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Goodyear’s LHT II – Low Rolling Resistance Without the Drawbacks?

Newton’s First Law of Motion states that ‘every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it’. For tyres, this external force is seen in rolling resistance, and it is primarily caused by the repeated deformation and recovery of the tyre as it comes into contact with the road surface. Reducing rolling resistance is, in theory anyway, relatively simple – yet achieving a reduction in rolling resistance without compromising on other essential tyre qualities is another matter entirely. In designing its latest generation trailer tyre, the Marathon LHT II, Goodyear referred to this as “mission impossible”. Yet through much research and development work the tyre maker believes it has achieved this seemingly unreachable goal.

15th June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

The Guardian Publishes Michelin-Sponsored Tyre Labelling Roundtable

Legislation, UK News

The Guardian has published comments made by the eleven participants in a roundtable discussion about the new European tyre labelling system, which will be introduced in November 2012. Operating the Chatham House rule (attributing no comments to those who made them), the discussion was split into the categories of what information the labels will contain – the tyre’s fuel efficiency, wet grip characteristics and road noise – and what the current labels do not contain – specifically the make and model of the tyre graded and the lifecycle of the tyre; both features that similar labels in the USA do contain.

9th June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Dealers Feature in Guardian Labelling Article

On 6 May Tyre retailers, fleet operators and consumer organisations took part in a panel discussion on the subject of tyre labelling organised by The Guardian in association with Michelin. The event, which took place at the Aviator hotel in Farnborough, was hosted by and was chaired by the newspaper’s executive environment editor Joe Confino.

According to the resulting report, which is scheduled for publication in the Society supplement of tomorrow’s newspaper, the discussion covered various aspects of the forthcoming EU legislation concerning tyre labelling, which Michelin says it “wholeheartedly supports”. Topics included the likely effects on the tyre retail industry, both in-store and on the internet, and fleet operations. Previous experience of this type of labelling was brought to the table by David Evans of consumer organisation Which? and this centred around the similar labels found on white goods and its effect on consumer behaviour.

8th June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Tom Parker Ltd Promotes Pioneering EARS Technology

The role compressed air equipment plays in the tyre business is often underestimated. But with the recession causing businesses to think more about energy costs and legislation; and with general opinion swaying us all towards being more ecologically friendly, this is something that the pneumatic experts at Tom Parker Ltd are hoping to change, with the launch of the Exhausted Air Recycling System or EARS. EARS is designed to capture the exhausted air from pneumatic tools and recycle this otherwise wasted energy back to the compressor, which improves efficiency and therefore saves money.

Because the new technology centres on recycling wasted exhaust air it represents a major advance in compressed air technology. It does this by running two lines between the compressor and the pneumatic tool in a way not dissimilar to veins and arteries in your own body – the primary airline acts like an artery sending out “clean” air to power the tool, while a secondary line is like a vein and returns used, or exhausted air, back to the compressor. By capturing and reusing this exhausted air, it reduces environmental pollution in the workplace with no airborne contaminants such as oil, dust or other pollutants being released. However it is also quieter, comfortable and more energy efficient due to higher output flows from the compressor, which maximises its power consumption and operating life.

24th May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Tests: Bad Aftermarket Exhausts Markedly Increase Pollution

Shocking results from one of Europe’s foremost vehicle emissions testing labs have revealed shortcomings in some (legal) replacement exhaust systems. The results show 20 times the level of harmful Nitrogen Dioxide and 50 per cent higher levels of damaging Hydrocarbons being emitted by non Type-approved exhausts, leading to calls from manufacturers such as Klarius for type approval to become mandatory in the UK, as it already is in Europe.

Extensive testing by Longbridge-based Emission Test Facility UK has called the quality of construction, design and materials used in exhaust pipe make-up into question. Emission Test Facility UK’s directors and testers, Tim Colgan and Graham Downing, tested a selection of non Type-approved exhaust systems against an original manufacturers unit and a fully Type-approved replacement model.

21st May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Retreaders, Associations Kill Anti-Retread Bill

TIA reports that a coalition of members, other associations and local retreaders were able to defeat pending legislation in Georgia that would have effectively outlawed retreads on government-owned safety vehicles, says Tire Review. Along with TRIB and the RMA, the group worked to amend a House-passed bill that contained the anti-retread provision. The amendment was made in the Senate version of the bill, which was then passed by the Georgia House.

7th May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Brickhill: Tyre Labelling to Facilitate Tyre Value Conversation

Legislation, UK News

his last public engagement before completing his transfer to Brussels. Goodyear Dunlop’s new vice president of the company’s EU Consumer Business Unit talked at length on a wide range of subjects including what he sees as “the cornerstone of our branding strategy”; his thoughts on the newly launched Dunlop High Performance Centre and the rest of the company’s retail involvement; Dunlop and HiQ’s roles in the BTCC and his experiences with the company over his time in the UK hotseat. Here, tyrepress.com presents Brickhill’s thoughts on his new role in the company’s EMEA division and his views on tyre labelling. The whole interview will be printed in the May edition of Tyres & Accessories Magazine.

6th May 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Galgo Europe Wins National Export Award

Galgo Pre-Q was recently honoured with the “National Export Award of Mexico 2009-2010” (Premio Nacional de Exportacion). According to the company, Galgo was the only company of its type to have received this prize “making us best-in-class in what we do.”

