Chris Kisby joins Hi-Q, the Goodyear Dunlop retail network, from his position as key account director within the company’s consumer business unit, where he has worked for three years. During this time, Mr Kisby focused on key accounts such as Kwik Fit Europe, ATS and Hi-Q Retail.
Pirelli and Metzeler brand tyres have topped Motor Cycle News’ (MCN) “Ultimate Tyre Test.” Broken into 3 distinct categories – Sports, Performance and Extreme – MCN tested the tyres at Michelin’s purpose built tyre testing facility at Clermont-Ferrand, France. In addition to Pirelli and Metzeler, Michelin Pilot Power, Avon Viper Sport, Dunlop D208, Pirelli Diablo and Bridgestone BT014 tyres were examined. In each discipline the tyre testers looked atride quality, feel under braking, feel turning in, cornering grip, steering precision, flickability, drive out of turns, confidence. A maximum of 10 points were available for each test.
Dunlop Motorsport has confirmed that is has signed a deal with EERC (European Endurance Racing Club). The agreement will see the manufacturer act as sole tyre supplier to the Britcar and Production S1 series including the Willhire 5 HR and Silverstone 24 hour events until 2008. In addition the Birmingham based Motorsport operation is committing to support the championship with team incentives and marketing activities. Dunlop is the sole tyre supplier and has been involved with the championship since its inception.
Pietro Saletta (38) has been named as marketing director of Truck Tyres for Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe BV, responsible for the European Union, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He follows Benjamin Willot, who has taken over the position of director of original equipment sales & marketing consumer tyres for the same areas.
If Michelin can continue its recent run of Formula 1 success by winning in Montreal, the French tyre maker could find itself moving up a place in the sport’s list of all-time greats. Goodyear is top of the pile when it comes to F1 tyres suppliers, but this is mainly due to its position as exclusive supplier for many years. Goodyear leads with 368 victories (between 1962 and 1998), while Bridgestone is in second place with 94 victories (1997 to 2004). Dunlop has clocked up 83 successes (1958 to 1970).
Sumitomo Rubber is reportedly planning to build “the world’s largest quality tyre factory” in Thailand, local media sources have reported. The factory will be base in the eastern province of Rayong and will aim to manufacture 7 million Dunlop branded tyres a year with the first tyres rolling off the production line in 2007, according to the reports.
Wiboon Kromdin, president of the Amata City Co Ltd, said that Sumitomo had already signed an agreement to purchase land for the production plant. The move represents the company’s first investment in Thailand. The location is said to have been chosen due to its proximity to Laem Chabang Port, and Thailand’s position at the centre of distribution to the Asian market.
Wide and super wide tyres are developing into the first choice tuning accessories for cars, usually in combination with trendy light alloy wheels. One out of every four people interested in tuning fits their vehicle with alternative wheels, and a majority of these bump up the size of their wheels by one or two inches. Of these there are two kinds of customer – those that upgrade their rims but keep the same tyre size, and those that ‘tune’ their alloys, switching for more modern designs, while replacing tyres like-for-like.
Goodyear Dunlop has reorganised its Off-The-Road department, promoting Mark Turner into the role of key accounts manager for OTR SBU.
Currently farm tyre sales and training specialist, Mr Turner will now focus on key accounts, and the development of farm, industrial, ATV and Terra tyres with dealer customers throughout the UK. In his new role Turner will continue to run the show calendar for Goodyear Dunlop and will maintain his training responsibilities.
When the new Airbus A380 finally took off yesterday it caused quite stir, with media reports beaming the event all over the world. But what you might not have noticed when the world’s largest passenger aircraft made its maiden voyage yesterday it did so on Michelin tyres. The new aeroplane uses 22 wheels and, of course, all of those will require tyres from either Michelin or alternative tyre supplier, Bridgestone. The wheels and brakes were developed by Honeywell and Dunlop Aerospace in a cooperation that saw Honeywell take the lead.
According to Michelin, each the tyres is designed to operate at a lift-off speed of 378 km/h carrying 33 tonnes. The new tyre’s special lightweight construction reduces the A380’s total weight by 360 kilograms, compared with conventional tyres.
Dunlop is launching a search for Britain’s Ultimate Biker; a top motorcyclist capable of mastering a range of disciplines, displaying peak physical endurance and psychological readiness.
Dr. Rainer Schieben (42), managing director of Goodyear GmbH & Co. KG, the German distribution leg of the tyre manufacturer, has left the company “by his own decision,” writes Goodyear Germany in a press release.
During the 10 years Dr. Schieben worked for the Goodyear-Dunlop group, he has held several executive positions. He took up the position of managing director as of June 2001. Gerd Grünenwald, chairman of the managing board of Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany GmbH, and Dr. Schieben’s superior, praised the former managing director as somebody who has delivered “a positive contribution” to the success of the organisation.
A successor will be proclaimed soon, according to Goodyear’s press release.
(Akron/Tire Review) The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co announced that it has closed $3.65 billion in new credit facilities, including a $1.5 billion asset-based revolving credit facility due in 2010.
Other credit facilities include a $1.2 billion second-lien term loan due in 2010 and a $300 million third-lien secured term loan facility due in 2011.
Goodyear Dunlop has appointed Dominque Golsong as its European legal chief, reports Lawyer News.
Mr Golsong, the former associate general counsel of Dow Corning Corporation, the silicones and silicones-based products, technologies and services company, joined the manufacturer last month in his new position.
Replacing Philip Regnault, who retired after three years with Goodyear Dunlop he will be responsible for the company’s EU strategic business unit as well as the Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa strategic business unit.
Prior to Dow Corning, Mr Golsong was a corporate lawyer in Linklaters’ Brussels office, after which he joined New York-based firm Sullivan & Cromwell.
Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK has appointed Jason Tyers as regional sales manager for the North, as part of the overall restructuring of its commercial department. The appointment follows the recent introduction of Clive Powell as director of Goodyear Dunlop’s Commercial Department.
The Dunlop Race Academy is back and will again offer driving enthusiasts the chance to race at Silverstone in a televised championship race.
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