Infinity has introduced its INF100 van and small commercial vehicle tyre. The brand, manufactured at Shandong Linglong and owned by the Al Dobowi Group, says that the tyre was created using its Eco-Friendly Fuel-Efficient engineering process and Advanced Comfort Control Construction techniques.
Al Dobowi, one of the leading tyre companies in Dubai, has inaugurated the first Hankook Masters Shop in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Al Dobowi, the official distributor of Hankook tyres in the (UAE) cooperated with Hankook Tires, Dubai in the completion of this project. The first Hankook Masters UAE branch is located within the premises of Grand Service Station, Dubai.
Those living in the seven emirates that make up the UAE – Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain – are certainly no strangers to high temperatures. While the mercury rose to 47 degrees Celcius and above this summer, pressures caused by the global economic crisis, which triggered a local property collapse in its wake, have also put the heat on the domestic new tyre and retreading markets. Tyres & Accessories recently visited to the country’s largest Emirate by population (Dubai) to learn more about the local and regional retreading and new tyre markets.
The Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC), run by the country’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), has launched its second annual “Your Safety” tyre campaign in partnership with Al Dobowi Tyre Company. The aim of the Your Safety campaign is to educate taxi drivers on techniques for correctly inspecting tyres before starting a day’s work. Another goal is to stress the important role tyres play in vehicle safety.
The owner of the Dubai Taxi Corporation, RTA (Road and Transportation Authority), has agreed to trial with Infinity Tyres. “It is the first time that the RTA has accepted testing Chinese made tyres. And we are very proud to say that these are Infinity Tyres,” stated Harjeev Kandhari, executive director of the Al Dobowi Group, which owns the Infinity brand.
Ling Long Tyres has funded automotive industry charity BEN’s Henley Regatta celebration at the Lynwood Care Home, near Ascot. The event was attended by residents of the Home, the staff, and their families and friends, who, as Ray Diggins (BEN’s Head of Marketing) said: “always like to get involved”. Harjeev Kandhari, chief executive of the Al Dobowi Group and Jorge Crespo, European general manager of Eskay Tyres also attended the event.
Al Dobowi Group chairman Surender Singh Kandhari’s spoke on “the emergence of budget tyres” at the recent Automechanika Middle East his argument that there is no such thing as a bad tyre may have raised some eyebrows, but it certainly got the audience thinking. Highlighting that the combination of ambitious manufacturers based in emerging markets and increasingly tough legislation has seen so-called budget brands rapidly increase sales volumes and standards, his most memorable comment came when he posited: "There are no bad tyres; only good ones and better ones.”
Infinity Tyres has announced that it will provide the grand prize for this year’s auction at the NTDA’s Annual Dinner: a complete Formula One package in Abu Dhabi consisting of: two flight tickets, two nights in a hotel and two tickets to the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix. Richard Edy, the NTDA’s Director, described Infinity’s gesture as a “tremendous offer, stating that: “last year, the £1,600 raised by the auction of Infinity’s prize helped us raise more than £5,000 for BEN on the night and I anticipate that the bidding for this year’s donation by Infinity will be keen and competitive. It is a truly generous gesture by Infinity and a great package for whoever ends up as the highest bidder.”
Infinity Tyres, part of the Al Dobowi Group recently sponsored the first event of the 2011 horseracing season at York racecourse in a meet which was long awaited by racing professionals and fans. This sponsorship was conducted in conjunction with Bond International, distributor of the brand in the UK and it is reported forms part of two firms’ strategy to “to get closer to the customer”, as Reg Bond, owner and managing director of Bond International, stated. “To promote a brand, you must go to the consumer and a tyre means little to a consumer, what grabs him, is something special, and this is special.”
Al Dobowi Group, the owner of the Infinity brand and distributor of the Westlake tyre brand, has announced that the company “terminated its relationship with their general manager (West Europe), Martin West” this week. The news comes just six months after West, who previously held a similar position for Turkish-produced tyre brand Lassa, joined the Infinity team. The company’s dealer partners were informed that the company’s “relationship” with West ceased “with immediate effect” on 20 April 2010. The company has not released any further details about who will replace him.
A well-known tyre brand may have strong connections with the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but many fans arriving to view the action during the summer of 2010 will also – without realising it – have Infinity Tyres play a part in their football experience. The Al Dobowi Group product is currently the preferred brand for the shuttle buses used at the Cape Town International Airport. There are currently 19 busses operating on Infinity tyres, with sizes 12R22.5, 425/65R22.5; 385/65R22.5 and 12.00R20 fitted.
Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) and the local Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) recently signed a contract with Al Dobowi Tyre to supply Hankook tyres to its fleet for two years in a deal worth 9 million dirhams (£1.525 million; 1.703 million euros; US$2.450 million). The contract was signed by DTC CEO Abdul Aziz Malik and Al Dobowi CEO Harjeev Singh Kandhari, in the presence of several directors and executives from both parties.
Al Dobowi was selected following a public tender attracting participation from several tyre specialist companies from across the globe. However, following analysis of offers made, Al Dobowi was nominated for submitting the best offer of 8,878,608 UAW dirhams. “…the company has a good record of experience and reputation in the field of tyres" commented Abdul Aziz Malik.
The focal point of Infinity’s 144 square metre stand at Autopromotec 2009 will be the brand’s two new products – the new INF 059 winter van tyre and the INF 200 on-road 4×4 tyre.
The INF 059 will be available from Autumn 2009 and will feature five products ranging in size from 14 to 16 inch diameters. According to company representatives, tt will complement the existing Infinity winter tyre range and will feature a distinctive asymmetric tread pattern and a “proven winter rubber compound.”
Sales wise, last year was a good one for Shandong Linglong. The Chinese manufacturer of car, truck agricultural and OTR tyres reported for the first time ever sales in excess of RMB 10 billion. The company’s 2008 sales, which reached a total of RMB 10.2 billion, (£1.03 billion) in the words of general manager Mr. Feng Wang, “not only exceeded our expectations but also hit a new historical high.”
Formed in 1976, the Al Dobowi Group was established to serve the growing Middle East tyre management industry. From its Dubai base, Al Dobowi Group is now involved in a range of operations (from tyres to equipment) on four continents – they even produce specialized battery components at a factory in the UK. With over 1100 employees all round the world, and some very interesting expansion plans in the offing, Tyres & Accessories recently met with executive director Harjeev Kandhari and found out more about what these will mean for customers.
One of the first things Harjeev Kandhari mentioned in conversation with T&A was that group companies are increasingly focusing on solutions, rather than just products. When you consider the wide variety of related business areas Al Dobowi operates in, this corporate philosophy really makes sense. But in order to explain what this might mean for customers a little background information is required.
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