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The NTDA reports that the official launch of the 3mm tread depth awareness campaign has been deemed a major success. The association is confident that the campaign has received widespread publicity throughout the UK, citing 75 minutes of radio airplay, which is said to have reached over 3.5 million listeners.
Data from the NTDA’s TyreCheck survey shows that just under 20 per cent of tyres are not replaced until the tread depth is worn to below 1.6mm. Members of the association inspected over 10,000 cars brought into their premises during the period of the TyreCheck. All the tyres, including the spare, were checked for tread depth, visual condition and pressure.
It is with sadness that Tyres & Accessories learnt of the passing of Ian Palmer, advertising manager of Retreading Business. Ian died suddenly on 22 September, aged 58, while working with colleagues in Belgium. He leaves a son, Stuart, and a daughter, Louisa.
It is now becoming increasingly vital that dealerships across the country understand the fitting implications that run-flat tyres bring with them, Bridgestone has reported. As a result Bridgestone is promoting its free Run-Flat Certificate Programme, which offers training for tyre dealers and fitters across the UK. To date, in excess of 600 UK fitters and store managers have attained certification, and more than 400 machines have already been inspected and accredited by Bridgestone.
It is now becoming increasingly vital that dealerships across the country understand the fitting implications that run-flat tyres bring with them, Bridgestone has reported. As a result Bridgestone is promoting its free Run-Flat Certificate Programme, which offers training for tyre dealers and fitters across the UK. To date, in excess of 600 UK fitters and store managers have attained certification, and more than 400 machines have already been inspected and accredited by Bridgestone.
The British Rubber Manufacturers' Association has issued a statement, designed to answer some of the queries from both motorists and tyre depots, concerning self supporting run flat tyres (SSTs).
The BRMA notes that these are being increasingly fitted to new vehicles and are fast becoming an established feature of the tyre industry landscape.
The fact that many questions exist about their reparability, retreadability and whether they can be used with "conventional" tyres became apparent at the NTDA seminar, held alongside the Brityrex International exhibition in May.
In order to help answer these questions, the BRMA statement addresses the points that arise most frequently. It is reproduced here and can also be accessed on the BRMA website, www.brma.co.uk
Dick Johnson, chief executive of Goodyear Dunlop, has been confirmed as the guest speaker at the NTDA’s Tyre Wholesalers annual lunch in November.
The annual meeting will again be held at the Raven Hotel in Droitwich on 23rd November. It will be attended by over 100 members of the Wholesalers Group, tyre manufacturers, retail chain management and the officers of the NTDA.
Roadsafe has organised a ‘Tread Safely Week’ as part of the UK’s 3mm replacement campaign to take place from 3 – 9 October 2005. An information pack has also been issued in conjunction with this, urging motorists to change their tyres before they reach the legal limit of 1.6mm.
Tread Safely week will see Roadsafe undertaking targeted press activity, broadcast interviews and consumer roadshows to bring home the message of the importance of checking tyre tread depth and considering taking action to replace tyres which could underperform in an emergency situation.
Kwik-Fit has shocked UK tyre industry members by withdrawing its support from the Tyre Industry Council. An associate member for the past 12 years, the retail chain has announced that it will not renew its membership.
The company is keeping its reasons behind the decision within its four walls, but has issued the following statement: “We are supportive of the TIC’s aims and ambitions. After a number of years working with the TIC and with the many new challenges facing our industry, it is now time to change the way we provide our support, promote tyre safety awareness and raise the standards of service to the benefit of all motorists.”
In the last winter season, the Western European winter car tyre market grew by 7.9 per cent – a fair way above average. During this time some 35.5 million units were sold on the replacement market. As far as the 2005/2006 season is concerned, current Europool figures suggest that it will be another good season for winter and/or cold weather tyres, whatever you call them.
The 4×4 and light truck markets are also likely to demonstrate a continued equalisation between summer and all-season tyres on the one side of the statistics and winter tyres on the other. The European tyre industry claims to be thoroughly prepared in terms of merchandise planning. However one exception is stocks of winter tyres featuring run-flat capabilities.
Michelin has announced that it plans to compete in the UK’s developing cold-weather tyre market. And the fact that the French company has brought in Dutchman Frank Tanke to head the campaign gives a clear indication of how seriously the manufacturer is taking its latest marketing project. After all, the weather in the Netherlands is not a lot different to the UK, and yet 12 per cent of the total Dutch market is made up of cold-weather sales.
ECI International, organisers of the Brityrex International exhibition, have announced that the 2007 event will be held from 1 to 3 May at the G-Mex Convention Centre, Manchester.
Paul Farrant, ECI’s managing director, revealed that there were a number of reasons for the move. “We wanted to expand the floor space available in 2007 based on the success and re-bookings taken at the 2005 show and Harrogate were unable to give us the third hall we needed to grow the show.”
By the time you read this article, European directive 2000/53/EC will have come fully into force. This regulation, more commonly known as the end of life vehicle (ELV) directive, will have a profound effect on the tyre trade – banning the sale of lead balancing weights. But is the trade ready? Tyres & Accessories spoke to representatives from weight manufacturers Trax and Remog in order to find out more.
A scheme to raise standards of car servicing and repair by testing the competence of technicians currently working in the retail motor industry has been launched.
Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) is a voluntary assessment system designed to appraise technical competence and in turn raise the professional status and credibility of skilled individuals whilst providing a benchmark for technician recruitment and career development. It is hoped that the initiative will improve consumer confidence in the retail motor sector.
The NTDA’s spring conference, held last month, highlighted the tyre industry’s desire to initiate a similar scheme and the Institute of the Motor Industry, IMI, offered its support in moving forward with the idea. The assessments would be based upon National Occupational Standards, and formed in cooperation with industry representatives to ensure that they are updated with changing technologies. The NTDA is currently looking to organise a seminar in July, which will be hosted by the IMI, and invites all interested parties to join the discussion.
New hazardous waster disposal regulations are come into force on 16 July 2005 and are expected to impact on around 20,000 sites related to the motor industry, with the Environment Agency having the powers to issue £300 on the spot fines to sites which are in breach of the law. Some things have a way of sneaking up on you, and the new Hazardous Waste Legislation is not different. Of course it doesn’t help when businesses bury their heads in the sand and pretend it’s not going to happen. And to some extent that’s what the UK tyre industry has been doing over these latest environmental rules and regulations. The issue raised its head at the NTDA’s Spring Conference, and highlighted a serious need to raise the industry’s awareness, something the association is trying to do, and quickly.
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