Dunlop Archives - Page 63 of 112 - Tyrepress

Posts

Tax at Ruia Group Tyre Companies under Investigation

An article published by the Indian business daily Mint indicates that three tyre companies owned by Ruia Group chairman Pawan Kumar Ruia are being investigated for tax incongruities. The probe is focusing upon the presence of “hawala” activities, a name given to the transfer of money in order to avoid taxes without a corresponding physical or electronic transfer of funds. The companies under investigation are Dunlop India Ltd, Falcon Tyres Ltd and Monotona Tyres Ltd.

2nd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

HiQ On-Track for 175 Branches in 2009

Tyre manufacturers, especially those with large OE commitments, have really felt the pain of recession with most announcing double-digit falls in year-on-year sales for the first quarter of this year. However, the continued development of the revamped HiQ chain exemplifies how the downturn hasn’t been all bad for the wider tyre industry. In fact, in the retail business there are even examples of the ‘down’ market actually helping companies grow. Tyres & Accessories recently met with HiQ retail director Juergen Titz and found out how the network’s expansion plans are progressing.

There are currently 140 HiQ centres across England and Wales, however the plan according to Juergen Titz is to establish 175 by the end of 2009 – and another 100 by 2012. When you consider that HiQ franchised off the 106 formerly Goodyear Dunlop owned sites only last year, clear progress is being made towards the HiQ rapid expansion goals. Despite the fact that Goodyear Dunlop’s decision to run the network as a hard franchise operation represents a significant change in direction for the company, there is real sense of optimism (amongst both managers and franchisees) about the company’s future.

29th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop Partners Bandvulc Group for Logistic Service

Goodyear Dunlop is to distribute new Goodyear Max Technology and Dunlop tyres through Bandvulc Group in a move designed to increase efficient and improve delivery service to UK truck tyre dealers. According to the tyre manufacturer, the agreement means that Bandvulc Group, which specializes in truck tyre service solutions, will now be able to supply Goodyear and Dunlop truck tyres to independent dealers across the UK.

The partnership is intended to complement Goodyear Dunlop’s existing direct delivery logistics system, which is designed to supply large tyre dealers and the growing network of TruckForce partners across the UK by shipping volume orders of tyres directly from plants (such as Wittlich in Germany, Luxembourg and Wolverhampton) to customers.

29th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Nigeria Receives First Shipment of Dunlop Imports

DN Tyre & Rubber Plc, formerly known as Dunlop Nigeria Plc, has taken delivery of the first consignment of tyres imported from South Africa. The company’s external communications manager Olusola Adebanjo said in a press statement that dealers in various regions have been “delighted” to receive the imported Dunlop brand tyres and that their delivery will end the tyre scarcity in the Nigerian market that followed the recent ending of local production.

“Our accredited dealers, who are placing orders will therefore be stocked with this product so as to satisfy the needs of premium vehicle owners who appreciate the superior quality of the brand,” said Adebanjo.

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Seeks Passionate Performance Drivers

Dunlop is calling for passionate performance car drivers to take part in a national tyre test to discover what difference the choice of tyre makes to their car. The company will provide tyres and tuition from a top Hi-Q British Touring Car Championship driver to transform the driving experience of 6 drivers from across the UK. The test, which will run throughout the summer will be launched at the Goodwood Festival of Speed where drivers will be able to put themselves forward to take part.

James Bailey, Dunlop’s communications manager said: “We want drivers to understand what difference the tyres make to their car. Dunlop incorporate design elements from race tyre technology in our road tyres to improve the connection and feedback between driver, car and road. More drivers have won demanding races such as the Le Mans 24 hours and British Touring Car championship on Dunlop than any other tyre make, and we want to show drivers how this experience translates into ultimate road tyre performance.”

21st May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Protyre Creates 21 Dedicated Bike Tyre Centres

Protyre has invested in establishing 21 dedicated Two-Wheel Centres in the UK. The new centres are designed to offer a “ride in and ride out service” and to further underline the company’s commitment to this important market, Protyre has created a motorcycle tyre website www.rubberupright.com.

The new website is now live and will be progressively developed to provide in-depth sales information and advice and safety tips for bike riders. To mark the launch, Protyre is teaming up with Bridgestone to offer a £10 discount on the purchase of two Bridgestone tyres or free fitting as an alternative – a voucher can be downloaded from the website up to the end of June and it is valid to the end of June 2009. As an added incentive to visit the new website the company has created a 2-Wheel Challenge with 20 bike related questions.

21st May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Aircraft Appoints China Plant Head

Dunlop Taikoo (Jinjiang) Aircraft Tyres Company has appointed KK Chan as general manager of its new aircraft retreading and new tyre distribution facility in China. The company is a joint venture with Birmingham-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, HAECO (Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company) and TAECO (Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Company). Based in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, the company’s new facility is already distributing new tyres throughout the Asia Pacific region and is reportedly going through the approvals process to start retreading.