Since its foundation in 1952 Galgo Pre-Q has aimed to combine modern rubber manufacturing and laboratory equipment with a total quality management system. In 1999, Galgo Pre-Q systems received ISO 9001 certification recognized by ANSI RAB (U.S.A) and DAR (Germany). But last year this was re-certified at ISO 9001 version 2008. Company representatives say the certification assures clients that the company uses high quality processes and keeps a continuous improvement programme. They also point out that part of Galgo Pre-Q’s process SAP R/3 integrated computer systems provide “timely and accurate information upon which to make operational decisions.”

30th April 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Increases Longevity, Decreases Noise with New CS2 PCR Tyre

Cooper Tire has launched a new product for small and medium sized family cars, which it claims boasts a reduction in road noise and a longer lifespan than its predecessor. The company states that it has used the latest pitch sequencing technology to create the Cooper CS2, a step to reduce the tyre’s noise levels and provide the quiet running required by the latest EU legislation (otherwise known as s-marking).

29th April 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

What Will Reifen 2010's 550 Exhibitors Bring to the Show?

With tyre businesses forced to face the unprecedented combination of global recession, high raw material costs and increasingly thorough legislative demands, the two years since the last Essen show have been some of the toughest in the market’s history. And yet, if you will excuse the pun, the tyre business seems to have a perpetual ability to “bounce back” in the face of adversity. In fact some brands – largely those operating in the mid and upper mid range segments – actually outperformed their pre-recession sales records, resulting in increased market share at least in terms of units sales.

That said, all businesses have had to cope with the same credit crunch-induced reticence amongst consumers to spend any money at all, while at the same time having to deal with (either directly for the manufacturers or indirectly for those importing, wholesaling and trading) high input costs for raw materials such as natural rubber.

27th April 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

HiQ ‘Welcomes’ TPMS Legislation

HiQ has commented on European Commission plans for compulsory tyre pressure monitoring systems on new vehicle types form 2012 and all new cars from 2014. Noting safety and reduced fuel consumption benefits, the fast fit network states that the implementation of this legislation provides a “clear signal” that TPMS are important and necessary for consumers. A further benefit, says HiQ, is that the adoption of TPMS will enable a greater number of cars to be fitted with run-flat tyres, which also contribute to increased safety.

20th April 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Irish Motorists Falling Foul of E-Mark Requirement

As of April 1 the presence of an E-Mark on tyres became mandatory in Ireland in order for cars to pass the NCT (National Car Test), the Irish MOT equivalent. While the president of the Irish Tyre Industry Association, Dave Naughton, refers to this measure as a “big step forward for road safety”, the association estimates that 50,000 tyres currently fitted to vehicles do not conform to the European standard, and thus thousands of motorists’ cars may not pass their next NCT.

15th April 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Shanghai Tire Technologies Congress Scheduled for 25 – 26 May 2010

Based on the theme of “Interpreting Industry Legislation and Regulations, Exploring Cutting-edge Technologies and Trends,” event organisers are publicising plans for the second annual Tire Technologies Congress in Shanghai, China. As you might expect the conference will focus on the most controversial legislation and trade issues, but there are will also be technology sessions.

Organisers JFPS Group report that the event will centre on speech delivered by over 20 general managers and research and development directors from leading tyre companies such as: Bridgestone, Goodyear, Giti Tire, Pirelli Tyre, Cooper Tire, SIBUR – Russian Tyres, Apollo Tyres, Toyota Motor Corporation, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, Doublecoin Tire, Guizhou Tire, Yellow Sea Rubber, South China Tire & Rubber, Hangzhou Chaoyang Tire, Aeolus Tyre, China National Tyre & Rubber Guilin, Bayi Tire.

6th April 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

NTDA Defends Retailer “Green Fee”

With talk of a tyre collection and recycling “crisis” in the air and with some sources pointing the finger at the retail business, the NTDA has responded by defending the so-called green fee charged by distributors. The association, which represents tyre retails and distributors, also released new survey results pointing to a slight decline in the incidence of tyre fly tipping.

In answer to accusations that some in the retail trade are profiteering from the green fee (widely accepted to be around £1.50/tyre), the recent NTDA e-zine pointed out that the process can be more costly than retailers are given credit for. Summarising the accusation against retailers and then countering it, the association wrote: “The retailer charges the motorist £1 (or maybe more) as an environmental/disposal charge. He then pays his collector 50p – ergo, he is making 50p profit. QED. Except that he isn't. If the tyre were to be removed and left where it was until the collector came and picked it up, there would be some truth in this, but if the retailer is to comply with legislation, things are a bit more complicated – and costly.”

1st April 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

NTDA: Part Worn Tyre Sales Increase

Sales of “potentially lethal” part worn tyres are on the increase, according to a National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) survey. The report follows earlier research conducted by TyreSafe, tyre industry’s safety body, which said part worn tyres "pose a significant safety hazard to drivers and other road users." The consensus remains that there are around 2 million part worn tyres sold in the UK passenger car replacement tyre market each year.

The 2010 survey reveals that most NTDA members are reporting an increase in the sales of part worn tyres in their area (65%), with the remaining 35 per cent describing the market as 'static'. Only 6 per cent of respondents said that there were no part worn dealers in their vicinity, while 71 per cent said that there were between one and 10 dealers in their area.

29th March 2010/by Tyrepress Editors