marketing Archives - Page 162 of 216 - Tyrepress

The bigger the tyre brand, the more important marketing becomes in order to communicate its values and its worth. With this in mind, the “marketing” tag collates all the latest marketing-related news and analysis into a single place. This reverse-chronological list of thousands of articles is your go-to source of tyre industry, marketing-related news and information.

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PCL – Sumo to Form Indian JV

Pneumatics Components Ltd (PCL) is preparing to enter into a joint venture in India. The UK-based manufacturer and supplier of tyre shop, automotive and other transportation products is teaming up with India’s Sumo Hi-Tech Marketing to form PCL-Sumo Air Technology Pvt Ltd, a company that is claimed to be India’s top tyre inflation and pneumatic products provider.

Headquartered in the city of Mumbai, PCL-Sumo will manufacture, sell and distribute a full range of tyre inflation and pneumatic products designed to meet the needs of the Indian market, including both mechanical and electronic tyre inflation products such an adapted Indian market version of PCL’s Accura forecourt inflator. Indian customers will also gain access to the full PCL range, including the Accura 1 electronic handheld inflator: the AirForce, PCL’s brand new generation of mechanical air line gauges: the Hi-Flo MK 3 Air Line Gauge, and the Accura 11, 12 and 13, suitable for tyre shop applications.

24th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Revamped Hi-Q Outlets to Be Unveiled Soon

June sees Neil Burrows take on the responsibilities of retail director at Goodyear Dunlop UK. So, as a way of welcoming him into his new position, Tyres & Accessories interviewed the company’s former marketing director and asked what the future holds for the recently re-vamped Hi-Q retail franchise.

At the end of 2005, Goodyear Dunlop UK announced plans to separate its consumer and commercial tyre retail businesses into two distinct Hi-Q and TruckForce networks. The move was designed to solve the perceived problems that had been encountered by the two sides of the business’ lack of synergy. This radical shake-up proved to have a dramatic effect on the network, with company’s aim being to improve its focus on both sides of the business. On the passenger side this meant introducing a strong “hard-franchising” policy, designed to keep standards and brand image consistent.

24th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Aims for Growth through Retail Network

Speaking exclusively to Tyres & Accessories, Maxxis International (UK) Ltd managing director, Derek McMartin has given more details of plans to grow its PCR business in the UK by setting up a series of retail ‘Centres of Excellence’ to actively promote the brand to the tyre buying public. The centres are being developed with recent TAFF wholesale award winners Group Tyre (UK) Ltd.

Derek McMartin describes the Maxxis Centres of Excellence programme as a key element of UK growth strategy. While the Maxxis brand is already well-known within the industry and particularly strong in sectors like motorcycle and speciality, the move to develop a retail network is seen as the company’s pathway towards increased passenger car/4×4 market penetration.

23rd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

GPX Names New President and Chief Operating Officer

GPX International Tire Corporation (GPX) has appointed Craig Steinke, formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Family Foods (a $500 million consumer product company) as President and Chief Operation Officer starting June 1, 2007.

Before his role at Eagle, Craig was a Senior Vice President and Group General Manager at Broken Hills Propriety (BHP) a $100 billion mineral resource company. He was responsible for worldwide sales, marketing and operations with direct responsibility for $3 billion of sales. Prior to this position, Craig was President of Magma Metals, a subsidiary of Magma Copper, a $1 billion resource company. Craig was responsible for sales, marketing and operations of a 1,000 person smelting and refining facility. Craig is a CPA and spent 10 years with Arthur Andersen before entering the private sector.

22nd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Power to the PCL

Energy supplier Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has teamed up with PCL to provide its staff with a vital gift to keep them safe on the roads. As the latest project in its on-going Health and Safety initiative, SSE decided to target tyre maintenance which, if neglected, can cause serious, even fatal, accidents.

PCL was asked to supply 17,500 pencil-style tyre pressure gauges along with tyre trade depth gauges, which SSE gave to employees in a company wallet enclosing a safety information/advice card. The response was so great that a further 2,000 of each gauge were supplied to cover the extra unexpected demand.

21st May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Advanced ID to Purchase Pneu-Logic

A company press statement released on May 15 indicates that US supplier of UHF tag reading equipment Advanced ID Corporation is preparing to purchase Pneu-Logic Ltd, the Derbyshire-based provider of tyre industry technology. According to the statement, the chairman of Advance ID, Seymour Kazimirski, and George Yeomans, chairman of Pneu-Logic, signed a letter of intent for Pneu-Logic’s acquisition following the decision previously gaining the board of directors’ unanimous approval.

“This was an easy decision for both companies,” commented Dan Finch, president and CEO of Advanced ID. “Pneu Logic has superior technology for tyre management and Advanced ID is the leader in tyre identification. By combining our technologies, we are able to offer a complete system solution for tyre and fleet management. Pneu Logic has been in business for three years with a 100 per cent focus on tyre inspection. Their client base includes major tyre manufacturers and fleet operators and the success specifically in the European market is a testament for the value of their product line. Pneu-Logic’s product line has patent protection and design IP. We have already started joint marketing efforts, which have led to new business opportunities. You could not ask for better synergy between two companies. There is no question that our combined company will be the undisputed leader in tyre management focused on tyre maintenance and tyre identification.”

21st May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

ContiTech Releases Statement on Dunlop Oil & Marine Investigations

In the wake of allegations regarding price fixing practices in the marine hose manufacturing industry, Germany’s ContiTech AG has released the following statement:

The investigation into employees of Dunlop Oil & Marine Ltd. has taken the management of ContiTech AG by surprise. Dunlop Oil & Marine Ltd. was taken over by ContiTech AG with the acquisition of Phoenix AG at the end of 2004 and has since been integrated into the Fluid Technology business unit.

ContiTech AG does not yet have sufficient information regarding the matter. The employees therefore have to be presumed innocent. ContiTech will cooperate with the authorities in their investigation. Should it be determined that the allegations are true and that violations of law have indeed been committed, ContiTech AG will take the necessary actions.

18th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Announces Management Shuffle

A number of senior management changes were decided upon at the Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd board of directors meeting in early May. These changes will become effective subject to approval being granted at the general meeting of shareholders on June 28.

Three corporate officers, Koichi Tanaka, Takashi Fukui and Norio Karashima, have been promoted to the role of managing corporate officer. Taking their place as corporate officers are Etsuji Hanatate, who on June 28 will become corporate officer deputy general manager of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Division and general manager of Tire Overseas Sales & Marketing Department No.2, and Misao Hiza, who will become in charge of MB Technical, general manager of MB Business Development Center, general manager of Hamatite Division and general manger of Hamatite Technical Department.

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Free 30-Day Trial on Cooper 4×4 Tyres

Cooper Tire is so confident in the performance of its acclaimed 4×4 range of tyres that it is now offering an innovative new money-back guarantee. Buy any four new Cooper 4×4 tyres from its extensive range of both on and off road 4×4 tyres from an authorised Cooper Tire dealer in the UK, and if the customer is not completely happy with them, they can return them to their dealer within 30 days for a full refund.

Commenting on the new initiative Tom Edwards Cooper Tire’s UK marketing manager said: ”We understand that for any customer buying 4×4 tyres is a big expense and they want to get it right, so we are offering them the chance to try our tyres without the usual risk associated with getting stuck with something you are not completely happy with. As one of the world’s largest 4×4 tyre manufacturers, we are more than confident in our tyres’ performance and we are prepared to put our money where our mouth is.”

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Viva Brasil, Viva Ringnet

This March, members of the Ringnet, the specialist Europe-wide network of retreaders and resellers of RINGTREAD tyres, met in Brazil to celebrate the first two successful years of activity of the network. The event, organised by Marangoni Retreading Systems and called Viva Brasil Ringnet Tour 2007, saw the participation of the Ringnet members who in 2006 achieved the objectives set as part of an intense marketing campaign for the promotion of Ringtread tyres with the end user.

The Viva Brasil event took place from 16 to 25 March, in Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro, and culminated in the convention held at the Ouro Minas Hotel in Belo Horizonte. The convention was attended not only by the Ringnet Europe member companies, but also by Brazilian retreaders, customers of Marangoni do Brasil, which were invited with the aim of presenting the Ringnet project for the local network.

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

ASA Names New Communications, Marketing Manager

(Akron/Tire Review) ASA Tire Systems promoted Erik Croswell to manager of communications and marketing. Croswell has been with ASA Tire Systems since August of 1998. In his new role, Croswell will plan and manage the company’s advertising, direct mail and promotional campaigns, as well as Web development for ASA Tire Systems and its customers.

14th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Awards First Expert Level Dealers

At the end of April Bridgestone UK announced details of its Expert Level Truck Point Dealer Audit Programme, naming the first three recipients. The accreditation scheme is the latest stage in the multi-million-pound total tyre management investment programme Bridgestone has been engaged in for the last three years. A further 46 external “Expert Level” audits were scheduled to have been completed at the end of April. Bridgestone plan to hold an official awards ceremony for the remaining Expert Level dealers at the annual Truck Point conference in October.

Talking to Tyres & Accessories, Bridgestone representatives described how working with Lloyd’s register made their scheme “a first.” As external auditors, LRQA (Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance), a leading management systems assessment body, carry out the necessary checks independently, adding greater value to the validation of the Expert Level dealers.
The objective of the programme is to recognise the high service standards of Expert Level Truck Point dealers, and to further improve the service standards of the entire network. The Expert Level Truck Point Audit Programme audits customer service provision, casing management, health & safety policy, equipment checks, administration, invoicing and training within Truck Point dealers.

14th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Europe appoints new PR manager

Hankook has appointed a new head of public relations for its European markets. Effective as of May 1, 2007, Felix Kinzer stepped into this role, taking over from Benedikt Preussner, who will now take charge of European media and event planning for Hankook Europe.

Mr. Kinzer, aged 44, has served in a number of public relations roles within the tyre industry for more than 15 years, most recently heading up his own press office in Munich, from which he supplied automotive related articles to various car and tyre magazines. Previous industry positions include head of the public relations department at Pirelli Germany and public relations manager for Bridgestone’s German operations.

Amongst other responsibilities, Mr. Kinzer will be responsible for the expansion and strategic positioning of Hankook’s pan-European press activities, a role of particular importance in light of the upcoming inauguration of the company’s Dunaujvaros production facility in Hungary, Hankook’s first in Europe.

14th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

WRAP Releases Tyre Recycling Standard Document

Two new documents released this month by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) are designed to set new standards in the tyre recycling industry. With over 46 million used tyres generated annually in the UK, the market for developing end uses for tyres is growing fast and these documents aim to set a quality standard for both the manufacturers and end-users of used tyre material. The two Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) documents were created in conjunction with the British Standards Institute (BSI). They provide guidance to the measures and procedures needed to produce recycled material such as shred, crumb, powder and tyre bales, to a consistent grade and quality.

According to WRAP, the PAS documents set out a voluntary specification and will give manufacturers the ability to publicise that their materials are of a high standard, meeting the voluntary guidance criteria. The PAS will provide their customers with the confidence that the materials they are receiving are produced responsibly, in line with an approved procedure. In an industry historically lacking guidelines, the documents promise to be a useful resource.

14th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho to Title Sponsor Man U. Visit to Korea

In an attempt to boost its sports marketing profile, Kumho Tires has invited phenomenally popular football team Manchester United to participate in a friendly game that the tyremaker is title sponsoring. The Kumho Tires Cup 2007 Manchester United Korean Tour, as the event is to be known, will take place on July 20 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, and the lads from England will compete against leading South Korean professional football team FC Seoul.

A press conference held on April 27, attended by Kumho Tires CEO Sae-chul Oh, Manchester United president David Gill, FC Seoul president Wan-kyung Lee plus a number of dignitaries outlined the plans and hopes for July’s high-profile event. Kumho Tires’ president, Mr. Oh, said, “We hope that this game can lead young soccer lovers to have more aspiration for the future while revitalising general public’s interest in soccer reaching out to more people.”

11th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors