Falken Archives - Page 27 of 30 - Tyrepress

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Major Manufacturers Testing Ekoprena

Two years ago Sumitomo Rubber subsidiary Dunlop Falken Tyres Ltd releases the Enasave 97, a tyre containing only three per cent petroleum derived materials. The substance enabling this close to total freedom from synthetic rubber in the Ensave 97 is Ekoprena, an epoxidised natural rubber. Significant development work on compounds based upon this rubber has been undertaken by TARRC, the UK based laboratory operated by the Malaysian Rubber Board. TARRC’s consultancy arm, Rubber Consultants, recently attended Tire Technology Expo in Germany and reported on the latest Ekoprena developments.

11th March 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Micheldever/Southam Sold Over 750,000 4×4 Tyres in 2009

Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) and its Southam specialist 4×4 division reports that it distributed more than three quarters of a million 4×4 tyres in the UK tyre market during the course of 2009. According to company representatives, this means Micheldever is “probably the largest distributor of 4×4 tyres in Europe.” From MTS’ perspective, the largest ongoing growth sector remains mid-range 4×4 product (see “Was Winter of Discontent Good News for 4×4 Market?” elsewhere in this feature for more discussion on this subject), with General, BFGoodrich, Kumho, Falken and Toyo said to be leading the way.

25th February 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Get Going With Falken Tire

Falken Tire has launched a new slogan it says ‘personifies’ its mission – We get you going. This phrase, explains Falken in a press release, holds multiple meanings and purposes for the tyre maker: “Over the years, the company has made every effort to capture the essence of a valued product in a highly competitive market. Falken has consistently taken a leaps-forward approach in how it designs, produces, markets and sells its tyres. From the sophisticated tread and carcass designs, engineered in Japan, to the most important facet of sales: Customer Service.

5th November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Tire Releases WildPeak A/T

The latest addition to the Falken Tire family in the US is said to be all-terrain, all-season and all-purpose. These words of confidence from the California based Falken Tire Corporation refer to the company’s new WildPeak A/T for SUVs and light trucks. The tyre features a symmetric five-rib pattern and rigid block design that Falken says allows for exceptional on-road response and optimised off-road handling. Stability, Falken adds, comes courtesy of two stiff, extra-wide steel belts. In addition, the tyre’s four wide multi-angled grooves are intended to maximise water, mud and snow evacuation, while biting block edges have been included for traction and control.

5th November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Distributing Ohtsu Truck Tyres in USA

Falken Tire Corp. is back in the medium truck tyre business in the USA, Tire Review reports, once again becoming the North American distributor for Ohtsu brand medium truck radials. Falken will take over marketing, sales and distribution of the Ohtsu brand as of 1 March, 2010. The Ohtsu brand is owned and produced by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which also controls the Falken brand.

30th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Tyre Promotes Key Executive

Falken Tire Corp. has promoted Ron Papcun to vice president of operations. Papcun joined Falken Tire in October 2002 as director of operations, and will now be responsible for managing the company’s distribution centers, logistics, facilities management, customer service and supply chain functions. (Tire Review/Akron)

17th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Dealers Visit Germany

Three dozen Falken customers from all over Europe recently visited the world famous Nurburgring race track in Germany. The Falken customers from the UK were hosted by Micheldever Tyres, Falken’s sole supplier in the UK, at one of the continent’s most prestigious motorsport events, the annual 24 hour ADAC endurance race. Falken tyres were one of the main sponsors of this year’s event with the company’s branding prominently positioned around the 13 kilometre race track, on every car and on in-car television coverage.

The Falken car, a Nissan 350Z eventually finished in 11th place and was the first non-German produced car to complete this arduous event. The customers themselves were treated to five-star hospitality and entertainment throughout the duration of the four-day trip, culminating in a ride with the European Drift car Champions.

19th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Qatar: Q-Tire, Raha Offer 15% Discount

In Qatar Q-Tire and roadside recovery service Raha Auto Assistance have partnered to offer a 15 per cent discount on new tyres purchased at Q-Tire’s five Doha service centres. Q-Tire is the authorised representative and distributor in Qatar for Goodyear, Falken, Solideal, MRF, TVS Roadux, Double Coin & Primewell.

Ikram Hamdad, general manager of Raha, commented: “Q-Tire and Raha have a clear focus to improve the motoring experience for the motorists of Qatar. We agree there is a real need to educate drivers about tyre maintenance in order to increase vehicle safety and tyre performance, as well as to extend the life of the tyres.”

26th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Falken Tyre Gets “Rugged”

In the US Falken Tire Corp. has introduced a new, rugged line of all-terrain tyres – the High Country A/T. Falken said the “Falken High Country A/T confidently transitions when surfaces go from smooth to rough and dry to muddy,” and the tyre features a deep tread depth, heavy siping and M+S performance for all types of weather and driving conditions. The tyre is available in 24 P-metric, LT-metric and flotation sizes, ranging from 15- through 20-inch wheel diameters.

18th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Growth Continues in Many 4×4 Tyre Areas, says MTS/Southam

Micheldever/Southam reports having distributed three quarters of a million 4×4 tyres in the UK tyre market in 2008, a figure they say possibly makes the company the largest distributor of 4×4 tyres in Europe. Still the only UK wholesaler to operate a specialist 4×4 division (which is based at Southam), the MTS group offers next/same day delivery nationwide on all major brands including every OE fitment, a comprehensive range of quality budget 4×4 tyres from Enduro, and the market leading mid-range replacement brands including BFGoodrich, General, Kumho, Falken, Insa Turbo and Toyo.

20th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken’s UK Tyre Sales Soar 30% in 2008

Falken representatives are reporting that the Japanese brand saw UK sales shoot up 30 per cent in 2008, “making Falken in the UK the largest growth area for Falken in Europe if not the world.” The aim is to make Falken a leading brand in the mid-range segment, a part of the market that industry observers expect to swell further as the economic climate appears to be prompting premium customers to look for more competitively priced alternatives.

Jon Limmer, Falken brand manager, commented: “Our dealer network have embraced the simple structure we have implemented which reflects the Micheldever policy of ‘right product, right price, right time.’ Consistency is crucial to the development of any program and we have enjoyed this for some time with Falken. We work together as a partnership and the results are there for all to see.

4th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Expands Motorsports Involvement

Falken has enjoyed considerable success in the comparatively new motorsport of drifting, with teams performing in vehicles shod with Falken Azenis RT-615. In fact, Falken was the first tyre manufacturer to back drifting when it was introduced to the USA in 2003.

In 2008, the company broadened its motorsports horizons when it took part in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) competition. This is unusual in the fact that open tyre competition is encouraged and there are six manufacturers currently in competition, developing tyres specifically suited to the 11 different tracks in the series.

30th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Freedom from the ‘Black Gold’

By 2013 Sumitomo Rubber plans to be selling tyres containing absolutely no petrochemical materials. This news was printed in the company’s 2008 – 2011 environmental statement, which was published in Japanese only on November 17. It appears likely the oil free tyres will initially be sold on the Japanese market only.

19th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Micheldever Promotes Carter and Burgess

Paul Carter has been appointed to the position of national and key accounts sales manager within Micheldever’s wholesale division. Carter, who Micheldever managers described as “a key element” in MTS wholesale’s growth,” joined the company when it acquired Southam tyres in 2001. Jason Burgess (who joined Micheldever as Kumho Brand manager earlier this year) will also be joining the MTS Wholesale senior management team as national field sales manager.

Paul Carter will now take on direct responsibility for all of Micheldever’s national and key accounts, a new high level role within the senior management structure of MTS wholesale division. Previously his responsibilities included management of the Field Sales Team, and satellite sales offices.

27th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Promotes Pair

Falken Tire Corp. has promoted two of its staff to marketing and product planning posts. Andrew Hoit was promoted from division manager of retail sales to director of marketing. Tim Widener was promoted from product engineer to manager of product planning. (Tire Review/Akron)

16th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors