US-based wheel service equipment manufacturer Hennessy Industries has launched a new line of auto lifts under the BaseLine by Coats brand name. As is the case with the BaseLine by Coats tyre changer and wheel balancer ranges, the new lift line-up is designed specifically for workshops seeking quality at an affordable price.
Hennessy Industries, Inc. has added its patented Laser-Guided Weight Placement Tool to its range of Coats balancers. The new Laser-Guided Weight Placement Tool works with any Coats 40mm Direct Drive Wheel Balancer and uses a red laser line to show users exactly where to place clip-on wheel weights. The accuracy of the upgraded tool increases one-spin balances and reduces residual static imbalance.
Tyre changer, wheel balancer and lift manufacturer, Hennessy Industries has formed a partnership with Hockman-Lewis Ltd., an international export management company, to handle sales and marketing of its Coats, Ammco and Bada branded products throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim, Tire Review reports.The new partnership represents a commitment to capitalising on the increasing demand for automotive service equipment in those markets, said Hennessy.
Hennessy Industries will be the exclusive supplier of Bada steel wheel weights to Goodyear company-owned stores, reports Tire review. Beginning this summer, the weights will be used in some 600 Goodyear Gemini and Just Tires locations across the US.
California will soon be lead-wheel weight free, thanks to a new agreement with one major automaker and wheel weight suppliers. Chrysler LLC, the last U.S. carmaker still using lead weights, signed a legal agreement with the California Center for Environmental Health, in which the automaker will stop selling lead wheel weights by the end of 2009.
Joining the agreement were wheel weight marketers Plombco, Hennessy Industries and Perfect Equipment. The agreement brought to a close a lawsuit filed by the CEH against the companies which sought to end the sale and use of lead weights in the state. (Tire Review/Akron)
Hennessy Industries has launched a new Web microsite to support its Bada steel wheel weight products. The site – www.steelwheelweights.com – promotes the environmental benefits of its Bada steel wheel weights. The microsite is also accessible through a link on the Hennessy Industries web site at www.ammcoats.com. “The majority of wheel weights are made are still made of lead, but that is quickly changing,” said Don Vanderheyden, group marketing manager for Hennessy Industries Inc. “The new microsite will educate independent dealers and retailers, merchandisers, and aftermarket companies about the full line of non-lead products Bada now offers and the technical and environmental benefits associated with our steel wheel weights.” (Tire Review/Akron)
Hunter Engineering recently filed a patent infringement action against Hennessy Industries. On April 30, Hennessy issued this statement:
“Earlier this month, Hunter Engineering filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Hennessy Industries. The suit alleges infringement of Hunter patents relating to a balancing system marketed by Hunter under the SmartWeight brand name.
“Hennessy Industries disputes the merits of the suit, and intends to vigorously defend its right to market EconoBalance (EB) technology in its Coats brand wheel balancers.” (Tire Review/Akron)
This is the relevant portion of the official statement issued by Hunter Engineering regarding its recent patent infringement lawsuit filed against competitor Hennessy Industries:
“On April 7, 2008, Hunter Engineering filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Hennessy Industries, Inc. relating to Hunter US patent numbers 6,952,964 and 7,320,248. These patents involve technology marketed by Hunter as SmartWeight that simplifies the wheel balancing process and significantly reduces the materials necessary to effectively balance wheels, thus reducing the cost to perform proper wheel balancing operations.
“The lawsuit implicates Hennessy’s wheel balancing equipment that includes the ‘Coats EconoBalance’ feature or the ‘Coats EB’ feature.” (Tire Review/Akron)
Building on the success of its first Top Shop Awards program last year, US based tyre industry publication Tire Review and presenting sponsor Ammco/Coats on February 18 launched a new Website dedicated to all aspects of the prestigious North American tyre dealer awards programme.
(Tire Review/Akron) Hennessy Industries has introduced the three new tire/wheel balancers – the Coats 775, 875 and 1175. Hennessy said the hree new models were designed to help tire dealers add revenue and generate repeat business. “These new balancers are ideal first or back-up machines for shops that want to keep balancing services in-house,” said Don Vanderheyden, Hennessy’s group marketing manager for wheel-service solutions. “All three models have self-calibration accuracy to within 1/100 of an ounce, making balancing fast and efficient, even for a new technician.”
The three new space-saving balancers also include features found on more expensive machines, said Hennessy, such as an integrated LED matrix display, which provides technicians with a keypad and easy-to-read visual cues to help promote proper balancing techniques and faster bay turnaround times. The Coats 775 can handle tyres up to 100 pounds; the Coats 875 and 1175 models were designed for larger volumes, holding tyres as heavy as 130 pounds and 150 pounds, respectively.
(Akron/Tire Review) Hennessy Industries has introduced the Coats 1250-3DV wheel balancer, which it says will help shops increase profits by streamlining operations and providing self-training capabilities. “Today’s new vehicles have larger wheels and special applications that are difficult to service with older balancers,” said Don Vanderheyden, Hennessy’s group marketing manager. “In addition, the increased use of hidden tape-weight balancing demands newer technology and custom balancing techniques. The 1250-3DV was designed to help address those issues.”
(Akron/Tire Review) The Center for Environmental Health filed suit to end the sale of lead-based wheel weights in California. Citing the state’s safe drinking water law, the group claims wheel weights that come off of vehicles threaten to pollute waterways. Specifically notified, according to the group, were Chrysler and several makers of lead-based wheel weights.
“Lead from wheel weights poses a threat to safe, clean drinking water in California,” said Caroline Cox, research director for the Center for Environmental Health. “Since affordable, effective alternatives exist, there is no excuse for the continued use of lead that can end up as a water hazard to people and the environment.”
“Many automakers have eliminated or are phasing-out the use of lead wheel weights, but most tyres in the US are still balanced with toxic lead,” said Jeff Gearhart, campaign director of the Ecology Center Clean Car Campaign. “In Europe and Asia, lead wheel weights have been replaced to protect people and the environment from unnecessary lead exposures. There’s no reason we should have lesser standards for protecting Americans from lead pollution.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Hennessy Industries has released the new Coats wheel lift system for its 50xx, 70xx, and APX80 rim clamp tyre changers. The system helps protect expensive aftermarket and OE wheels while helping eliminate strain on tyre technicians handling sometimes large, heavy tyre/wheel assemblies.
Hennessy said the Coats wheel lift system helps the operator get tyre/wheel assemblies up to tabletop height with minimal effort. The unit installs easily, said Hennessy, and can handle up to 150 pounds.
The unit is compatible with Coats APX80 A/E, as well as A/E and AX/EX configurations of 7050, 7060, 7065, 5050, 5060, and 5065 model tyre changers, the company said.
(Akron/Tire Review) Hennessy Industries has launched the new Coats OnBoard Operator Training (COBOT), which it calls “a revolutionary new device that brings wheel service training directly to the service technician.” Hennessy’s COBOT can be mounted on Coats APX90, 50X and 70X series rim clamp tyre changers, providing a video tutorial of the operation at the point of service.
Hennessy said it is the first to offer such an onboard training option. “We recognise the problems our customers face when it comes to training,” said Kevin Keefe, Hennessy’s director of marketing. “Training requires time and money. The COBOT enables the technician to perform the work while being trained at the same time, which will keep our customers one step ahead of the competition.”
With wheels and tyres rapidly getting bigger, heavier and tougher, tyre service is becoming more challenging than it has ever been – and choosing the right equipment is critical. At the SEMA Show 2006, Hennessy Industries unveiled the Coats APX90 tyre as its way of solving today’s tyre changing challenges.
New wheels, both aftermarket and OE, are increasingly large and unwieldy and require delicate care. In addition, mounting and demounting low-profile, high-performance and a variety of run-flat designs can be challenging. According to company representatives, “no matter what kind of assembly, the Coats APX90 was designed to handle any job quickly,” with protection for customers’ wheels in mind.
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