19th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Adds New Sizes to Roadsmart Bike Tyre Range

Dunlop Motorcycle in the UK has announced that it has extended its popular Roadsmart tyre range. Created to meet the needs of all-weather, year-round riders on sports-touring, naked street bikes and supersport machines, the Roadsmart range has been extended to provide tyres for the increasingly popular large capacity trail bikes used for road riding. The tyre is now available in sizes 110/80 R19 (59V) and 150/70 R17 (69V) to be fitted on popular trail bikes for road use.

Lisa Faulkner, motorcycle manager, UK and Ireland stated, “We’re very happy to be able to bring the Roadsmart range to even more riders. Large capacity trail bikes have become an increasingly popular choice for road use, Roadsmart is one of the best all round tyres and it was only natural that we would develop a tyre for these bikes.”

11th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop to Consult Over ‘Defined Contribution’ Pension Scheme

Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Limited is to consult with pension trustees, trade unions and employee representatives over the introduction of a new Defined Contribution (DC) Pension scheme. According to a company statement, the proposed scheme would replace both the company’s ‘Hybrid Scheme’ (combined Defined Benefit final salary and Defined Contribution) and ‘New Hire’ DC scheme. Approximately 850 employees are in the Hybrid scheme and 70 in the ‘New Hire’ scheme.

The consultation will be on the proposed replacement of the current schemes with a new enhanced defined contribution programme. Those who are currently paying into the Defined Benefit (DB) scheme will have their accrued benefits deferred, and the company are proposing the introduction of a new DC scheme for future service to add to the members’ existing benefits.

11th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

VTS Witnessing a Renaissance in British Made Tyre Sales

In these uncertain times when every news bulletin reminds us of the financial difficulty the country is in, it is rare to hear a positive story about British manufacturing.

7th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Imported Tyres Replace Local Production at Dunlop Nigeria

In late April Dunlop Nigeria’s long awaited end of local production was realised. Less than four years after the decision was taken to invest an estimated 6.5 billion naira (£29.4 million) on radialising plant technology with a view to further boosting commercial vehicle tyre output, domestic production has been replaced by tyres imported from South Africa.

The Dunlop Nigeria plant held a capacity to turn out 300,000 heavy-duty tyres per annum and manufactured products such as the Supersteel 315/80, which was launched in May 2006. Its demise so soon after upgrading is being blamed upon a combination of the faltering domestic economy and an influx of cheaper foreign produced tyres. The unreliability of power supplies in Nigeria is also said to have pulled the plug on the manufacturer’s competitiveness, and the company’s hope of a reliable source of affordable carbon black from local refineries was never realised.

6th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Briton Achieves First 125cc MotoGP Win on Dunlop Tyres

In his 50th Grand Prix, Bradley Smith shot to his first ever victory by a 13-second margin at the Gran Premio bwin.com de España on the 3rd May. This is the first time Britain has provided a winner in the category since Chas Mortimer won in Spain in 1973.

36 years down the line, Smith brought a win home for the UK, racing on his Birmingham-manufactured Dunlop tyres. Smith got away brilliantly, taking the holeshot and immediately building up a good lead at the front. By the midway point in the race the 18 year-old from Oxford had gained an 18 second advantage, riding a lonely race and eventually crossing the line 13 seconds ahead of the chasing pack for his maiden GP triumph.

Dunlop, which designs, develops and produces all of its racing tyres at its Fort Dunlop plant, was pleased with the victory: “It was great to see a British rider on British tyres win this race, especially as it is the first time a UK rider has seen a win in 36 years. Congratulations to Bradley Smith for winning with such finesse and passing the chequered flag 13 seconds ahead of the competition. When the Brit’s do it, they do it well!” said Pat Walsh, sales manager Motorcycle Race for Dunlop.

6th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop India Ready to be ‘Plugged In’ at Sahaganj

Provided the supply of electricity is restored, Dunlop India will most likely recommence the manufacture of tyres at its Sahaganj facility during May. The supply was cut following the suspension of production last November; the Press Trust of India quotes company chairman P K Ruia as recently saying “the Sahaganj plant is waiting for electricity connection to restart production.”

The facility partially re-opened on March 6, with 200 of the plant’s 1147 employees returning to carry out maintenance work.

30th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Ruia Pledges Dunlop India Stake to Refinance Loan

It has been revealed that the Ruia Group has pledged 51 per cent of its 74.5 per cent shareholding in Dunlop India with a private bank in order to raise Rs 6 billion (US$125 million) to refinance a hedge fund debt. Although this deal was arranged with the Singapore branch of ICICI bank in October 2008, details of the transaction were only made public in April 2009.

27th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop Overhauls Charity Target Early

Goodyear Dunlop has celebrated surpassing its charity fundraising target, having raised £52,000 to build a new playground at Birmingham Children’s Hospital eight months ahead of schedule. The money has been raised through employee fund raising, company match funding and public events. Birmingham Children’s Hospital corporate fundraising manager, Fidelis Hynam said, “We have been exceptionally impressed by the fund raising efforts and commitment of Goodyear Dunlop and its employees and it is no surprise they have smashed their target so early.

“For the CAMHS patients and their families this dedicated outdoor space is a dream come true. With the average stay of a CAMHS patient being six months it is very important to have their own space where they can let off steam and importantly have fun. We cannot thank Goodyear Dunlop enough.”

23rd April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors