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Former Caribbean Tyre Workers Protest

Former workers of defunct tyre company Dunlop have protested for the payment of outstanding severance packages. The workers were laid off in 1995 by then owner of the company, Caribbean Tyre Factory. To date, the workers have only received 70 per cent of their severance.

Earlier this year, the Industrial Court ordered the US-based Carlisle Tire and Rubber Company, which took over operations from the Caribbean Tyre Company, to pay more than $10.6 million in outstanding benefits with a February 23 deadline.

However, Carl Kelly, a former manager at the tyre company, said that Carlise Tyre and Rubber Company claimed that local insurance company CLICO was still responsible for the payment of the workers. They are now threatening legal action against CLICO.

More than 240 people are reportedly affected by the dispute.

8th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Micheldever: Focused on Independent Tyre Retailers

Despite broadsheet gossip that Micheldever was bidding to buy National Tyres at the end of the second quarter, Micheldever executives remain clear that their focus is on selling to independent dealers and that any such speculation was completely unfounded. Instead they would much rather that attention fell on pioneering developments such as the release of the first all-terrain 4×4 tyre in the world capable of H-rated performance with an 18-inch diameter – 255/60hr18 General Grabber AT2.

Micheldever Tyre Services’ core strategy remains the same as ever, according to wholesaler director, Alan Baldwin. And the company continues in it clear mandate to provide “the widest possible range of products at the most competitive prices to the independent tyre retailer.” Further significant investment has been made by the company in additional warehouse capacity and delivery vehicles, says Baldwin, explaining that the company runs eight strategically positioned warehouses that hold the largest multi-brand tyre stocks in the UK.

5th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop India Confirms Aero Tyre Plans

Dunlop India has reiterated its intention to re-enter the aero tyre market. In July the company’s vice-president Dhrubojyoti Nandi reported Dunlop India was “focused to take advantage” of the country’s aviation boom, and in recent months it appears that the company’s factory in Sahaganj, in the state of West Bengal, has been earmarked for this purpose.

“We hope that it will start production in another two months,” chairman Pawan Kumar Ruia told The Times of India. The newspaper printed reports that the company aims to achieve an output of 90 tonnes per day at the Sahaganj facility by the end of October and 130 tonnes by the end of March 2008, the close of India’s current fiscal year.

Further comment was also made on the group’s intention to gear up for OTR tyre production through its Falcon Tyres operation. These products, if and when they are produced, will be marketed under the Dunlop brand, not under the Falcon Tyres label as previously reported. The latter brand name will continue to see use exclusively on tyres for two and three wheeled vehicles.

4th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Removing the Strain

Not all industry training takes the form of a structured learning module, delivered in a location removed from the regular working environment. The experiences of Goodyear highlight that training can be akin to a component in a machine, one part amongst many but essential for its proper functioning.

Towards the end of 2004 a number of senior executives at Goodyear examined data on workplace injuries at the company’s facilities. What surprised them was not the occurrence of injuries commonly associated with a factory environment, such as cuts, grazes and the occasional more serious mishap – it was the prevalence of strains, sprains and other preventable injuries. As a company that has long made efforts to minimise workplace hazards, Goodyear decided the figures indicated room for improvement.

3rd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Vintage Tyre Supplies – Supplying Vintage Tyres

The name says it all – just like that well known brand of paint they do “just what it says on the tin” Vintage tyre Supplies distributes one of the largest ranges of original equipment classic and vintage car and motorcycle tyres in the world. Pneumatic tyres have been with us now for almost 120 years and with our insatiable appetite for collecting old things the need for good quality authentic tyres is as strong as ever. Many readers will find it incredible to discover that it’s still possible to get a tyre for a vehicle manufactured when Queen Victoria was on the Throne! Even harder to believe is that it’s a British company that manufacturers them.

When Vintage Tyres was originally set up to fulfil the needs of the motoring enthusiasts, the founders could not have imagined that after almost 50 years the company would become one of the largest specialist distributors in the world. VTS still works closely with Dunlop but now also offers Avon, Michelin, Firestone, Vredestein and more recently their own brand Waymaster, together with a whole host of other smaller specialist brands. VTS have also been active in the re-development of many discontinued tyre sizes, such as the Dunlop Aquajet, the Michelin X and more recently the Avon Traction mileage. Managing Director Chris Marchant is also mindful of the need to also offer more competitively priced products, a gap that is filled with the company’s own Waymaster brand.

2nd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

R H Claydon Ltd: Tyres and Tubes for Today’s Market

Through almost 60 years of trading, the company, a major player in the UK Tyre Wholesale sector, has experienced many changes in this ever-evolving industry, from the early days of crossply tyres, to the now, commonplace radial tyre. Coupled with this the extensive development of the varying aspect ratios now required to meet the many needs and applications of not only road transport, but for all pneumatic tyre equipped vehicles, such as agricultural, industrial, construction, earthmover, open space management, plant & machinery and much more.

In meeting the present day requirements R H Claydon offers tyres for all these requirements and being solely a wholesaler, with no retail outlets, there is no conflict with its customer base. The exclusive brand, BKT, manufactured in India, forms the greater part of this supply for all products outside Car, Van, 4X4 & Truck, The range could be stated as meeting all needs pneumatic, indeed this is signified in BKT’s own advertising strapline “Off-Highway Tyre Solutions”. In this year, there have been many additions to the BKT Range including, 70/65/90&95 Agrimax Radial Tractor, Tele Handler sizes in 460/70R24 (17.5R24) and 19.5R24. BKT Armaturf KV Tyres for the professional ride-on mower, now offer an estimated 90 per cent protection from punctures. The year has also seen the growth in earthmover units; in this sector sizes such as 1800-25 40pr & 1800-33 40pr Rock Grip E4, both sizes also produced for Port & Terminal operations. The BKT range fully justifies Claydon’s own slogan “All- Season All- Reason Agricultural & Industrial Tyres”.

2nd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Announces latest Addition to Sportmax Range

Prominent motorcycle tyre manufacturer Dunlop has launched the Sportmax Roadsmart, designed for sport touring motorcycles. This is a tyre that Dunlop is confident delivers outstanding performance on wet roads and matchless all around sport touring performance, qualities that are the fruit of more than two years global research effort.

The new tyre, which is reported to out-perform its predecessor, the Sportmax D220ST, in all areas, shows strong performance improvement on wet surfaces. This result was obtained whilst improving the conflicting demand of mileage performance, which was already recognised as one of the major strengths of the Sportmax D220ST.

“These improvements result from the combination of our latest Dunlop Sportmax hypersport tyres’ attributes with new compounding and construction technologies for an optimised performance in all riding, road and weather conditions,” said Sanjay Khanna, managing director Dunlop Motorcycle.

2nd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Grabs Tyrexpo Gold

ECI International has directed kudos in the direction of Apollo Tyres for its stand at the recent Tyrexpo Asia 2007, awarding the Indian tyre major its ‘Gold Award’ for ‘Most Innovative Stand Design.’

The company’s spectacular stand at the Singapore exhibition was constructed in a fresh looking glass and steel style and showcased the company’s product range spanning the three brands of Apollo, Dunlop and Regal. High-speed passenger radial and 4×4 range, commercial super singles, radials and cross-ply and pre-cured tread rubber panels were prominently displayed.

Those in Europe wishing to see Apollo Tyres displaying its wares first hand will have the opportunity to do so next year, as the company has confirmed its participation in the 2008 Reifen Essen show.

28th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Top Online Brand – 2007

Online Brand Equity

Michelin and Bridgestone are the dominant online tyre brands, according to the latest research. The report, exclusively published in Tyres & Accessories for the last three years, was conducted by Cambridge-based online brand monitoring specialists, Envisional and found that Pirelli was the biggest faller in its unique online brand ranking exercise.

The analysis shows that the Michelin brand, as observed in previous years, continues to stand well clear of its rivals. Envisional found that this brand achieves the greatest degree of “online prominence” by a significant margin, though this lead has narrowed again since 2006. The top six most prominent brands are the same as those observed in 2005 and 2006 and there is still a sharp drop between the six leaders and the chasing pack.

19th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyres and Tubes for Today’s Market

Through almost 60 years of trading, the company, a major player in the UK Tyre Wholesale sector, has experienced many changes in this ever-evolving industry, from the early days of crossply tyres, to the now, commonplace radial tyre. Coupled with this the extensive development of the varying aspect ratios now required to meet the many needs and applications of not only road transport, but for all pneumatic tyre equipped vehicles, such as agricultural, industrial, construction, earthmover, open space management, plant & machinery and much more. In meeting the present day requirements R H Claydon offers tyres for all these requirements and being solely a wholesaler, with no retail outlets, there is no conflict with its customer base.

The exclusive brand, BKT, manufactured in India, forms the greater part of this supply for all products outside Car, Van, 4X4 & Truck, The range could be stated as meeting all needs pneumatic, indeed this is signified in BKT’s own advertising strapline “Off-Highway Tyre Solutions”. In this year, there have been many additions to the BKT Range including, 70/65/90&95 Agrimax Radial Tractor, Tele Handler sizes in 460/70R24 (17.5R24) and 19.5R24. BKT Armaturf KV Tyres for the professional ride-on mower, now offer an estimated 90 per cent protection from punctures. The year has also seen the growth in earthmover units; in this sector sizes such as 1800-25 40pr & 1800-33 40pr Rock Grip E4, both sizes also produced for Port & Terminal operations. The BKT range fully justifies Claydon’s own slogan “All- Season All- Reason Agricultural & Industrial Tyres”.

