Nitto Tire North America Inc. (Toyo’s Nitto Tire sales subsidiary in the US) has won a gold award for its website (http://www.nittotire.com) in the “Consumer Information” category of the Horizon Interactive Awards. The awards are an international competition recognizing outstanding work in the field of interactive media, such as on-line advertising and CD-ROMs.
Kwik-Fit Fleet, Britain’s leading fast-fit provider, has been named Management Partner of the Year in the annual customer service awards from vehicle management company LeasePlan UK. The award from LeasePlan, which operates more than 129,000 vehicles in the UK, is the fourth fleet award won in 2007 by Britain’s largest independent fast-fit company. Kwik-Fit Fleet has already won a hat-trick of titles recognising innovation and first-class customer service delivery from industry publications, Fleet News, BusinessCar and Van Fleet World.
Graham Rixon, operations director at vehicle management company LeasePlan UK, said: “There was a lot of competition for the Management Partner of the Year award, so it was by no means a straightforward decision. Throughout the year, however, the Kwik-Fit team showed an incredible amount of dedication and have become a true and trusted partner in many areas of our business. Kwik-Fit Fleet carries out over 7,000 jobs every month for us and has one of the lowest customer query ratios across our entire business – an achievement in itself.
One of Kumho Tire’s main US market tyre lines, the ultra high performance ECSTA, has been selected as the official tyre of the Sports Car Club of America’s Mazda MX-5 Cup, U.S.A. Kumho will provide ECSTA V700 tyres to all cars participating in the competition for the next 2 years, a total of more than 2,000 tyres per year.
“Our being selected as the official tyre provider of Mazda MX-5 Cup will positively display our tyre making technology in Northern America, and it will all promote Kumho’s reputation and tyre exports” said a company representative. Kumho sold US$150,000,000 of UHP tyres in North American markets last year and is planning to increase tyre exports to $200,000,000 dollars per year in the same region through increased marketing and active participation in various motor sport contests.
Gislaved Tyres has announced the winners of its most recent dealer competition, in which it offered portable DVD players for up to five staff at the winning dealership as a reward for an increase in tyre purchases. The promotion was launched in the first quarter of the year, giving all Gislaved dealers the chance to win.
Brian Sugar of Industrial Tyre Service Ltd in Somerset, a Gislaved dealer for the last five years, came in first place. Brian commented, “The promotion was a great way to motivate staff and the DVD players were a fantastic bonus.” The prizes were presented by Kevin Peck, Sales Director for Viking International.
To celebrate the opening of its new Nottingham Wholesale warehouse We Sell Tyres (Wholesale), in conjunction with Pirelli Tyres UK, offered their customers the chance to win £1,000 pounds-worth of electrical goods vouchers, plus quality Pirelli merchandise, by increasing their sales of Pirelli tyres, with particular emphasise on the new generation of P-Zero tyres.
This prompted an outstanding performance from AG- Services of Long Eaton Nottingham, Alan Gadsby pictured receiving his prize of electrical goods vouchers, courtesy of Pirelli. Gadsby from AG services a long standing Customer of WST, commented: “Its an opportunity I couldn’t resist and just had to go for the big prize, selling quality isn’t difficult, and the new P-Zero certainly has plenty of quality.”
Five runners-up also received prizes of £100 electrical goods gift vouchers.
The European Commission has reported its approval of German company VB Autobatterie GmbH’s proposed acquisition of Italy’s FIAMM group’s automotive starter battery business, subject to the German company allaying competitor’s concerns about the impact such a deal may have.
These concerns are related to the FIAMM group’s business in Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as the company holds a strong market position there. A question mark hangs over the impact the planned transaction will have in these markets. VB Autobatterie has offered to divest some of its manufacturing capacity and some key FIAMM brands relevant to the replacement part markets in these countries.
The Commission’s initial market investigation in December stated that the proposed acquisition would raise ‘serious competition concerns’, but its latest position is that, subject to a number of conditions, the takeover would not have any significant hindering effect upon competition within European markets.
Current British Formula Ford Champion, 23 year-old Nathan Freke from Kidderminster whose dominance in the series saw him netting 12 outright wins in 2006, is to join Marangoni as a corporate Instructor. The McLaren Autosport BRDC 2006 Young Driver finalist, one of the UK’s most promising young talents, will team up with Marangoni ‘Stig’, Cristiano del Balzo to provide high speed experience drives to major corporate customers at the Italian tyre manufacturer’s test track.
Said Derek Carruthers, Marangoni (Car Tyre Division) Sales & Marketing Director, “We are delighted to have secured the services of Nathan for a Marangoni Corporate Event in May. This hugely talented young driver will add a whole new dimension to the event and the opportunity to sit beside a driver who is already showing such potential is certain to be eagerly sought after by Marangoni Corporate guests.” While in Italy, Nathan will have the unique opportunity of gaining venue experience on the circuits where Cristiano both races and evaluates tyres for Marangoni, as part of the ongoing R&D programme.
(Akron/Tire Review – Des Monies Register) Union workers at the Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) agricultural tyre plant in Des Moines, Iowa, approved a new labor contract by six votes.
The agreement, which covers about 1,225 employees, is set to expire in July 2009. BFNAT will invest up to $100 million in the Des Moines plant as well as two others, according to the contract. Additionally, a new tiered wage system provides lower pay rates for new employees, starting at $13 an hour.
“It gives us some protection for retiree health care and definitely protects our plant security for the term of the agreement,” said Al Skinner, Local 310 president. “Companies expect us to compete competitively internationally, which is impossible. They (international competition) work for pennies on the dollar. They expect us to compete with them. It’s virtually impossible for us to do that.”
Hot on the heels of the successful Viking Win an iPod competition Viking Tyres has launched a new promotion for all its dealers, this time with a wider selection of fantastic prizes up for grabs as a reward for purchasing Viking Tyres. Prizes include an Xbox 360, digital camera, remote control car, Scalextric, iPod Nano and beer or wine to the value of £100. Dealerships simply need to increase their purchases of Viking Tyres by a small percentage compared to the same period last year to be in with the chance to win. Viking Tyres, the quality, mid range brand, are exclusively available from Viking International. Designed to perform whatever the weather, Viking Tyres are available in sizes to cover over 80 fitments, for family cars, performance cars and commercial vans.
Alcoa Wheel Products has been named a 2007 Automotive News PACE Award winner. The awards, which are given in recognition of superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance amongst automotive suppliers, were announced on April 16 at a ceremony in Detroit.
Alcoa was awarded for its Dura-Bright wheels that utilise the company’s patented XBR Technology. This unique surface treatment penetrates the aluminium to become an integral part of the wheel. Alcoa claim that, unlike coated wheels, wheels treated with XBR Technology, will not peel, crack, corrode or chip. Dura-Bright wheels only require rinsing with mild soap and water to maintain their appearance.
During his acceptance speech, president of Alcoa Wheel Products Kevin Kramer said, “We are truly honoured to be recognised as a winner for this prestigious award. Dura-Bright technology is now enjoying acceptance from our global OEM partners while we have also recently launched the innovation into our automotive aftermarket business. Winning the Automotive News PACE Award further validates our commitment to wheel innovation.”
Michelin foot-pumps have taken an impressive one-two clean sweep in comparison tests run by Britain’s biggest selling motoring weekly, Auto Express. The Michelin twin-barrel pump was awarded the “Best Buy” 5-star rating for performance and accuracy whilst the Michelin single-barrel foot pump took the runner-up “Recommended” award and a 4-star rating.
The two foot-pumps from the Michelin motoring accessories range were compared with eight competitors’ products in detailed tests carried out by Auto Express’ technical experts. The accuracy of the pressure gauges and their pumping power were at the heart of the tests, which also awarded points for stability in use, build quality, hose length and ease of tyre-valve connection.
Following a successful motorsport campaign in 2006, Marangoni has announced a strong programme of activity for 2007, which will see both the tyremaker’s Zeta Linea Racing and Mythos tyres utilised in motorsport campaigns which include the FIA International Hill Climb Challenge, the Italian Hill Climb Championship, the Osella Junior Trophy and the new one-make Italian Nissan 350Z Challenge.
Marangoni views motorsport as integral to the R&D of production tyres, with competition recognised as a real-time mobile laboratory and a major R&D resource. Racing on Marangoni technology again in 2007 is Simone Faggioli, whose Zetra Linea Racing tyre shod machine took out the 2004 and 2005 Italian Hillclimb Championships and a European 2005 title.
Citing high production costs as the underlying factor, Michelin North America, Inc. has announced plans to close the facility it operates in Mogadore, Ohio and transfer the plant’s tyre production to its BFGoodrich factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Mogadore facility employs approximately 70 people and is involved in the short run production of specialty tyres, such as rock crawling and competition tyres.
The transfer of production to the BFGoodrich plant will begin in July and be complete by late October, and which time the Mogadore plant will close. The BFGoodrich Tuscaloosa facility currently employs approximately 1,275 people and produces BFGoodrich Tire brand passenger car and light truck tyres.
Goodyear Engineered Products has gained a significant recognition from leading US construction aggregate supplier Vulcan, beating strong competition to win Vulcan’s 2006 Gold Supplier Award. The company was evaluated upon the products services and technical support, amongst other criteria, and was awarded one of the top scores in all these categories.
“Our associates and vast distributor network earned this recognition because of their commitment to supplying world-class products and service to Vulcan locations across the country,” said Mike Braucher, Goodyear’s marketing manager for conveyor belts. “We are proud to receive the award from this industry leader.”
Describing 2006 as a “another tough yet successful year for Harvie,” managing director, Terry Brooks has explained that pressures from Chinese balance weight imports and more aggressive competition have not stopped the company from growing and investing in two new salesmen.
In the last year Harvie has grown its fleet of vans to 12 and boasts full UK coverage. Plans to enter the Irish market are underway and a new salesman for the north based in Belfast will start later this year. Negotiations with 2 possible agents based in Dublin in the south are said to be “advancing.”
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