Pirelli Forges Links with Vacu-Lug
Pirelli UK Tyres Ltd is joining forces with Vacu-Lug, the UK’s largest independent retread manufacturer, in a strategic alliance that stands to strengthen the position of both companies.
Fleet Business
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Bandag Sold to Bridgestone for $1 billion
Product NewsAfter several attempts they have now finally succeeded: Bandag Corporation heir, Martin Carver, has sold his and his mother’s majority stake in the company to Japanese tyre giant Bridgestone. It was probably high time for the American retreading specialist to make such a move, as in recent years they have been operating in a seemingly unfavourable environment. If Bridgestone had also chosen to go down the same path as Goodyear and Michelin, establishing its own equity retreading businesses, Bandag’s market environment could have been set to become even more unfavourable.
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Bandag Sold to Bridgestone for $1 billion
Product NewsAfter several attempts they have now finally succeeded: Bandag Corporation heir, Martin Carver, has sold his and his mother’s majority stake in the company to Japanese tyre giant Bridgestone. It was probably high time for the American retreading specialist to make such a move, as in recent years they have been operating in a seemingly unfavourable environment. If Bridgestone had also chosen to go down the same path as Goodyear and Michelin, establishing its own equity retreading businesses, Bandag’s market environment could have been set to become even more unfavourable.
Subscribers can read the entire article and download it as a PDF by clicking the more link.
Kwik-Fit Fleet Extends Arval Contract into Third Decade
NewsA business partnership stretching over more than 20 years between two of the biggest names in the UK fleet industry – Kwik-Fit Fleet and Arval – has been further extended with the signing of a new two-year contract. The new contract, with an option to extend for a third year, gives Kwik-Fit Fleet AllStar preferred supplier status with Arval for tyre replacement and the provision of other fast-fit services across the leasing and maintenance management company’s 160,000-strong UK vehicle fleet. AllStar recognition is being awarded only to suppliers who meet strict criteria to deliver service quality and value to Arval customers.
Plenty of News But Just One Subject
Product NewsThis year’s tyre exhibition saw Bandag release quite a lot of news coming from the new product department. But what was most interesting for the international press as well as for customers, was Bandag’s future in the European fleet business after its biggest customer (GE/TIP) left. Although marketing director Danny van Essche confirmed that Bandag is going to remain active in the European fleet business, the company is said to have learned a lesson by GE/TIP’s retreat. This lesson will be used to adapt Bandag’s business strategy in a positive way: “We will not aggressively pursue international fleet business anymore.”
Goodyear Dunlop UK Appoint Franchise Development Manager
Product NewsGoodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Limited has announced the appointment of Peter Tye as Franchise Development Manager. This new role has been created to spearhead the company’s recently-announced move towards developing franchise opportunities in the vehicle servicing and tyre fitment market. Goodyear Dunlop is investing in its Hi-Q retail chain, and will complement the core of company-owned stores with a relaunched network of franchises, offering the consistent high standards to consumer and fleet customers across the UK. This follows the company’s decision to separate the Hi-Q and Truck Force businesses into two distinct business units in a strategic move to offer focused, dedicated service to satisfy the different needs of both markets.
Hankook Lands OE Contract with International Truck
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Hankook Tire Co. announced it has entered into an agreement to supply OE tyres to International Truck and Engine Corp. As part of the agreement, Hankook will provide steer and drive position tyres for International’s CF Series trucks, 4000 Series tractors and IC bus equipment. The tyres to be supplied include: AH06 and AH11 all-position, DH01 drive, AH12 medium distance all-position, Z35A deep tread super traction, and DL01 long haul drive tyres.
Delivery of the tyres to International began in the third and fourth quarters of 2005, Hankook said, adding that it plans to increase its truck tyre production in Korea to meet the requirements of the OE agreement.
The Last Building BRIC
Product NewsMuch has been written about the emerging Indian, Chinese and Russian markets, but what about South America? This continent is full of potential, something that is demonstrated by the fact that all the major players are there (Pirelli, Goodyear and Bridgestone/Firestone being particularly strong) and are already positioning themselves for the next market explosion. However for all its potential, the continent can also be described as tumultuous – at the end of November 2005, for example, Bridgestone/Firestone had to quell a violent dispute at a plant in Venezuela.
A Quarter of a Century and Still Not Tyred
Product NewsLeeds-based ContiNetwork member Tyre Maintenance Ltd is this year celebrating 25 years in business. The family-run company now has two depots in Leeds and Gateshead and 14 recovery vehicles, making it one of the largest and most comprehensive independent tyre providers in West Yorkshire and the North East. Run separately from their locally managed business, Tyre Maintenance also operates its own fleet contracts department, offering national fleet business various contractual options including fixed cost and PPK payment solutions.
Goodyear Dunlop Launches New Call Centre
Product NewsAs Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Ltd embarks on a fresh approach to its retail business, the company has employed 18 “top retail professionals” and founded a new call centre based at the heart of Goodyear Dunlop’s Birmingham operations.
With the recent announcement of new investment in Hi-Q, the company has pledged to invest in its training, marketing and systems whilst developing a new franchise programme in order to complement its company owned stores to create a strong nationwide brand.
Blackcircles Joins the Fleet Business
Product NewsBlackcircles.com is to challenge the established fleet market with the launch of its own online fleet service. Recent appointment, Paul Collins, will be responsible for ensuring consistent delivery and on-going innovation by managing Black Circles Fleet.
According to the company, the new service will be available to vehicle fleets of all sizes. Furthermore, blackcircles.com/fleet is said to significantly simplify the purchase process by providing access through a web-based system. Businesses will have their own private area containing all their vehicle details and will be able to make transactions using a unique PIN number.
ContiLifeCycle Concept
Product NewsContinental Truck Tyres has introduced a ‘cradle to grave’ ContiLifeCycle tyre management concept, which it claims can reduce tyre operating costs by as much as 25 per cent.
The manufacturer’s aim is to encourage hauliers to think beyond the tyre management basics of purchase price, service life and reliability, and to consider the impact correct tyre maintenance can have on vehicle running costs.
Bandag ‘Adapts’ its Organisation
Product NewsBandag has confirmed the news that more than a dozen staff members, including director of sales Peter De Cabooter, have left its European organisation, as was first published at www.tyrepress.com. According to the international retreading system supplier 16 employees have left the company. These people were said to be mainly operating in South European and CIS countries although some Brussels based personnel were also affected.
“Some call this restructuring, we prefer to describe this as right sizing for our future business model and allocating resources where they should be,” Bandag said in its statement. “Most of the job losses were part of a longer process of fine-tuning our organisation for future developments.
MAM Software for Mr. Clutch
Product NewsMAM Software has just completed the installation of its Autopart v20 management system at all 44 branches of Mr. Clutch Autocentres, the national garage services chain. MAM was chosen because of its ability to meet the requirements imposed by Mr. Clutch’s recent expansion of services.
Hi-Q Secures Avis Car Rental Deal
Product NewsHi-Q has secured a 12-month contract to supply full tyre management services to Avis Rent A Car. Hi-Q’s customer call centre will handle all tyre-related enquiries and tyre repair and replacement services will be provided by Hi-Q’s nationwide network of over 500 centres. Hi-Q will also provide a 24 hour emergency tyre service for Avis customers requiring assistance during the time they rent their car.
