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Delticom Reports Strong Growth in 2008

Prominent European online tyre dealer Delticom AG reports closing its 2008 fiscal year with a record result. Despite a disappointing year for the tyre industry and for tyre retailers, Delticom’s online business model has again exhibited strong growth. The company recorded significantly increased sales in nearly all of its more than 100 online shops in 35 countries. This is reflected in year-on-year rise in revenues in each quarter. In the fourth quarter alone, revenues of 84.0 million euros were achieved, up from 69.5 million euros in the corresponding quarter of 2007. For the whole year, Delticom increased revenues year-on-year by 20.2 per cent to 259.0 million euros. With these results, Delticom hit the upper end of the revenue targets the company released at the beginning of the last year.

30th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Rösler: Tyre Competence is More Than the Product

The German Rösler Group becomes more and more a supplier of a fully integrated OTR tyre management which – together with its classical core competence of retreading – is particularly developing the marketing of consulting and maintenance services in its realm. The keyword ist “Rösler 360°”. Since the beginning of last year the company summarises all its different competencies, services and products under Rösler’s “360°” product which does not leave any cost factor or operational detail aside. Since very recently, the company from Dortmund in Western Germany has yet another tool under the tyre management. The “OTR Tyre Managmenent Software” will help to optimise costs and benefits of the OTR tyre management in general as it allows to collect (perhaps be PDA), transmit (even by satellite connection) and analyse and evaluate all the tyre data available.

30th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop Performs Well in ADAC Tests

Goodyear Dunlop has reported that its portfolio has performed well in the ADAC 2009 summer tyre test, following the publishing of the results by the German Automobile Association. The report praises the Goodyear, Dunlop and Fulda brands from the Goodyear Dunlop portfolio. Representing Europe’s biggest market, Germany’s ADAC is particularly influential in helping customers decide which brand to purchase.

Mark Davison, sales and marketing director at Goodyear Dunlop, said, “The huge efforts made in the field of development have once again been richly rewarded with these results. We will be circulating these results to our customers in the months to come, by way of our planned communication strategies.” The company was keen to highlight in particular the performance of the new Goodyear OptiGrip tyre, the Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response and the Fulda Carat Progresso.

26th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin’s Bad Kreuznach Plant Reaches the Quarter-Billion Mark

Michelin’s factory in Bad Kreuznach, Germany has produced its 250 millionth tyre, an Energy Saver 175/65 R14 82T. This event gave the site the opportunity to celebrate with the plant’s manager, Cyrille Beau, the head of the Michelin Germany/Switzerland /Austria region, Dieter Freitag, the town mayor, Andreas Ludwig and some 200 site employees. The factory first entered production in 1966.

“Our technology is excellent and we have modern equipment and assembly lanes,” commented plant manager Cyrille Beau. “But, first and foremost, what distinguishes us from our competitors is our personnel’s know-how and commitment.”

23rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho Wins Russian Magazine Tyre Test

Kumho tyres have won a respected magazine tyre test for the second year in a row. Russian publication Za Rulem declared the Kumho Solus KH17 as outright winner of Za Rulem’s test of 15 major tyre brands. The extensive trial encompassed all key disciplines including: braking, steering response, safety, noise level, fuel consumption and wear resistance on both wet and dry roads.

“Kumho’s Solus KH17 is strongly recommended and boasts excellent performance in all weather conditions as well as remarkable fuel efficiency. Kumho’s second consecutive victory in our annual test proves last year’s result was well deserved,” Za Rulem commented. The Korean manufacturer also won considerable acclaim in a similarly comprehensive comparison of major tyre brands run by Germany’s ADAC motorwelt.

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Manfred Wennemer Nominated to Bekaert Board

Following Julien De Wilde’s decision not to seek re-election to the board of Bekaert, the steel wire manufacturer has nominated ex-Continental AG CEO, Manfred Wennemer as director. The appointment is subject to approval by the general meeting of shareholders, which will take place on 13 May 2009.

Manfred Wennemer was chief executive officer of Continental AG from 2001 until August 2008, when he stepped down at the point that Schaeffler Group’s hostile takeover offer appeared to have reached the point of no return. Wennemer, had previously fought hard for Continental to retain its independence. He holds a Masters degree in Mathematics from the University of Münster, Germany and an MBA from INSEAD Fontainebleau, France.

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Carlsson Appoints Rolf Schepp New Head Designer

Carlsson, the company behind many wheel and accessories modifications for Mercedes Benz has formalised its already intensive co-operation with Rolf Schepp. On 1 March, the automobile manufacturer appointed the designer as their head designer.

Rolf Schepp has been working for Carlsson on a regular basis for many years. Amongst others, he developed the style for the current CLK- (W209), S- (W220), the future E-class (W212) and the Smart Fortwo. His work can be seen especially in the front spoiler, side skirts and rear diffuser, which bear his signature. A Carlsson press release states that “he has significantly advanced the Carlsson design line. Moreover, Schepp shaped the latest Evo- and Revo-wheel generations.”

13th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Has Schaeffler Puts the Brakes on Merger With Conti Automotive?

Schaeffler has reportedly brought its plans to merge with Continental’s automotive wing to halt, according to Germany’s Handelsblatt newspaper. “If synergies can be had without a major merger, then it would not put a strain on the organisation,” an unnamed source told the paper. However, the ball bearing maker’s spokesman confirmed, in an email to Bloomberg, that Schaeffler will: “Continue to work on the merger of both automotive operations…But it is certainly not a process that can be completed in the coming months.”

Earlier, Hubertus von Gruenberg, a former Continental AG chief executive, resigned following what the Financial Times (FT) called a “tumultuous meeting of the car-parts supplier’s board.”

10th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Crain’s ‘Automotive News Europe’ Publication to Close

Crain Communications, publisher of the Tire Business and European Rubber Journal titles, reports it has begun the process of moving production of its Automotive News Europe publication into its US based primary title, Automotive News. The standalone European publication, which was headquartered in Munich, Germany and written in English for the European automotive industry, will close.

“The worldwide economic crisis is causing everyone to make difficult, dramatic decisions,” said Keith E. Crain, chairman, Crain Communications Inc. “In tough times, it is important to stay focused.”

6th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Builds on “Fastest SUV” Fitment

Toyo retained its title as tyre of the “fastest SUV in the world” with the Proxes S/T on Sportec’s modified Porsche Cayenne Turbo at high speed oval course, the ATP in Germany. Selected for its ability to deliver the handling and stability required of a 4×4 of the modified Cayenne’s magnitude, the Proxes range exemplifies the ultra-high performance range of Toyo’s 4×4 line, though the company also recognises that not all off road vehicles are driven by off-road enthusiasts; it carries a wide range of tyres to suit all sectors of the 4×4 market, whether it is a sporty tyre for those who rarely venture away from the tarmac, or a true off-roader who loves to tear around the muddy terrains.

5th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

CGS Gains Top Fendt Supplier Rating in Germany

The German sales company for CGS Tyres, CGS Reifen Deutschland, has been awarded the highest rating in the supplier programme operated by tractor Manufacturer Fendt. The company was given an ‘A’ rating in all the categories evaluated, which include quality, logistics, service and environment.

“We are delighted to have gained the highest award, which our customer Fendt has conferred on us for several years in succession” commented Andrew Mabin, Marketing and Sales managing director at MITAS a.s./CGS Tyres.

5th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Blackcircles.com Opens Dutch Web Shop

British e-Tailer Blackcircles.com has thrown its hat into the ring in The Netherlands, seeking to do battle with competitors who, managing director Mike Welch says, “are growing on the back of offering customers an inferior deal.” Autobandenshop.com will offer Dutch motorists access to all the major tyre brands carried by the British website.

Welch continues, “One of the core guiding principles of Blackcircles.com is that there should be no barriers to tyre safety and we are delighted to be helping Dutch motorists to stay safe on the road. Our aim in Holland is to set a new standard for low cost tyres combined with high quality service.”

5th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Will Past Dealings Hinder Schaeffler’s Bailout Chances?

The German government is said to be in a difficult position….The Schaeffler Group, part-owner of Continental AG, has sought debt assistance, and the government seemed ready to help – until allegations of the company’s dealings in the Nazi era came to light.

At the end of February, the group issued the findings of independent research into its activities during the Third Reich, and this report shows Schaeffler to have widely used forced labourers in its Poland based armaments factories. The company released the findings in light of rumours circulating on the internet that its factories also utilised hair taken from inmates at Auschwitz, a charge Schaeffler vigorously denied.

3rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hanover Court Blocks Schaeffler’s Koerfer Appointment

A ruling by the German courts in Hanover has prevented Schaeffler from appointing its chosen chairman for Continental. The manufacturer wanted to install attorney Rolf Koerfer, a Schaeffler family adviser, as the head of the German manufacturer, a court spokesman said on 3 March. The decision was made following a complaint from a member of Germany’s corporate governance commission that Koerfler may have a conflict of interest.

The ball bearing manufacturer, which holds a direct 49.9 per cent voting stake in Continental, put forward Koerfer for the position at an extraordinary supervisory board meeting in January. In addition to Schaeffler’s holding, the group has transferred another 40 per cent block of its stake in Conti to the banks in order to remain below 50 per cent, as agreed to end a takeover conflict.

The court has given board members until 10 March to comment on the case.

3rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

VMI Awarded Innovation Gong for Tyre Builder

Dutch tyre building machinery manufacturer, VMI has been presented with the award for Innovation and Excellence in tyre manufacturing for its new MAXX Tyre Building Machine at the Tire Technology Expo in Hamburg, Germany. An international jury said the major reason for its decision was the breakthrough in fully automatic tyre building.

The MAXX is newly developed machine able to produce high quality passenger car green tyres with a bead size of 14”- 24” with increased productivity: the building process is fully hands-off, with the loading of the beads and the unloading of the green tyre done automatically. The design includes moving drums and a fixed transfer position to allow for a more precise process, flexibility and speed. Laser measuring devices and digital cameras automatically control and record the positioning of components and quality of splices.

VMI reports that the first VMI MAXX is already in production in Finland.

3rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors