Wrongful trading rules relaxed
The government has temporarily suspended the wrongful trading rules to ease the pressure on businesses. What do you need to know? Ordinarily, directors may become personally liable for a company’s debts if they allow the business to continue trading in the knowledge that it is unable to meet its debts and liabilities. This is called wrongful trading. However, the coronavirus outbreak has caused unexpected cash flow problems for many.
Continue Reading![First Michelin Tweel delivered in Northern Ireland](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/242-01-Michelin-X-Tweel-SSL-airless-tyre-William-Smyth.jpg)
First Michelin Tweel delivered in Northern Ireland
A farmer in Northern Ireland has become the first person in Northern Ireland to put Michelin’s X Tweel SSL airless tyre and wheel combination into operation. Michelin has offered its range of Tweel products for grass mowing, agricultural and industrial applications in North America for several years, but its fitment for skid-steer loaders is the first Tweel product to arrive this side of the Atlantic.
Continue Reading![Garage reopening best-practice issued by GEA, SMMT](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Covid-Bestpractice.png)
Garage reopening best-practice issued by GEA, SMMT
The Garage Equipment Association (GEA), Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd (SMMT) have published a best practice guide outlining the necessary steps for garages exiting lockdown.
Continue ReadingTireScanner appoints three ex-Blackcircles execs
In addition to reporting strong first quarter 2020 sales growth, Tirescanner reports that it has added more locations, and has added three new senior figures to its ranks. Graeme Bissett, previously chairman at TireScanner founder Mike Welch’s previous tyre business Blackcircles.com for 12 years, will advise the board on governance, finance and strategic matters.
Continue ReadingTirescanner reports 400% sales growth in first quarter
Tirescanner, the US-based tyre e-commerce, has announced sales and customer growth of 400 per cent in the quarter covering January, February and March 2020. April and May have continued the same trend with the company predicting another record quarter.
Continue Reading![Horiba MIRA reopens, becomes ‘Covid-Secure’](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Car-cleaning-procedure-scaled.jpg)
Horiba MIRA reopens, becomes ‘Covid-Secure’
Test centre Horiba MIRA has fully converted its facilities into ‘COVID-Secure’ operations in three weeks. On 13 April the company suspended most physical operations at its expansive 850-acre site in Nuneaton and a further facility in Basildon, but safely welcomed the first wave of furloughed employees back to both sites by 4 May, well ahead of the UK government guidelines issued this week.
Continue ReadingQ1 2020 used car sales were stable before lockdown
The used car market in Q1 2020 saw a fall of -8.3 per cent in comparison to Q1 2019, with 1,851,919 transactions taking place. In Q1 2019, that figure was 2,020,144. However, in January and February, the market had grown by +2.9 per cent and +4.0 per cent respectively compared to their figures in 2019, showing the used car market had a strong start to the year. The COVID-19 outbreak, and subsequent halt of auction transactions however meant March sales fell -30.7 per cent, causing the quarter overall to indicate a reduction of sales.
Continue ReadingIGA’s flexible furlough scheme proposal supported by Chancellor
“We welcome the Chancellor’s update and extension to the furlough scheme, which will allow businesses to bring staff back to work on a part-time basis.” said Stuart James, chief executive of the Independent Garage Association (IGA). The IGA wrote to Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak on 29 April, requesting a partial furlough scheme that would allow employees to return to work part-time to support businesses throughout their reopening.
Continue Reading![Pirelli offers tyre maintenance tips for those returning to the road](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Pressione_Gomme_2.jpg)
Pirelli offers tyre maintenance tips for those returning to the road
With some drivers returning to the roads as the lockdown eases, Pirelli technicians have offered five tyre maintenance tips to help ensure safety and performance. Drivers are also being referred to the company’s Pirelli Performance Centre network for further enquiries. There are now 128 depots in the UK Pirelli Performance Centre network. Retailers within the network maintain standards through a 130-point technical audit, which each centre completes twice a year with increasingly demanding criteria.
Continue Reading![UK government investing billions in road and transport infrastructure](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/aerial-view-of-road-in-the-middle-of-trees-1173777-scaled.jpg)
UK government investing billions in road and transport infrastructure
Following a budget that committed to the largest portfolio of inward investment in 30 years, on 14 May 2020 the UK Transport Secretary promised £1.7 billion for local road repairs and fast-tracked construction works worth £175 million while fewer passengers are using transport system. Hundreds-of-millions-of-pounds worth of upgrades have already been made to the nation’s road and rail networks during the lockdown period with more planned over the coming weeks and months. For the tyre industry, the new could also support flagging demand for OTR and off-road tyres used in such construction projects.
Continue Reading![April 2020 motorcycle registrations one-sixth of April 2019](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Pirelli-Honda-OE.jpg)
April 2020 motorcycle registrations one-sixth of April 2019
According to figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association, just 1,623 new motorcycles were registered in April, down from 9,820 in the previous April. Year-to-date, the market has declined by -31.1 per cent, from 36,951 in 2019 to 25,451 in 2020 so far.
Continue Reading![HP Tuners MPVI2 tool also offers workshop diagnostics](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/MPVI2_WHT3.png)
HP Tuners MPVI2 tool also offers workshop diagnostics
Although the HP Tuners MPVI2 is a tuning tool first and foremost, its processing power allows it to create precisely calibrated engine maps. This also means that technicians can use the MPVI2 to log vehicle specific engine and transmission data for the wide range of vehicles that the tool caters for.
Continue Reading![Pirelli UK tyre production restarts from 18 May](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/import/PirelliCarlisleweb_716980926.jpg)
Pirelli UK tyre production restarts from 18 May
Pirelli UK is to recommence production at its plants in Carlisle and Burton-on-Trent from 18 May 2020. Initial production will be at a reduced rate, reflecting current market demand. “The company’s top priority is ensuring the health and safety of its workers and the wider community”, an official statement added.
Continue Reading![Britons prefer cars to public transport in post-corona world](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Kapsch_TrafficCom_Index_UK_03.jpg)
Britons prefer cars to public transport in post-corona world
Around 80 per cent of motorists in the UK consider taking an alternative route to avoid traffic jams and congested roads. For less than half, using public transport is an option. This was the result of a survey conducted immediately before the outbreak of the Corona pandemic in March. After the Corona restrictions have been lifted, public transport will likely be even less popular and traffic congestion will become even worse – something that is of interest to the tyre business, which is keeping close tabs on miles-driven figures because they correlate with tyre demand.
Continue Reading![Cooper Tire Europe restarting manufacturing in Melksham](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Avon-factory-15.jpg)
Cooper Tire Europe restarting manufacturing in Melksham
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has announced that Cooper Tire Europe plans to begin the process of reopening its manufacturing plant in Melksham, England, in the first half of June, and expects to be producing tyres there by 15 June 2020. The facility, which primarily manufactures motorcycle and racing tyres, has been temporarily closed since late March due to coronavirus.
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