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Car Scrappage Scheme ‘Simplistic’

Recommendations from the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee for a government–funded car scrappage scheme have been criticised by the Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF). “There is a blinkered attitude towards environmental issues which propels people towards simplistic ‘headline’ solutions, rather than small simple steps which, in combination, can have a significant impact,” says ADF chief executive Brian Spratt.

Spratt contends that tighter environmental inspections in MoT tests, which in turn would lead to better servicing of vehicles, along with programmes of driver behaviour training aimed at reducing pollution and improving fuel economy would be preferable. “Even a simple thing such as the correct tyre pressures,” he says, “will add to the positive impact and, cumulatively, outweigh the environmental costs of producing new vehicles. These straightforward measures will be a greater benefit to motorists who, despite any scrappage incentive, will still find it impossible to fund the purchase of a newer car.”

15th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Stapleton’s Leads Way With Private Brands

Prestivo, Stapleton’s own brand range of tyres, plays a leading role in the UK private brand segment, according company representatives. Positioned as a quality mid-range tyre, Prestivo is said to offer high performance characteristics and comes in two tread patterns, Prestivo 2000 and Prestivo Sport.

The Prestivo 2000 range offers 35 tyre sizes and the Sport range is available in 21. Both ranges are available exclusively to members of Stapleton’s Prestivo Partners scheme which ensures all retailers receive the backing and support they need to maximise sales of Prestivo Tyres. The scheme offers exclusivity, attractive rebates, branded clothing, in-store support including posters, POS materials and other branded support items.

11th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Outlines Senior Management Changes

Bridgestone Corporation announced on August 8 that its board of directors has approved the following proposals of the changes in corporate officers:

The following corporate officer positions and responsibilities are changing, effective August 16, 2008

– Koki Takahashi
New position and responsibilities: vice president and officer; chief financial officer, Finance; concurrently director, Internal Control Division

Current position and responsibilities: Vice president and officer, chief financial officer, finance

8th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Monityre TPMS – Specifically Designed for Commercial Vehicles

With an estimated one third of all commercial vehicle tyres claimed to be incorrectly inflated, the failure to spot problems in truck and trailer tyre pressures can have catastrophic financial effects and damaging consequences for any operator. However, a practical cost effective solution to this problem is now at hand with the launch of Monityre from Safe Europe plc.

Monityre is a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that, says Safe Europe, eliminates the issues associated with other monitoring systems, allowing operators to accurately and easily monitor tyre pressures within a fleet.

8th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

PDP’s Diagnostic Evenings Prove Popular

PDP Diagnostic evenings (Premier Distribution Partnership) have welcomed over 2,000 UK garage customers at introductory evenings to launch a unique Diagnostic Support Programme.

With the help of ADS’ Frank Massey and other leading aftermarket experts, PDP have put together a unique and comprehensive programme unavailable elsewhere in the aftermarket, with the clear goal of educating their UK garage customers in the latest diagnostic and repair techniques.

6th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Obituary – Tony Ryan

We were saddened to learn of the death of Tony Ryan, who was Managing Director of Apaseal before retiring due to ill health in 2000.

Tony Ryan – a Chartered Account – joined Apaseal from Wilkinson Sword in 1972 and handled the difficult financial environment of the 70s, enabling Apaseal to remain a key player in the tyre maintenance market. On his appointment in 1983 to managing director he,alongside a dedicated group of management, set about the task to enhance the company’s main objective to provide a complete service for the tyre distributor with the strategy “everything to do with the wheel other than the tyre and rim.”

6th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Budget Tyre Imports Prove too Much for Australian Remoulder

Increased competition from budget imported tyres has led Australian tyre remoulder Motorway Tyres to close its doors. Staff at the company’s facility in Stawell, Victoria, were told on August 1 that the company’s facilities would cease operating, effective immediately. The decision affects 34 staff in Stawell, along with a further eight in Melbourne.

In a statement released on August 2, the company cited difficult trading conditions for the closure. Tyre imports, along with increased materials and distribution costs, were named as key factors. “Over the past three years, management has injected several million dollars into the business, to improve efficiencies in the production and distribution of remoulded tyres and truck treads,” said company director John Bresnehen. “During this time there were also significant efforts made by staff to improve the efficiency of the business.

5th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Zeus Acquires Liebherr Site

Zeus recently acquired the current offices and workshop complex of Liebherr’s Dortmund plant and equipment services facility. According to company representatives, the move is designed to further Zeus’ global strategic growth programme for large earthmoving, OTR and general industrial tyre filling and puncture proofing solutions.

The new site is located adjacent to Zeus’s main manufacturing plant in Dortmund, Germany. Once the new complex is refurbished and fully equipped, it will add an extra 7,000 square metres of office space, laboratory, manufacturing, distribution and servicing facilities.

4th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Makes 2 North American Leadership Appointments

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed Stephen McClellan and Joe Copeland to new leadership assignments within the company’s North American Tire business. McClellan, formerly vice president of Commercial Tire Systems, has been named president of the North American Tire Consumer business, replacing Lawrence Mason, who has announced he will leave the company. Copeland, previously vice president of the Off-Highway businesses, becomes vice president of Commercial Tire Systems, replacing McClellan. A replacement for Copeland will be named at a later date.

“Steve and Joe are two proven leaders who have demonstrated the strategic, operational and team building success that will have an immediate impact in their new assignments,” said Richard J. Kramer, president of North American Tire. “They have a track record of exceptional performance at every level and are well positioned to help lead our businesses into the future.”

4th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone North America Prices to Rise up to 10%

Bridgestone Corporation is planning tyre price increases of up to 10 per cent in the US and Canadian markets. Prices for motorcycle, passenger car, truck and agricultural tyres will go up as of September 1, the company announced.

According to Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama, President of BFNT and its parent company, Bridgestone Americas Holding, increased synthetic and natural supply difficulties and the resultant high prices are a key factor behind the price increases, along with increased fuel costs at every stage of production and distribution.

1st August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

New Business Development Manager at Vacu-Lug

Vacu-Lug has appointed Matt Ball, 31, to the position of Business Development Manager for Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres Limited. Covering an area from Cheshire through to the Midlands, Wales and the South West, Matt will be responsible for further increasing and developing Vacu-Lug’s penetration within the region’s major fleets.

Ball began his career with a Modern Apprenticeship at alloy wheel and performance tyre manufacturer Rimstock, with whom he later progressed into sales. Thereafter, he spent five years working in light and heavy commercial vehicle sales with Volkswagen and Renault respectively before moving to Ravenstock MSG, a container hire operation, from where he joined Vacu-Lug.

31st July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Kenda Offer Saw-Toothed Polar Trax

Taiwan’s Kenda, which operates factories and distribution centres in the USA, China and Vietnam in addition to those in the countries homeland go into the winter season looking to promote the company’s Polar Trax (KR19) tyre to the worldwide seasonal market. The company believes that “No matter how many safety features your vehicle has, it’s the tyres that enable you to handle it in the snow and ice.”

To emphasise this point, the manufacturer has placed a graphic of a peaked mountain with a snowflake on the tyre, signalling by way of symbols that the tyre has been designed to attain specifically snow traction performance requirements. The firm also says that the tyre “has been designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions.”

31st July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Personnel Moves at ATD

American Tire Distributors Inc. hired David Martin as its new director of sales for equipment, tools and supply products.

Most recently, Martin was with TBC Corp. as an equipment sales manager.

ATD also promoted Brad Pearson to general manager and director of business development for its Sioux Falls Distribution Center. He has bee with ATD since 2000. (Tire Review/Akron)

28th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Infinity Offers New Sizes for Winter 2008

The private label of the Dubai-based Al Dobowi Group, Infinity continues to gain ground in international brand recognition. The label endeavours to offer a competitively priced tyre range throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe, including a growing winter tyre segment. This year, the brand is consolidating its range by bringing in a series of new sizes for the INF-049 winter tyre and introducing the INF-059 – a winter tyre made especially for vans.

The Infinity winter tyre range is manufactured in China and was introduced in 2006. During 2007 the Infinity INF-049 winter range offered fifteen sizes in both T and H ratings, along with a distinctive asymmetric tread pattern, a proven winter rubber compound and benefits including improved braking performance, extensive tread wear resistance, low noise ride comfort, plus a reinforced bead that ensures comprehensive safe handling on all types of winter road surfaces. Now, in 2008, more PCR sizes have been added, in addition to the first 5 sizes in the new INF-059 Winter van range, which will comprehensively cover 80, 70 and 65 profile tyres.

25th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop Names New Market Supply Chain Director

Goodyear Dunlop has promoted Market Planning Manager, Steve Carless, to Market Supply Chain Director – UK and Ireland. Market Supply Chain Director is a new role that has reportedly been created to improve effectiveness, reduce costs and give superior customer satisfaction. The new role’s main responsibilities will include order management, forecasting, warehousing and the Sales and Operating Plan process.

Steve Carless started with the company as an Undergraduate Trainee in Marketing in 1993. After graduating in Mathematical Business Analysis from Wolverhampton University, a year later, he rejoined the company. Carless began his career after graduation as a Market Analyst, moving into Sales for the Truck Tyre department as well as experiencing roles in the company’s Luxembourg offices covering Marketing and Sales Forecasting.

22nd July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors