Sailun says the last three years have seen it establish a stronger truck tyre presence in Europe, from what it describes as “a relatively very low” base. The company states that its approach has been through research and development, epitomised by the creation and growth of a 400-strong Technical Quality and Research Centre at its company-owned manufacturing plant in Qingdao.
The Al Dobowi Group has initiated an annual Infinity German Partner Conference, having presented the Infinity Tyres programme and discussed new distribution strategies with a select group of German tyre retailers, distributors and journalists at Aschaffenburg’s Schloss Hotel in Bavaria. Infinity Tyres were introduced to the European market nine years ago, and the brand’s owner and global distributor expects a complete new passenger range for 2014 to bring faster year on year sales growth, especially in technically demanding markets such as Germany.
Pro-Align, UK distributor of the Hunter range, has been awarded ‘Platinum Partner’ status by the wheel servicing equipment manufacturer. This distinction was bestowed at a recent global distributor meeting and given to Pro-Align for its 2012 performance, which saw the UK distributor ranked third place globally, just behind Germany and India.
Delphi Product & Service Solutions is touring the UK with The Parts Alliance, launching an interactive, customer-facing initiative. The brakes supplier’s 12 week tour has been given the punning title ‘Take a Brake’, reflected in the tea/coffee break atmosphere of the tour’s stops, designed to get end-users interacting with representatives of the two companies, who will give their insights into the latest Delphi braking technologies. The tour also has a social media focus, with both companies making extensive use of their Twitter and Facebook pages to publicise the tour and the braking products.
Prema Canada, ULC, one of North America’s largest distributors of tyre and wheel service supplies, has named AME International as its supplier of the year. The award was presented last month during the company’s annual distributor training and vendor trade show in Toronto.
Having introduced a new range of brake discs at the beginning of the year, ACDelco’s UK and European aftermarket operation says the company has been “delighted with the uptake”. Taking in some 1,200 part numbers, the range provides comprehensive coverage of the pan-European vehicle parc and complements the distributor’s existing range of 1,500 brake pads.
Maxxis has announced the planned extension of its 4×4 tyre range in the UK, confirming the full availability of every tyre in it. The company says this move is a result of increasing customer demand from distributor Stapleton’s. The manufacturer is also readying itself to contest the King of the Valleys endurance event in August – its tyres were used by the winner of the inaugural contest in 2012, and Maxxis is confident the fierce competition will be the perfect showcase for its range. Maxxis Marauder, Bravo, Bighorn, Trepador, Mudzilla and Creepy Crawler tyres will now be available to UK dealers through the Stapleton’s distribution network.
Motorists carry their most precious cargo when making the school run, but that’s no guarantee that the vehicles they use will be fit for duty. Time spent by Falken at Moorfield Primary School in Shropshire uncovered a high number of illegal tyres – eight out of the 25 parents’ cars checked were fitted with tyres that didn’t make the grade. The school car park check also identified one tyre with a nail in it and a further two had tyres over ten years old. In the interests of safety, Falken provided vouchers for free tyres and fitting to the first five owners with illegally worn or damaged tyres.
Motor Wheel Service Distribution has welcomed news that the European Parliament (EP) has voted to support the testing of commercial vehicle wheels fitted onto non-standard axles as part of the EU Roadworthiness Package. The measure has also received the endorsement of the Department for Transport (DfT) in MWSD’s home UK market. The company, distributor of Wheels India’s xlite wheel range, has campaigned for many years to achieve greater recognition for the dangers associated with what it believes to be unsuitable wheel safety check requirements. Managing director John Ellis has lobbied for more stringent checks to be carried out on wheels, first to guard the distribution chain against potentially faulty take-off wheels, and latterly to catch signs of premature fatigue and damage for wheels fitted to incompatibly shaped hubs. Ellis presented expert testimony to the EP’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), and this was raised as an amendment by Transport Committee chair and North West MEP, Brian Simpson following the initial report in March. As a result the compatibility of wheels and the hubs on which they are mounted has been included within new TRAN legislation.
India’s PRS Tyres is launching new additions to its industrial and agricultural ranges with two sizes for Bobcat equipment in the 12-16.5 Skid Force and 10.0/75-15.3 Loadstar products. A new 12.5/80-18 bias ply tyre for backhoe loader applications is also being marketed to show visitors.
World Brand Lab has named Linglong in its latest brand valuations ranking – the ‘Top 500 Most Valuable Chinese Brands’. And what’s more they report places Linglong as the highest Chinese tyre brand, with its brand value judged to have increased from 11.652 billion yuan (US$1.86 billion) to 14.372 billion yuan ($2.30 billion) over the past 12 months. This increased the company’s ranking on the ‘Top 500’ list to 127th place.
The Parts Alliance has announced its reappointment as prime supply partner to Micheldever for the next two years. The parts distributor will supply Micheldever’s national network of 61 fast fit centres with a full range of vehicle parts, covering braking, steering and suspension, emissions and general service and repair products. The Alliance estimates the deal is worth over £2 million per year.
Daisy Tires, Zeetex’s Italian distributor cut the ribbon at the launch of the brand’s latest tyre during Autopromotec in May. The new ICE 1000 studless winter passenger car tyre will be available in sizes ranging from 14 to 17 inches and is said to be part of a new generation of products which are set to replace the S-100 line over the next few years. The ICE 2000C is a winter commercial tyre with zigzag sipes. According to the company, the tyre offers “remarkable handling and enhanced stability on slush and snow surfaces”. This tyre is available in 15 and 16 inches with high end load ranges.
Starco reports that it has expanded its South African operation. Starco ZA, created in July 2012 to serve the South Africa market and provide a bridgehead for further expansion on the African continent, was established as a partnership with former local distributor Mac and TireCity, an already well-established firm with three strategically located distribution outlets in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. A fourth Starco ZA distribution outlet, in Port Elizabeth, has now been opened and will support the growing fork lift truck tyre service market.
Interstate has announced that it will launch a new all-terrain tyre for the US market at the Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo – the first A/T American exclusive in the Benelux-based distributor’s range. The Interstate Tracer A/T will be available immediately following its preview at the Interstate dealer meeting just before the Panama expo, which takes place on 24-27 July. The tyre will be available in 10 LT/SUV fitments, with three-ply tread and/or three-ply sidewall construction in select sizes.
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