As of December 1, Michelin North America is increasing prices on Michelin and Kléber brand agricultural and compact line tires and tubes sold in the United States and Canada. The company reports that prices will go up by an average of 11 per cent.
Michelin in North America has announced price increases for some of its own tyre lines and for products manufactured by the Michelin owned Oliver Rubber Company. Continuing increases in raw material, energy and transportation costs are said to be behind these latest price rises.
Michelin North America will, effective July 1, 2008, increase prices between 6 and 36 per cent on Michelin, BFGoodrich and Kléber brand agricultural and compact line tyres and tubes sold in the US and Canadian markets. The company adds that back orders of record as of June 30 will benefit from price protection until July 31, 2008. The Oliver Rubber Company will increase prices for its retread rubber products by 5 per cent, effective June 1, 2008.
Production capacity at Michelin’s Victoria Floresti factory in Romania will reportedly double over a two-year period to eight million units. Investments in the facility commenced in 2004 are responsible for this substantial increase in capacity; an annual development programme worth 30 to 40 million euros has seen money injected into the factory each year.
“Production will double over the next two years,” stated the Victoria Floresti factory’s general manager Carmen Petcu to Romania’s Ziarul Financiar newspaper. “And this is the paradox of a process of technological change done as we go. The plant has been, over the past three years, and will be, over the next two years, an under construction site.”
Tyres & Accessories has learnt that Michelin is planning to investment a double-digit million pound figure in its Baldovie, Dundee production facility. Yesterday the manufacturer announced the Dundee factory is to keep annual production at 6.5 million units, but plans to lay off almost 10 per cent of its workforce.
Michelin’s Baldovie production plant produces Michelin, BFGoodrich and Kleber passenger car tyres exclusively in the 13 – 15-inch range.
Glanworth Tyres has been appointed as Kleber’s exclusive wholesaler in Ireland. It will distribute Kleber car and van tyres in what, the manufacturer claims, is one of the brand’s fastest growing markets and the sixth largest in Europe.
“The link between the largest tyre manufacturer in the world, the largest wholesaler in Ireland and some of the best tyre retailers around is sure to guarantee a successful future,” remarked sales director Estelle.
Michelin has launched a new “added-value dealer programme” called Exelagri that will ensure its customers benefit from improved efficiency, service and technical expertise.
The Exelagri programme will enable Michelin to build a network of the best agricultural tyre specialists in the UK and Europe. This in turn will impact on end-users with improved service levels and access to technical information on premium Michelin Group products (Michelin and Kleber).
Kleber has launched a new roadside assistance service for buyers of any car tyre from its range. Kleber Assistance is available free to drivers who purchase Kleber tyres. It offers three years free cover against tyre-related breakdowns and includes vandalism, punctures or any other type of accidental damage. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and assistance is provided within one hour, anywhere in Europe. If the tyre cannot be repaired at the roadside and the spare wheel is unusable, the vehicle will be taken free of charge to the nearest garage where the tyre can be replaced at the driver’s expense. In the event of no garage being open the vehicle and occupants will be taken to a place of safety such as a hotel or the driver’s home if nearer. Although new to the UK, Kleber Assistance has been running in parts of Europe for some time.
The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has recently destroyed large amounts of sub-standard goods in a move designed to emphasis the need to improve the quality of goods traded in Nigeria. The latest batch of goods to be destroyed included second-hand tyres imported and sold by Sanusi Gbenga Tyres Enterprises. According to a spokesman for SON the tyres which were branded Dunlop, Michelin, Continental and Kleber were full of flaws, cracks, blisters, and foreign materials. These, according to him, are unreliable and potential death-traps.
Michelin wants to underline its reputation for innovation concerning agricultural tyres with the presentation of three new tyres: “MACHXBIB”, “XM 28” for tractors exceeding 180 horse power and the trailer tyre “CARGOXBIB”. The first one comes in two versions: an on-land version (650 mm wide) for transport and for work along the furrow and the in-land version (900 mm wide) with significantly reduced soil compaction and excellent traction performance. Highlight on the Kleber stand is the new “FITKER” a 70-series tyre that will be available in the two dimensions 480/70 R28 and 580/70 R38, and which replaces its predecessors, the “Super 8L” and “9L”.
It has been announced that the former Kleber tyre factory at St. Ingbert in Germany will close at the end of June next year. The factory began making tyres in 1970 and ceased tyre production in 1994. Since then it has manufactured tyre components such as textile fabrics and rubber mixings. 200 jobs will be lost and the closure is part of the Michelin Group’s on-going restructuring programme to improve competitiveness.
In Germany, Michelin is offering, what it calls “target-dealers” a contract with a Bib-Program, meaning Better In Business. Michelin has developed a multi-brand strategy with its Michelin, Kleber and BFGoodrich brands and is offering important extras to the dealers who have to agree to give the group brands a certain portion ( the majority) of their total purchasing. As our sister magazine, NEUE REIFENZEITUNG, says: The multi-brand-strategy has arrived in Germany.
Kleber is introducing its new Dynaxer DR series of tyres, in 31 different sizes, for wheels from 14″ to 18″ and H, V and W speed ratings. The new tyres have been developed from the previous generation Dynaxer DR 502 and 503 series of tyres, with the emphasis being placed on three core areas; the compound, the mould design and the optimisation of the tread pattern. The compound has been chosen for its properties in grip and wear and the tread pattern designed for maximum water evacuation – these features make the Dynaxer an excellent wet-weather performer. A large number of tread blocks means lower noise and lateral grooves positioned along the tread pattern’s flow lines allows the even dispersion of water, giving peace of mind, whatever the weather. The mould contributes to the tyre’s good wear rate, thanks to its ability to evenly distribute the pressures enforced. This contributes too to reduced tyre noise and ride comfort. At the same time as the new tyre is introduced, Kleber has revamped its logo. The new logo is said to reflect Kleber’s three core values of peace of mind, serenity and reliability and is aimed at the trade and general public alike. Although not the most famous name in tyres, Kleber claims to be Europe’s sixth-best-selling range and has OE contracts with such manufacturers as Audi, Renault, Peugeot and Vauxhall.
The fifth annual meeting of the MFP partners, held by invitation of Michelin this year at Karlsruhe, had new performance standards for market progress, “Markt-Förderungs-Programm” (MFP), and current products as the main themes of its agenda. Approximately 500 guests had gathered under the slogan “Gemeinsam am Markt erfolgreich” (Successful in the Market Through Unity). Patrice Kéfalas, as spokesman for Michelin Germany’s sales management and the person responsible for the car and transporter tyre division, combined in his welcoming address the question: What added value can the MFP partner expect from the Michelin group? with a short résumé/look ahead, “We have increased our car and truck tyre production capacity considerably and improved price competitiveness. Now we are vigorously investing in our high-performance tyres. We shall also rejuvenate the Kléber and Riken products and their brand images. And we are doing all this with the aim of being successful with our partners and more successful than the competition.” The strength of the Michelin group with its more than ten per cent worldwide turnover growth last year also safeguards its partners’ future security, he said. Of increasing importance for the Clermont-Ferrand tyre manufacturer is the high-performance tyre market, not only because of the company’s commitment to Formula One. The market in fast tyres is booming, and Michelin is determined to emphasise its strong presence in this market with the new Pilot Primacy and Pilot Exalto. In order to be “successful in the market through unity” Michelin offers quite a number of solutions, which are described in the May issue of NEUE REIFENZEITUNG.
In Karlsruhe Michelin has introduced an “Agricultural Service Centre” for the three agricultural tyre brands Michelin, Kleber and Taurus. All questions from German customers regarding use and sale of tyres as well as mounted wheel and tyre systems will be answered.
The Michelin Group has officially opened a new agricultural service centre in Germany, handling the Michelin, Kléber, Taurus and Stomil brands. In Germany, the group controls more than one third of the agricultural tyre market.
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