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Beru Sales, Profits Down

In the first nine months of 2008 the Beru Group posted revenue of 324.2 million euros, a decrease of 2.2 per cent of the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit from ordinary activities (EBIT) amounted 18.8 million euros, equivalent to an EBIT margin of 5.8 per cent. In 2007 this figure and margin were 34.2 million euros and 10.3 per cent respectively. This includes one-time special items, which reduced EBIT by approximately EUR 9.8 million. Excluding those special items, adjusted EBIT amounted to EUR 28.6 million, equivalent to an adjusted margin of 8.8 per cent per cent.

14th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Affinia Complete China Buy

Affinia has completed the acquisition of 85 per cent of Chinese brake component maker HBM Investment Ltd., owner of Longkou Haimeng Machining Co. Located in Shandong, China, Longkou Haimeng produces brake drums and rotors, and has a strong OE and aftermarket presence in Asia and Europe. (Tire Review/Akron)

13th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Question of the Month Update

Initial responses to the Tyrepress.com question of the month suggest that industry professionals believe that motorsport series should consider the benefits of having more than one tyre supplier. So far, almost half of readers supported manufacturer competition, with only around 25 per cent of responses standing up for the lone tyre supplier. Other readers trod a more balanced path; one suggests that “Tyres are capable of creating an uneven playing surface… in the premier divisions of motorsport there is a need to ensure that as much can be delivered in driver capability and vehicle innovation. In the lower levels of clubman championships a good mixture of tyres is healthy for the sport.”

To register your views, navigate to www.tyrepress.com now. All readers who respond will be entered into the prize draw to win one of ten tickets to The Aftermarket Show 2009. To be in with a chance of winning, please make sure you leave your contact details in the comments box following the answer options. Details will not be published and will only be shared with The Aftermarket Show.

6th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Starco GB Adds to Aftermarket Division

Starco GB Ltd has appointed Keith Slater to its newly formed aftermarket sales department. Starco GB Ltd, part of the pan-European Starco group of companies, is better known for supplying an extensive range of tyre and wheel assemblies to original equipment manufacturers.

Keith Slater commented: “We at Starco GB Ltd are very upbeat and enthusiastic about the future of the dedicated aftermarket sales department with our competitive pricing structure and ever increasing product portfolio we are in a fantastic position for rapid progression to achieve our goals.”

29th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Batteries Embrace REACH Legislation

UK Batteries reports having fully embraced the new ‘REACH legislation’ that came in to effect on September 1, 2008 and requires battery producers and distributors at different levels in the supply chain to meet strict labelling criteria that ensures customers are not mislead. Specifically, the REACH legislation requires all battery products to display a specification label that generally relates to the CCA (starting power) and the Ampere Hour (durability) of the unit. All batteries sold after September 1 must display the correct label, and UK Batteries, said to be the UK’s fastest-growing independent distributor, says it is proud that all of its products are now fully REACH compliant.

24th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Martin McGreevy Moves to Manbat Batteries

The sales team at Manbat Batteries has been further strengthened with the appointment Martin McGreevy as the national sales manager for UK and Eire. Coming to Manbat after two years with Jiffy Packaging, where he was the national accounts manager for packaging and packaging systems, McGreevy brings with him 20 years of aftermarket experience – 15 years of which have been in senior sales management positions.

Heading up the entire sales team, the new national sales manager’s role will include guiding the team and helping Manbat customers increase battery sales, handling the key national accounts and developing the business into new markets, something Manbat views as an existing core strength.

23rd October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

TPCATS: Built to Last

Product News, UK News

Staffordshire based TPCATS specialises in the manufacture of stainless steel manifolds, front pipes and catalytic converters to OE standards. Production to an OE standard of course ensures a high level of quality, and the company comments that its stainless steel products are far more efficient and reliable than ceramic alternatives, yet they are available at comparable prices. And as TPCATS has confidence that its products will not break, rattle or fail an emissions test, it is happy to offer a three-year warranty as standard on its constantly growing range. The result, says TPCATS, is fewer returns, less failures and less hassle for customers. TPCATS boasts a valid warranty claims rate of less than 1 per cent, far below the aftermarket standard of 4 per cent.

7th October 2008/by Chris

Firestone To Close Noblesville Air Springs Facility

On September 16 Firestone Industrial Products Company (FSIP) officially announced the upcoming closure of its air spring factory in Noblesville, Indiana. The final closure, expected to occur in the second half of 2009, will take place following a gradual phase-down of operations.

“The decision to close the Noblesville plant was especially difficult because we have been part of the Noblesville community for 72 years,” said Mike Cerio, president, FSIP. “But the reality is that the plant is no longer globally competitive.”

17th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Aftermarket Show Returns to NEC

The Aftermarket Show is gearing up for next year’s event, following a successful 2008 exhibition this January. The self-styled “must-attend event for all automotive service industry professionals” takes place at the Birmingham NEC from Thursday 8 – Sunday 11 January 2009, and is currently open for trade visitor registration. The event is being supported by Car and Accessory Trade magazine, while the organisers promise a continuation of the Talkshop tool, which provides a free forum for exhibitor-visitor interaction.

This year’s event – held in January – was attended by nearly 4,100 dedicated aftermarket industry trade visitors, in addition to over 23,800 Autosport International trade visitors. More than 56,700 end users of automotive products walked the exhibition floor over the long weekend, representing an estimated spend of £3.2 Million on car and motorsport related products.

10th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Euro Car Parts Opens 2 Branches

Euro Car Parts (ECP), the UK’s leading aftermarket parts supplier, has opened a new branch in Hoddesdon, Stockport and extended the Sheffield branch to 5,000sqft from 2,000sqft in line with their future plans. The 8,000sqft Hoddesdon branch has 15,000 parts, tools and accessories in stock and receives six deliveries from the HQ in Wembley daily with access to over 100,000 parts. The branch has 18 members of staff with over 70 years experience in the automotive aftermarket. The 11,500sqft Stockport branch has a large number of parts, tools and accessories in stock and receives daily deliveries from the Manchester Euro Car Parts branch. The branch has 19 members of staff.

9th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Aftermarket Show Invites Trade Visitors

Four months before the opening of the event, interest in The Aftermarket Show is said to be “really taking off.” With this in mind the organisers are inviting the tyre trade to register soon they don’t miss out on the experience. The Aftermarket Show is a unique event that merges the business element of a trade only show, with the razzmatazz of a glamorous consumer exhibition.

For those unfamiliar with event, The Aftermarket Show is a specifically designated trade area within Autosport International – the world’s largest motorsport show. Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham and running from 8 – 11 January, the business friendly format features two trade only days on Thursday and Friday, followed by the weekend which is open to the public.

5th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Falcon Tyres Plans Another Price Increase

Despite having already implemented OE and aftermarket price increases in the vicinity of 15 per cent during early August, India’s Falcon Tyres is planning another price increase for September. This next round of price ‘enhancements’ will see prices go up by as much as a quarter.

“We have to increase prices in next couple of weeks to maintain profitability,” stated parent company Ruia Group chairman Pawan Kumar Ruia. “Phenomenal increase in cost of production – especially that of natural rubber and rubber chemicals – had eroded our margins to the extent that we were selling a number of products below the cost prices. While we have increased the prices once this month, another price increase up to 20-25 per cent is imminent to maintain positive margin on the entire product range.”

20th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

National Fleet is Best Fast-Fit Company 2008

National Tyres and Autocare’s Fleet Division has been awarded the prestigious title of Best Fast-Fit Company 2008 by The Institute of Transport Management. National Tyres and Autocare received the award for its high level of expertise, customer service and safety awareness over and above numerous competitors within the industry.

Patrick Sheedy, ITM’s Media and PR Director, commented: “National Tyres and Autocare has been singled out by the Institute for raising its head above the parapet through its commitment to customer satisfaction and the development of a premium service to the fleet aftermarket. When companies display such excellence within the fleet solutions industry, the Institute of Transport Management is duty bound to acknowledge these companies and their achievements.”

13th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Parts Suppliers Comment on NHTSA Proposal

Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has weighed in on NHTSA product marking recommendations for imported vehicles and vehicle part. The group’s input came in response to NHTSA’s request for comments its proposed regulations. Various MEMA sub-groups – including the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association – participated.

MEMA said that NHTSA’s product marking recommendations “go beyond just the ‘country of origin’ mark by adding the following: manufacturer name or trademark; date or date range of manufacture; and, any marking requirements from an industry standard or recommended practice.

11th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Omitec to Attend Automechanika 2008

Omitec, the UK’s leading independent diagnostic and test equipment manufacturer is attending Automechanika in Frankfurt Hall 8 Stand E0.8. Omitec will be talking to OE’s manufacturers about their bespoke automotive solutions including Engineering Development Tools, On Vehicle Electronics, Telematics, Automated Production Assembly & Test Solutions, Service Bay Solutions including Diagnostics and Information, Technical Authoring & Publications, and Vehicle Recycling Information.

31st July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors