Bridgestone Archives - Page 205 of 275

Bridgestone Announce Management Changes

On May 31 Bridgestone Corporation announced that the company’s board of directors have approved a number of top-level management changes, to become effective July 1. Hideo (Hank) Hara, who served as executive vice president, Tire Development and Technology with Bridgestone America at their Akron Technical Center until returning to Japan in mid-October 2006, is to assume the position of vice president and officer, Original Equipment Tire Sales. His role prior to July 1 is that of vice president and officer, Original Equipment Tire Sales and Motorsport.

1st June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

“ESC Saves Lives!”

Premium, Product News

According to the European Commission Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry, every year more than 40,000 people die and over one million are injured in motor vehicle accidents within the European Union, with loss of vehicle control identified as the main cause of accidents involving serious injury or death. As a result the European Commission is putting its weight behind a campaign to highlight the necessity to fit vehicles with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems, launching a Europe-wide ‘Choose ESC!’ campaign at the Bridgestone European Testing ground near Rome on 8th May 2007.

Commission vice-president Günter Verheugen, Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry Policy, said: “The benefits of ESC are undisputed. In line with the CARS 21 programme, we are preparing the obligatory installation of ESC into new passenger cars via international harmonisation. Until it becomes mandatory, the voluntary choice of ESC is more than welcome.” The CARS 21 group, established in 2005 and comprised of experts from industry, government and other leading groups, has adopted a 10-year “roadmap” to make the EU’s car industry cleaner, safer and more competitive through the adoption of applicable legislation.

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30th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

EU Commission Approves Bridgestone’s Bandag Acquisition

Product News

The European Commission has cleared Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc’s proposed acquisition of Bandag. After examining the operation the Commission concluded that the transaction “would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.” Making its decision the commission concluded that the new combined firm would continue to face strong, effective competition from companies such as Michelin, Goodyear and Kraiburg.

According to the report, the main horizontal overlap occurs between the parties with regard to the re-treading business, particularly the supply of re-treading material to independent businesses active in the re-treading of tyres. However, the Commission’s examination of the proposed merger showed that the horizontal overlaps between the activities of Bridgestone and Bandag are limited and that the transaction would not lead to major structural changes on the re-treading market.

30th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Workers to Vote on Remuneration Scheme

Product News

At present Bridgestone and union officials are negotiating a proposed contract that could potentially see the pay of workers at a US Bridgestone plant become tied to their productivity. The new contract at the Bridgestone Firestone facility in La Vergne, Tennessee needs to be agreed upon by mid-August, and while Bridgestone officials claim that paying individual workers bonuses based on the number of tyres they produce will increase pay while making the company more profitable, the USW Local 1155, who represents the plant, has reservations about switching to this type of incentive system.

If plant workers vote in favour of the contract, the La Vergne facility will become the last remaining unionised Bridgestone tyre and inner tube plant in the US to switch to this system of remuneration. Workers and management were given 120 days to work out and vote upon an incentive plan, and while Bridgestone has made no concrete statements regarding job cuts if they do not vote in favour, company spokesman Dan McDonald said “if they don’t accept, it opens up the possibility of layoffs.”

29th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone UK Names New Motorcycle Division Manager

Product News

Bridgestone UK has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of Andrew Whitehead as manager for its motorcycle division. According to an official company statement, Whitehead’s primary role will be to “secure Bridgestone’s market share of quality motorbike tyres.” This portfolio includes the new Battlax BT-021, a long-term replacement for the successful BT-020, the market-leading sport touring tyre.

“It’s an exciting time to join the motorcycle division following the official launch of the BT-021,” said Whitehead. “It’s a fantastic product, and the positive feedback we’ve received about the handling and performance capabilities of the tyre leads us to believe it will make a real impact in the market. The BT-020 is an incredibly tough act to follow, but my focus is to ensure the BT-021, and the rest of the Bridgestone motorbike range, can generate equally impressive unit sales.

Andrew Whitehead, 44, formerly worked in a sales capacity for Bridgestone’s truck division following a six year stint at Dunlop, where he was also responsible for truck and motorcycle tyre sales.

25th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan’s Board Approves Giant Tyre Production

Product News

The go-ahead has been given for Titan International to gear-up for giant tyre production. The company’s Board of Directors approved the allocation of funding to increase mining tyre production by the addition of 57 and 63-inch sizes to its range. This injection of finances should give Titan the ability to produced around 6,000 of the giant radials per year.

“We are very excited about this newest venture since there are only two manufacturers in the world that produce 63-inch radial tyres: Michelin and Bridgestone,” said Titan Chairman and CEO Maurice M. Taylor Jr. “This is what it’s all about; a small American company going up against two powerhouse foreign companies, one French, the other Japanese.

“Titan has assembled a great team, and we believe that we have a better way to produce these giant tyres. We believe radial tyres perform better on 15-degree wheels, which is what cars and trucks now utilise. Titan has developed these wheels and we plan to produce our new tyres on a 72.5-inch 15-degree wheel at the same time as we produce 63-inch radial tyres.”

21st May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Advanced ID to Purchase Pneu-Logic

Product News

A company press statement released on May 15 indicates that US supplier of UHF tag reading equipment Advanced ID Corporation is preparing to purchase Pneu-Logic Ltd, the Derbyshire-based provider of tyre industry technology. According to the statement, the chairman of Advance ID, Seymour Kazimirski, and George Yeomans, chairman of Pneu-Logic, signed a letter of intent for Pneu-Logic’s acquisition following the decision previously gaining the board of directors’ unanimous approval.

“This was an easy decision for both companies,” commented Dan Finch, president and CEO of Advanced ID. “Pneu Logic has superior technology for tyre management and Advanced ID is the leader in tyre identification. By combining our technologies, we are able to offer a complete system solution for tyre and fleet management. Pneu Logic has been in business for three years with a 100 per cent focus on tyre inspection. Their client base includes major tyre manufacturers and fleet operators and the success specifically in the European market is a testament for the value of their product line. Pneu-Logic’s product line has patent protection and design IP. We have already started joint marketing efforts, which have led to new business opportunities. You could not ask for better synergy between two companies. There is no question that our combined company will be the undisputed leader in tyre management focused on tyre maintenance and tyre identification.”

21st May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Most Satisfying – J.D. Power

Product News

Michelin has come out tops for customer satisfaction in the winter tyre market amongst vehicle owners in Japan for the fourth year in a row, according to the results the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2007 Japan Winter Tire Customer Satisfaction Index (W-TSI) Study. This particular study is now in its fourth year and employs five criteria to determine overall customer satisfaction with their winter tyres: tyre performance in snow-covered road conditions, icy road conditions and regular road conditions, as well as appearance and quality/durability. Customer evaluations are scored on a 1,000 point scale to determine the across the board winner.

Seven tyre brands were included in the study, and Michelin’s overall index score of 636 points saw the French manufacturer not only securing first place but also topping all five individual criteria that determine satisfaction. Close behind was Bridgestone on 606 points, who also performed strongly in all five individual areas. Both Bridgestone and Michelin earned the highest rating in tyre performance on icy road conditions, and were the only two manufacturers to rate an overall score above the industry average of 587 points. At the other end of the scale the lowest overall score was recorded by Falken, who received 532 points.

18th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Van den Ban – A Total Tyre Supplier

Product News

Van den Ban came to Brityrex with new products – and with news of the company’s expansion plans and how they can serve their UK customers.

The most significant of Van den Ban’s new products to be shown at Brityrex was the new range of SUV sport tyres from their exclusive private brand Novex. As Michael Noorland, a member of the company’s UK sales team, explained, this range signals Van den Ban’s first venture into the 4×4 market with Novex, and it fills a gap the company identified in its product range. Designed with smaller 4×4 vehicles in mind, the Novex SUV Speed range will be available in a total of 16 sizes between 15 and 20-inch and in speed ratings from H to W. The first product in the SUV Speed range to be released onto the market is the sports-oriented 255/55VR18, which will most likely be available from late May 2007. The remainder of the range will be available from the end of July.

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Aims to Fire Up Arabian Sports Driving Scene

Product News

Between 12 to 14 May 2007, Bridgestone Middle East & Africa FZE offered Potenza Driving Lessons, a concept designed to raise awareness of safe sports driving techniques developed, run in cooperation with former F1 driver Stefano Modena. Part of a long term initiative from Bridgestone, the first three days of lessons were held in Dubai.

“We decided to host interactive driving lessons to provide a chance for motoring fans to enjoy sports driving in a safe and supervised environment. Using cars fitted with the new Potenza RE001 Adrenalin will effectively convey the joy and pleasure of sports driving to our target market and cultivate Potenza supporters in the region” said Mr. Kanahara, President, Bridgestone Middle East & Africa FZE, Dubai.

Bridgestone Middle East & Africa FZE (BSMEA) is the headquarters for the Middle East and Africa region. It was set up with the objectives of speeding up decision-making and action and of optimizing regional strategy by identifying market trends close to the customer and market.

15th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Awards First Expert Level Dealers

Product News

At the end of April Bridgestone UK announced details of its Expert Level Truck Point Dealer Audit Programme, naming the first three recipients. The accreditation scheme is the latest stage in the multi-million-pound total tyre management investment programme Bridgestone has been engaged in for the last three years. A further 46 external “Expert Level” audits were scheduled to have been completed at the end of April. Bridgestone plan to hold an official awards ceremony for the remaining Expert Level dealers at the annual Truck Point conference in October.

Talking to Tyres & Accessories, Bridgestone representatives described how working with Lloyd’s register made their scheme “a first.” As external auditors, LRQA (Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance), a leading management systems assessment body, carry out the necessary checks independently, adding greater value to the validation of the Expert Level dealers.
The objective of the programme is to recognise the high service standards of Expert Level Truck Point dealers, and to further improve the service standards of the entire network. The Expert Level Truck Point Audit Programme audits customer service provision, casing management, health & safety policy, equipment checks, administration, invoicing and training within Truck Point dealers.

14th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Europe appoints new PR manager

Product News

Hankook has appointed a new head of public relations for its European markets. Effective as of May 1, 2007, Felix Kinzer stepped into this role, taking over from Benedikt Preussner, who will now take charge of European media and event planning for Hankook Europe.

Mr. Kinzer, aged 44, has served in a number of public relations roles within the tyre industry for more than 15 years, most recently heading up his own press office in Munich, from which he supplied automotive related articles to various car and tyre magazines. Previous industry positions include head of the public relations department at Pirelli Germany and public relations manager for Bridgestone’s German operations.

Amongst other responsibilities, Mr. Kinzer will be responsible for the expansion and strategic positioning of Hankook’s pan-European press activities, a role of particular importance in light of the upcoming inauguration of the company’s Dunaujvaros production facility in Hungary, Hankook’s first in Europe.

14th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Aust. Receives Kenworth Supplier Award

Product News

The manufacturer of Kenworth trucks in Australia, Paccar Australia, has voted Bridgestone Australia Ltd. as its supplier of the year for 2006. The announcement was made in April at an awards dinner held in Melbourne. The tyremaker beat nominees from a range of industry segments to take out the coveted award.

Upon receiving the supplier of the year award, Bridgestone Australia’s chairman and CEO Mac Ohashi said: “Winning this award is a magnificent team effort and I want to thank and congratulate everyone. Many employees have contributed to this success and should be proud of this achievement.”

The award recognises achievements in the areas of quality assurance, purchasing, material planning, customer service, material receiving and engineering.

10th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Report: Goodyear Subpoenaed in Hose Price-Fixing Case

Product News

(Akron/Tire Review) The Toronto Star reported today that Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. received a U.S. grand jury subpoena related to a global price-fixing investigation that has already brought the arrests of executives from Bridgestone, Trelleborg, Continental and Yokohama. The three-continent investigation concerns alleged price fixing and bid rigging in the marine hose industry.

Goodyear confirmed to the newspaper that it had received the subpoena on May 2 and is cooperating with U.S. Justice Department officials, but is not believed to be a target in the international investigation.

10th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

NTDA Names 2007 TAFF Award Winners

Premium, Product News, UK News

On Wednesday 2, alongside the Brityrex International exhibition, the NTDA named the 2007 TAFF award winners. Michelin took best single company result of the night, winning two awards. But Bridgestone, Vellco, Apaseal and Group Tyre were also celebrating success in categories including production innovation, wholesaler of the year and tyre and aftermarket equipment supplier of the year.

The awards were presented during a glittering ceremony at Manchester’s Palace Hotel, which featured well-known stand-up comic Stan Boardman. The Tyre and Fast Fit (TAFF) Awards, which are sponsored by Renault UK, are the NTDA’s own awards which were established in 2005 to reward excellence from industry suppliers and, in that short time, they have firmly established themselves as the premier awards for the UK Tyre Industry.

The 2007 TAFF awards included categories for Tyre Manufacturer, National Wholesaler, Tyre and Aftermarket Equipment Supplier, Product Innovation and a special award for Industry Advertising Campaigns. A special category covering scrap tyre disposal, collecting and recycling is entitled the Environmental Award.

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9th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

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