14th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Showcases Concept Tyres Tyrexpo Asia ‘07

Apollo tyres has enlisted the services of automobile designer Tom Tjaarda in the development of its latest product, the Apollo Apsire TT. According to the company the result, currently on show on Apollo’s spacious Tyrexpo Asia show stand, is a “concept tyre combining the inherent strengths of performance and safety.” The tyre features a bidirectional asymmetric tread pattern, created for greater grip, manoeuvring and comfort.

Says Tjaarda, creator of design classics like the De Tomaso Pantera, Fiat 124 Spyder and over 70 other models, “When Apollo Tyres asked me to design a tyre, many ideas rushed through my head and I knew it was not going to be easy. But now that I look at Apollo Aspire TT, I can see a high performance tyre which evokes confidence and trust.”

12th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New MD for African Apollo Group Company

Apollo Tyres Group member Dunlop Zimbabwe Ltd. has announced the appointment of a new substantive managing director. CEO Dr Luis Ceneviz reports that Mr. Kennedy Mandevani stepped into this role as of July 16, replacing Eugene Turina, who resigned in April in order to pursue other business interests.

“Dunlop Zimbabwe Limited, the country’s sole tyre manufacturing company, and a member of the Apollo Group of Companies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kennedy Mandevani as its managing director with effect from 16 July 2007,” said Dr Cenevis. “Mr Mandevani brings to Dunlop invaluable experience at executive level acquired in Zimbabwe and in the region in a career spanning over 20 years.”

10th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BBC Top Gear Presenters Race on Dunlop Tyres

The BBC Top Gear team of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will make their endurance racing debut this weekend at Silverstone in the annual Britcar 24 Hour race. The team will be joined in their BMW 330Dti race car by the mysterious ‘Stig’ and will be tackling Britain’s biggest race event on Dunlop race tyres, reportedly made at Fort Dunlop in Birmingham. Their attempt at the race, which features a vast array of sportscars from Porsche GT3s, Ferraris and Aston Martins to BMW M3s and Honda Civic Type-Rs, will be the feature of a forthcoming BBC Two programme.

Dunlop are delighted that the team are tackling their first endurance race on their race tyres, according to spokesman James Bailey: “Dunlop has won more Le Mans 24 Hour races than any other tyre manufacturer and are dominating many saloon and sportscar racing championships around the world. No-one knows much about The Stig, but we do now know that when it comes to gripping performance, he chooses Dunlop.”

7th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Fickle Power Supply, Importers Blamed for Dunlop Nigeria’s Woes

The Chairman of Dunlop Nigeria Jabez Lawuyi chose the company’s September 4 Annual General Meeting as the occasion to announce that the country’s chronically unreliable energy supply has reduced the tyremaker’s production and sales capacity by 20 per cent during the first half of 2007.

Nigeria’s unreliable electricity supply prompted Dunlop Nigeria to set up the means to operate using natural gas power several years ago. However, Mr. Lawuyi reported that this alternate source of power has proven to be no more reliable. “The supply of electricity has remained epileptic while that of gas has deteriorated significantly that together has led to a 20 per cent loss in the volume of production and sales of tyres in the first half of the year,” Lawuyi said.

Mr. Lawuyi also used the AGM as a platform to hit out at tyre importers, whom he accused of manipulating import tariffs in order to flood the local market with “substandard and under-priced tyres,” a practice he believes contributed to the closure of Michelin’s Nigerian operations in January. It was also his duty to inform shareholders than the company has achieved an annual turnover of N5 billion (£20 million) and a pre-tax loss of N370 million (£1.5 million).

6th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Extra Light Wheel From Carlsson

Career Tracks, Product News

Carlsson wheels have always had a good reputation in the Mercedes tuning sector and the company’s latest product – the 1/11 Evo Brilliant Edition (BE) looks set to enhance this even further. Based on the successful 1/11 BE wheel, the new 22″ wheel has been developed for use on Mercedes ML, R and G class vehicles.

As well as visual impact, the 1/11 Evo BE offers greater ride comfort and considerable weight saving, says Carlsson. The distribution of the 11 spokes means that the forces acting on the wheel are transferred to the centre of the wheel, thus making thick walls unnecessary and saving weight. Grooves in the spokes save even more weight, with the result that the 1/11 Evo BE weighs 20.3 kg – over 3 kg lighter than comparable, one-piece cast aluminium wheels, with no reduction in strength.

30th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors