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Retreading Special – Increasing Polarisation of the Market

European retreading material suppliers have been dominating the retreader supply market for years. But now they face new competition from supplies originating from outside Europe. These competitors are addressing some of the same customers and are increasingly doing so on the same basis – quality and price. The latest edition of our bilingual Retreading Special supplement (produced by Tyres & Accessories in cooperation with our European sister publication Neue ReifenZeitung) put the editorial focus on the increasing polarization of the market between the established suppliers on the one hand and the manufacturers and second row on the other.

The next edition of this increasingly popular supplement will be published in parallel with our March 2008 issue. The current issue is available to download free of charge here and is stored, along with other back issues, in the archive section of www.tyrepress.com, under reports.

27th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Praised in Independent Tests

Bridgestone’s Potenza RE050A, which Bridgestone reports is from the same high-performance range as official F1 tyres, was a top performer in Evo magazine’s 2007 tyre test, while the Turanza ER300 was also praised in the annual Auto Express tyre test.

The RE050A performed well across all nine disciplines in the Evo test, and was particularly strong in wet braking, and curved and straight-line aquaplaning. Evo personnel used quantitative and qualitative data to analyse the performance of nine different tyres from leading manufacturers. The RE050A finished with an impressive 92.7 per cent overall score, less than four per cent behind the overall winner.

The magazine described the RE050A as “on the pace in both the wet and dry tests,” with driver Jethro Bovingdon particularly impressed with its “very predictable” performance on the dry handling track.

21st September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Committed to MotoGP

Michelin’s participation in the 2008 MotoGP championship looks assured following reports of Yamaha’s decision to not change the brand of rubber used by Valentino Rossi. The move confirms what Michelin motorsport director, Frédéric Henry-Biabaud, told Tyres & Accessories during an exclusive interview at the weekend.

When asked whether Michelin was planning to walk away from MotoGP, Henry-Biabaud flatly denied reports of this nature. On the contrary, he explained, Michelin is committed to providing a top quality service to its teams in this series, and has actually gone as far as diverting resources from its former Formula One budget into making the very best two-wheel competition tyres.

19th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Just Tyres Opens New Branch in Buckinghamshire

With its head office in Milton Keynes and five successful branches in the county already, it is no surprise that Just Tyres has decided to open a new centre in Buckingham, the county town itself. The branch opened during the last week of August, and has quickly established itself in the locality, following a high profile advertising campaign in the local press. At the same time, the company, working in association with several tyre manufacturers and the local radio station, ran a number plate bingo competition and gave a prize of a set of tyres away every day during the first week of September.

14th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Names Nick Manning as UK Marketing Manager

Toyo Tyre UK Ltd has announced that (as of 3 September) Nick Manning has been appointed as Marketing Manager for the UK. Manning joined Toyo from respected wholesaler Group Tyre. Prior to serving there as director of purchasing for two years, he was General Sales Manager at Continental Car Dealer Business Unit. In fact, Manning progressed through a series of positions at Continental over an impressive 18 years including pricing, strategy and marketing before leaving for Group.

14th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New Harvie Monthly Competition

Harvie Prema, the consumables specialist, is now offering its customers the opportunity to win a prize every month in its national competition. New and existing customers are encouraged to drop a business card into a prize draw box, located on the ‘Competition’ Harvie Prema sales van. Every month a geographical area in the UK will be selected as the competition’s focal point.

During the month a Harvie representative will inform potential and existing customers in the area of the draw and, furthermore, give them the opportunity to take a look at the superb range of tyre consumables and equipment available from the sales vans. At the end of the month a winner will be selected at random and presented the prize in person by the local area sales representative.

For the month of August a Mini Moto Scrambler Bike was the winning prize, which was presented to ‘Wellingborough Tyres’ following a fantastic response over the month. Wellingborough Tyres are a successful family run independent business, and have been trading since 1984 from the Leyland Estate on the outskirts of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. Harvie Prema would like to thank everyone who entered the competition.

5th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Barum Dealers Win Big

Barum Tyres has announced the winners of its recent dealer promotion which saw a mixture of high-tech goodies up for grabs as a reward for tyre sales. Dealers were split into three categories to make it a fair competition, giving all dealers, regardless of spending, the chance to win.

Right Cars based in Ayrshire won the Category A prizes, which included a laptop computer, PSP Base Unit, remote control car and iPod Shuffle. Predominantly dealing in car sales, Right Cars fit the Barum brand to their vehicles and has been a customer for over ten years. Workshop manager Andrew Smith, accepted the prizes on behalf of his team of twelve staff members. The prizes were presented by Richard McCormick, Business Development Director for Viking International, exclusive distributors of Barum Tyres.

30th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Harvie Announces Brityrex Competition Winners

During May’s Brityrex exhibition Harvie Prema ran what proved to be a popular competition. New and existing customers passing the Harvie Prema stand were invited to drop their business card into a post box for a chance to win some impressive prizes.

There was a fantastic response over the three days, as hundreds of entrants fought for a chance to win two mini moto bikes and one mini quad bike. The three lucky winners chosen at random were;

Day 1, A mini moto bike was won by Dave Birkby of Gordons Tyres Ltd, the largest independent tyre specialist in Yorkshire.
Day 2, A mini moto bike was won by Mike Thrasyvoulou of TyreTraders.com, a leading retailer and wholesaler in the West Midlands area.
Day 3, The star prize of a mini quad bike was won by a large retailer/wholesaler in the North East, who has requested anonymity after donating his prize to a very good cause.

Harvie Prema said they would like to thank everyone who participated in the competition and extend their congratulations to the winners.

24th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Beru Registers Slight Revenue Growth in H1 2007

German vehicle engine technology and TPMS producer Beru Aktiengesellschaft has reported sales revenues of 224.2 million euros in the first half of 2007, despite what it calls ‘unfavourable market conditions.’ This first half sales figure was reflected slight sales growth, being 0.5 per cent higher than the 223.0 million euros achieved in the first half of 2006. The company credits strong growth in its Electronics and Sensor Technology and Ignition Technology divisions for the latest results.

Half year operating profit (EBIT) of 24.4 million euros represents an operating margin of 10.9 per cent, lower than the H1 2006 EBIT of 30.9 million euros and EBIT margin of 13.9 per cent. Net profit for the period amounted to 18.5 million euros, slightly lower than last year (20.8 million euros). First half earnings per share amounted to 1.80 euros, down from 2.06 euros in H1 2006.

Beru reports an expanding OE auto industry during the first half of the year and sales in this segment increasing by 3.0 per cent to 154.5 million euros. Sales revenues in the high-margin aftermarket segment decreased by 4.7 per cent to 56.3 million euros, an occurrence attributed to mild winter weather in the first quarter of the year. Although sales revenues stabilised in the second quarter of 2007, they were still lower than projected.

14th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Viking Tyres Big Boys Toybox Winner

Father and son Stuart and Harry Kaylor of Wheatley Tyre Centre Ltd in Oxford are the first winners to be announced in Viking Tyres ‘Big Boys Toybox’ competition. Their prize included an XBox 360, digital camera and remote control car. Set up by Stuart and Harry twenty one years ago Wheatley Tyre Centre has been a Viking customer all of this time. Stuart gave all the prizes to his staff and commented: ‘The prizes are a brilliant bonus for buying Viking Tyres and a great way for me to motivate my staff.’

18th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hennessy Adds Onboard Training To Changers

(Akron/Tire Review) Hennessy Industries has launched the new Coats OnBoard Operator Training (COBOT), which it calls “a revolutionary new device that brings wheel service training directly to the service technician.” Hennessy’s COBOT can be mounted on Coats APX90, 50X and 70X series rim clamp tyre changers, providing a video tutorial of the operation at the point of service.

Hennessy said it is the first to offer such an onboard training option. “We recognise the problems our customers face when it comes to training,” said Kevin Keefe, Hennessy’s director of marketing. “Training requires time and money. The COBOT enables the technician to perform the work while being trained at the same time, which will keep our customers one step ahead of the competition.”

18th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis has Something for Everyone

When it comes to the ATV sector Maxxis believe they can offer a tyre for every application, from the high performance needs of a professional ATV racing series through to the rugged all-rounders that are becoming ever more indispensable to the farming community. And the company’s confidence in its product is not limited to the size of the range it offers – Maxxis also claim that its tyres offer superior puncture resistance and traction on all surfaces, and point to their list of OE customers – which includes Honda, Yamaha and Polaris – as confirmation the widespread acceptance enjoyed by the Maxxis ATV product range.

The Maxxis iRAZR M943(front) and M944 (rear) is reported to be the first all terrain radial to be sold in the UK and features an aggressive centreline and less rounded profile for improved steering and handling capabilities. It was developed especially for motocross racing and is, according to Maxxis, being put through its paces at the top echelons of the sport – something the company has more than just a passing interest in. Indeed, Maxxis has come on board as the new sponsor of Team Green, Kawasaki Motors UK’s successful motocross and Enduro racing initiative, and will supply tyres for a number of up and coming youth riders. It is also supporting KIK Team Honda TRX450R, the official Honda UK ATV motocross team, which has two riders competing in the 2007 British Quad Championship. In overseas markets Maxxis also has a strong presence in the ATV racing scene, sponsoring seven competitive events and numerous riders in the US, including Bill Balance, who won his second straight victory in the West Virginia Snowshoe GNCC ATV race on June 23.

27th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Launches New DOT Competition Tyre

(Akron/Tire Review) Toyo Tire (USA) Corp. has released the new Proxes R888, a DOT-approved race compound competition tyre.

Toyo said the new R888 was developed for both professional and amateur racers. The tyre features a continuous center rib for traction and directional control during dry braking, semi-slick shoulder areas for steering response and traction, an optimised contact patch for cornering, braking and acceleration, jointless cap and edge plies for high-speed dimensional stability, and a high modulus filler in the tyre bead area.

“Toyo has enjoyed a long, winning history in racing,” said Steve Weinger, Toyo’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “We anticipate great success with the new Proxes R888 as it takes Toyo racing technology to a higher level.”

The Proxes R888 will be available in 17- to 19-inch sizes beginning this summer, with additional sizes coming next spring, the company said.

25th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Top Technician 2007 Announced

Clive Atthowe has been crowned the UK’s best mechanic after winning the Top Technician 2007 competition. Clive took first prize in the nationwide contest during an awards ceremony at the GEA/Aftermarket Technical Workshop conference on 11 June at the Motor Heritage Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Atthowe, who runs the Clive Atthowe Tuning garage in Norwich, was joined on the winner’s podium by joint runners-up Elliot Waters and David Wagstaff.

Atthowe scooped £2,000 tax free and a range of prizes from sponsors Bosch and Vauxhall Trade Club along with the prestigious title as part of his prize. He hopes the publicity from his win will give his garage a major business boost and help raise awareness among the public of the skills, knowledge and expertise within the motor trade. He achieved the highest score in the competition’s live finals, held as part of the Automotive Trade Show at the NEC in Birmingham, where he competed against 12 of the country’s best technicians in a series of practical tests.

20th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Celebrates 10th Consecutive Le Mans Victory

The 75th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been dominated by Audi Sport and Michelin, with the pair storming to victory in the Sarthe, the 10th such straight win for the French tyremaker. And Michelin also proved up to the task in other categories.

In the LMP2 category, Michelin vehicles finished second with Team Barazi Epsilon-Michelin (A.Fernandez/H.Kurosawa/R.Kerr), and first place was secured in GT1 with the victory of Aston Martin Racing-Michelin (D.Brabham/ R.Rydell/ D.Turner) – Michelin shod vehicles also took out the next four top spots. In GT2 Team Imsa Performance-Michelin (R.Narac / R.Lietz / P.Long) who proved victorious over Risi Competizione – Michelin. Michelin also took the 3 first places of the general results 24 Hours of Le Mans, continuing a winning streak that started back in 1998.

18th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors