Voith Industrial Services planning growth in wheel and tyre assembly operations
Voith Industrial Services has appointed Jack Callaghan in a bid to further expand the company’s business in wheel and tyre assembly operations throughout the UK and mainland Europe. Callaghan, who has more than 20 years’ experience in wheel and tyre operations in the automotive sector, has been appointed business development manager based at Voith Industrial Services’ UK headquarters in Warwick.
Continue ReadingBond International joins ITMA to “stay on top” of EU import regulations
UK importer and wholesaler Bond International has joined the Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA). As the exclusive UK distributor for several brands, the company says it will benefit from ITMA’s expertise and access to the latest EU legislation and regulations, in ensuring that its imported tyres remain fully compliant for sale in the EU. “The number of laws and technical requirements for importers and manufacturers looking to sell tyres within the EU can be quite daunting and overwhelming,” explains Steve Tidmarsh, financial director, Bond International.
Continue ReadingGITI aiming for 10% market share
GITI Tire has appointed Richard Lyons to the position of general manager Europe as part of a series of moves that sees the firm implement a new organisational structure for its European operations. The structure, which took effect 1 May 2011, has been established following the departure of Michael Andre in March. Andre previously held the role of marketing director for passenger car tyres Europe and was managing director of the company’s Giti Tire Germany GmbH Deutschland subsidiary. Hervé Richert, GITI’s executive director, international sales and marketing described the new-look team a “direct consequence of GITI Tire Europe’s growth of business over recent years.” Writing in a statement detailing the reshuffle, he explained that it also follows the company’s “clearly defined strategy of building on strong relationships with its partners and customers with a focus on key markets in Europe and emerging markets” such as CIS and Russia.
Continue ReadingPAS 107 quality products from the tyre recovery association
Tyre Recovery Association members will be the first in Britain to offer Quality Protocol (QP) audits for tyre derived rubber materials to all its members. Based on the BSI Publicly Available Standards (PAS 107) for these materials, qualifying TRA member companies will, from this autumn, be able to acquire new product status for a range of size reduced materials derived from old tyres. Until now all such materials, however valuable, have been deemed waste and therefore subjected to permit and transportation constraints.
Continue ReadingUK launch for Michelin Truck Professional
The Michelin Business Advantage Scheme is dead, long live Michelin Truck Professional. Michelin has introduced a new independent dealer advocate programme in the UK to replace its Michelin Business Advantage Scheme, a decision it says marks a new level of commitment towards selected independent tyre specialists who deal in its truck, bus and coach products.
Continue ReadingKumho expands football sponsorship with Germany’s HSV
Manchester United sponsor Kumho Tyres has extended its European football activities by signing on as an exclusive partner to German club Hamburger SV. The Hamburg-based team, which is currently ranked seventh in Germany’s premier Bundesliga championship, welcomes Kumho as sponsor starting in the 2011/12 season. As part of the two-year contract between Kumho and HSV, the tyre maker’s advertisements will be displayed in the stadium and in other relevant media, including at press conferences, on game entry tickets, official teams photos and on the HSV website.
Continue ReadingPaul Goggins MP wins Parliamentarian of the Month award for wheel efforts
Paul Goggins, Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, has been awarded ‘Parliamentarian of the Month’ by road safety charity Brake and Direct Line. The award is said to have been presented in recognition of his efforts to raise the issue of regulation for heavy goods vehicle wheel safety in parliament. In June 2010, Paul was approached by Motor Wheel Service because the firm was concerned about the lack of regulation to ensure the safety of second hand heavy goods vehicle wheels. They believe that there has been a rise of approximately 10,000 substandard second hand HGV wheels entering the UK market per year. Paul is concerned that there are no guarantees that these second hand wheels are safe because while tyres are heavily regulated to ensure they meet minimum standards of safety, wheels are not.
Continue ReadingRMI backs TPMS rule change
The Retail Motor Industry (RMI) has reacted to the European Commission’s plans to tighten the mandatory detection requirements for Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). While the RMI backs the change and sees it as an important move towards improving road safety, it also wants to ensure that its members will be ready and equipped to work with the new technology.
Continue ReadingRL Automotive markets TAC-Scan at CV Show
With the cost of fuel only going one way, how tyres are managed is becoming increasingly more important. That’s why RL Automotive was showing its TAC-Scan laser-based tyre wear diagnostic equipment at April’s CV Show. According to the company, tyre wear diagnostic equipment has been left behind in the tide of new technology as it is largely still done manually, which not only effects accuracy but also makes readings subjective.
Continue ReadingWholesale changes in UK tyre distribution
Like London buses, acquisitions come along in threes - or so the string of recent purchases in the UK tyre distribution sector would make it seem. Between the tail-end of February and the very first days of March, it emerged that Stapleton’s Japanese owner Itochu had bought Britain’s largest tyre retailer Kwik-Fit, Stapleton’s had itself bought North Eastern Tyres & Exhausts, while fellow Grouptyre member King David Tyres had been sold to Malvern Tyres. And what’s more, this movement doesn’t look like it has quite finished yet. In February Harris Brothers sold its four branches to Micheldever Tyres Services, bringing the company’s retail depot count to 53 and counting. True, this overview is lumping changes in the wholesale business together with developments in the retail sector, but as history and recent events tell us the two parts of the trade are inextricably linked.
Continue ReadingAutoSocks for trucks
After two particularly cold winters, there has been a noticeable increase in the attention of tyre manufacturers on distributing their cold-weather lines in the UK. This of course includes tyre products for commercial vehicles, without which the logistics business would always run the risk of getting stuck. One surprise exhibit at the CV Show addressed this problem is a more surprising way.
Continue ReadingNational Tyres to provide AA Tyres Online
National Tyres and Autocare is proud to announce the launch of AA Tyres, a new online tyre shop powered by National. National secured the contract to provide the tyre shop which has been integrated into the AA’s own website, offering special discounted prices on tyres online and automotive parts in-branch to AA members. The site, which is now live at www.theaa.com, follows on from a similar move by well-known e-tailer Blackcircles.com and AA-competitor RAC.
Continue ReadingNational warns of online scam
National Tyres and Autocare has warned businesses to be aware of attempts to defraud unsuspecting traders using National’s name. Fortunately, the fraudulent activity was identified and National has initiated proceedings to ensure the false listing is removed as an infringement of trademark legislation. However the company is concerned that other organisations could encounter similar scams.
Continue ReadingGraham Simpson appointed director at Truck Tyre Specialists
Graham Simpson has been appointed a as director of Truck Tyre Specialists Ltd (TTS). His primary function remains sales, an area in which has gained over 21 years of experience in in the Retreading industry. Simpson heads up a team of account managers and van sales team alongside the development of new fleet and casing asset solutions. According to TTS, the company will be soon launching a new online “Casing Bank Reporting Suite” where customers can not only track there asset value but get an overview of RTD Removal rate, acceptance rate of casings among other detailed reporting.
Continue ReadingNew app from General Tire
A new General Tire application giving its North American customers quick access to an arsenal of product information and a database of pictures and videos has been approved by Apple and released into its iTunes Store, where it is available for free download. Within the General Tire app are five key functions, including Tire Descriptions, which feature sizing and pictures to help customers find the right tyre for their passenger car, light truck, off-road or commercial vehicle; Dealer Locators with maps to assist customers in finding the most convenient location to purchase General Tires; Team GT Race Videos; a Photo Gallery and a News/Promotions section. Off-road enthusiasts can watch the latest and greatest from Team GT and consumers can research the right General Tire for their car or truck.
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