ETRMA ‘surprised’ by TWG speech
Following the publication of Tyres & Accessories’ report on the recent NTDA Tyre Wholesalers Group annual lunch, ETRMA secretary general Fazilet Cinaralp has written an open letter stating her association’s surprise at the issues raised in TWG chairman Ashley Croft’s keynote speech. During the speech, Croft referred to testing, lobbying and the relative importance of the implementation of current tread depth legislation. As our coverage explains, no-one was available to attend the event on behalf of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers association, so here is the association’s response in full:
Continue ReadingConti: ‘Modest growth’ in store for UK truck tyre market
The latest forecast for the UK’s replacement tyre market for 2011 suggests volumes total 1 million units, which will be marginally down on the comparable 2010 figure of just over 1,050,000 units. Speaking at the recent Continental UK market trends briefing in London, new commercial vehicle marketing manager Tracey Hyem explained that the recent UK trend was at odds with the European experience, which has seen most other countries experience positive growth in replacement tyre sales with an average increase of 3 per cent overall.
Continue ReadingConti: UK passenger car market “stable” at 33 million units
Continental estimates that the 2011 UK car, 4x4 and van tyre market will equate to 33 million units despite estimates from other leading tyre manufacturers earlier in the year suggesting demand could have been in for a double digit drop. Speaking at the tyremaker's annual market trends briefing in London, executives from Conti's UK operation (Continental Tyre Group Ltd) explained that the market has “remained static, with a number of evident developments, such as an increase in the part worn market due to the scrappage scheme.” Continental now estimates that part worn sales equate to 2 – 3 million units a year, with sales of these used products estimated to have increased by up to 50 per cent of the traditional and widely accepted 2 million units annually figure.
Continue ReadingWholesalers Group chair outlines concerns with ETRMA
The ears of the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association must have been rather warm as Ashley Croft, chairman of the Tyre Wholesalers Group of the NTDA, gave his speech at the group's annual lunch. Around 75 people – customers and suppliers – attended the event on 22 November at the National Motorcycle Museum and, as well as lunch, there was plenty of food for thought, particularly for manufacturers of premium brands.
Continue ReadingPCL acquired by Horn Tecalemit
The management of Pneumatic Components Limited, or PCL, reports that Germany’s HORN GmbH & Co.KG (Horn Tecalemit) has acquired all shares in the Sheffield-based business for an undisclosed sum. This deal took effect on 1 October 2011 and although the two companies will continue to trade independently, PCL and Horn Tecalemit say the acquisition will give both firms “access to a wider range of complementary products” and benefit customers, suppliers and company employees.
Continue ReadingMichelin to invest £50 million in UK manufacturing sites
Michelin Tyre PLC has announced that Michelin Group has agreed to invest up to £50 million in its UK manufacturing sites at Ballymena, Dundee and Stoke-on-Trent over the next six years. This investment plan will be supported by grants from the UK and Scottish governments and will help the company increase production capacity and help secure employment at all three of its UK production sites. Implementation of these plans has already begun at Dundee with the hiring of 140 people to fill newly created positions and the construction of a building extension to house new production equipment. In Stoke work has also commenced with the conversion of an existing building, ahead of the installation of new state-of-the-art equipment for the manufacture of the latest generation Michelin Remix truck tyres.
Continue ReadingMitas aims for greater prominence after UK name change
Mitas is aiming to raise the profile of the company and better communicate the strength of its products and recent sales performance in the market following the official rebranding of the UK company as Mitas Tyres Limited. With an impressive number of OE contracts under its belt, Mitas is aiming to grow market share in both the OE and replacement markets and solidify its position as “the UK’s leading off-road tyre specialist”, according to the company. And despite the fact that company is well-known for producing Continental branded agricultural tyres under licence, as you might imagine, a key part of this strategy is to highlight the Mitas name in the UK and beyond.
Continue ReadingBakers coaches launches Michelin-equipped Hybrid bus service
Stoke-based bus and coach operator Bakers Coaches has launched its first hybrid bus service, ahead of its 75th anniversary celebrations in November. The three hybrid buses, which use a Volvo B5 RLH chassis with Wrightbus Gemini bodywork, went into operation on 3 October and will operate under the bakerbus brand – owned by Bakers Coaches. The buses have been purchased primarily to carry students and are used on a dedicated contract with Staffordshire University and London Midland Trains. The low-floor, diesel-electric buses are the greenest, cleanest buses in the county.
Continue ReadingVauxhall backs Autosocks
Vauxhall has become the latest in a run of vehicle manufacturers to offers its customers winter traction advice, however while most vehicle main dealers who have take a public stance on this have promoted the benefits of winter tyres, Vauxhall appears to promoting the temporary AutoSock option. According to the company, Vauxhal retailers are once again offering “a comprehensive range of accessories in preparation for the winter months,” including AutoSock Snow Socks cold weather tyre covers.
Continue ReadingMark Griffiths joins Continental UK communications team
Continental Tyre Group Ltd has appointed Mark Griffiths as communications assistant to work alongside communications manager, Laura Hardy within this newly created role, covering all aspects of the brand’s public profile. Griffiths 24 recently returned from a year living in Paris teaching English. Before this, he studied for his BA Journalism degree in 2008 graduating with 1st class honours, going on to complete his MA in Automotive Journalism in 2010 with Merit.
Continue ReadingVenture provided £37.5 million for Unipart deal
Venture Finance provided a funding line of £37.5 million to finance H2 Equity Partner’s recent acquisition of a controlling stake in Unipart Automotive. And what’s more there is said to be “increased appetite for structured private equity deals.”
Continue ReadingUnipart and H2 Equity complete deal
Unipart Group and H2 Equity Partners have officially completed the previous announced deal that sees H2 acquire a controlling stake in Unipart Automotive, one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers of car parts, workshop consumables and garage equipment.
Continue ReadingSaab dealerships offering winter tyre packages, snow socks
Swedish car brand Saab is offering winter tyre packages through its dealerships in October, offering alloy wheels and winter rubber from £559, excluding fitment. David Leighton, business development manager for aftersales at Saab GB, notes that winter tyres “reduce braking distances and suffer less wear and tear, thus offering not only peace of mind, but a cost-saving benefit too.”
Continue ReadingHow social nets, price comparison are influencing online tyre business
Things move quickly in the online world. Even business moves “at the speed of thought” as Bill Gates suggested in the title of his book of the same name. While the tyre industry has shown some signs of reticence when it comes to doing business over the Internet, in recent years the tide has turned and most large (and many small and medium sized) tyre companies now see online involvement as a permanent part of their business. However recent developments in social marketing and price comparison sites only go to show that if you don’t keep up you may lose out. Tyres & Accessories analysed the latest data and spoke to some leading players on the frontiers of tyre e-business to see what pitfalls and opportunities lie ahead for the UK and European tyre business.
Continue ReadingH2 acquiring controlling stake in Unipart
H2 Equity Partners has announced plans to acquire a controlling stake in Unipart Automotive, the UK’s largest independent supplier of car parts, workshop consumables and garage equipment. Unipart Automotive is currently owned by Unipart Group. The agreement, which is expected to be concluded shortly, sees H2 Equity Partners taking majority ownership in the UK operation. Unipart Group will hold onto 49.9 per cent. Patrick Kalverboer, managing partner at H2, will become executive chairman of the new company.
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