Darren Lindsey to head BTMA
Graham Willson is retiring as Chief Executive of the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association at the end of April, and the BTMA board has named Darren Lindsey his successor. Lindsey, who is commercial product director at Michelin Tyre PLC, brings more than 25 years of experience in national and international missions and a wealth of industry knowledge to his new function.
Continue ReadingBond acquisition Birkenshaw Distributors forms Scottish Highlands wholesale JV with Goodtread Tyre Co
The Inverness based tyre wholesaler acquired as part of Bond International’s recent deal to acquire Stepgrades Motor Accessories Limited from Halfords Group is forming a joint venture with long term Bond customer Goodtread Tyre Co, based in Alness in the Scottish Highlands. The two parties said the JV would strengthen their tyre distribution operations covering north and west Scotland and the islands, increasing the availability of stock as a result of Bond’s large stockholding, improving warehousing, and modernising Bond’s newly acquired Birkenshaw Distributors Ltd. Sandy MacKenzie and Mark Kelman from Goodtread Tyre Co will head the joint Inverness operation.
Continue ReadingTyres & Accessories February 2024 issue now available to read online, download
The February issue of Tyres & Accessories Magazine is now available as an e-paper for subscribers to Tyrepress, following the distribution of the print edition. The latest issue includes special features on passenger car tyres and motorcycle and two-wheeler tyres. It also includes in-depth articles and analysis tackling current events and trends in the global tyre industry, such as the latest online tyre brand ranking data, a big acquisition for Bond International in the UK wholesale sector, and comment on the UK government’s decision to retain the frequency of the MOT test. Non-subscribers can gain access to Tyrepress with a print or online subscription, or tyre professionals can take advantage of the current Tyrepress Membership offer, helping to drive business online and stay informed with the industry’s leading magazine and websites.
Continue ReadingUNECE adopts tyre abrasion measuring methodology
On 8 January, the UNECEs World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations endorsed a proposal outlining two methodologies for assessing tyre abrasion within the framework of UN Regulation No. 117. The proposal adopted by the Working Party on Noise and Tyres entails measuring the reduction in tyre weight caused by abrasion, with results quantified in milligrams per kilometre per tonne of load on the tyre.
Continue ReadingR&D, TIP and Alphatread amongst Hankook’s sustainability and retreading achievements
Hankook reports that it “is committed to investing in sustainability across every aspect of a tyre’s life from sourcing sustainable raw materials to R&D focus on materials, product performance and new product developments”. When you add in the production Alphatread-branded retreaded tyres, you can see how Hankook has attained a number of sustainability achievements.
Continue ReadingDelphi and Everrati to deliver EV conversion training
Delphi is partnering with Everrati on exclusive new IMI TechSafe training from Delphi Academy focused on the electrification of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. It aims to share best practice advice for independent garages seeking new and exciting opportunities within the fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) electro-mod conversion market by tapping into Everrati’s widely recognised expertise.
Continue ReadingPCL showcases new demo van
PCL has invested in a brand new ‘Demo Van’. Its primary use will be to provide live demonstrations of products at customer premises. The vehicle will also enable the PCL team to demonstrate products to partners at its Sheffield-based factory, as well as further afield in the future at trade shows, open days and tyre safety events.
Continue ReadingShow your tyres some love this Valentine’s Day – Bridgestone
The UK’s vehicles and tyres need some more TLC, according to Bridgestone, with 73 per cent of motorists not even checking their tyres. A survey of 2000 drivers conducted by Bridgestone revealed that nearly three-quarters of drivers don’t check their treads or pressures themselves, either never thinking about it, leaving it to the garage to do or asking their partners to check instead.
Continue ReadingATS Euromaster: Ageing fleets require more maintenance amidst political and economic
With shipping routes from Asia to Europe disrupted by Houthi rebel attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea, many shipping carriers are avoiding the Suez Canal and take the vastly longer route via South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. Estimates put the additional fuel cost at $2 million (£1.6m) and the journey adds at least 10 days to deliveries for vehicle makers already struggling to ramp up supplies hit by restrictions due to Covid and the Russian campaign against Ukraine, where many car components are made. Both Volvo in Ghent, Belgium, and Tesla in Berlin, Germany, have halted production temporarily as a result. As a result, fleets – especially those with ageing vehicles – ought to invest more in strategic and preventative maintenance, according to ATS Euromaster.
Continue ReadingThe increasingly all-season SUV tyre market: Budget share grows in premium-dominated segment
SUV and 4x4 tyres have stood out as a high growth, high margin sales opportunity for several years. Latterly, the growth of both all-season and EV-specific fitments has only served to strengthen the niche value of the segment. As we look forward into 2024, Tyres & Accessories takes a look at the latest data from market research specialists GfK in a bid to reflect on what has happened in the last year as well as to prepare for what might come in the next 12 months.
Continue ReadingBridgestone invests ~£5 million in Bulldog Bandag plant and refreshed retread range
Bridgestone is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Bulldog retread factory in Bourne, Lincolnshire with a multi-million-pound investment designed to “mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the site’s history”. Specifically, executives said the investment equates to “close to £5 million”.
Continue ReadingUK reaches million EV milestone as new car market grows
Britain’s millionth battery electric car (BEV) reached the road in January 2024, while the new car market grew 8.2% for the month, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The first month of the year saw 142,876 new cars registered, the best performance for the month since 2020 and the 18th consecutive month of growth. The increase was driven entirely by the fleet market, which rose by 29.9%, while private retail uptake fell -15.8%. Fleets accounted for 63.2% of new cars registered.
Continue ReadingMichelin Guide 2024 Great Britain & Ireland now out
The Midland Hotel in Manchester was the setting Michelin chose to mark the 50th anniversary of The Michelin Guide in Great Britain & Ireland. It also presented the 2024 restaurant selection, which includes 1,162 restaurants.
Continue ReadingBring back the spare wheel, say 82% of drivers
More than 15 years have passed since I last had to deal with a punctured tyre, something I’m thankful of whenever looking at the spare wheel-shaped space under the floor of my car’s boot. I miss the security that a spare offers, and it appears I’m far from alone. In a survey of 11,959 AA members carried out on behalf of the motoring organisation, 82 per cent of respondents said they’d prefer to have a spare wheel in their boot rather than a tyre inflation kit.
Continue ReadingGovernment EV strategy needs rapid recharge warns Lords committee
The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has reported back, following its inquiry (launched in August 2023) into possible obstacles to meeting the Government’s target for the introduction of electric vehicles.
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