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Ireland’s Tyre Industry Marks Passing of Tom Tierney

It is with deep regret that Irish based tyre distributor Again & Again has announced the death of Founder Director Tom Tierney. Tom, 72, formed Again & Again over 25 years ago with his son John, and from very modest premises in Cavan led the business through a steady growth pattern to its present position as one of Ireland’s leading independent tyre distributors. Today Again & Again offers a professional service in both multi- A brands and other quality PCR tyres, along with Aris tubes, to the Irish market.

11th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Warms Up the Colder Months

For the upcoming cold months Maxxis rolls out a number of solutions to the hazards of winter driving, all of which feature the Maxxis soft tread winter compound and a design that facilitates water dispersal and snow and slush removal.

Passenger cars can benefit from the MA-W1 Wintermaxx, a high performance tyre Maxxis states offers a quiet ride combined with traction that comes into its own in snowy weather. The tread is a zigzag pattern unidirectional design with multiple grooves for effective water drainage and snow removal. The footprint on the MA-W1 has been optimised for secure handling and braking on wet, icy or snow covered roads. The MA-W1 is available in a wide range of size configurations from 13-inches up to a V rated 17-inch variation.

7th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Obituary – Tony Ryan

We were saddened to learn of the death of Tony Ryan, who was Managing Director of Apaseal before retiring due to ill health in 2000.

Tony Ryan – a Chartered Account – joined Apaseal from Wilkinson Sword in 1972 and handled the difficult financial environment of the 70s, enabling Apaseal to remain a key player in the tyre maintenance market. On his appointment in 1983 to managing director he,alongside a dedicated group of management, set about the task to enhance the company’s main objective to provide a complete service for the tyre distributor with the strategy “everything to do with the wheel other than the tyre and rim.”

6th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Nexen “Providing Safety, Stable Driving All Around Europe”

Nexen Tyre, a company at the forefront of the Korean winter tyre market, believes that it has the overseas reputation not only for the company’s popular non-winter tyres, but also for its winter tyres.

The Korean company is attempting to penetrate Europe’s winter tyre market with its Euro-Win, Winguard, Winguard-SUV and Winguard 231 lines. The firm is also announcing for this season its brand new ultra-high performance winter tyre called the Winguard Sport, which, the company claims, “is ready to be the first runner of the premium UHP winter tyre both in the domestic and overseas tyre markets.”

4th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Delticom H1 Revenues Continue Growth

Internet tyre retailer Delticom has released news that, in spite of the general market slowdown, Europe’s number one e-tailer continues its impressive record of growing revenues. The first six months of fiscal year 2008 have seen the company storm to 121.5 million euros, preliminary figures reveal, showing a proportional increase of 19.1 per cent on last year’s H1. The news displays an impressive Q2 for Delticom, having returned a 9.4 per cent rise in Q1.

Even the chilly early-spring’s assault on the summer tyre market hasn’t been able to dent Delticom’s progress because the May heat in Western Europe and sales in other regions continued to lift figures, thanks to the international nature of Delticom’s e-commerce. In fact, sales in other regions accounted for 65 per cent of H1 revenues, allowing the company headroom in markets where units could not be shifted as quickly.

31st July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Outsourcing to ContiNetwork Brings Transporter Significant Savings

Purfleet, Essex-based logistics company, FP Young Transport Limited has been experiencing significant savings and greater ease of use following the company’s decision to outsource the management of its fleet’s tyres to ContiNetwork partner TAB Tyres.

Since handing over its tyre administration to TAB, FP Young’s progressive shift to Continental’s rubbers is resulting in longer tyre life, resulting in fewer tyres being fitted and vehicle downtime being reduced. The structured tyre management process based on the five-stage ContiLifeCycle is ensuring that optimum life is obtained from every tyre through specifying the correct tyre from the outset and then re-grooving and re-treading when the time comes.

31st July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

India’s MMTC Closer to Chinese Tyre Imports

India’s state run MMTC trading company appears to be progressing with its plan to import and market Chinese commercial vehicle tyres in India. According to reports, the company has already identified a US-based tyre manufacturer with a production site in China as the possible source of tyre imports on an ongoing basis. The initial volume order is anticipated to be placed in September or October.

The US based company has not been specifically named, however sources say the firm first entered China in 2006 and recently acquired a production facility there. The company was incorporated in 2005 through a series of mergers and also has production bases in Europe and North America.

29th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Westlake Ups Winter Size Range

After making its debut on the international winter tyre market in 2007, the Westlake brand, manufactured by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company, is offering eleven size options ranging from 13 inches to 16 inches, incorporating an imposing and rugged symmetrical tread pattern to combat all winter road condition right across Europe.

The Westlake line is manufactured at one of the largest tyre production plants in China, while the products are distributed throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe by London-based Eskay Tyres. The general manager of Eskay, Rob Henderson states that, “With the Westlake brand already well-established as a quality brand in both PCR and Truck budget sectors of the market, we have every confidence that our new winter tyre range will be well-received and have an instant impact in the market. They will offer the same exceptional value for money as all other Westlake products and the range will be further enhanced with new sizes and patterns in due course”.

29th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone to Supply Potenza OE for Cadillac STS

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) has announced the OE supply of its Potenza RE050A tyres for the 2009 Cadillac STS touring saloon, Bridgestone’s first fitment deal for this vehicle. The tyres in size 255/45R18 99Y will be available for both V6 and V8 versions of the STS, and the car becomes the third Cadillac, after the DTS and Escalade, to be fitted with Bridgestone tyres as original equipment. BFNT has not confirmed whether versions of the STS sold in the UK and Europe will be similarly equipped.

“Cadillac says of its luxury touring sedan, ‘it’s all about driving confidence on the road,’ and the same is true of Bridgestone-brand Potenza tyres,” said Michael Martini, President, Consumer OE Tire Sales, BFNT. “The Potenza RE050A is loaded with race-inspired technologies and is built for the pleasure of driving. Like the STS, our tyre blends performance, style and comfort in perfect harmony.”

28th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Search on for Pirelli ‘Star Driver’

Since its launch earlier this year, the Pirelli Star Driver scheme has attracted significant interest, with competitors from around the world seeking to win a drive in a series of six FIA World Rally Championship events. The Pirelli Star Driver scheme is a worldwide search for five young rally drivers from each of the 2008 and 2009 FIA Regional Championships. The successful drivers from each year will then contest a series of six World Championship rallies the following season, driving identical Group N or Super 2000 cars supplied and serviced under an FIA contract with a specialist preparation company. With the intention being to invest in the growth of the sport worldwide and, in particular, help younger competitors reach World Championship level, competitors must be under the age of 27 on 1st January in the year of the Regional Championship.

25th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Infinity Offers New Sizes for Winter 2008

The private label of the Dubai-based Al Dobowi Group, Infinity continues to gain ground in international brand recognition. The label endeavours to offer a competitively priced tyre range throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe, including a growing winter tyre segment. This year, the brand is consolidating its range by bringing in a series of new sizes for the INF-049 winter tyre and introducing the INF-059 – a winter tyre made especially for vans.

The Infinity winter tyre range is manufactured in China and was introduced in 2006. During 2007 the Infinity INF-049 winter range offered fifteen sizes in both T and H ratings, along with a distinctive asymmetric tread pattern, a proven winter rubber compound and benefits including improved braking performance, extensive tread wear resistance, low noise ride comfort, plus a reinforced bead that ensures comprehensive safe handling on all types of winter road surfaces. Now, in 2008, more PCR sizes have been added, in addition to the first 5 sizes in the new INF-059 Winter van range, which will comprehensively cover 80, 70 and 65 profile tyres.

25th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Feel the Force with Maywood

The Maywood Equipment Group has announced the introduction of a brand new 2 post lift into the UK market. The Force 30 is an electro-hydraulic lift with a base frame. This three tonne capacity lift is manufactured in Europe and available exclusively through Maywood.

“One of the great benefits at Maywood is that we can search Europe for the best possible products,” comments Maywood managing director Trevor Homewood. “We already have the Force 36 and the Force 60 in our range, which have proved highly safe and reliable. We like to buy in Europe as we can be much more certain of continual quality. The Force 30 is exclusive to us and we believe that this lift will become one of our top selling models.”

23rd July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Chris Kisby Wins Bid for 3 Regional HiQ Tyre Retail Franchises

Former HiQ Retail Director, Chris Kisby, has successfully bid for the South Midlands, East Midlands and West Midlands zones of the HiQ Franchise Programme. Kisby, who has 30 years experience in the tyre industry, leads an investment group who have been named as the preferred bidder for the region. He will step down from his current role of Goodyear Dunlop UK Director, Consumer Tyres with immediate effect to avoid any conflict of interest.

The announcement follows the news that a management buyout led by HiQ MD Neil Burrows and three other managers was not successful in its bid for a national retail franchise. According to a Goodyear representative, Kisby’s investment group operates independently of the quartet that proposed the management buyout. Prior to becoming Director Consumer Tyres, Chris Kisby held a number of key positions within the Goodyear group including UK Sales and Marketing Director, European Brand Director and Managing Director for Russia, Belarus and Central Asia, as well as leading the HiQ Retail network.

23rd July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Schaeffler Offers Continental Olive Branch

As temperatures in the largest takeover in Europe this year rise, Schaeffer Group has welcomed comments from Continental AG’s works committee. Writing to Schaeffler Group owner, Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler, the committee said staff did not like the methods used by Schaeffler to gain a strategic stake in their company: “We have the impression that an investor has slipped in the back door to make a hostile takeover and dismantle the Continental group.”

Schaeffler offered an olive branch inviting the representatives to enter talks in return following earlier withering remarks about the ball-bearing maker’s trustworthiness from Conti supervisory board member, Thorsten Reese. “We simply have no trust [in them],” Reese, who speaks for the company’s middle managers told the DPA agency, adding: “They can promise us heaven and earth.”

“We stand by our commitments,” Schaeffler responded in a statement. “Continental should remain as a whole, including…the tyre business, as an independent, listed company with headquarters in Hanover,” said Dr. Juergen M. Geißinger, CEO of the Schaeffler Group. Schaeffler’s statement comes 12 hours before supervisory board members will meet in Hannover.

22nd July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Win Online with Yokohama

Yokohama HPT says it is ‘win-time’, with the UK distributor for the Japanese performance tyre brand holding a series of competitions through its yokohama.co.uk website. Winners will have the chance to visit the UK round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, a series for which Yokohama supplies its flagship Advan products as control tyre. Furthermore, contestants visiting the site can pit their skills against ‘drivers’ from across Europe to win a Speed Racer Go!!! slot car racing set and a set of Yokohama tyres.

The 2008 racing season is the third of four in which the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) runs on Yokohama control tyres, and Yokohama comment that the ADVAN A005 and A006 dry slick and wet-weather tyres have drawn critical acclaim from the drivers and teams alike, praised for their grip, performance and consistency in the widely varying conditions that make up the championship.

21st July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors