Temperature controlled logistics firm retains Bridgestone tyre services
NR Evans, one of the UK’s largest temperature controlled distribution fleets, has renewed its tyre service agreement with Bridgestone. The tyre supplier said that its Total Tyre Care package played a critical role in the company’s success during a competitive tendering process.
New car registrations make March biggest month in a decade
Demand for the new 14-plate saw March reach 464,824 new car registrations, a rise of 17.7 per cent. Since the move to twice-yearly registration plate changes in 1999, only March 2004 has seen a higher registration figure (at 466,954). Year-to-date registrations were up 13.7 per cent to 688,122 units.
Driving tests will only be allowed to be taken in English and Welsh from today (7th April) in a bid to improve safety and clamp down on fraud, Roads Minister Stephen Hammond has announced.
Theory tests have previously been available with voiceovers in 19 foreign languages and candidates could use an interpreter on both the theory and practical driving tests.
But changes which come into effect today were introduced after a consultation showed more than 70 per cent supported the withdrawal of foreign language voiceovers and interpreters.
Continuing our coverage of developments in the UK tyre retail sector, Tyres & Accessories reports on the following 15 companies in its 2014 top 20 leading UK tyre retailers report. After the market leading five, the next five companies in the top 20 are the fastest growing in our ranking, and probably in the market as a whole. Like Micheldever/Protyre, McConechy’s Tyre Service has grown significantly since our last survey, adding seven branches to its number and pushing its total up to 52. This brings the company’s total back to pre-recessionary levels and could be read as another indication of improving conditions in the market.
Automotive industry charity BEN is celebrating the success of its 16th BEN Scotland Ball, held at the Crowne Plaza, Glasgow, which raised a total of £8,900 on the night.
TyreSafe is providing Scooter riders with free advice and tyre maintenance tips, designed to ensure that they remain safe on the road, whatever the conditions.
“Due to their low cost of ownership and their congestion-busting ability, scooters have become an increasingly popular method of transport in recent years,” explains Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.
Continued branch attrition at some of Britain’s largest tyre retail chains means the line between the top five and the rest of the top 10 has continued to blur. Furthermore, we now have three 50+ branch retail chains outside the top four (which are all 100+) for the first time since Tyres & Accessories started tracking this data five years ago.
Milltek has launched a new Ford Focus ST250 exhaust system, which according to the company, is fruit of the exhaust maker’s motorsport relationship with BTCC. As a supplier to the Motorbase BTCC team, and the Airwaves Racing and Crabbies Ford Focus racecars, it’s fair to say that Milltek Sport has experience in getting the best out of Ford’s capable hot-hatch. Indeed Milltek was one of the first tuners in the UK to gain access to the Focus upon its launch, adding one to its development fleet.
British firm wins multi-year Japanese Super Formula transmissions contract
British parts supplier Ricardo has announced a multi-year deal as the sole source of racing transmissions for the Japanese Super Formula series. Mark Barge, managing director, Ricardo Performance Products comments: “Ricardo has a long standing relationship within Japanese motorsport further underpinning our reputation for designing, manufacturing and assembling high performance racing transmissions, combining technology and quality to provide highly competitive and highly durable transmission solutions to our partners around the world.”
NTDA shares its view on tyre labelling consultation
Following the news that the government is consulting the market on the full implementation and enforcement of tyre labelling legislation in the UK, the NTDA has shared its views on both the process and its response to the consultation.
According to the NTDA, the government consultation proposal can be summarised like this: “The department has appointed a tyre enforcement authority (the National Measurement Office) which will be responsible for organising a risk-based market surveillance approach and for the application of appropriate enforcement measures that impose the minimum burdens necessary to meet our EU obligations.
Brityrex International has confirmed that it will once again host a series of Tyre Talk seminars covering key business issues affecting tyre retailers, wholesalers and fast-fit service providers.
ITMA tyre test partner Tread expands development capability
ITMA technical partner, Tread Ltd, reports that it has invested in expanding the services available to members. The company’s permanent test fleet now includes a magazine standard VW Polo to sit alongside its existing VW Golf, meaning that test and development of all standard tyre sizes is even easier.
Council chiefs have warned that the country is facing a roads crisis that is escalating at an alarming pace after new research put the cost of bringing highways up to a decent standard at over £12bn.
The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) shows that councils fixed just over 2m potholes in England and Wales last year, yet record rainfall meant the overall conditions of local roads deteriorated again.
The Trust My Garage Charity Challenge teams, the Northern Numpties and the Southern Softies have raised the impressive sum of £8,500 for the automotive charity BEN.
The challenge, which was to visit the most TMG members using a route planned by using only the TMG website, was won by the Southern Softies who visited 85 garages during the four day event.
German tyre wholesaler Hämmerling - The Tyre Company GmbH has confirmed its debut as a Commercial Vehicle Show exhibitor. The company says it will present its full product range at the Birmingham show later this month, including the Athos, Maxx, Talas and Sämm private brands. It also intends to look for new authorised dealers and employees at the show. Hämmerling - The Tyre Company GmbH can be found at CV Show stand 4D98.
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