Earlier this year, NDI Tyre & Tube Supplies Ltd. announced plans to outsource the distribution of its passenger car private brand and alter operations to shift the company’s focus onto the supply of specialised and niche market products. Since this time the local subsidiary of Denmark’s Nordisk Daek Import A.S. has been busy implementing these plans, and the result of this is that NDI is now ready to participate in the OTR sector to a far, far greater extent.
Voith Industrial Services has appointed Jack Callaghan in a bid to further expand the company’s business in wheel and tyre assembly operations throughout the UK and mainland Europe. Callaghan, who has more than 20 years’ experience in wheel and tyre operations in the automotive sector, has been appointed business development manager based at Voith Industrial Services’ UK headquarters in Warwick.
Following several years of having what it calls a ‘marginal presence’, Marangoni Retreading Systems has announced its return to the Dutch and Belgian markets. This Benelux comeback comes courtesy of a partnership with tyre reseller and fast-fit chain Profile Tyrecenter. Marangoni states it will now expand its business in co-operation with what is the largest local tyre fitting network in these two markets; under the agreement, Profile Tyrecenter takes on exclusive management of the Ringtread brand in the Benelux. The Ringtread tyres distributed there will be manufactured by Dutch retreader Frapa, a founding Profile Tyrecenter member.
Agricultural and other primary resource industries continue to play a leading role in the economic growth and social development of the former Soviet republics. In these nations, agriculture, natural resource development and the construction industry have always been at the forefront of economic development, and this is now being further facilitated by the growth of private enterprise, an influx of foreign investment capital and a general recovery from the global economic recession.
Goodyear Dunlop UK has announced that it will change its logistics service provider following the expiration of its current contract for warehousing and distribution activities in quarter three of 2011. The manufacturer has selected DHL as its new provider. It is currently contracted with Norbert Dentressangle, and the companies are now jointly developing a transition plan “to ensure continued outstanding service to customers”, says a Goodyear Dunlop statement. Full details of the transition plan will follow before the end of April.
It was widely predicted that the winter, or cold weather tyre market would experience growth in Europe this winter; indeed, the question turned from whether there would be growth to how much of a leap this winter would see. The Euromaster Group has now announced that demand for cold weather tyres across Europe saw volumes reach an all-time high. Its sales alone of the high-grip seasonal car and van fitments exceeded 1.5 million units for the first time, rising by 20 per cent from 1.4 million in 2009 to 1.68 million in 2010. In the UK, volumes sold by ATS Euromaster have risen over the past two winters by 955 per cent.
Three changes within Yokohama Rubber’s senior management were decided upon at the company’s board of directors meeting on February 14. These changes, effective April 1, 2011, include the promotion of Hikomitsu Noji to a director and senior managing corporate officer role. Noji is currently director and managing corporate officer, president of Tire Group and general manager of Tire Global Production Division. As of April Mr. Noji’s more concise job title will be director and senior managing corporate officer and president of Tire Group.
Tire Group International (TGI) has opened a new logistics office in Xiamen, China. The location will be overseen by Emma Luo, who comes to TGI with experience in international freight forwarding and logistics operations, having spent 7 years with Schenker & Bax Global logistics, the company said.
Bridgestone Europe has renewed its Swedish market supply contract with DHL Supply Chain. The Jönköping based firm has handled Bridgestone Europe’s warehouse operations for the Swedish market since 1997 and the extended contract, valid until 2013, includes warehousing and a number of value-added services such as the studding of winter tyres.
Pirelli has announced that it will fit its Diablo Supercorsa tyres to the Ducati 848 Evo in the Ducati 848 Challenge – a new official partner of the MCE British Superbike Series 2011. Ducati is a long-time partner of Pirelli, with “an exclusive 100 per cent original equipment fitment deal.” Pirelli also recently agreed terms with the British Superbike and Supersport classes for sole tyre supply until 2015. The 848 Challenge will visit five British Superbike rounds and also go on tour to Monza and Assen. The Diablo Supercorsa has “broken numerous records in this year’s British and World Supersport Championships,” says Pirelli. Full 848 Challenge Series listings can be found below.
Annette Forster has recently taken on the role of group marketing Ddrector at the Klarius Group. Formerly of £104 million turnover polymer specialist Victrex Plc, Annette has global experience of marketing to the automotive industry. Her previous employer reportedly had double digit growth year on year since she joined as global marketing communications manager in 2003.
The supply agreement Michelin has operated with the US Navy since 2000 has been extended with the exercising of a second five-year option. The tyre maker will thus continue supplying 100 per cent of the Navy’s aircraft tyres around the world, including those required by deployed aircraft carriers. In announcing the extension of its supply contract, Michelin says its management of the Navy’s tyre performance-based logistics (PBL) program has eliminated backorders, reduced the Navy wholesale tyre inventory and reduced retail allowances by two-thirds, or nearly $2 million. Michelin states it has also reduced logistics response times, resulting in 99 per cent on-time (in four days or less) delivery anywhere in the world.
ATS Euromaster has announced its support for this year's Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show, saying the event's return after a two-year absence is “evidence the industry is recovering from recession.” As a direct result of the economic downturn the 2009 event was cancelled and last year a scaled-down version was held, dubbed the CV Operator Show, which ATS Euromaster attended. This year's event will be held in its original format at Birmingham's NEC from12-14 April and ATS Euromaster will occupy a 144 m2 stand to showcase its tyre management expertise.
DSV, a global organisation that offers total logistic solutions across a wide range of industrial and commercial sectors, has re-signed an additional 12 month contract with Bridgestone. The majority of DSV’s fleet of 7500 trucks is fitted with Bridgestone Bandag 385/65R22.5.
Vellco Tyre Control recent took delivery of two brand new “60-registered” MAN 6×2 Tractor Units utilising unique EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) technology designed for Euro 5 engines. But for the company that began trading in 1950 the purchase was more than just a infrastructure investment, it was also something of a celebration of the fact that during 2010 the company has been celebrating 60 years of trading.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
