For N.E. Wholesale looking good isn’t the most important attribute they like to shout about but it certainly helps when operating in such a competitive industry. You may have read in a previous edition, N.E. Wholesale who’s head office is based in Middlesbrough have undergone a revamp in bringing their brand into the new decade and have opted for a simple yet classy look for their new logo.
Broadway Tyres has unveiled a new corporate identity, pointing to the future development of the business. Jonathan West, the company’s founder and Chairman, addressed staff, main suppliers and industry leaders who are invited to preview the new strategy and new look at a reception at Wycombe Wanderer’s.
The new look consists of a radical new corporate livery together with a new strapline ‘High Performance Delivery’ and the introduction of the ‘Broadway B’, configured from two tyre images. Most strikingly, the company’s fleet of 40 vehicles will be covered with an all-over wrap featuring some specially commissioned photography.
Broadway Tyres has invested over £150,000 into the rebranding, believing it is a natural progression for the £25 million annual turnover company, which is looking to increase its share of the South East’s tyre market to 20 per cent over the next two years, by extending its deliveries, with an enlarged fleet and improved storage facilities at its depots.
Amtel-Vredestein N.V. reports in un-audited results that it has exceeded the revenue projections made by the company in November 2006, by delivering sales of $823 million ($800 million estimated) and EBITDA of $110 million ($100 million estimated).
The Company cautions that certain non-cash adjustments to its 2006 results are still possible as it completes a protracted audit as a result of significant and complex transactions last year – including the acquisition of the Moscow Tyre Plant, the sale of its Amtel-Kuzbass chemical fibre plant in Kemerovo, Russia, and acquisitions of retail tyre centres throughout Russia.
Amtel-Vredestein has a positive outlook for 2007 and expects to achieve sales growth – primarily in its key passenger car tyre business. Sales are expected to fall between $1 – 1.1 billion in 2007 based on current sales trends and scheduled production output. Management also anticipates improvements in Gross Profit Margin consistent with previous years. EBITDA may exceed $120 million and rise to as high as $130 million. The Company expects to be profitable in 2007.
Goodyear is set to release a longer-lasting and more durable version of its ultra-low profile trailer tyre, the Goodyear Marathon 455/40R22.5 LHT (Long Haul Trailer). To differentiate this new and improved version from the existing Marathon a plus symbol has been added; the LHT+, as the new tyre is to be known, has the distinction of being the lowest diameter 22.5” trailer tyre on the market and, Goodyear claims that, amongst other performance improvements, the LHT+ offers 10 per cent more mileage than its predecessor.
With the Goodyear Marathon LHT+ 455/40R22.5 tyre featuring what its manufacturer states is the lowest aspect ratio – 40 per cent – offered on a trailer tyre, operators are able to maximise the size of the brakes fitted to units wearing the Marathon LHT+, making the tyre a suitable choice for maximum cube ‘Mega Trailers’.
On May 2 Hankook Tire announced the appointment of Mr. Seung Do Jin, currently executive vice president of the company’s Korea Headquarters in Seoul, to the position of head of Europe Headquarters. Mr. Seung Do Jin, who has been credited with improving and expanding Hankook’s distribution channels within his home country, officially took over the position on May 8. Mr. Seung Do Jin takes over the role from Mr. Seung Hwa Suh who recently became the company’s global CEO.
Mr. Seung Do Jin played an important role in expanding Hankook’s distribution channels through the establishment of more than a hundred automotive aftermarket service shops, known as T-Stations, and in March 2006 he assumed the role of executive vice president at the company’s Korean headquarters. He also served as the managing director of Hankook Tyre UK between 1997 and 2004.
AV-TO, the retail and distribution subsidiary of Amtel-Vredestein, N.V. has announced that Dilshod Mansurov has been appointed as Executive Director of the company. Mr. Mansurov’s responsibilities will include supervision of all AV-TO retail and distribution operations. He will report to AV-TO General Director, Aleksandr Tryndin.
Mansurov has held senior positions at the Megapolis (a leading Russian FMCG group) since 2003. From 1994 to 2002 he held several executive sales and marketing positions at British American Tobacco (Central Asia). He graduated with an honours degree from the Uzbek State University of World Languages in 1995.
(Akron/Tire Review) Bandag Inc. released financial results for the first quarter of 2007.
Consolidated net sales were $227.0 million, compared to $212.4 million in first quarter of 2006, an increase of 7 per cent.
Consolidated net earnings were $14.9 million for the first quarter of 2007, compared to first quarter 2006 consolidated earnings of $5.7 million.
North American business unit volume increased 2 per cent, while net sales decreased 1 per cent. TDS net sales decreased $0.3 million, or 1 per cent. Consolidated operating and other expenses decreased $9.6 million, or 15 per cent, compared to the prior year period. Operating and other expenses decreased in all business units with the exception of vehicle services.
Offering comfort and stability without sacrificing any of the thrills of driving, the exclusive Prestivo range from Stapleton’s is available in two tread patterns; the Prestivo 2000 and the Prestivo Sport. There are 35 tyre sizes available in the Prestivo 2000 range and 21 in the Sport range.
Available exclusively to members of Stapleton’s Prestivo Partners scheme, the range is said to have had a warm recept since its introduction last year. Steve Parker, Stapleton’s trading director, says: “Interest in the Prestivo range has exceeded our targets but has not surprised us as we feel the attractive support package has encouraged customers to sign up to the scheme.”
The Prestivo Partners scheme was created to ensure all retailers receive the backing and support they need to maximise sales of Prestivo Tyres. Partners enjoy attractive rebates, branded clothing, in-store support including posters, POS materials and other branded support items.
Toyo has released the latest in a long and distinguished line of performance rubber with the new Proxes 4. Aimed at the tuned car market where optimum performance, particularly in dry conditions is paramount, Proxes 4 is the new reference for sports handling, says Toyo.
The Proxes name is already familiar to performance drivers as Toyo’s ultra-high performance range of tyres. The Proxes range achieved instant cult status following its launch in the mid-90s with its combination of performance and value. Since then, the range has undergone continual improvement, evolving through a series of cutting edge designs into the T1-S, T-1R and the R888, noted for its grip. The Proxes 4 incorporates every lesson learned along the way wrapped in the most attractive tread design to come from the Japanese manufacturer yet.
In early April Derbyshire based OTR Tyres Ltd, one of the UK’s leading earthmover tyre remoulders and suppliers, launched the OTR CushionTyre onto the UK market – a tyre OTR Tyres say will eliminate tyre downtime by combining a pneumatic-like ride with solid tyre durability, and also improve tyre running costs per hour.
Manufactured with two rows of apertures built into the tyre’s sidewall structure, the OTR CushionTyre allows for greater shock absorption while the overall solid weight of the tyre is reduced. The CushionTyre is available in a range of sizes and tread patterns.
(Akron/Tire Review) Itochu Automobile America Inc. and Itochu International Inc. have combined to acquire an interest in Akebono Brake Corp. Akebono said the investment will enhance “resources” and increase Akebono’s distribution. The deal was consummated on Mar. 31.
Under the transaction, the Itochu Group redeemed its 40% interest in Amak Brake LLC, one of Akebono’s North American subsidiaries, and at the same time purchased a 20% stake in Akebono Brake Corp
The transaction followed Itochu’s investment in Akebono Brake Industry Co., a publicly traded company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
The Michelin Man is being featured in a new high profile advertising campaign on the side of trucks within the Great Bear Distribution fleet, which are used to deliver more than three million Michelin tyres across the UK. Promoting the message “Michelin, for performance that lasts,” the brightly coloured graphics show a 6ft high Michelin Man running alongside a car tyre, and links with the return of the Michelin Man in 2007 to television advertising.
The first stage of the campaign sees the graphics fitted to 22 new Mercedes-Benz Atego rigids, plus a further 50 demountable box bodies. Before the end of the year, they will be joined by a further eight new Ategos and 40 demountable box bodies.
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Following the retirement of incumbent sales director John Hardiman in March, North Eastern Tyre & Exhausts Limited have announced the appointment of Ben Darcy as their new sales and marketing director. Ben joined the company after completing university studies seven years ago and will draw on the experience gained during this time to play a key role in the business’s future development and strategic development.
“I am obviously very pleased to have been appointed into the role and will endeavour to ensure that we continue to deliver the best possible levels of customer service,” said Ben. “As a company we have differentiated ourselves from our competitors in the last five years through the pursuit of a strategic development plan that focuses on getting as geographically close to our customers as possible in order to offer ‘industry leading’ delivery standards”.
Dublin-based Brennan’s Bakery is operating a 100 per cent Michelin new and replacement tyre policy across its fleet of commercial vehicles, which are used to deliver fresh bread throughout Ireland. Operating under the famous slogan “today’s bread today”, the Brennan’s Bakery fleet comprises 16 tractor units and trailers, together with two 18 tonne rigids, each fitted with E-segment regional tyres which are managed using Michelin’s Four Lives tyre policy.
Tom Brennan, Distribution Manager at Brennan’s Bakery, explains: “Vehicles in our fleet cover approximately 100,000 km a year, operating primarily during the night to ensure fresh bread is on the shelves of the major retail establishments each morning.
Following the earlier publication of an article featuring details of the recently announced Pirelli/Vacu-Lug cooperation, Tyres & Accessories would like to clarify that Vacu-Lug will be responsible for the production and distribution of Pirelli’s Novateck brand of commercial vehicle retreads and not the sales and marketing of these products.
The original article (first published 14/03/2007) stated: “the agreement is about much more than just retread production. According to managing director, Tim Hercock, Vacu-Lug will also take on sales, marketing and distribution responsibilities.” This was incorrect and the text should have read: “Vacu-Lug will take on production and distribution responsibilities.”
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