NTDA reaffirms support for 3mm campaign
The NTDA reports that it remains “firmly committed to its 3mm Tread Safety campaign, an initiative designed to raise awareness among motorists of the importance of changing tyres when they reach a 3mm tread depth rather than the lower, legal limit of 1.6mm, which was launched in partnership with Roadsafe in 2005.” The NTDA statement follows comments made by well-known manufacturer Michelin at the end of September in opposition to 3mm tread depth tyre change philosophies.
Continue Reading
‘A good move’ – Exhibitors & visitors positive about new CITExpo venue
Now in its 14th year, the China International Tire Expo, or CITExpo, returned to Shanghai in September – but not to the venue where it was held over the past decade, as 2016 was the tyre trade show’s first year in a larger, more modern and attractive location – a site that offers CITExpo the room to grow in future. Tyres & Accessories attended the exhibition between 26 and 28 September, and on the final day caught up with the organiser to find out how the first CITExpo at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center (SWEECC) went.
Continue Reading
Technodome – Hankook Tire opens new R&D centre in Korea
The official opening of the ‘Hankook Technodome’ took place today. The tyre maker’s new central research and development centre is located in Daejeon, South Korea, not far from its existing (and still operational) R&D centre, and is described by the company as “an embodiment of Hankook Tire’s strong commitment in R&D innovation” and a “core instrument” of Hankook’s global R&D infrastructure.
Continue Reading
Byrne, Ducati complete historic fifth MCE British Superbike Championship
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne held his nerve at Brands Hatch to win a fifth MCE British Superbike crown. Broc Parkes set the fastest ever British Superbike lap on the Brands Hatch GP circuit in Q2 qualifying (1:24.769) on Pirelli’s Diablo Superbike Slick tyres.
Continue Reading
Graphene – the tyre filler of the future?
Initial data suggests graphene tyres offer 1.5x better rolling resistance and better mileage, braking 2016 has been the year that graphene has been most clearly and most publically associated with tyres. And with initial reports suggesting this material could have a dramatic effect on rolling resistance (and therefore emissions) as well as treadwear, it seems […]
Continue Reading
Michelin remains WRC official tyre for 3 more years
An extension of its current agreement with WRC Promoter GmbH will see Michelin continue its commitment to the Word Rally Championship until the end of 2019, and Michelin will remain the WRC’s official tyre during this period. The agreement comes as Michelin bids to secure its 300th WRC victory at RallyRACC Catalunya - Rally de España this weekend, and stands on the verge of sealing its 50th world title in the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships.
Continue Reading
Michelin returns to the top of online brand ranking
Michelin has returned to the top of our annual online brand equity study run in conjunction with Cambridge-based specialists NetNames. The results marks a return to fortunes for the French global player, which has dominated the research for most of the 12 years it has been running until Continental seized first position last year. Indeed, the research has only been topped by three of the tyre majors in its history – Michelin, Continental and Pirelli. However, while the top of the table has been dominated by a select few of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers, some of the biggest gains have been made at the opposite end of the spectrum where the mid-range and economy brands we study have some of the biggest gains.
Continue Reading
Kings Road Tyres Burton-on-Trent ‘Superhub’ a major step in restructure
Kings Road Tyres’ restructuring process has taken “a major step towards completion” with the opening of its new central Superhub in Burton-on-Trent. The company is now operating out of a 92,000sqft office and warehouse complex on a five acre (two hectare) site known as Centrum One Hundred. KRT adds that its new neighbours – businesses including DHL, Boots, Unilever, Waterstones and Holland & Barrett – show the high calibre of the location, just off the A38, and with easy access to the M1 and M6 motorway networks.
Continue Reading
Auto Express tyre test – another win for Continental’s WinterContact TS 860
It’s been a fine start to life for the Continental WinterContact TS 860. In addition to receiving high praise from widely-read German car magazine Auto Bild, which described the winner of its test of 50 winter products as “an exemplary tyre without faults or flaws,” the new Continental winter tyre finished top of the class in its UK tyre test debut. Awarding first place to the WinterContact TS 860, Auto Express declared it a tyre that “delivers a winning blend of wet and dry grip plus fuel efficiency.”
Continue Reading
Total UK ban: NTDA chief executive hardens stance on part-worn tyres
Following up comments made at the Tyre Wholesale Group’s annual lunch on 5 October, NTDA chief executive Stefan Hay has called for a total ban on the sale of part-worn tyres. Speaking at the association’s Tyre Industry Conference, held at the VOX Conference Centre on Thursday 6 October 2016, Hay said previous attempts to enforce current laws through collaboration with trade bodies and enforcement agencies have not yielded the required results, leaving the association with little option but to harden its stance. Later the same day, NTDA chairman Roger Griggs reiterated the message during the association’s annual dinner.
Continue Reading
Infrastructure developments, key appointments show Kirkby moving forward
For Liverpool based wholesaler Kirkby Tyres, 2016 has become something of a landmark year. The company is currently undergoing a major infrastructure development that includes a major Warehouse Management System (WMS), and Kirkby has also made key personnel appointments, including a new director of business development & special projects.
Continue Reading
Bridgestone: Tyre Industry Awards pay tribute to ‘giant strides’ made over past 12 months
Back-to-back titles as Tyre Manufacturer of the Year has likely led to back slapping all-round at Bridgestone. The tyre maker was selected ahead of fellow nominees Goodyear Dunlop, Hankook, Michelin, Pirelli and Yokohama to take the award for a second consecutive year at last Thursday’s Tyre Industry Awards, and this victory was further sweetened when Bridgestone scooped the Staff Training & Development Initiative of the Year award.
Continue Reading
TWG chairman solidifies stance against ‘pop-up pushers’ of part-worn tyres
The NTDA Tyre Wholesale Group annual lunch saw greatly increased numbers alongside enhanced association support in its new position the day before the Tyre Industry Conference (5 October 2016), and location (the Hilton Birmingham Metropole adjacent to the NEC). The group chairman, Kirkby Tyres’ John Parker, presented his third – and potentially final – annual survey of the UK wholesale landscape. His topics included part-worn tyres, against which he joined the NTDA in taking a more radically oppositional stance, commented on the coming challenges and perhaps opportunities of Brexit, and the role of wholesalers in the e-commerce age.
Continue Reading
Tyre Industry Award winners 2016
The Tyre Industry Awards have been presented for 2016 during the sold-out NTDA Annual Dinner, this year hosted by the Vox Conference Centre on the site of Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre. In addition to the various gongs, the NTDA presented Sir Tom Farmer with the National Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Tyre Industry, sponsored by Hankook UK, while Brian Funnell and Lennie Wells were also made NTDA Honorary Life Members. Presented by television personality Suzi Perry, the winners were decided by a panel of leading industry judges, and the results live-tweeted by Tyrepress via its Twitter feed.
Continue Reading
Oak Tyres to move into new administrative headquarters
Oak Tyres is to open its new administrative HQ in the next few months. The company states that its new, custom-built premises in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside is significantly larger than its current facilities in Haydock, providing office space for more staff, and increased training facilities and display areas. The impending relocation highlights the recent success of Oak’s business; the company states that it has recorded its most successful trading year in the companys history.
Continue Reading