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Soon You Will Only Be Able to Fit Type-Approved CATs

The Department for Transport has confirmed that the draft regulations limiting the fitting of replacement CATs to type approved products only are expected to be presented for ministerial consideration this month (June). There is scope for amendments to be made by the minister, but in essence these draft Regulations implement mandatory European requirements, and are expected to become law about four weeks after signature by the minister. The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) will then be responsible for policing and enforcement of a law requiring replacement catalytic converters intended for cars and light vans registered from 2001 to be fully type approved.

Paul Hannah, business development director at Klarius Group commented: “In relation to vehicles to which the requirements apply, the Department for Transport have confirmed that the result of supplying or fitting a non-type approved CAT will be to make the company or business responsible and ‘potentially certain officers or equivalent of the company or business’ liable to prosecution with a maximum fine of £5,000. Professional Motor Mechanics need to learn quickly about what to do to adhere to the law and protect themselves; their customers, their employers and suppliers.”

23rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Two New Wheels From Wolfrace

Wolfrace has introduced the first two wheels in the new Wolfrace GB range of alloys; the Lugano and Ravenna. Lugano is a striking directional ‘turbine’ design with 10 sculpted blades and finished in gloss black with a polished surface. The Lugano is available in 5 stud fitments in sizes 7.5×16″ 7.5×17″ and 8.0×18″.

The new Ravenna is a multi-spoke wheel; each concave spoke is treated to the gloss black finish with a durable polished face. The Ravenna is available in four and five-stud fitments and suits a wide range of vehicle thanks to its various size options – 7.5×16″ 8.0×17″ 8.0×18″ and 8.5×19″. Like all Wolfrace GB wheels, the Lugano and Ravenna are made in Germany and have TÜV certification.

26th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Kenda Facility Ready for ISO Certification

Cooper Tire reports that Smithers Quality Assessments lead auditor Ricker Zoller recently conducted an ISO 9001:2000 stage one audit at its Cooper Kenda Tire facility in Kunshan, China. This stage one audit, the company adds, is comparable to the pre-certification audits that North American plants underwent in spring 2008 in preparation for their actual certification audits. The certification audit at Cooper Kenda Tire is scheduled for July.

Following the four-day inspection, the auditor commented that he found “no issues that would prevent Cooper Kenda Tire from obtaining its certification.” This positive feedback comes after half a year of preparation for ISO auditing, a time in which department leaders and employees have been engaged in establishing proper procedure documents. Cooper states that employees have developed all the required systems, such as document control, internal audit, corrective and preventive action and calibration systems.

21st May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sumi Rubber Indonesia’s 100 Millionth Tyre Rolls Out

P.T. Sumi Rubber Indonesia, Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ Indonesian subsidiary, produced its 100 millionth tyre on Monday 27 April 2009. Sumi Rubber Indonesia started operation in April 1997 as Sumitomo Rubber’s first tyre production base in Asia. The Indonesian company has since supplied tyres in Indonesia, Japan and globally. At the same time, the company worked actively on reduction of burden on the environment and obtained ISO14001 certification in August 2003. It attained the zero emission in December 2004 and the complete zero emission in August 2008 as one of the companies to obtain it fastest in Indonesia. The factory employees 3000 and produces 4200 tons a month, according to company literature.

12th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Range Of Wheels From Wolfrace

Wolfrace has launched a new wheel range – called GB3 – with a new wheel called Racer. Available in three sizes (7.0×16″, 7.5×17″ and 8.0×18″), Racer is a black, 10-spoke design and five of these spokes, along with the rim, are machined and then finished with a durable lacquer.

The GB3 range will consist of five wheels and Wolfrace is offering a three-year warranty on four of these and the fifth, which is a chrome wheel, will be covered by a two-year warranty. This extended warranty has been made possible, says Wolfrace, by a combination of uncompromising quality control standards and up-to-the-minute manufacturing techniques, achieving German TÜV certification in the process.

20th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sumitomo Certified as an ‘Eco-First Company’

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. has pledged its Eco-First Commitment to the Japanese minister of the environment. In response the company has received “Eco-First Company” certification in recognition of its group’s efforts on environmental conservation based on the country’s Eco-First Program.

However, from the tyre industry’s point of view, the most striking news is that the company is aiming to develop “the ultimate eco-tyre…100 per cent free of fossil resources and fuel-efficient tyre whose rolling resistance is reduced by 50 per cent for launch in 2013 and in 2015, respectively.” The company’s Enasave product is already 97 per cent petrochemical free, however, Sumitomo’s goal of achieving a fossil-free tyre in the next 4-6 years is certainly ambitious.

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Delticom Stores Granted TÜV Shopping Seal of Approval

European online tyre retailer Delticom has expressed ‘delight’ that its online shops have been given the seal of approval by German certifier TÜV. Starting with the company’s German ReifenDirekt.de site, fifteen of Delticom’s shopping websites have been awarded TÜV S@fer Shopping status, and the company hopes this distinction will signal to customers a safer and comfortable online purchase.

There are strict requirements for the TÜV award, which is renewed every year in extensive tests. The certification focuses on a number of areas, including user-friendliness and transparency. Amongst other site qualities, TÜV requires that online customers find a clear menu navigation that allows them to complete the purchase process easily. Whether or not a site assures the protection of consumer data is another important factor taken into account.

2nd February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin US Recalling Mislabelled Pilot Alpin Tyres

A recall of US market Michelin Pilot Alpin tyres is underway in the US. A total of 784 Pilot Alpin PA2 ZP 225/50R17 94H tyres manufactured between September 17, 2006 and June 14, 2008 are included in the recall. These tyres, reports the NHTSA, fail to conform to US labelling requirements as the “DOT” symbol is not present of the sidewall and therefore the tyre contains no declaration as to its certification.

Michelin will notify owners and replace the noncompliant tyres free of charge, including mounting and balancing. The recall is expected to begin during January.

30th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

BSI Promotes Kitemark Garages to Fleets

The BSI Kitemark campaign is promoting its registered garages to businesses and fleet managers as a way of “eradicating any potential dangers.” According to a press release published on 23 January, fleet managers can be reassured that by using a Kitemark garage the risk of poor repairs has been lowered, not just the cost.

In its report BSI refers to the Health and Safety Offences Act 2008, which came into force on 16 January 2009. This new Act increases penalties and provides courts with greater sentencing powers for those who break health and safety law. Therefore managers who turn a blind eye to maintaining the company’s business cars regularly will be more severely punished. The importance of specifically replacing car tyres was also highlighted.

23rd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

PAX System Class Action Suit Settled

Michelin North America Inc. and American Honda Motor Co. have settled a class action lawsuit with consumer claiming they were misled about Michelin-produced run-flat tyres. Terms of the agreement were not released, and final court certification is expected on 14 January.

The federal consumer class action suit claimed Michelin, which made the tyres, and Honda, which outfitted certain cars and minivans with Michelin’s PAX Tire and Wheel Assembly System, failed to disclose that the tyres last half as long as standard tyres, that the tyres were “prohibitively expensive to repair and replace” and that sufficient repair facilities and stock of the tyres and other parts of the PAX system do not exist in the U.S. (Tire Review/Akron)

6th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Truck Tyre Gains US Environmental Accreditation

Three of Hankook Tire’s commercial fleet tyres have been certified under the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Program. According to a company statement, this means the tyres are more environmentally friendly and have reduced rolling resistance by at least 3 per cent. The three certified products are: the AL07+ steer tyre, the Z35a drive tyre and the TL01 trailer tyre.

“Diminishing the carbon footprint, improving fuel economy and reducing costs are the key areas of focus for the commercial fleet industry currently,” said Brian Sheehey, commercial tyres director, Hankook Tire America Corp. “The SmartWay Program specifically addresses those concerns, providing fleet owners a clear means to reduce costs and help the environment. It’s a win-win, and Hankook is privileged to be a part of the solution with our SmartWay compliancy. This certification coupled with our industry-leading warranties and competitive pricing further enhances the value of our product offering to the 1,000 SmartWay Partners. This is a true validation of Hankook’s innovative technology, product and performance.”

15th December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Firestone Plant Awarded ‘Green’ LEED Certification

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire’s (BFNT) Warren County tyre production facility in Tennessee has earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certification from the US Green Building Council. LEED certification is a recognition of outstanding environmental building design and utilisation that is rarely given to existing manufacturing sites. This is, says BFNT, the first LEED certification for a tyre factory in the world.

18th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Tire Factories Certified by ISO

A number of US based facilities operated by Cooper Tire & Rubber have been granted ISO certification. All four of the company’s factories there have earned ISO 9001:2000 quality management system certification, and in addition the plants in Albany (Georgia) and Tupelo (Mississippi) have fulfilled the requirements for IS0 14001 environmental management system certification.

“Attaining these formal certifications illustrates Cooper’s ongoing commitment to quality and our dedication to continuous improvement,” said chairman, president and CEO Roy V. Armes. “Cooper people have long worked at levels meeting or exceeding these standards, but it’s encouraging to have impartial third-party auditors recognise that fact.”

12th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

New ISO Quality Standard Agreed

The International Standards Organization and International Accreditation Forum say they have agreed a new schedule for accredited certification to ISO 9001:2008. They say this will mean a smooth move to ISO 9001:2008, the latest version of the world’s most widely used standard for quality management systems.

Like all of ISO’s more than 17,000 standards, ISO 9001 is periodically reviewed to make sure that it is up to date. ISO 9001:2008, due to be published before the end of the year, will replace the year 2000 version of the standard which is used by implemented by business and public sector organisations in 170 countries.

25th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Haas Gets Nebraska Safety Certification

Nebraska’s Department of Labor officially certified T.O. Haas Tire as a member of its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Award Program (SHARP). “We’ve been working hard on reaching SHARP certification status for nearly two years,” said owner and safety director Randy Haas. “We’ve identified hazards in the workplace and corrected them, then we shared that information with OSHA officials to significantly reduce job-related injury and illness.”

Haas said the award is a “major achievement for the company because these are the first of our locations in Nebraska to receive the certification following on the heels of stores in Iowa and Kansas earlier this summer.” With 26 locations in three states, T.O. Haas is based in Lincoln, Neb. (Tire Review/Akron)

19th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors