A number of HiQ fast fit premises have been taken over by Chris Kisby’s Easy Autocentres. A total of 27 centres are included in the deal, including the company’s flagship Nottingham outlet. Following the acquisition from Goodyear Dunlop, Easy Autocentres is set to become one of the Midland region’s largest fast fit operators, with a turnover of around £10 million.
HiQ bosses recently held the retail network’s first National Franchise Conference. The leading fast fit retailer organised a franchise networking event at the impressive Crewe Hall venue in Cheshire, where the company’s recently named new managing director, Juergen Titz, outlined HiQ’s vision to grow in the fast-fit and vehicle servicing market. The event gave HiQ the opportunity to have an open dialogue with its franchisees and inform them of the types of services open to them, such as online ordering technology, marketing support and new corporate identity graphics.
Despite trading in an unprecedented economic downturn, the company remained extremely upbeat about its future, mainly because of its National Franchise Programme. HiQ’s franchise structure is the only one of its kind in the fast fit industry, with 130 sites now run by 41 franchisees. By the end of February, this figure will rise to 138 sites and by the end of 2009, it is hoped that 170 centres will be franchised.
The vehicle selected by North American automotive journalists to be this year’s Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit is the Hyundai Genesis. More than 50 new vehicles were considered before the US and Canadian based journalists selected their three favourite cars and trucks. The Hyundai squeezed out the other finalists in the car category, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI and the Ford Flex, to take out the top honour. And a win for the Hyundai is also a win for Dunlop, as the company provides its SP Sport 5000 tyre as OE on the Genesis, in sizes P225/55R17 and the P235/50R18.
Goodyear Dunlop UK has announced the combination of its Farm and OTR department with its Truck department. As part of this change, Andy Morris, who was previously the director of Farm and OTR, will take on the new role of commercial sales manager. Morris is a 33-year Goodyear Dunlop veteran, and the company notes that he led the Farm department into a profitable position, crafting a skilled and specialised sales team.
Launched in 2004, the Dunlop Race Academy has processed over 17,000 hopefuls to produce five competition winners, each of them with no previous motorsport experience. The 2005 winner, Simon Shaw, has gone on to make a professional career in motorsport. In 2009 the Academy is set to return, albeit with some significant changes to its format. The competition will switch its focus from attracting talented drivers and newcomers into the sport to developing drivers who have already made a start in their racing career.
Goodyear Dunlop has cut 147 jobs from its Western New York plant, according to American new sources. The cuts have been prompted by slowing tyre sales, with the company matching the slowdown with a cut in production for auto and commercial tyres. The Buffalo News states that motorcycle tyre production continues as normal, while United Steelworkers of America reported that 52 workers took buyouts, with another 95 laid off on 1 December.
Goodyear Dunlop’s Truck team have secured a fleet deal with Hargreaves Services, the UK’s biggest bulk haulage company. The deal will see 879 vehicles fitted with the latest Max Technology tyres from Goodyear during the company’s five year contract with the truck tyre giant.
Goodyear Dunlop UK is today (1 December 2008) increasing the cost of its two premium tyre brands by 5.1 per cent for Goodyear and 5.7 per cent for Dunlop. According to the company the move comes as a result of the recent “accelerated devaluation of the British pound versus both the euro and US dollar.” The British pound has fallen -17 per cent and -27 per cent against the euro and US dollar respectively since Autumn 2007. Recently this devaluation has accelerated and since 1 October 2008 sterling has lost 6 per cent of its value compared with the euro and -17 per cent against the US dollar. The company representatives Tyres & Accessories spoke to wouldn’t comment on the possibility of further increases, but simply said they are closely monitoring market conditions.
Workers at Goodyear Dunlop’s six plants in Germany will return from their Christmas holidays two weeks later than normal following the decision to extend the winter holidays at all the sites. Production will end on 19 December, with workers returning on 5 January, 2009.
The spokesperson for Goodyear Dunlop in Hanau, Gabriele Velte stated, “The crunch is hard on all of us – also at the Fulda factory.” Citing this example, Goodyear Dunlop’s Fulda plant, which produces the Fulda brand as well as other brands, employs 1,400 workers. In previous years, the facility has worked throughout the Christmas and New Year period – the usual holidays excepted. “This has never happened before, as long as I can remember,” continued Velte.
HiQ Retail Director Andy Morris has already set a bold New Year’s resolution for the fast fit company in response to “one of the busiest years imaginable.” HiQ, which has over 120 centres nationwide, announced a national franchise programme designed to speed up the transfer of Goodyear Dunlop owned stores long-term franchise agreements. If that wasn’t enough to keep them busy, the company also embarked on the first year of a three-year sponsorship of the British Touring Car Championship.
Looking forward to 2009 Morris is optimistic: “Our company New Year Resolution is to offer ‘fast fit you can be sure of’ and that is our new company message that you will be hearing more of. It will be relevant to every single one of our centres. It has certainly been a hectic year, but one which has put us in a far stronger position now than we were 12 months ago.
A handful of employees from Goodyear Dunlop togged up in their warmest and braved the winter chill to help brighten their local landscape. Eight employees planted over 130 hedges and trees in partnership with British Waterways, creating a tranquil orchard in the midlands. The tyre maker reports the area in Wombourne, Staffordshire, has been transformed from muddy disused land to an oasis of calm for local residents and visitors to enjoy.
“Last year members of the HR team helped to improve the environment for wildlife at our local canal system as part of our commitment to helping our local community,” said Darren Green, Heath, Safety and Environment manager at Goodyear Dunlop. “It proved to be such a good team building exercise that we are back again, and this time planting trees. The hard work was well worth the effort when we think of all the people who will benefit from this new woodland which we are sure will be enjoyed for years to come.”
Goodyear Dunlop has announced its 2008 Charity Ball, which will take place on 29 November. The event will be the second ball in two years, and follows the success of a similar event in 2007, where the impressive sum of £24,500 was raised for the company’s corporate charity. Earlier in 2008, Goodyear Dunlop pledged to raise £50,000 to fund the development of a specialist play area for the Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) at the hospital. Since the appeal was launched in April 2008 the company’s’ associates have been jumping at the chance to support the cause with Goodyear Marathon truck tyre rolls, dress down days and even a cycle ride from Birmingham to Paris.
“This event is a great opportunity to support the work of the Children’s Hospital, while having a good time,” says Anna Stanley, Goodyear Dunlop communications specialist. “Compared to previous events there is no training, sweat or bungee ropes involved, just a great evening. People can buy single tickets or purchase a whole table for friends, family or corporate guests. Either way a good night is guaranteed. The evening will include a Champagne reception, live band and four course meal, with Central News’ Bob Hall playing host making this a real night to remember in aid of a very worthy cause.”
Dunlop has appointed Sharon Antonaros sales and marketing director, Europe, Middle East and Africa for its Motorcycle Business Unit. He is based in the Goodyear Dunlop regional head office in Brussels and reports to Sanjay Khanna, managing director of the Dunlop Motorcycle Business Unit.
Born in Uccle, Belgium, Mr. Antonaros, 39, gained a Masters degree in European Studies from the Centre d’Etudes des Relations Européennes. Before joining Dunlop in August 2008, Antonaros was channel development director EMEA in the electronic navigation industry, where he had worked for three years. Prior to this he held senior sales and marketing positions in the computer hardware industry for Sony.
Supply chain management specialist Ceva Logistics has in Australia renewed its national distribution contract with South Pacific Tyres, a move that should consolidate the tyre distributor’s supply chain operations. Ceva provides warehousing, transport and logistics services to the operator of the Beaurepaires, Goodyear Autocare and Dunlop Super Dealer retail channels and distributor of the Goodyear and Dunlop passenger and commercial tyre brands.
HiQ is promising to continue its good work throughout the length of its three-year sponsorship of the British Touring Car Championship, having been praised by organisers for its “brilliant” first 12 months with the UK’s premier motor racing series. The final round of racing at Brands Hatch in September signalled the end of a first year of partnership with the BTCC, which HiQ has branded “extremely fruitful”.
BTCC series director Alan Gow said: “HiQ and the BTCC is developing into a brilliant relationship. The company has been extremely pro-active from the first race back in March and we have received a great deal of feedback praising the company’s energy and enthusiasm. A lot of time and effort has gone into engaging with the fans of the series, who are reaping the benefit of having HiQ as the title sponsor and the introduction of this clever Champagne Moment initiative is giving those watching both trackside and live on television yet another chance to get actively involved in the championship.”
The Champagne Moment competition asked raceday crowds to visit its website www.hiqonline.co.uk and vote for their favourite driver at each round, embracing the BTCC’s approach of interacting with the public. HiQ also arranged Fans Forums to give fans a chance to meet the BTCC’s teams and drivers at its local stores ahead of each race meeting. Both initiatives helped the company to raise awareness of the HiQ name among thousands of new potential customers.
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