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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

Stamford FY Net Profits Dive in Singapore

International tyre and wheel distributer and service provider Stamford Tyres has reported a full-year net profit fall of 34 per cent to S$7.6 million. The company predicted that the coming year would prove increasingly challenging, as the market continues into volatility.

However, the year saw Stamford’s sales figures stay relatively level, thanks to increased turnover for its major brands Falken, Dunlop and Continental in the Southeast Asian market. While the bottom line suffered dramatically as a result of soaring fuel and raw material costs affecting buying and distribution outgoings, the organisation’s overall turnover rose 11 per cent to S$328 million.

26th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Swoops on Nürburgring

Falken Tyres recently invited UK tyre retailers to Germany’s legendary motor racing circuit, the Nürburgring, for a weekend of motorsport. Micheldever Tyres, the UK’s exclusive distributer of the Japanese manufacturer’s products, were joined by dealers from across the UK as guests of Falken for the annual Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club’s 24-Hour race.

As one of the fastest-growing brands within Europe, Falken have made their presence felt in the UK especially with the release of the Assymetric 912 range. During the weekend, retailers commented on the exceptionally high customer satisfaction gained from buyers of the 912 Supertyre. Additional praise for Falken came from Micheldever’s Sales Director, Alan Baldwin: “Product quality is as expected of a top six world manufacturer…2008 has seen a significant increase in our Falken sales.”

23rd June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Staff Changes

Falken Tire Corp. has promoted of Bruce Ware to the position of vice president of sales. Ware had been serving as Falken’s dxecutive director of corporate accounts, where he directed all sales activities pertaining to FTC’s regional and national retailers. In his new position, Bruce will now be responsible for all FTC sales activities in North America.

FTC also announced the retirement of John McAndrew, who has served as FTC’s director of wholesale channel sales for the past two years. With over 30 years experience in the tire industry, John brought to FTC a much needed maturity and professionalism that can only come through dealing with customers at the very highest levels, according to the company. (Tire Review/Akron)

19th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli P6000 Victorious in Wheels Test

Pirelli’s P6000 has been awarded top marks in Tyre Test 2008 – a challenging series of tasks conducted by Australia’s Wheels Magazine. The P6000 was given a total score of 99.01 out of a possible 100, making it the top tyre tested in the 195/60R15 category.

Goodyear’s Eagle F1 Asymmetric received similar high praise from the magazine, ranked first in the 235/45R17 category and picking up an almost equally impressive score of 98.95.

6th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Tyres Sponsors British Drift Championship

Falken tyres has announced that the brand will be series sponsors of the British Drift Championship 2008 season. Already hugely popular in Japan and the United States, the sport is set to take the UK by storm, according to company representatives. Jon Limmer, Falken Brand Manager, commented: “Falken are so pleased to have this exciting opportunity to be involved in grass roots motorsports in the UK. Falken has a huge following in the drift community worldwide and we are delighted to be able to offer our support to Paul and his team.”

18th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Launches ZE 912

January saw the launch of Falken’s new ZE 912, which is exclusively distributed by Micheldever Tyres in the UK. In addition to the performance benefits that the new asymmetrical tread pattern has to offer, the Falken ZE 912 also includes a new tread wear indicator and is said to be “proving a great success with the Falken dealer network.” Bob Thomas from Grove Street Tyres Wantage commented: “The new 912 has proved very popular with our customers,” adding: “The new asymmetric pattern is really eye catching and combined with the FK452, Falkens UHP offering makes it an easy brand to retail”.

7th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Generally Successful

Roughly a year ago Southam/Micheldever wholesale director, Alan Baldwin, told Tyres & Accessories that he expected General Tire’s 4×4 range to increase its UK market share by about 10 per cent. A year later, T&A asked if the company’s bold targets had been realised?

In answering that question with a resounding yes, Alan Baldwin explained that his calculations make Southam/Micheldever the largest seller of 4×4 tyres in the UK: “[Southam/Micheldever] had another phenomenal year in 2007…General 4×4 2007 sales grew by 15 per cent over 2006, and [the company] continues to produce the innovative tyre sizes that the very specialized UK market requires…More and more 4×4 tyre specialists and retailers stocking and selling the ever expanding General line up.”

5th March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Stamford Tyres Releases New Falken Range in India

Stamford Tyres Distributors India Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stamford Tyres, has launched the new Falken ZIEX ZE912 radial across its distribution network in India. Working in partnership with Falken tyre manufacturer Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Stamford Tyres will market the ZE912 tyre to owners of passenger cars, wagons and mini-vans.

Mr. Wee Kok Wah, president of Stamford Tyres said, “the ZE912 will become the core product of the Falken range that we sell. It sits in the middle between its top ultra-high performance tyres and its entry-level line. The ZE912 is a high-performance tyre with broad market appeal, with sizes that can fit at least 80 per cent of the mid to upper segment passenger cars and MPVs now used on Indian roads. This means if a driver pulls up at one of our dealer outlets, we will have a ZE912 tyre that will be just right for his car.”

7th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Falken Unveil Low Petroleum Tyre

Sumitomo subsidiary Dunlop Falken Tyres Ltd has lifted the lid on a new, almost entirely non-petroleum tyre at the Tokyo Motor Show. Known as the “Enasave 97”, the new tyre is 97 per cent comprised of non-petroleum natural materials.

The proportion of petroleum materials used in the new tyre was able to be significantly cut through the use of materials other than synthetic rubber for its sidewall and airtight inner liner. Owing to the molecular structure of natural rubber, creating an airtight skin using this product is more difficult than with synthetic rubber, therefore a change in its structural composition was required before being deemed suitable for use.

26th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Dealers Enjoy Track Day

Falken recently invited 40 of its top performing dealers from around the country to spend the day at Palmer Sport at the Bedford Autodrome. The unique track day involved driving and racing cars ranging from Caterhams to single seater Formula cars and off-roading.

The day began with Renault Clio Cup Racers and Porsche 911. The pocket rocket Clio’s minimal weight and maximum power made for a hair raising way to start the day while the growling power of the 911 certainly woke some people up!

19th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Promotes Marriott to CFO

(Akron/Tire Review) US tyre industry veteran Gil Marriott has been promoted to CFO of Falken Tire Corp. Marriott joined Falken in April 2001 as vice president of administration and treasurer. Previously, Marriott held executive posts with Bridgestone/Firestone and Yokohama Tire.

9th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors