Kwik-Fit will now perform tyre safety checks on around 10,000 British Gas light commercial vehicles as a part of the new three-year solus fast-fit contract won by Kwik-Fit Fleet. The contract, one of the largest won by Kwik-Fit Fleet, will see mobile technicians at the UK’s largest independent fast-fit company undertake quarterly tyre wear and tear checks on all vehicles, to assist British Gas comply with its at-work driving duty of care responsibilities.
SmarTire Systems Inc. has announced that it has filed a comprehensive patent application in the United States for an external valve sensor used in its tyre pressure monitoring systems.
The company’s external valve sensors were specifically designed to address the needs of the commercial vehicle industry and offer practical installation and maintenance improvements over current solutions. SmarTire external sensors are expected to be released for sale in the second quarter of 2007.
The Rockingham circuit is best-known as the UK’s most modern and only purpose-built motor sport facility and the venue for exciting and action-packed motor racing. However, there is more to Rockingham than competitive motorsports, as the circuit is regularly used for testing, demonstration and driver training programmes. Apart from the original high-speed oval track, the facility boasts multiple in-field race circuit configurations, 4×4 off-road courses, a challenging rally stage and a city driving course.
UK-based company PCL received an excellent reception at last year’s SEMA show when it initiated its drive to conquer the US market. Since then, PCL’s high quality “Made in Sheffield” products for Tyre Inflation are becoming increasingly recognised internationally, backed up by excellent customer service and training. At SEMA 2006, visitors looking for swift and cost-effective solutions for tyre shops, garages, workshops, car dealerships, transportation companies, industrial applications, vehicle fleets and racing outfits can view a range of new and established tyre inflation products.
Bandag has launched a new tread product for fleets that operate on a wide variety of surfaces. According to Bandag, the new BZY2 achieves high mileage and reliability on very soft ground, sharp and abrasive stones, as well as everything in between. As a result the new tread is positioned as “a major competitor to existing on/off-road tyre products.”
The BZY2 boasts an advanced groove concept. The space between the ribs is wide enough to drain liquids even on spongy ground, resulting in excellent water drainage and grip, says the company. Furthermore, the grooves have a depth of 18 mm, which leaves room for quite some mileage. The tread grooves have also been cleverly designed to expel any embedded object. This feature greatly improves the BZY2’s resistance to penetration.
In anticipation of future growing demand for electric and hybrid vehicles, Varta’s parent company JCI and French battery manufacturer SAFT have embarked on a joint venture, setting up an Advanced Power Solutions development centre at the HQ of Varta Batteries in Germany. The aim of the enterprise is to bring viable solutions for future hybrid vehicle development to market within the next year.
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced that its subsidiary Oliver Rubber Co. has introduced five new treads for fleets – the XS-D, DPW, ULP-Drive, ULP-Rib and Winter Trac II. The new XS-D tread is designed for “excess demands” of off-road, heavy-load haulers, according to Cooper, and it features a new compound called Xxtra-Tuff. Designed for severe off-road service applications, the tread provides traction, strength and durability, Cooper said.
Two Sheffield tyre fitters are still working at the same company 45 years after first picking up a spanner there. Keith Booth, a truck tyre fitter based on Stainiforth Road, and Peter Staton, manager of the Dexel Tyre’s Frecheville branch, are among eleven key workers recognised by Dexel for working over 25 years at the firm. Between them, the group have racked up 394 years, an average of 33 years each. Keith Booth is still fitting truck tyres for local and national fleets including Dexel’s 24/7 motorway breakdown service.
Alcoa announced today that it will become the first aluminium wheel manufacturer to buy back its used wheels. Alcoa’s new “Value for Life” programme for Fleets and Owner-Operators in the UK will come into effect this month. According to the company, “Value for Life” is all about providing customers with high quality products that offer a lifetime of value and care for our environment.
Every month InfoRoute Truck Tyre Manager (TTM) processes tyre inspection details for over 8,000 trucks and trailers across the UK. Glyn Cainey, truck tyre director at Dexel Tyre Company, says: “TTM helps staff with no specialist computer knowledge improve service, increase fitter productivity and win more business”. Dexel, one of the larger UK independent tyre companies with nearly 40 truck tyre service vehicles, has used TTM for over two years. A team of three inspectors use TTM to find and organise work, ensuring that fleets are economically and safely managed.
(Akron/Tire Review) Bandag Inc. has introduced a new Trailer Linehaul-Spread Axle (BTL-SA) tread to the North American market. Designed for spread axle and multi-axle trailer applications, the tread “offers tough shoulders for tyres that twist, scrape and scrub as lateral stress is created when trailers corner,” said Bandag. BTL-SA offers a 16/32” tread depth and is now available in 210-, 220- and 230-mm sizes.
A truck driver from well-known UK haulier Stan Robinson Ltd has been named Britain’s top driver by Goodyear after managing to achieve a remarkable 425,000 kilometres (266,000 miles) on the same set of Goodyear steer tyres.
Nigel Brown took delivery of his new Scania in April 2003, fitted with Goodyear Marathon LHS 385/65R22.5 steer tyres. Three years later, he had clocked up a mileage equivalent to driving ten times around the Equator and the set of Goodyear steer tyres had yet to be changed.
The world’s largest wheel manufacturer Hayes Lemmerz (producing a total of approximately 60 million units annually), has extended its product spectrum to include aluminium truck wheels. The wheels are called “CentruStyle“ and are manufactured by Aluwheel W.L.L in Manama (Bahrain) in the low pressure casting process. “CentruStyle“ will be marketed using the existing sales team into the original equipment business, to fleets and into the aftermarket. In order to make the wheels the producer will use equipment it acquired from the former Tunaverken (Sweden), which went bankrupt at the beginning of the year. Hayes Lemmerz and its Bahrain-based partner will begin with size 8.25×22.5 and want to increase the production volume gradually depending upon customer interest.
(Akron/Tire Review) The Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB) recently participated in Canada’s national truck show – Truck World 2006 – as both a featured presenter and an exhibitor. Held at the International Centre-Toronto on Apr. 2-22, the event brought nearly 20,000 trucking industry senior executives, fleet managers, owner-operators and drivers.
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Continental has today confirmed its plans to further expand the ContiNetwork beyond the UK through the appointment of Advance Pitstop as the ContiNetwork Partner responsible for the Republic of Ireland. This move facilitates ContiNetwork’s growth into Ireland and marks the second phase of increased geographical coverage – the first being the recent appointment of Modern Tyre Group in Northern Ireland.
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