US tyre distributor The Tire Rack plans to break ground this week on a 130,000 sq ft expansion to its South Bend, Indiana, headquarters, reports Tire Review. The expansion project will add warehouse and office space to the site, which already measures 532,000 sq ft.
Kumho Tyres has announced in increase in its NVQ training programme. Having started in 2009, the programme has created 22 graduates to date while a further 37 tyre technicians from 31 of the company’s nationwide network of ECSTA Performance Centres (EPCs) are currently progressing through the scheme. New expansion plans will encourage retailers from the wider EPC network to become involved, according to Kumho. The scheme is being run in conjunction with Kumho’s national distributor, Micheldever Tyre Services, while the training is being delivered by ReMIT – the UK’s largest motor industry specialist training provider.
Distri Cash, exclusive distributor of the Westlake tyre brand in France, recently announced plans to more than double the number of retail outlets it operates over the next three years. Laurent Charlé, purchase manager at Distri Cash, explained “we currently have nine shops and we intend to increase this number to 20 to 25 over the next three years.” On the wholesale side of the business, at present Distri Cash services its 6,000 or so customers from eight warehouses, the last of which entered operation last year.
The first Chinese designed and manufactured super wide truck radial to be marketed in the US was launched at the SEMA show in Las Vegas on November 1. The Double Coin FT125 super wide, a low rolling resistance trailer position tyre, will be distributed in the US by the China Manufacturers Association; the distributor reports the FT125 has already attained EPA SmartWay verification.
Interstate Tire & Rubber Co. has announced third quarter results reportedly showing double digit growth “across all markets.” According to the company’s official statement on the matter, the business performed strongly in “Europe, CIS states and Asia.”
Well known suppliers Autogem Motor Concepts and Rema Tip Top are celebrating their wins in last week’s NTDA TAFF awards in the Tyre & Aftermarket Supplier of the Year and Innovation categories respectively.
Hofmann has launched a scrappage allowance promotion, which enables workshops to gain up to £500 for their old wheel aligner, tyre changer or wheel balancer when purchasing a new Hofmann undercar product. The promotion runs until 31 December, and is exclusively available via Unipart Garage Equipment Services, Hofmann’s UK-wide distributor partner.
Following up the May launch of the Singapore tyre brand Radar’s “Mobilizing Hope” breast cancer campaign, its UK distributor joined dealers, president of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Myra Biblowit and top breast cancer research doctors at an exclusive gallery showing of Evelyn Lauder’s photographs. Universal Tyres and Spares director Michael Jackson said: “The event was very enjoyable and it was great for us and the dealers to see how the money raised is being used in research and development, the doctors explained the progress they are making and improving communication and preventing Breast Cancer before it’s too late.“ The event was hosted by Elizabeth Hurley and Larry Gagosian, the gallery owner. Following the activities at the gallery the distributor, dealers and guests attended a dinner at Massimo restaurant where the chef patron Massimo Riccioli had created a fantastic “anti-cancer” menu.
Al Dobowi, one of the leading tyre companies in Dubai, has inaugurated the first Hankook Masters Shop in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Al Dobowi, the official distributor of Hankook tyres in the (UAE) cooperated with Hankook Tires, Dubai in the completion of this project. The first Hankook Masters UAE branch is located within the premises of Grand Service Station, Dubai.
Axle Group Holdings’ Viking Wholesale Tyres and Equipment and fast-fitter National Tyres and Autocare have invested in new Mercedes Sprinter fleets, in an order totalling 60 vans, according to Materials Handling World Magazine. The order of the fuel-efficient Euro 5 Sprinters will be completed by Glasgow’s Western Commercial.
Telford based tyre wholesaler Treadsetters has added a number of sizes to its range of truck tyres as part of the company's continued expansion policy. Eleven new sizes are now available in the following options:
September 2011 saw the launch of six GT Radial branded trailers in partnership with Micheldever Tyre Services, GT Radial’s exclusive UK distributor. The liveried trailers will are in addition to Micheldever’s existing logistic fleet of 52 units, all manufactured by Montracon.
Leicestershire based tool and equipment distributor SIP Industrial Products Limited recently launched its 'Big Winter Sale Event' which incorporates significant discounts on over 400 SIP branded products for many market sectors including the automotive sector.
Sailun has appointed a new marketing and administration controller to its team based at the Sailun European Head Office in Birmingham. According to the company, Isabelle de Grailly brings multi-lingual communication skills and “a wealth of experience and knowledge in the handling and controlling of product logistics.”
Independent tyre dealers network Point S has more than 1,950 locations in 20 countries, and continues to pursue its international development programme with the announcement that it has entered the Turkish market. The Master Franchise agreement between Point S, represented by its managing directors Jürgen Benz and Christophe Rollet, and Senturkler Holding, represented by co-owner and vice-chairman Senturk Mehmet, was signed in June. The first flagship store was officially opened on 21 September in presence of Senturkler and Point S representatives as well as numerous local politicians, journalists and manufacturers.
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