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Lanxess to Increase R&D by 10%

Specialty chemicals manufacturer Lanxess AG has announced plans to increase its research and development budget. Speaking at the company’s Innovation Day on June 5, Board of Management member Werner Breuers stated “innovation is an essential prerequisite if the company is to achieve sustainable long-term success, especially in these difficult economic times. That’s why we’ve increased this year’s investment budget to around 110 million euros, up 10 per cent on 2008.”

8th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Launches Latest Blizzak Line-Up

For this coming winter Bridgestone has prepared two further new-generation Blizzak cold weather tyres, both suited to the seasonal conditions in central Europe. Both tyres, the manufacturer claims, provide higher driving safety as well as environmental and economic advantages.

The new Blizzak LM-30 is tuned for safety on snow and ice, with particular attention paid to wet braking, while the Blizzak LM-35 focuses on secure winter performance; Bridgestone says it delivers excellent high-speed motorway handling on both wet and dry surfaces. Both replacement market tyres have been tested by leading car manufacturers, Bridgestone adds.

5th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Landlord Takes Over Cooper Avon Sports & Social Club

Melksham landlord Eddie Schofield has been named as the new manager of the Cooper Avon Sports & Social Club, based at Melksham House in the town. Schofield, currently landlord of the Pickled Pilot pub in Bowerhill, will take up his new post at the end of June, when current manager Terry Gregory retires. Gregory, 69, has managed the popular club, which is just off Market Place in the centre of Melksham, for 26 years.

“Terry has been a regular presence at our Sports & Social Club for over quarter of a century, and he’s one of the most popular faces in the town,” said Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe managing director Julian Baldwin. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Terry for his long and faithful service. We’ll miss him.”

5th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kramer Named Goodyear COO

Goodyear Tire & Rubber’s Board of Directors has elected Richard J. Kramer chief operating officer of the company. In this new role, which takes effect immediately, Kramer will report to company chairman and CEO Robert J. Keegan. Kramer will also continue in his current position as president of the company’s North American Tire business until his successor is named.

“Rich’s appointment as chief operating officer reflects our game plan of having a laser focus on operations globally during these extraordinary times,” Keegan said. “It also reflects the confidence that the Board and I have in Rich’s overall business leadership capability.

4th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

We’re a Nation of Sun, Surf and Pasta Lovers, says Michelin

We dream – so a Michelin survey tells us – of living in a country that has Australia’s climate, Italy’s cuisine and American nightlife. Our ideal world would be one with the relaxed culture of Spanish life, Italy’s art scene, and a level of friendliness that only the Americans can deliver. In fact, the only part of Britain we’d like to have in our utopia is the architecture.

Michelin Green Guides gained this insight after surveying 5,000 adults. ”The study shows if we had our ideal place to live, we would opt for a mix of cultures and climates,” noted a Michelin Green Guides spokesman. ”The findings show just how cosmopolitan we have become and this is down to travelling more than ever before – not just in Europe but worldwide too.”

1st June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Further UK Growth in the Pipeline, Says NDI

Since the recent appointment of Ian Smith as managing director, West Midlands based industrial tyre wholesaler NDI Tyre & Tube Supplies has begun a new chapter in the company’s growth within the UK market. Smith began in his new role on March 2 and brings with him more than two decades of industry experience, including 21 years at Pirelli.

NDI states that it will now concentrate more actively upon working closer with its parent company, Denmark’s Nordisk Dæk Import AS. This leading Scandinavian wholesaler of wheels and tyres, founded in 1970, is already respected throughout Europe as a leading player in the market. The company is based in the town of Brørup and boasts a sizeable presence in its home market.

29th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Magna to Rescue GM Europe

The car parts manufacturer Magna International has agreed to a deal rescuing GM Europe from insolvency. Fiat, who were said to be putting together a bid, decided to decline the option of attending negotiations, which were attended by the German government. Chancellor Angela Merkel, business ministers and representatives of the German states in which GM plants are located will hold a meeting in Berlin on the evening of 29 May to discuss their potential approval of the deal. GM Europe owns auto-makers Opel and Vauxhall, while its American owners General Motors are widely expected to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday 1 June.

29th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

EURODA Offers 500 million euros for Stake in GM

In an effort to plug the 300 million euro financing hole that is holding up GM Europe crisis talks with the German government and potential buyers Magna and Fiat, the company’s European dealer association “Euroda” has renewed its offer of a shareholding in a future Opel/Vauxhall corporation.

“As mid-sized dealers, we’re ready to play our part in saving Opel. That is why we’re once again calling upon the federal government to take our offer of 500 million euros seriously. This is a historic chance for the automotive industry to let dealers and manufacturers work together to take entrepreneurial responsibility in shaping the future of Opel,” says Jaap Timmer, president of Euroda.

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

“Headway” Made in Conti Clairoix Negotiations

Negotiations between Continental AG’s French and German management and representatives of the French government and the CGT trade union have, reports Conti, “made a bit of headway.” The respective parties met in Paris on Tuesday May 26 to discuss solutions for the company’s Clairoix facility, and further talks are scheduled for later in the week.

“We entered into a detailed discussion of the offer presented last week and argued for an adequate overall solution that takes into account seniority at the company and further training measures,” remarked Dr. Thomas Winkelmann, who represents Continental’s German management in his role as HR manager for replacement market passenger car tyres in Europe and Africa. “So far, union representatives have concentrated on uniform one-off severance pay for all employees affected. In the next round of negotiations we intend to talk over a detailed package solution.”

27th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

GITI to Construct New Chinese Proving Ground and R&D Centre

Another crucial area of responsibility for ETC’s leadership is the development of new global test facilities, test equipment and methodology. For the time being, at least, this centres on two key multi-million dollar projects – the development of the company’s recently constructed R&D centre alongside its Hefei City, Anhui Province manufacturer facility and the design and construction of a new cutting edge proving ground. The idea here is to bring premium quality tyre testing and development to China in order to enable the entire global company to produce higher order products, with the ultimate aim of competing with the premium manufacturers.

27th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit’s German Branch for Sale

Kwik-Fits German business Pit-Stop Autoservice is for sale, according to a report on Tyrepress.com’s German sister website Reifenpresse.de. The Pit-Stop chain (which comprises of about 410 outlets in Germany) reportedly has an average turnover of around 300,000 euros per branch and not in the best shape. Certain parties are said to have stated their interest in a purchase, however, so far the bids have only been described as ‘disillusioning.’

26th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Tesco Extends Bandvulc Contract

Tesco, the largest retailer in the UK and third largest globally, is to continue its long term agreement with Bandvulc Tyres, the Devon-based commercial tyre manager and retreader. Bandvulc’s tyre management facility, BTC, manages all of the commercial tyre requirements of Tesco Distribution, Fuel and Northern Ireland operations, making it one of the largest non-transport fleets in Europe.

21st May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Delticom Reports Improved Q1 Profits

During the opening quarter of the current fiscal year Delticom AG enjoyed a more than 300 per cent increase in year-on-year net income, up from 0.5 million euros to 1.9 million. This growth came on the back of a 19.8 per cent increase in sales to 51 million euros. These revenues are divided up into 46.7 million euros for the company’s eCommerce segment – an increase of 21.4 per cent – and 4.3 million euros for the Wholesale segment. EBIT rose from 0.5 million euros to 2.6 million year-on-year, with a quarterly EBIT margin of 5.2 per cent.

21st May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Marangoni Launches RING24h Breakdown Service

According to Marangoni, research shows that each year 13 per cent of trucks and buses experience tyre problems. This is clearly a major issue for the road transport industry, not only in terms of related costs (service, vehicle and driver downtime, wages that still have to be paid, along with a less efficient usage of resources) but also due to the late delivery penalties imposed upon transport companies and the consequent potential loss of customers. When such unplanned stoppages occur abroad, the possibility of language barriers when contacting the breakdown service also exists.

21st May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Trelleborg Appoints New Galaxy Brand Manager

Agricultural tyre manufacturer Trelleborg has expanded its European sales team. Stepping into the position of product manager for the Galaxy brand is 29-year old business administration graduate Milos Odavic, who will be responsible for the brand’s distribution and positioning within the company’s product portfolio. Odavic’s duties also see him acting as the original equipment market customer contact person, and also as the replacement market contact for Germany and Switzerland.

21st May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors