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Schaeffler Signs Employment Security Agreement With Union

The Schaeffler Group and Germany’s IG Metall trade union have reached an agreement regarding employment security. The agreement, signed by IG Metall first chairman Berthold Huber and Schaeffler chief executive Jürgen Geißinger, represents the first practical result of the future agreement between the two parties outlined on February 23, 2009.

According to the terms of the agreement, the threat of redundancies occurring before June 30, 2010 has been eliminated on the proviso that a jointly agreed upon package of staff cost reduction measures are reached. Due to the impact of the economic crisis and its resultant diminished orders and sales, the Schaeffler Group says it must lower staff costs by approximately 250 million euros.

26th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Two New Wheels From Wolfrace

Wolfrace has introduced the first two wheels in the new Wolfrace GB range of alloys; the Lugano and Ravenna. Lugano is a striking directional ‘turbine’ design with 10 sculpted blades and finished in gloss black with a polished surface. The Lugano is available in 5 stud fitments in sizes 7.5×16″ 7.5×17″ and 8.0×18″.

The new Ravenna is a multi-spoke wheel; each concave spoke is treated to the gloss black finish with a durable polished face. The Ravenna is available in four and five-stud fitments and suits a wide range of vehicle thanks to its various size options – 7.5×16″ 8.0×17″ 8.0×18″ and 8.5×19″. Like all Wolfrace GB wheels, the Lugano and Ravenna are made in Germany and have TÜV certification.

26th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Trelleborg Appoints New Galaxy Brand Manager

Agricultural tyre manufacturer Trelleborg has expanded its European sales team. Stepping into the position of product manager for the Galaxy brand is 29-year old business administration graduate Milos Odavic, who will be responsible for the brand’s distribution and positioning within the company’s product portfolio. Odavic’s duties also see him acting as the original equipment market customer contact person, and also as the replacement market contact for Germany and Switzerland.

21st May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti to Buy Parts of Schaeffler?

It appears the tables have turned for Continental and Schaeffler. According to Reuters, sources with “knowledge of the matter” report Schaeffler is considering a plan to sell a large piece of its business to Conti in order to address its sizable debt. The ball bearing manufacturer is struggling with debts of close to 11 billion euros and has announced plans to reduce annual labour costs by 250 million euros – a sum equivalent to the laying off of 4,500 employees.

20th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Automechanika Shanghai

Automechanika Shanghai, reputedly Asia’s largest automotive trade fair and the organiser’s second largest Automechanika fair, will take place from 9 – 11 December 2009 at Shanghai New International Expo Centre. This fifth edition of the fair is organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and the China National Automotive Industry International Corporation (CNAICO). In line with the product profile of the global Automechanika brand, the event will encompass a broad spectrum of products and services for the automotive original equipment and aftermarket. Products on offer cover the sectors Parts & Systems, Accessories & Tuning, Repair & Maintenance, IT & Management to Service Station & Car Wash.

In 2008 Automechanika Shanghai had a record number of 1,982 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions showcasing their products in eight halls covering 92,000 square metres. The show attracted more than 30,800 visitors from 104 countries and regions and half of the buyers had full purchasing authority. The number of exhibitors and visitors were up to 59 per cent and 41 per cent respectively.

20th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Mixed Reaction to Conti Compromise

While Continental and the German IG BCE union arrived at a compromise regarding the company’s Hanover-Stöcken truck tyre factory, Germany’s Bild-Zeitung reports the decision to suspend production has far from won the universal admiration of employees. The paper records “indifference, anger and disappointment” amongst the affected employees – close to 430 of whom will be let go by next year at the latest.

“We have been taken for a ride,” one employee was quoted as saying. “As ‘little people’ we can not at all appreciate what this compromise brings.” Another said: “Unions and works councils are so weak, we feel betrayed. I have worked my fingers to the bone for 20 years – all for nothing.”

20th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

ContiTread Range Ready, says Marangoni

According to Marangoni, the partnership agreement it signed last year with Continental, involving the launch of the new range of ContiTread precured tread strips, is now fully operational. The agreement with the Marangoni Group allows resellers of Continental truck tyres, who already provide, or are interested in providing a cold retreading service, to use original ContiTread patterns manufactured at Marangoni’s Ellerbrock factory in Germany and take advantage of the technical and logistic support offered by the Italian group’s European platform. The agreement also contributes to the Continental Group “ContiLifeCycle” project in markets where the ContiRe program has not yet been established, or where a cold-retread product is also required.

20th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Retains Interest in Conti’s Tyre Division

Michelin has once again signalled its interest in rival Continental’s tyre division, reports Reuters Germany. Michelin Group managing partner Michel Rollier is quoted as commenting at the company’s May 15 Annual Shareholders Meeting “we won’t remain on the sidelines during discussions about Continental.” He added that Michelin was not currently engaged in any talks with the German company.

Conti has declined to comment on the matter, and Reuters quotes a person familiar with the situation as saying “nobody is working towards a sale of the tyre business.”

19th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyres Burn in Paris as Conti Protests Continue

The air around the Place de la Bourse in central Paris, previously home to the French stock market, was heavy with the stench of burning tyres on May 18. Hundreds of Continental employees, together with representatives from the CGT union, congregated at the historic trading site and vented their emotions ahead of planned talks on the closure of Conti’s Clairoix factory.

19th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Reports Solution to Stöcken Factory ‘Conflict’

The conflict regarding plans to end commercial vehicle tyre production at Continental’s Hanover-Stöcken plant has been resolved, the company reports. Continental management, the IG BCE trade union and employee representatives have reached an agreement on a solution that, in Conti’s words, “makes use of all instruments the labour market provides and opens up prospects for 2010.” The agreement will see the suspension of commercial vehicle tyre production at Stöcken as of the end of 2009, a move supplemented by a number of other measures.

“The package is the result of several rounds of intensive talks that came close to being bro-ken off at a number of points. In the end, however, the two sides moved closer and, against the backdrop of a dogged and complex economic situation, faced up to their responsibility,” said Werner Bischoff of the IG BCE Executive Committee following talks on May 19.

19th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Gerstenberger Leaving CTNA for Hannover Tyre Retail Post

After spearheading the turnaround of Continental Tire North America’s consumer tyre business, Andreas Gerstenberger will now turn his attention to Continental AG’s retail store business. Gerstenberger was named executive vice president of ContiTrade, which operates company-owned and franchised retail tire stores in 12 European countries. He will relocate to Hannover, Germany, later this year. Bill Caldwell, head of CTNA’s passenger and light truck tire OE business, was named to replace Gerstenberger. He will serve as vice president of sales and marketing.

“Andreas has played a pivotal role in building an excellent marketing and sales team that contributed significantly to the turn around of CTNA’s operations,” said Matthias Schoenberg, CTNA CEO. “He developed an outstanding team, and together they delivered for us a consistent marketing strategy, which included the revamping of the Continental and General tire brands, developing innovative consumer promotions as well as growing our retail footprint to ensure profitable growth for CTNA.

15th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Marshal Adopts New Brand Identity

Marshal has adopted a new brand identity. Marshal has been produced by Korean manufacturer Kumho Tire for 25 years ago and is sold in many countries around the world, including Australia, Germany, Italy and the UK – its largest single market.

According to a press release detailing the new brand ID, the smart grey and yellow logo will sometimes be used alone and sometimes in conjunction with the familiar red Marshal background. The new ‘signature’ was reportedly designed to better reflect the clean, high-tech image of the brand’s contemporary product range.

15th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Says Truck Tyre Sales Won’t Improve Before 4Q

Michelin managing partner, Michel Rollier has spoken has predicted that the currently stagnant truck tyre market won’t get any better until at least the closing stages of 2009. Qualifying the depressing news with the positive observation that the passenger car tyre market appears to be showing signs of picking up, Rollier told reporters: “There are some improvements in light-vehicle tyres, but in truck tyres there frankly isn’t much happening at all.”

According to Michelin’s predictions, the global truck-continues its downward spiral in the next two quarters, with the full-year drop likely to be steeper than in 2008, when demand for replacement tyres plunged 9.7 per cent in Europe and 8.2 per cent in North America, according to company data.

15th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Schaeffler Group to Make 250 million euros of Savings

Schaeffler Group has announced that is to implement further cost adjustments, while trying to prevent layoffs. In the first quarter of 2009, the company’s Automotive division recorded a downturn of 33 per cent compared to the previous year, which has now stabilized at a level 25 per cent below last year’s. The Schaeffler Group’s Industrial division, which accounts for 40 percent of total sales, sustained losses of 12 per cent in the first quarter. At 7.5 billion euros, current sales expectations for 2009 are significantly below 2008 levels. In a statement the company said it does not expect the markets to return to 2008 levels until 2012 or 2013.

13th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Infinity Commits to International Events

Infinity tyres, distributed in Europe by the Infinity Tyres Europe Limited, has given details of the company’s strong commitment to raising its profile through attendance at future international events. Infinity (alongside related brands) will shortly be exhibiting at both Autopromotec (Bologna, May 20-24) and Automechanika Middle East (Dubai, May 31 – June 2). In addition the company has already committed to exhibiting at Reifen 2010 in Essen, Germany. Infinity Tyres Europe will have substantial stands at each of the exhibitions and will be showcasing two new Infinity products in Bologna and Dubai.

Infinity tyres are available through UK distributor, Bond International. Bond was formed in 1970 and has expanded its operations consistently over the last 40 years. The company now has four warehouses across the UK, with over 250,000 square feet of warehousing, half a million tyre capacity and a fleet of over 70 vehicles.

11th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors