Martins Industries has launched a new web site for its Tire and Wheel racking, handling and display division (www.martinsindustries.com). “Our new web site will help our customer to better understand our products and company, as well as finding local distributors and distribution centres around the world” sales manager Julien Depelteau said.
In a bid to find out what how one of the nation’s more modern tyre manufacturers has been fairing since the introduction of the ITC tariff, Tyres & Accessories initiated the following interview with Chinese tyre maker Sailun Tire. Surprisingly, T&A learnt that the company planned to continue selling a similar number of tyres into the US, despite the hefty new taxes, which they refer to as T421. Our first question was what is Sailun’s position on the US’s recent decision to impose 35 per cent import tariffs on Chinese tyres?
MITL Acquisition Corp., comprised of former GPX International Tire officials and private investors, identified itself as the winning bidder for the solid tyre business sold out of bankruptcy by GPX. The new company will operate as Maine Industrial Tire, and will be led by Bryan Ganz, CEO; Troy Kline, president and COO; and Phil Fitzgerald, director of China operations.
As a result of Alliance Tire Group’s purchase of worldwide rights to the Galaxy brand from GPX International Inc., Trelleborg Wheel Systems will consequently stop distributing Galaxy-brand off-the-road tyres in Europe. Trelleborg states it continue to support its customers with the Galaxy brand until the new owner takes over.
The world-famous Michelin Man is hitching a ride on the back of 12 trailers in the Boughey Distribution fleet, to highlight the innovative X One MaxiTrailer tyres which have been fitted as original equipment on every one of the 160 new trailers which have joined the fleet since late 2007. The distinctive size of the 455/45 R 22.5 X One MaxiTrailer tyres gives the trailers a low profile look providing a low centre of gravity which has shown to improve stability.
Paul Brimelow, Group Fleet Engineer at Wardle-based Boughey Distribution, explains. “Since the trailers entered service we have clocked up nearly 20 million kilometres on X One Maxi Trailer tyres and other than occasional punctures and sidewall damage due to impact, we have suffered no tyre failures at all, which has resulted in an exceptional level of tyre reliability for our fleet.
Goodyear’s Turkish operation, Goodyear Lastikleri, has selected Ceva Logistics to handle its logistics requirements. Ceva Logistics will provide Full Truck Load (FTL) and Partial (LTL) distribution services from the tyre maker’s factories in Adapazari and Izmit, near Istanbul, to dealers and OEM customers throughout the country. All distribution process will be visible by Goodyear via a web based track and trace system.
Indian news sources are reporting that Dunlop India is to resume production at its plant in Sahaganj from 2 December. A company press release stated that workers have been informed via a notice hung at the factory’s entrance. Its reopening had been delayed at first by the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company following its first suspension on 30 November, 2008. Electricity supply to the factory was delayed by deliberations over credit terms. Power was restored on 9 November following the acquisition of a bank guarantee. The plant’s medium-term closure was precipitated by the refusal of a number of workers to accept a temporary shutdown.
Garage equipment specialist, The Trade Group has recently introduced new own-brand products to compliment its range (it specialises in the distribution of Hofmann Megaplan equipment). Company representative, Stefan Bullworthy explained that The Trade Group now believes its range contains products to suit the smallest garage to the largest tyre shop, including the new own brand, Trademaster wheel care equipment:
Hankook Tire has given word that, as of December 1, Soo Il Lee will take over from H. Y. (Greg) Pae as president of Hankook Tire America Corp. In addition to his new role, Lee will also serve as COO for the company’s business operations throughout the Americas, and in this capacity will be responsible for the overall growth and marketing strategies for the US, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. Following several years in the US, Pae will return to the company’s global headquarters in Seoul.
Dunlop India’s Sahagunj factory may actually resume production following a settlement over electricity payments between the Ruia Group company and the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company. Ruia Group management has agreed to provide a bank guarantee to the power supply, who in return will resume supply. Should Dunlop India be able to successfully follow through with the funds, approximately 900 workers will return to their jobs a month after production at the company’s Ambattur factory recommenced.
Next January Goodyear Tire & Rubber will cease offering its “Republic” associate tyre brand in North America. In hand with the dropping of Republic, the US tyre major will increase the profile of its Kelly brand through new products and making the range available to all dealers in its distribution network. Ditching the Republic brand also will reduce manufacturing complexity, Goodyear reports.
At the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Association) Show in Las Vegas, Pirelli Tire North America unveiled its newest ultra-high-performance tyre – the P Zero Trofeo. The Trofeo is a D.O.T. (Department of Transportation) approved state-of-the-art track tyre aimed at serious driving enthusiasts.
Trofeo's asymmetrical tread features two wide central ribs, large tread blocks, an inner area with greater groove density and an outer area with a pattern derived from asphalt rally applications. The P Zero Trofeo is designed to give the best of both worlds: a fast track tyre that gives racers the flexibility to drive on the street to and from the track.
Federal has introduced the 595RPM; the company's first ever asymmetric tyre engineered particularly for passionate driving enthusiasts and aimed at drivers of sports sedans, providing new levels of performance and luxury. Development of the 595RPM utilised computer simulations in a range of conditions to optimise a rounded tread profile for a quiet and pleasant ride.
Four drainage grooves provide improved stability, while maintaining a consistent footprint in wet. The asymmetrical tread pattern enhanced within the inner and outer shoulder areas ensures a smooth pace, with efficient water displacement to reduce the risk of aquaplaning and decrease rolling noise without affecting controllability.
Wembley-based motor industry entrepreneur, Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia of Euro Car Parts, has been nominated for the Business & Commerce Award at the forthcoming Lloyds TSB Jewel Awards, taking place on Saturday 7th November at London Hilton, Park Lane.
Starting as a teenager in a "one-man business", Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia has built Euro Car Parts Ltd into the UK's largest independent distributor of replacement car parts. Early in this career, he identified that the UK's 30,000 independent car garages needed immediate access to a wide range of car parts for the huge array of vehicles on the road, allowing repairs to be completed the same day, sometimes even while the car owner waited.
Norstar International, Orange Electronic Taiwan and a group of investors have launched Orange Electronic North America LLC. According to reports, the new company will assume control of the North American marketing, sales and distribution of Orange Electronic Taiwan’s TPMS products. “We have been working with Orange Electronic as a distributor for the past two years and were impressed by their high quality products and innovative solutions,” said Steve Norris, president of Norstar International and Orange Electronic North America.
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