birmingham. The Auto Workshop, headed up by father-and-son team Steve and Graham Todd, has become First Stop’s latest partner. Five new jobs have b
Continue Reading![How the increasingly online tyre business reacted before, during and after lockdown](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ecommerce-3546296_1920.jpg)
How the increasingly online tyre business reacted before, during and after lockdown
On 3 September Amazon said it will create an extra 7,000 UK jobs this year to meet growing demand. Prior to this, the online retail giant had already added 3,000 roles in 2020. So, by the end of the year, it will have created a total of 10,000 new jobs. At the same time, the company has increased its involvement with the tyre market. While online tyre retail is about far more than Amazon, the news reflects increased demand both for online ordering in general and for online tyre sales in particular. But it is not just Amazon that has noticed this trend. Speaking during a webinar in June, GfK analysts highlighted how online tyre buying is increasing as a function of lockdown and the increased take-up of online shopping in general. Their thesis? More tyres will be sold online and the budget tyre sector will be the beneficiary. This article, including three charts support the analysis, appears in full in the October edition of Tyres & Accessories. Not yet a subscriber? You can change that here.
Continue Reading![The Auto Workshop chooses CAM](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/From-left-to-right-Graham-Todd-Steve-Daly-and-Steven-Todd-scaled-e1601563858758.jpg)
The Auto Workshop chooses CAM
Birmingham-based The Auto Workshop is going live with CAM software helping the service, maintenance and repair business simplify its booking system and overhaul its stock management and billing process.
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