distribution Archives - Page 52 of 75 - Tyrepress

Posts

On a Mission

Speaking to Nigeria’s Vanguard, Ambassador John Fashanu, managing director/chief executive officer of Tyre Protector Nigeria Ltd said his inspiration to enter this business as a way of giving back to the African people following the blowout related death of a friend, a former speaker in Niger State House of Assembly.

Two years after entering the business Fashanu reports that 85 per cent of road accidents in Nigeria are from punctured tyres. If nothing else, this clearly shows that there is a market for his non-toxic, glycol based, water soluble tyre sealant. The product is designed for use on tubeless tyres and operates in a similar way to most sealants – it forms a thin protective coating between the tyre and the air within the tyre. When a puncturing object penetrates the tyre, air pressure forces the sealant into the “wound” repairing the damage instantly.

26th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Marangoni Establishes a New Partnership in Brazil

In late October Marangoni announced the largest acquisition of new business the company has made outside of Europe. Its Brazil subsidiary, Marangoni do Brazil, has reached an agreement with Release Pneu Point to convert all eight of the retreading plants operated by Pneu Point to the Ringtread system. This conversion will be complete by the end of 2007. Pneu Point is a fast growing group that is active in the area of new vehicle distribution and new and retreaded tyre services, and Marangoni believes the adoption of the Ringtread system will permit Pneu Point to accelerate the growth of its retreading division and will allow a better integration with all its other activities.

23rd November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Moves Expand Stapleton’s Distribution Capacity

Stapleton’s recently relocated two of its regional distribution centres to larger premises and commissioned an extra warehouse near its head office in order to increase stock choice and offer greater delivery flexibility. The Warrington distribution hub has been relocated to a larger warehouse just one mile away from the original site providing a 50 per cent increase in capacity and the original Bristol warehouse has been moved to a site in nearby Avonmouth, which has enabled an increase in stock levels from 10,000 to 80,000 tyres.

A brand new site in Biggleswade has also been opened which will act as a support warehouse to the main site and head office location in Letchworth. The new sites have increased the company’s capacity by around 130,000 tyres creating a network capacity of over 600,000 tyres. This has allowed the addition of new stock profiles, and an increase in depth of stock, offering customers even more choice.

19th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Nexen’s Qingdao Plant to Start Production in December

Speaking to Tyres & Accessories, Korean manufacturer Nexen has confirmed that the first phase of building work on its £87 million ($170 million) factory has been completed and the first tyres are due to roll off the production line in December 2007. Initially the plant will produce 2 million units per annum and will reach full production capacity by 2009. Construction of the company’s new R&D centre is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2008.

15th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Weller Truck Drives 400,000km on Michelin

A Mercedes-Benz Atego 1828 is operating on the same Michelin tyres fitted as original equipment when it rolled off the production line in November 2001, despite having covered over 440,000 km. The 18 tonner is owned by Staffordshire-based Weller Packaging and is fitted with Michelin 295/80 R22.5 XZE2 and XDE2 tyres. It is in operation five days a week transporting packaging materials from Shenstone (near Lichfield) to customers nationwide, with the vehicle starting each two-day distribution run with a maximum 9.2 tonne payload.

Nigel Hastilow, a driver and Transport Manager for Weller Packaging, explains: “Getting the best performance out of a set of tyres is all down to attention to detail. We carry out weekly tyre inspections, including pressure checks, which ensure our tyres are always in prime operating condition.

8th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Pro-Cut Aims for European Growth

Toddington, Gloucestershire-based Pro-Cut Europe, is aiming to explain its operation after exhibiting at Equip Auto 2007 in Paris between 14-20th October. Pro-Cut Europe attended the Paris exhibition to recruit distributors for the continent. Showcasing the PFM 9.19, the worlds best on-car brake lathe, Pro-Cut Europe Directors Guy Carter and David Smith informed would-be business associates about the unique selling points of the machine and the rapid growth being enjoyed by the brake lathe market.

Pro-Cut Europe have sole distribution rights for the brake lathe in Europe and with development of the UK market meeting forecast expectations, the rapidly expanding Pro-Cut Head Office has already laid the foundations to extend the companies presence in the Continent. Pro-Cut Europe developed the infrastructure for European expansion in the German market 3 years ago and have already sold just under 500 lathes.

6th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Study Shows Lehigh Rubber Powder ‘Adds Value’ to Tyres

Engineered rubber powder manufacturer Lehigh Technologies, Inc., has announced the results of studies that show its flagship product, PolyDyne rubber powder, can be used as a chemically functioning element in the manufacture of new tyres. This takes the use of rubber powder in tyres beyond its existing role as a mere static filler and enables the product to add value to the finished tyre.

The research was carried out by the Department of Chemistry at South Carolina’s Clemson University. “There has been some question in terms of the extended use of ultra-fine rubber powder and its realistic functionality in new products,” said Dennis W. Smith, Professor of Chemistry at Clemson University. “Our study illustrates that used tyre rubber powder prepared by the Lehigh process is in fact unique and does offer a value-added reactivity and functionalisation. Breakthrough results from electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) measurements indicate that the Lehigh process provides a significant increase in free radicals, which can bond to matrix resins or other application-specific substrates, extending the powder’s usefulness beyond that of an added filler. With this study, tyre manufacturers worldwide have a viable alternative ingredient that can be used to make ‘green’ tyres, while at the same time enhancing the performance of the tyre. We’re confident that tire manufacturers will see the environmental and economical benefits that PolyDyne powder brings to the table.”

29th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Nordic Pneu Joins Starco Group

On 1 December 2007 Starco NV will officially takeover Nordic Pneu. Nordic Pneu, based in Saint Arnoult en-Yvelines near Paris, is a tyre and wheel wholesaler that primarily sells to the French aftermarket in the agriculture, forestry, industry and passenger car segments. The company has an annual turnover of 12 million euros and has 12 employees. Karl Mjörndal has been both owner and daily manager of Nordic Pneu since 1986. According to a company statement Starco is the fastest growing company in its part of the industry and expects to achieve 125 million euros of turnover in 2007.

Nordic Pneu’s integration into the Starco Group is a natural step in view of the globalisation of the business and the “generational change” of the company, according to the companies. It also fits with Starco’s goal of distributing throughout Europe. For this reason the warehouse at Nordic Pneu has been selected to be one of Starco’s distribution centres on the ‘Hansa-line’. This line is said to symbolise Starco’s aftermarket strategy, which focuses on ensuring fast delivery of tyres and wheels for vehicles within the selected segments anywhere in Europe.

29th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

CMA to Open First North American Warehouse

(Akron/Tire Review) China Manufacturers Alliance has opened its first North American distribution centre. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the 14,000-square metre facility is set to open later this year. “Acquiring this new Memphis distribution centre was necessary to support Double Coin’s rapid growth in North America, and will help us continue providing industry-leading service to our customers,” said company officials.

The centre is located on 4.25 hectares near Memphis International Airport. It will serve as CMA’s primary distribution point for OE and replacement Double Coin brand medium truck and bus radials and radial OTR tyres. CMA also leases warehouse space in Urbana, Ohio, for OE distribution.

The company also said that future distribution centres are being considered.

25th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

JV Formed for Shock Absorber Supply in Europe

ArvinMeritor and TRW Automotive have laid out plans to form a joint venture for the distribution of aftermarket shock absorbers in Europe, with the planned operation covering all light vehicle shock absorbers both companies’ produce for the region. Operation and distribution through the joint venture is planned to commence in January.

TRW’s vice president for aftermarket in Europe and Asia Pacific, François Augnet, said in a statement that “by combining the strengths of ArvinMeritor’s engineering and manufacturing competencies and the Gabriel brand name with TRW’s extensive sales and distribution network, we are confident that we can roll out successful shock absorber programs for the European independent aftermarket.”

17th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New Conti Distribution Centre Opens in China

The distribution facility in China jointly set up by Continental and the logistics cooperation Penske/Honold has entered operation. On October 1 the Shanghai Regional Distribution Center (RDC) took over from the temporary RDC, opened in March, as the official site for operations. The interim facility will now be closed down.

“For Continental, this [the RDC] represents a logical next step in the development of Asian distribution, Following the large-scale restructuring of logistics in Malaysia, China is the next challenge to be tackled,” stated Carsten Sziegoleit, head of warehousing and tyre distribution worldwide at Continental.

The launching of logistics operations in China is based essentially on the introduction of Continental’s established logistic processes and systems. Lean processes with a minimum of interfaces have already been successfully tested in China, ensuring that the new RDC will get off to a good start. With Penske as partner in China, Continental is relying on a well-established service provider, backed up by the experience of Honold Reifenlogistik, a company specialising in tyres. Honold already serves Continental with over 100,000 square metres of warehousing.

12th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Grocontinental Opts For ATS Euromaster/Michelin Fleet Servicing

Shropshire-based truck fleet, Grocontinental, has appointed ATS Euromaster as its sole commercial vehicle tyre services provider across its fleet of 55 commercial vehicles and 100 trailers following an extensive Michelin tyre trial. The new agreement will see ATS Euromaster work in partnership with Grocontinental’s maintenance team fitting Michelin tyres across the fleet. According to the company the new contract replaces a previous Goodyear policy which had been managed internally for more than 30 years.

David Grocott, Joint Managing Director of Grocontinental says: “Tyres have a critical impact on a vehicle’s fuel economy, and after a Michelin tyre trial we saw that by working with ATS Euromaster to manage our tyres more effectively, we could make valuable savings to our fuel bill. Switching our procurement policy will also allow us to follow Michelin’s Four Lives tyre strategy.

“It was a difficult decision for us to make because of the length of time we have worked with our previous supplier, but ATS Euromaster was able to offer a range of additional benefits including a nationwide roadside assistance service and weekly fleet checks to ensure our tyres remain in the optimum condition,” he adds.

9th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Mannino Leaves PTNA

After 25 years of service with Pirelli Tyre S.p.A., Guy Mannino, President of Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA) has decided to leave the company to pursue other professional interests. Mannino began his career in 1982 and embarked on series of international management assignments with the Pirelli Power Transmission Division. In 1993, he joined the Tire Division and held management positions in Italy, Venezuela and the United States.

Hugh Pace, Chairman & CEO PTNA will assume leadership for all business and commercial operations in addition to his current executive role.

Under Mannino’s leadership, PTNA relocated its corporate headquarters to Rome, Georgia, built a state-of-the-art MIRS manufacturing facility, and expanded its national distribution network.

Pirelli Tire North America extended its gratitude to Mannino for his many contributions to the company and wishes him and his family personal and professional success.

8th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Senior Management Changes at Bridgestone

On September 28 Bridgestone announced that its board of directors has approved the following proposals of the changes in member of the board and in corporate officers.

1. Changes in position and responsibilities of members of the board (effective October 16, 2007)
– Tatsuya Okajima
New position and responsibilities: Senior vice president, advisor to the president
Current position and responsibilities: senior vice president, chief compliance officer, responsible for original equipment tyre sales and quality management; concurrently chief risk-management officer

– Masaharu Oku
New position and responsibilities: Vice president & senior officer, advisor to the president. Oku has been seconded to Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd where he will serve as chairman.
Current position and responsibilities: vice president & senior officer, responsible for production technology

3rd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

FIA Reveals Details of McLaren Ferrari Scandal

The FIA has released details of the email conversation between Fernando Alonso and Pedro de la Rosa that led to McLaren being excluded from this year’s Formula One constructor’s championship amid accusations of spying. Interestingly, the emails which were exchanged over the course of three months centred Ferrari’s tyre inflation gas, brakes and weight distribution.

According to the FIA, de la Rosa emailed Alonso on 25 March identifying identified an unspecified gas that Ferrari uses to inflate its tyres to reduce the internal temperature and blistering. The e-mail concludes with a statement (in relation to the gas) that “we’ll have to try it, it’s easy!”

Alonso replied that it is “very important” that McLaren test the gas that Ferrari uses in its tyres as “they have something different from the rest”, and “not only this year. There is something else and this may be the key; let’s hope we can test it during this test, and that we can make it a priority!” de la Rosa replied stating the following: I agree 100% that we must test the [tyre gas] thing very soon.

18th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors