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Klarius Buys ArvinMeritor LVA Emission Controls

On 7th August 2007, UK based Klarius Group Ltd, acquired of the Emissions Control activities of ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Aftermarket Europe (LVA Europe). With the purchase, Klarius Group acquired the entire shareholdings of LVA Europe’s Emissions Control businesses in the UK, France and Italy; Arvin Replacement Products Ltd, Arvin Replacement Products SAS and Ansa Marmitte s.r.l. Chairman, Tony Wilson commented, “We are very enthusiastic about the growth opportunities for the new company. Growth will come from the development of our products and services to provide innovative environmental solutions for our customers”.

Klarius Group’s market leading product portfolio includes exhaust brands Timax (UK), Rosi (France), Ansa (Italy), Tesh (Europe) and pan-european catalyst brands Metal’Cat and EuroCat. The new group holds a 21% share of the European Emissions Control aftermarket. In addition, Klarius will continue to market and distribute the Purolator filter brand across Europe.

23rd November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Trims Labour Cost/Sales Ratio in 2007

Michelin is on track to improve its labour cost/sales ratio by 2 per cent annually, claim analysts. A report from Deutsche Bank shows that the group employs approximately 73,000 people in what are considered high labour cost countries; in 2007 natural attrition causes such as retirement saw 4,000 people from these countries leave Michelin. On top of this figure a plant closure in France saw 800 jobs cut; restructuring in Italy led to 200 redundancies; in Japan 500 jobs disappeared due to restructuring; and a thousand left the company in Spain as the result of ‘accelerated pre-retirements.’ Overall, 6,500 workers – 9 per cent of the workforce in high labour cost countries – left the Michelin group in 2007, a number Deutsche Bank calls “impressive.” The bank adds that, even if some of these workers are replaced – and less than half are expected to be replaced at a much lower wage rate – the Michelin group will be on track to meet the aforementioned labour cost/sales ratio improvement and to improve group productivity by 20 per cent by 2010.

20th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Most Extreme Maserati to Wear Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT

It is considered the most extreme Maserati of all time – with 755 horsepower under the bonnet and a maximum speed of 202 mph – and it is designed exclusively for the racetrack. Now, Hubert Haupt, entrepreneur and former driver in Germany’s Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters racing series, has become the first driver to put a Maserati MC 12 Versione Corse through its paces on a regular street.

Haupt drove the MC 12 on a series of test laps on Italy’s Adria Raceway, and later secured the first-ever approval to drive the car on public roads. Taking charge of this level of power and race technology out amongst other drivers is no small responsibility, so Haupt selected tyres he was confident would handle his MC 12 well – the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT, in dimensions of 315/30 ZR 19 on the front axle and 325/35 ZR 19 (106Y) XL on the rear.

19th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Brembo North America Acquires Hayes Lemmerz Division

Hayes Lemmerz International has released further details on the sale of the company’s Automotive Brake Components division. The purchaser has been named as Brembo North America, Inc., a subsidiary of Italy’s Brembo S.p.A. The debt-free transaction sees US$58 million worth of shares change hands, and under the agreement announced on November 9, Brembo North America has acquired all of the stock of two Hayes Lemmerz subsidiary companies that own the brake manufacturing operations in Homer, Michigan and Apodaca, Mexico and certain assets used in connection with the division’s sales, marketing and engineering group located in Hayes Lemmerz’ headquarters in Michigan, USA.

The facilities in Homer and Apodaca manufacture brake rotors and drums for the North American passenger car and light truck markets. The division in total employs approximately 250 people, including 64 technical associates, and in 2006 earned annual sales of approximately $ 120 million.

“We have built a strong business with a solid reputation for quality products, delivery and performance,” said Daniel Sandberg, president of Hayes Lemmerz’ Automotive Components Group. “Combining this business with an international, technically dynamic brake company like Brembo will better position the combined company to grow and compete in the global market. Our brake teams in Homer, Apodaca and Northville look forward to leveraging our shared commitment to superior customer service, product innovation and technology.”

12th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Pro-Cut Aims for European Growth

Toddington, Gloucestershire-based Pro-Cut Europe, is aiming to explain its operation after exhibiting at Equip Auto 2007 in Paris between 14-20th October. Pro-Cut Europe attended the Paris exhibition to recruit distributors for the continent. Showcasing the PFM 9.19, the worlds best on-car brake lathe, Pro-Cut Europe Directors Guy Carter and David Smith informed would-be business associates about the unique selling points of the machine and the rapid growth being enjoyed by the brake lathe market.

Pro-Cut Europe have sole distribution rights for the brake lathe in Europe and with development of the UK market meeting forecast expectations, the rapidly expanding Pro-Cut Head Office has already laid the foundations to extend the companies presence in the Continent. Pro-Cut Europe developed the infrastructure for European expansion in the German market 3 years ago and have already sold just under 500 lathes.

6th November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli to Raise Prices in Europe

The rising cost of raw materials and energy has prompted Pirelli Tyre to increase the price of their passenger car, SUV, van and industrial vehicle tyres by an average of 3.5 per cent. These revised prices will apply to all tyre brands produced by the Italian manufacturer and will commence on November 1 in Italy and Spain before implementation in other European markets by the beginning of next year.

Hand in hand with these measures is Pirelli’s decision to reduce by 25 per cent the suggested price list reference prices applied by dealers in Italy to final customers for summer car, SUV and van tyres, with winter tyres included under this arrangement from January 2008 onwards. The aim of this reduction, states Pirelli, is to “ensure a transparent price positioning to Italian customers and align the domestic market with the major European markets.”

25th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Automechanika Canada Debuts

(Akron/Tire Review) The recently ended Automechanika Canada – the first for North America – draw nearly 3,000 attendees and 2020 exhibitors from 16 countries. Held in Toronto from September 26 to 28, this first Automechanika event also included participation by the Ontario Tire Dealers Association. Participants included automotive and tyre suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, shop owners and installers, and offered a number of education sessions with the trade show.

Exhibitors came from Brazil, China, Germany, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Portugal, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the US, according to organisers Messe Frankfurt. “We were pleased to be able to deliver such a high quality event to the growing Canadian market this year,” said Messe Frankfurt president David Audrain. “Automechanika Canada enabled aftermarket professionals to source new products from around the world and enhance their business in Canada.”

The next Automechanika Canada has been scheduled for June 18-20, 2008.

18th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Joint Performance

The scenic “La Borromea” toll road that twists its way down the 1,491 metres of northern Italy’s Monte Mottarone is renowned for offering splendid alpine panoramas and views of neighbouring Lake Maggiore. But for Pirelli and Volkswagen the road, draped across the mountain like a carelessly dropped strand of spaghetti, proved ideal for a far less peaceful use.

La Borromea’s steep descents, hairpin curves and sparse traffic provided all the ingredients required to show off the capabilities of Volkswagen’s Golf GTI Pirelli. Returning in May after a 24-year hiatus, the not so ordinary hatch has high expectations to meet – its predecessor sold 10,500 units in just six months, a far higher quantity than anticipated, and quickly became a much sort after classic. So to prove that the 2007 Golf GTI Pirelli is every bit as much built of the right stuff as the 1983 version, in October Pirelli and Volkswagen invited media representatives to put their new creation through its paces.

17th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Signs Tyre Sector Research Agreement

On October 15 Pirelli and the Politecnico di Torino, an institute specialising in engineering and related disciplines, signed a five-year framework agreement for joint research in the tyre sector. The agreement will see the Politecnico’s research infrastructure utilised and will have the aim of further developing manufacturing processes and products derived from Pirelli technology.

In the realm of processes, in particular, the research team will work on the future generation of MIRS (Modular Integrated Robotized System), the robotised manufacturing system patented by Pirelli, and of the CCM (Continuous Compound Mixing) method that allows for a continuous production of mixes. On the products front, Pirelli and Politecnico di Torino will focus on development of the Cyber Tyre, an “intelligent” tyre able to “dialogue” with the vehicle, thereby permitting greater road safety.

16th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Giovanardi Takes BTCC Championship by the Slimmest of Margins

A second place finish in the BTCC season finale has seen Fabrizio Giovanardi crowned this year’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Champion. The final race at Hampshire’s Thruxton circuit, which ended two laps early following an accident involving Mike Jordan in the Team Eurotech Honda, saw Giovanardi pull ahead of his nearest rival in the points stakes, Seat driver Jason Plato. Victories for Giovanardi in the day’s first two races saw Plato’s nine point lead in the championship evaporate, and by the end of proceedings on October 14 Giovanardi had 300 points under his belt, a winning margin of just three.

Italy’s Giovanardi, driving for Vauxhall, is the 32nd different driver to take out the championship since the BTCC was first formed in 1958, and the Vauxhall team had double reason to celebrate. This season, the first in which it has fielded the Vectra, saw it regain the BTCC’s Manufacturer’s crown from arch-rival Seat, winning by 637 points to 623. But it is the Spanish make’s Seat Sport UK squad that has won the Teams’ title. Elsewhere, Colin Turkington was crowned the Independent Drivers’ Champion while his Team RAC BMW squad has taken the Independent Teams’ honours.

15th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Service Professionals Launch Pan-European Network

A number of leading independent tyre dealers throughout Europe have joined together to launch a new pan-European network of tyre service professionals. This network, known as TEN (Tyre European Network), brings together more than 2,100 dealer locations and 6,000 affiliated tyre specialists from across the UK and continental Europe. At the core of TEN are a number of national groups including Tyrenet from the UK, Germany’s Top Service Team, Profile Tyrecenter in the Netherlands and Belgium, Italy’s Tyreteam and SEAS 24 in Spain and Portugal. Discussions are also currently underway with tyre organisations in a further six countries.

The network will offer fleet managers the reassurance of a single, fully operational European network combined with the flexibility of brand choice from highly professional independent dealers providing services whenever and wherever they are needed. Mike Riley, the inaugural vice president of TEN and managing director of Tyrenet in the UK, says: “TEN is an extremely exciting development for the tyre industry that will enable fleets and transport companies to manage their costs as effectively as possible and will allow tyre manufacturers to offer their products in locations where they do not already have a presence. It is a win-win situation for the tyre industry and all our customers.”

12th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Mannino Leaves PTNA

After 25 years of service with Pirelli Tyre S.p.A., Guy Mannino, President of Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA) has decided to leave the company to pursue other professional interests. Mannino began his career in 1982 and embarked on series of international management assignments with the Pirelli Power Transmission Division. In 1993, he joined the Tire Division and held management positions in Italy, Venezuela and the United States.

Hugh Pace, Chairman & CEO PTNA will assume leadership for all business and commercial operations in addition to his current executive role.

Under Mannino’s leadership, PTNA relocated its corporate headquarters to Rome, Georgia, built a state-of-the-art MIRS manufacturing facility, and expanded its national distribution network.

Pirelli Tire North America extended its gratitude to Mannino for his many contributions to the company and wishes him and his family personal and professional success.

8th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Publishes Winter Truck Tyre Guide

Continental Tyres has put together a comprehensive guide to the differing tyre requirements British truck and coach operators expecting to run their vehicles in European countries this winter have to meet. Draconian penalties – including an absolute ban on entering certain countries – will apply to vehicles not properly equipped when there is ice or snow to contend with. Countries including Austria, Germany, Italy, France and Switzerland are covered and the Conti guide – available free of charge to operators – spells where special cold weather tyres are required and when snow chains have to be fitted.

24th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Wins Frost & Sullivan Consumer Choice Award

Europe has overwhelmingly cast its vote in favour of the tyre brand it regards as the safest and most durable, Michelin, putting the company miles ahead of the competition. The French tyre supplier emerged as Europe’s preference during a recent survey of consumer perceptions of chassis technologies conducted by Frost & Sullivan. Its dominance in Europe’s tyre market saw Michelin roll away with the 2007 Frost & Sullivan Customer Choice Award for Brand Offering in the categories of “safe and durable tyres” and “best overall tyre brand” in Europe.

Michelin was selected as the recipient of Frost & Sullivan’s prestigious award based on a recent study entitled, “Customer Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Driving Dynamics” covering over 2,000 respondents across five regions (France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom) and all vehicle segments (A&B, C, D&E, SUV and MPV).

17th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Deldo – the Winter Tyre ‘Specialist’

Deldo Autobanden markets itself as the European specialist for winter tyres, a claim based on the many years the company has participated in this seasonal market. Today in its Antwerp warehouse Deldo stocks more than 25 brands of cold weather tyres, including its exclusive Wanli and Sunny brands.

The two exclusive brands are manufactured in South China Tire & Rubber’s year old factory in China’s Guangzhou Province, and Wanli and Sunny offer an extensive range of tyres for passenger and commercial vehicles, with more than 80 studdable and non-studdable sizes available for the winter tyre segment alone. In mid July Deldo commented that it was “happy” with the level of pre sales for winter tyres ahead of the upcoming cold season, stating they had already reached a respectable 65 per cent.

24th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors