(Akron/Tire Review) According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Canadian Customer Commitment Index study, after five consecutive years of losing market share to dealerships, aftermarket service providers have stabilized their share of service occasions. Fountain Tire ranked highest in overall customer satisfaction among Canadian automotive service providers.
Bosch has been a major player in the automotive battery sector ever since the company began its pioneering work as far back as 1927. Things are very different nowadays from nearly eight decades ago; the addition of electric windows, sunroofs, ABS, air conditioning, other in-car equipment such as DVD players and satellite navigation has resulted in increasing demand on the modern power supply and a reduced battery life. However, continuing investment in research and development ensures that Bosch batteries continue to consistently meet market requirements, with little or no increase in overall size or weight.
The importance of Continental AG’s Automotive Systems and ContiTech divisions shone through once again as the company published its first half 2006 figures. The two non-tyre divisions achieved sales of 4329.2 million euros and 60 per cent of group EBIT between them, while the tyre divisions both bore the brunt of increased raw material prices despite increased sales.
During their working lives motor mechanics and tyre fitters must spend hundreds of hours working on their knees. This unavoidable practice is not only uncomfortable but can be extremely painful, particularly when a small piece of debris is accidentally knelt upon. But a more serious and long-term injury can result from long hours working on the knees.
Manbat has become an approved supplier of batteries to automotive buying group Group Auto Union (UK). As part of the agreement, the company, the UK’s largest battery distributor, will offer GAU distributors the high profile Numax and Varta brands of batteries, which both offer 99 per cent coverage of UK car parc.
GAU recognised Manbat for its excellent sales support package, which encompasses high quality cataloguing, point of sale, extensive availability and range of product.
The VECO range of automotive components is now available in Northern Ireland after Belfast-based SIA Agencies teamed up with GP Automotive, the official distributor of the brand in to the UK aftermarket. Under the new agreement, SIA Agencies has become the exclusive new VECO distributor in Northern Ireland and components are available immediately from the company’s warehouse in Belfast. The VECO label has gone from strength-to-strength since GP took over the brand last September. Its range of braking, clutch, water pump, cables, wheel bearings, and steering and suspension components have proved popular with aftermarket retailers seeking a cost-effective and reliable hard parts programme. The current VECO range exceeds 11,000 part numbers.
LSUK, which claims to be the largest single supplier of batteries in to the UK automotive, marine, leisure, industrial and commercial industries, is giving proactive garages, fitters and retailers the opportunity to join its battery programme – and reap numerous rewards at the same time. The UK battery market is estimated to be worth £120 million in retail sales every year and LSUK has established itself as a leading player in the sector with the unrivalled service that it can offer. With 52 distribution branches nationwide, LSUK is in the position to offer first class product availability from stock, access to the best brands on the market, and arguably the most competitive pricing structure in the battery sector.
In conjunction with the company’s exhibition at Automechanika TARRC, the UK-based Research Centre of the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB), is pleased to invite you to a short seminar focusing on business opportunities in the Malaysian automotive rubber product manufacturing sector.
In a move that could remove the threat of cheap tyres imported from China, the government proposes to make quality certification compulsory for tyres manufactured and sold in India, says the Indian website of Business Standard. This would mean that only tyres that conform to the standard specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards can be sold and foreign tyres cannot be sold through local outlets.
(Akron/Tyre Review) Calling the proposed legislation “unnecessary” and potentially “detrimental to the safety of motorists and passengers,” SEMA has voiced its opposition to HR 5632, the RMA-created bill that calls for the creation of tyre fuel efficiency testing and rating system and accompanying consumer education program. HR 5632 was developed by the RMA last fall, and was passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on June 20. Thus far, SEMA has been the only automotive and tyre industry group to make comment on the proposed legislation. At press time, TIA has offered no comment on the bill.
Hayes Lemmerz is to build new facilities at its plant in Pune (200 kilometres south of Mumbai) where it currently produces steel truck wheels. The joint venture factory is 85 per cent owned by Hayes Lemmerz with Indian company Kalyani (one of the largest suppliers of automotive components, especially castings) as junior partner.
Hi-Q has invested “heavily” in the re-development of its three national training centres. The training facilities in Slough, Leeds and Dudley provide on-going professional training to employees based throughout the UK. Facilities over the three sites include e-learning zones, ramp areas, functioning tyre changing facilities and a fully equipped mock up reception area.
(Akron/Tire Review) Continental AG is working with German air-freight specialists Dietrich-Honold Logistik and Honold Logistik Group has started the construction of a tyre distribution centre near Timisoara, Romania. The centre is planned to service Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
In October 2005, the Beissbarth Automotive Group was bought by the Société Générale Capital Europe and Mark Hüsges (35) became the Group’s CEO. So, with a new owner and new management – where does Beissbarth go from here?
Says Mark Hüsges: “The restructuring phase of the last 2 – 3 years is now behind us, and I now view developments as positive, though we are still facing a lot of work. The company is new, and its re-alignment will be new as well. We have succeeded in optimising our quality management, re-organising our service activities, installing market-orientated product management and, based on experience going back for many decades, initiating innovative technical development in all Beissbarth’s product sectors.”
Together with leading Asian wheel manufacturer the Malaysian BSA group of companies, SMC Automotive has recently introduced a new production and quality management system.
A separate production unit consisting of melting, casting, heat treatment, machining and finishing has been established specially for the production of all SMC wheels. Only machines that are TÜV certified are being used. In order to avoid casting variations only primary aluminium is being used, while permanent quality checks ensure a constant casting quality.
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