exhausts Archives - Page 22 of 27 - Tyrepress

Posts

NETE Appoints New Retail Director

North Eastern Tyre & Exhausts has announced the appointment of Roger Griggs to the company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Griggs joins the board following the announcement of Ray Darcy’s retirement, and he will take on the role of Retail Director.

Roger Griggs brings considerable experience with him to NETE, having spent over thirty years within the tyre industry, twenty-seven of which have been with Continental. Between 1993 and 2000, Roger was Sales Director UK/Eire before he was asked to spearhead Continental’s successful development with Europe’s largest independent tyre retailer, ‘Kwik Fit’.

10th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Klarius Buys ArvinMeritor LVA Emission Controls

On 7th August 2007, UK based Klarius Group Ltd, acquired of the Emissions Control activities of ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Aftermarket Europe (LVA Europe). With the purchase, Klarius Group acquired the entire shareholdings of LVA Europe’s Emissions Control businesses in the UK, France and Italy; Arvin Replacement Products Ltd, Arvin Replacement Products SAS and Ansa Marmitte s.r.l. Chairman, Tony Wilson commented, “We are very enthusiastic about the growth opportunities for the new company. Growth will come from the development of our products and services to provide innovative environmental solutions for our customers”.

Klarius Group’s market leading product portfolio includes exhaust brands Timax (UK), Rosi (France), Ansa (Italy), Tesh (Europe) and pan-european catalyst brands Metal’Cat and EuroCat. The new group holds a 21% share of the European Emissions Control aftermarket. In addition, Klarius will continue to market and distribute the Purolator filter brand across Europe.

23rd November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New First Stop Member Unveils Customer Friendly Facilities

In a move to better meet the needs of its customers a new addition to the Bridgestone First Stop dealer network has unveiled its recently overhauled facilities. The reception area of Dexel Tyres in Bentley, Doncaster was given the substantial overhaul shortly after signing up, and apparently the changes are already proving to be a hit with customers and staff alike.

The work involved installing a comfortable new seating area for customers, along with television and drinks facilities plus a children’s play area, while the walls were decorated in the First Stop colours of red and grey. Staff at the dealership also benefited, with a new computerised counter area and a brand new office for branch manager Nick Housley. “We’re getting a lot of positive feedback about the refurbishment,” said Stuart Hopkinson, area manager for Dexel Tyres, which operates 12 branches across the region. “The staff enjoy it because of the new equipment that we had installed for them, while the whole experience is a lot more comfortable for our customers.

22nd November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

NETE Takes the Exhaustion out of Custom Exhausts

North Eastern Tyre and Exhausts recently announced its intention to make further inroads into the retail market, and steps towards this goal have been made through a number of investments, including upgrading of its outlets and the construction of a ninth premises in Harrogate/Knaresborough, which is nearing completion. Now the Middlesbrough based business has invested into the exhaust side of its operations in North Yorkshire with the addition of a piece of equipment that is proving a drawcard for the region’s car enthusiasts.

The company’s Brotton outlet has become the recipient of a specialist exhaust-bending machine that allows NETE to produce any style of exhaust for any type of car. The machine, which cost in excess of £20,000, utilises the latest in exhaust customising technology to come from the US and, reports the manager of NETE’s Brotton outlet, Tony Darcy, it is attracting a wide variety of drivers from right across the region.

13th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

40 Years of Business for Tyre Firm

A family business is celebrating after four decades in the tyre industry. J Whieldon Tyres has been serving the people of Leek since founder Jack Whieldon first opened his doors to customers in 1967. After he died in 1986, his son Pete took over and moved the business to its current premises in Regent Street. Since then, the four-strong team has continued to offer a range of vehicle services, including tyres, batteries and exhausts.

Pete Whieldon said that the company, which is a member of Bridgestone UK’s growing First Stop network of independent tyre dealerships, had over the years remained committed to providing first-class customer care. “The only real changes I’ve seen have been to our location and to the staff,” he said. “Our aim of providing a reliable and friendly service to all of our customers is the same as it always was.

8th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

NETE Looks to Boost Turnover by 50%

Further inroads into the retail market are on the cards for North-Eastern Tyre and Exhausts (NETE), and the Middlesbrough based business plans to use growth in this sector as the base for increasing turnover by 50 per cent over the next two years.

The company, founded by Fred and Netta Darcy in 1971 and still family owned, will reportedly recruit about 300 new staff to facilitate this expansion, with many taking up positions in new or upgraded NETE retail outlets throughout the North-East and Yorkshire regions. The past couple of years have seen numerous improvements made to the firm’s existing outlets, including the addition of café facilities. The ninth NETE retail site, a £1.5 million development in Harrogate/Knaresborough, is due to open in January 2008.

NETE brought in revenues of £33m last year, and this figure is anticipated to rise to £40m during 2007 thanks largely to the company’s enhanced retail presence. Recently appointed managing director Gavin Marshall believes now is a “very exciting” time for NETE and sees great potential to gain further ground against the competition through further retail investment.

28th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Ingrid Celebrates 21 Years at Autofit Ipswich

Ipswich businesswoman, Ingrid Ward, has just celebrated an amazing 21 years as a director of the town’s Autofit garage, which she founded with husband Kevan. During this time, the couple – along with fellow director Dave Chapman – have watched the Britannia Road firm go from strength to strength, winning an army of loyal customers along the way.

“The past 21 years have flown by,” says Ingrid. “There have been some big changes and challenges here over the years, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.” Autofit, which is a member of Bridgestone UK’s 200-strong network of independent First Stop tyre dealerships, was opened by Ingrid and Kevan, a former RAF officer, in 1986.

26th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Private Firms “Prey For Value Hunters”

The UK’s dwindling number of privately owned tyres, exhausts & batteries firms are looking more and more like potential takeover targets, according to a new report by business analysts Plimsoll Publishing. Latest research shows that 804 of the UK’s top 1000 tyres, exhausts & batteries companies remain in private hands, and their values are increasing faster than those of their corporate competitors. Their exclusivity, niche products and unique services are adding to their attractiveness.

Another more practical factor is also coming into play, according to Plimsoll’s senior analyst, David Pattison. “The increasing age of owners and principals at some of these companies is causing them to consider their choices,” he says. “While many family firms have succession plans in place, an offer for the company at the crucial moment is often listened to sympathetically, as the new generation review their options.”

But the big prize for corporate and private raiders is the hidden potential of family-run companies. Current owners typically strip out 80 per cent of profits as fees. To the value hunter, this is a huge platform on which to build. But for those who are not averse to the idea of a takeover, their past activity may backfire on them.

13th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit’s Green Emphasis

Kwik-Fit, Europe’s largest independent fast-fit company, has been at the forefront of ensuring that tyres collected from its centres are reprocessed for many years. As the company’s range of services has extended in recent years to embrace brake replacement and vehicle servicing and MoT work, so Kwik-Fit has worked with waste management companies to dispose of all waste products.

More than five million tyres and almost 40,000 tons of tyre casings are removed from cars and vans annually by Kwik-Fit. Some tyre casings are remoulded and others, along with tyres, are shredded or crumbed. The resulting material is used as: fuel in the cement industry, in landfill engineering projects, as surfaces at sports and equestrian centres and playground, to make carpet underlay and roof tiles and in producing portable rail crossings. The steel cord in casings is extracted and re-used in steel making.

7th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

NETE Names Gavin Marshall as New Managing Director

After providing more a decade of leadership that has generated impressive growth, Ian Darcy has passed the Mantle of North Eastern Tyre & Exhausts managing director onto Gavin Marshall. Ian Darcy will continue in the new role of Business Development Director. Part of “phase two” of an ongoing growth plan, the company also has plans to open a new location. Scheduled to open in January 2008, the new Knaresbrough site will employ around 20 people, provide 4000 square metres of retail space and store over 20,000 tyres for wholesale distribution.

“Gavin and I have worked closely together for over 10 years and I know he is the right person to provide stability and direction for the next decade of our success. On my part I am delighted to have the opportunity to focus and lead our expansion programme in Knaresbrough,” Ian Darcy commented.

18th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

North-Eastern Tyre & Exhaust to Open 9th Outlet

Middlesborough based North-Eastern Tyre & Exhausts have announced plans to build the company’s ninth branch, which it says will be the “finest tyre, exhaust and autocare centre the North has ever seen.” The new outlet will be located in the Harrogate/Knaresborough region of North Yorkshire. Construction work will commence on July 23, with an anticipated completion date of January 2008. Durham’s Meldrum Construction will lead the £1.5m contract.

6th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Plimsoll: Rising Interest Rates Have “Silver Lining”

Rising interest rates are bad news for homeowners – but they could be a lifesaver for some businesses, according to commercial analysts at Plimsoll Publishing. “Our research shows more than a quarter of UK Tyres, Exhausts & Batteries companies are in more debt than they have been at any time in their history, “ said David Pattison, senior analyst at Plimsoll. “Rising rates are a useful wake-up call. Many of the companies in question have been enticed by low interest rates and the lure of easy debt secured on rapidly rising property prices, and so have been able to cover up flaws in their business strategies – effectively buying time. There is just enough time left for these firms to look seriously at their balance sheets and change direction.”

If companies reduce their level of debt and streamline their business models, they may have a future, according to Plimsoll. Plimsoll, which has conducted independent assessments of private and publicly quoted companies for the past 20 years, has an established track record of spotting the warning signs for businesses. Nearly nine out of 10 failed companies in the UK had earned a “danger” or “caution” rating from Plimsoll in the two years before their demise.

19th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

MotionStyling.co.uk Ads Online Ordering

Motion Styling recently launched a new version of its website, with improved online ordering, making it simpler and safer to get new tyres alloy wheels or even headlights. Motionstyling.co.uk has implemented secure online order system, so clients can rest assured that personal and credit card information is safe. SSL technology within the order processing system thoroughly encrypts all sensitive data to ensure high-level security and protection for the customers.

The range of car styling products that Motion Styling supplies includes: Alloy Wheels, Tyres, Exhausts, Suspension Kits, Body kits, Headlight kits and more. The company is the only Official Distributor for Vemiri, a premium style tuner.

Motion Styling delivers orders for free within the UK. Motion Styling is a UK based company, offering a wide range of car accessories and parts since 1999.

11th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Shows Training Academies to Fleet Customers

Kwik-Fit has thrown open the doors of one of its four UK training academies for the first time to show leading fleet customers the courses its apprentices, fitters and specialist technicians undertake. Representatives of two of the UK’s leading leasing and fleet management companies Masterlease and Carillion went behind the usually closed doors to gain a first-hand insight into the training undertaken by Kwik-Fit’s centre fitters and mobile technicians.

Kwik-Fit employs more than 4,000 people in the UK and the company’s Training Academy, which has operations in Derby, Gloucester, Harlow and Perth, is the foundation for its business success. That success in the fleet industry translates into a dominant market share of the UK fast-fit market with solus or dual supply agreements with almost all of the country’s top 50 contract hire and leasing companies; more than one million vehicles on tyre management programmes and more than 60 industry awards that recognise best practice delivery in the company car and van marketplace.

6th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Plimsoll Produces Tyre Prosperity League Table

A new league table from leading financial analysts Plimsoll Publishing aims to provide an answer to that age-old question in the Tyres, Exhausts & Batteries market: Why do some companies fail and others prosper?

The equation is not as simple as strong sales equals survival. Nor is the success rate of a firm automatically affected by market conditions. Instead, they say, it depends on the ingredients in a finely-balanced recipe that includes good margins, low borrowing, responsible management and foresight.

Plimsoll’s new analysis of the market weighs all these ingredients and turns them into a unique one-page snapshot of each company’s prospects. From that, it establishes a league table based on 1000 leading firms that looks like this: 278 companies are in a strong position, with a pre-tax margin of 10 per cent; 116 are in the good sector, on 4 per cent margins; 160 are rated as mediocre, on 3 per cent; 272 are in the “caution” category and 174 are in the “danger” range.

25th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors