Kingpin Tyre Fire Expected To Burn All Week
Fire crews have been tackling flames, thick smoke and fumes and piles of burning material at the premises of Kingpin Tyre in Wem, Shropshire, since Tuesday. Firefighters said several mounds of “waste rubber,” covering an area of around 60 metres had caught fire. A report in the Whitchurch Herald said that plumes of black smoke could be seen up to 20 miles away as 200 tonnes of rubber went up in smoke and that firefighters expect to battle the blaze and control smouldering material for the best part of a week.
Continue Reading6% Rise in August Registrations Could Help Korean Tyre Manufacturers
The latest SMMT figures reveal there was 6 per cent rise in new car registrations in August 2009, with the monthly total growing to 67,006 units. The second successive month of growth in new car registrations is widely attributed to the success of the government’s scrappage initiative, with August’s figures building on on a 2.4 per cent gain in July. As you might expect in light of the scrappage scheme, private purchases of small cars grew particularly strongly with this type of sale accounting for 35,694 (53.3 per cent) of August’s sales, compared to 23,717 (37.5 per cent). However, the recent growth disguises the fact that sales are still 15 per cent off the 78,800 total monthly market average between 1999 and 2008. Ford and Vauxhall continued to dominate sales in August, however it is the surprise success of the Korean car manufacturers that has the potential to re-shape the UK car parc. And as these car manufacturers are almost exclusively supplied by Korean tyre makers, there is also likely to be a positive effect on Korean tyre sales in the UK.
Continue ReadingBlackcircles.com Aims to Grow Network 30%
Blackcircles.com is aiming to increase its garage network by 30 per cent by the end of 2009, adding as many as 400 garages. Announcing the news the company vowed to help independent garages “fight back”, saying it offers “additional revenue, customer footfall and national marketing, helping [independents] compete with major high street brands.”
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Kwik-Fit Gains Presidential Support in Viral Video
Tyre change by Presidential decree… the man in America’s top job pauses from world affairs to discuss a topic of true importance. Of course, its just a bit of fun from Kwik-Fit, but the viral film of President Obama does deliver a message worth listening to. The viral video, titled “Obama calls for tyre change”, was produced by advertising agency DDB London.
Continue ReadingSuperbrands Survey Acknowledges Top Industry Marques
Superbrands has released its 2009 Superbrands and Business Superbrands survey results, and several familiar names appear in the respective top 500 lists this year. Tyre manufacturer Michelin appears in the 88th spot and Pirelli at number 154. The trio of tyre Superbrands is rounded off by Dunlop, occupying the 265th position this year. Business Superbrands – which began in 1995 – lists the UK’s strongest business-to-business brands as voted for by independent experts on the Business Superbrands Council and more than 1,500 individual business professionals from across the country. Our three tyre Superbrands were also present in this category – Michelin in eighth spot, Pirelli at number 20 and Dunlop at 53. They are joined by Bridgestone in the 54th spot and Snap-on Tools at 193.
Continue ReadingReynolds Logistics Becomes Latest Michelin PPK Partner
Michelin has added another pence per kilometre (PPK) partner to its UK portfolio through signing a three-year contract with petrochemical transport specialist Reynolds Logistics. As part of the deal the Reynolds fleet of 44 tonne Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor units and 18 to 26 tonne Axor rigids will be fitted with a range of XZE2+ / XDE2+ tyres, as wear dictates, whilst its Magyar tankers will receive XTE2 and XTE3 trailer tyres. “With a fleet covering more than three million kilometres a year delivering bulk lubricants, safety is of paramount importance,” commented Ian Williams, fleet operations manager at Reynolds Logistics.
Continue ReadingBlackcircles.com Adds to Management Team
Blackcircles.com has appointed two new senior managers as part of the company’s ongoing expansion plans. The Peebles-based business has recruited Alan Littlewood as head of network and supply and Peter Nowell as head of commercial operations. The appointments follow the announcement of a major partnership deal with the RAC, enabling Blackcircles.com to sell tyres directly to the motoring club’s seven million members through a new venture, RAC Tyres. Peter Nowell will be responsible for developing mutually beneficial relationships with Blackcircles.com’s suppliers. He has previously held senior marketing roles at both Kwik-Fit and ATS Euromaster. Alan Littlewood joins Blackcircles.com from car dealership operator Pendragon Plc. His role will be to expand the company’s network of franchised garages and develop its servicing offer through its partnership with Unipart.
Continue ReadingOnline Retailers Amongst Those Supporting Tyre Labelling Rules
On April 22 the European Parliament approved – by a large majority – a number of draft measures that will see tyre performance in fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise levels explained on a standardised label attached to new tyres. The new rating system, pencilled in for implementation by late 2012, will use a scale similar to that utilised on the EU Energy Label or “fridge mark” as it has affectionately been dubbed. Now that the tyre labelling measures first published in November have been approved, it has been proposed that tyres generating particularly low levels of noise be given an extra insignia, imprinted on the outer sidewall. Another proposed change is an upping of the level of information provided in tyre advertisements – the aim is to better inform consumers and provide a stimulus for the development of safer and more environmentally friendly tyres. However, specific details of the labelling scheme have yet to be finalised, and the draft text still awaits the scrutiny of the Council of Ministers, the body representing the 27 EU member states.
Continue ReadingBlackcircles Partners With RAC in Online Tyre Deal
Leading motoring organisation RAC has teamed up with Blackcircles.com to create RAC Tyres, an online tyre retail portal offering “hassle free online tyre service” to RAC’s seven million members and any visitors to the RAC website. Blackcircles.com will power the motoring organisation’s new tyre retail operation, RAC Tyres (accessible at both www.rac.co.uk and www.ractyres.co.uk). The service will enable visitors to order tyres through the website and have them fitted at any of the over 900 garages in the Blackcircles network. Announcing the news, company representatives described the agreement as a “landmark deal” and pointed out that the move follows a period of sustained growth for Blackcircles.com. According to an interview with the Financial Times published in early April, company founder Mike Welch believes the recession could benefit Blackcircles as customers seek a lower cost tyre alternative. Blackcircles.com has grown to a turnover of in excess of £10 million since it was launched in 2001. In the earlier report, FT quoted Welch as saying sales were as much as 80 per cent up year-on-year. While year-on-year sales growth is currently quoted at 60 per cent it remains nonetheless impressive.
Continue ReadingKwik-Fit Training Awarded Beacon Status
Kwik-Fit has announced that it has been awarded the highly acclaimed Beacon status from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) for its further education training programmes. The award was given following a successful Ofsted inspection in which the automotive repair company’s effectiveness, quality, leadership and management for its Train to Gain and Work-Based Learning programmes were graded outstanding.
Continue ReadingNew HiQ Director Appointed
Goodyear Dunlop has announced the appointment of new HiQ director Juergen Titz, the man who masterminded the successful Goodyear Dunlop ‘4Fleet Group GmbH’ fleet business division in Germany. Titz has also been responsible for leading Goodyear Dunlop Europe´s consumer fleet activities as well as its European Retail approaches. In total, he has 11 years experience within the Goodyear Dunlop group, and has been a key advisor in the growth of the HiQ franchise programme as part of his pan-European role. He will now move to the UK on a full-time basis with his wife and two children. Mark Brickhill, Group managing director, stated, “Juergen’s experience of fleet management and retail development across Europe will play a key role in Goodyear Dunlop’s drive to grow our own HiQ National Franchise Programme in the UK [covered extensively on Tyrepress.com throughout 2008]. The continued growth of HiQ is a core element of our vision to build strong retail and servicing partnerships across the country”
Continue ReadingTWG: 1H 2008 a Record Year for UK Tyre Wholesalers…
When the NTDA’s increasingly Influential Tyre Wholesalers’ Group (TWG) met for its annual lunch in November, the event brought with it news of import quality checks, an update on the current market situation and a polite request for not manufacturers to take advantage of the UK’s detached geographical position when it comes to pricing. However, in his role as chairman, Ashley Croft began by giving the audience representing the majority of leading manufacturers and wholesalers an overview of how the economic climate is affecting tyre wholesale markets:
Continue ReadingEagle Couriers ‘Wear’ Autosocks
Scotland’s leading independent courier firm is equipping its delivery vans with winter weather Autosocks in a bid to cope with the treacherous winter road conditions in Aberdeenshire and the Highlands. Eagle Couriers has invested in the revolutionary new equipment and plans to use the tyre socks to ensure their drivers are as safe as possible on snow-covered or icy roads. The company carries out many deliveries in the north of Scotland during the winter, and already uses safety equipment such as tyre chains, which they fit to their vans when they need to drive through heavy blizzards and snow drifts. However, by using the “tyre sock” technology, which was devised in Norway, they hope to improve their vehicles’ grip on the road when faced with less extreme weather conditions such as sleet and ice – which are less suitable for chains.
Continue ReadingTrax JH Appoints International Development Chief
Trax JH Ltd has announced the appointment of Martin Blakey in the new role of international business development manager. Blakey’s appointment has been made in support of the company’s growth and export market development ambitions, which aim to propel Trax into a leading position in the field of European manufacturers of balance weights.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Dunlop Secures Hargreaves Fleet Deal
Goodyear Dunlop’s Truck team have secured a fleet deal with Hargreaves Services, the UK’s biggest bulk haulage company. The deal will see 879 vehicles fitted with the latest Max Technology tyres from Goodyear during the company’s five year contract with the truck tyre giant.
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