Goodyear Expands Dunlop Direzza Brand
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co is expanding the Dunlop brand Direzza tyre line by launching two new Direzza race tyres and new sizes of the Direzza DZ101.
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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Crypton Tuning is Relaunched
Product News‘Crypton Tuning’ is a well-known phrase within the garage equipment industry. One unique aspect of the ‘Crypton Tune’ is that car drivers went to garages and actually asked for a Crypton Tune. As part of the long term marketing strategy Crypton is re-launching this ‘Crypton Tune’ phrase. Therefore if drivers have faults with their cars or just feel they are under performing they can seek out a ‘Crypton Tune’ by a garage that uses Crypton’s latest diagnostic or service equipment. This will in-turn help garages to ‘sell on’ their diagnostic and service capabilities to their customers.
Fast-Fit Receives Pirelli Accreditation
Product NewsFast-Fit, a leading East Anglian tyre and exhaust specialist with branches across the region, has become one of the largest fast fit companies to achieve the Pirelli Driver accreditation.
All eleven branches of Fast-Fit, which sells and fits batteries, tyres and exhausts, have achieved the ‘Driver’ standard from the world famous Pirelli brand, after successfully meeting all elements of the technical audits.
Bridgestone ‘Model’ First Stop Store
Product NewsBridgestone Europe has opened its first European First Stop “Model Store” in Zaventem, Belgium in the presence of Francis Vermeiren, Mayor of Zaventem; Minekazu Fujimura, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Europe; and Günther F Unterhauser, senior vice president sales and marketing.
Wholesale Changes at Stapletons
NewsFor the last 18 months Stapletons has kept pretty quiet about its plans for the UK market and consequently rumours have abounded about the strength of the company’s position. Now, chief executive officer, Kenji Murai has broken silence, announcing efficiency cuts and $25 million of investment designed to set “Stapletons apart from its competitors…into 2006 and beyond.”
On the 11 October Stapletons announced that it plans to close its Dereham tyre distribution centre (TDC), cut around 50 jobs and introduce new stock distribution methods at its Bristol, Coatbridge and Warrington TDCs. Delving deeper, Tyres & Accessories learnt that the cutbacks are the first step in a programme that will see the company’s Japanese backers invest a minimum of $25 million over the next three to five years.
At first glance words like restructuring, redundancies and consultation can paint quite a negative image, but Stapletons representatives insist that the moves are growth driven. While CEO Kenji Murai concedes that cutting jobs and closing sites is a response to the “challenging trading environment that the whole industry is widely acknowledged to be facing,” he also believes it is a positive move.
Taking this into account, it is clear that the events of the last 18 months, and the number of recent top-level personnel changes that have taken place at the company, signal a tide change in the direction of the wholesaler.
Take the recent appointment of Andrew Long as head of marketing. Mr Long comes from a non-tyre background and will have been selected for his knowledge of marketing rather than his in-depth understanding of sizes and fitments. Likewise the appointments of Kenji Murai as CEO and Taro Ikeba as chief financial officer – both moving from previous roles with the Itochu Corporation – also signals how the Stapletons’ Japanese backer is stepping up its involvement in the company. The fact that Mr Murai’s previous role saw him direct formation of Pit100, Itochu’s Japanese tyre retailer, is particularly telling.
However, according to Stapletons executives, Alan Denton’s recent departure had nothing to do with the ongoing plans.
For Stapletons, it’s a question of first things first. And at the moment that means overseeing the closure of the Dereham TDC. One might think that the closure of a distribution centre might make distribution more difficult, but according to Stapletons it has actually been more a question of increasing efficiency. In the future customers that were previous served by the Dereham TDC will now be served by the company’s Letchworth hub.
Confused? You have to understand Kaizen philosophy – the principle of perpetual improvement, Mr Murai explains. For Stapletons, one example of this is reducing the number of stock keeping units (SKUs) the company holds from 3500 to 2500 in order to move with more agility in an oversupplied market. Consequently less physical space is needed. This move will be coupled with “a smarter form of distribution” at the Bristol, Coatbridge and Warrington TDCs.
According to company representatives, all of Stapletons’ retail outlets will continue to operate independently of any changes to the wholesaler operations.
Group Tyre Gains Exclusive Marangoni Distributorship
Product NewsGroup Tyre (UK) Ltd is to exclusively distribute Marangoni passenger car and light truck tyres in the UK mainland. “The move will allow Group Tyre to offer the independent sector a European manufactured product with premium brand quality but offering better value for money,” the wholesale operation said in an official statement.
“The addition of the Marangoni brand to our portfolio illustrates our commitment to offer our customers a full range of quality brands. We believe that we can develop Marangoni in the UK market to emulate the success it has achieved in the rest of Europe, and that Marangoni will contribute to our continued success in the independent sector,” commented Group Tyre chairman, John Church.
Blackcircles Aims for UK Retail Revolution
UK NewsBlackcircles.com is aiming to turn 700 independent garages across the UK into franchisees. And what’s more, managing director, Mike Welch, has a five-year plan to capture 10 per cent of the market and plans to enter Europe in 2006.
Blackcircles.com is something of dotcom success story. Founded in 2001 when Mr Welch was 23, the company currently operates a network of 987 independent garages serving consumers from “Thurso to Truro.” Next the 27-year-old managing director is aiming to capitalise on this position by turning 700 of the garages into branded franchisees, making local independent garages into outlets linked to Blackcircles’ ordering and stock checking systems.
Dunlop Presents ‘Maxxed Out’ Awards
Product NewsA Dallas man and his customised 1937 Ford pick-up truck has received the top Dunlop “Maxxed Out” Award at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. John Davis, Emmy Award–winning host, producer and creator of US TV programme, MotorWeek, presented the Dunlop awards. “We were looking for the ultimate in ‘maxxed out’ style and performance,” said Andy Traicoff, director of Dunlop consumer tyre marketing. “Through these awards, Dunlop celebrates the artistry and all-out performance created by the people who personalise their vehicles to reflect their personalities and attitudes.”
Cooper Launches New Corporate Identity at SEMA
Product NewsCooper is celebrating the premiere of a new look that the company says is designed to embody its “position as a leading tyre brand.” The new look was unveiled at a press conference held at the SEMA exhibition in Las Vegas. “The transformation of our brand reflects our uncompromising commitment to compete with the best in the world as a manufacturer and marketer of great tyres for all consumers, regardless of what they drive, on the road or off. It’s time for our logo to reflect the exciting things we’ve been doing at Cooper, and SEMA is the perfect venue to unveil our new image,” said Tom Dattilo, chairman, president and CEO.
SmarTire Reports Year End Financial Results
Product NewsSmarTire Systems Inc has published its results for the financial year ended 31 July 2005. The company reported revenue of $1.46 million compared to $1.66 million in 2004. Net loss for the year totalled $14.3 million compared with losses of $11 million in 2004.
Conti Hooks Up With Giovanna in Marketing Deal
Product News(Akron/Tire Review) Continental Tire North America (CTNA) has entered into a joint marketing partnership with Wholesale Tire and Wheel Corp., North American marketers of the Giovanna custom wheel line. In the deal, CTNA will introduce a special limited edition ContiSportContact 2 Giovanna tyre. The new tyre will be launched at next week’s SEMA Show, and will be available in sizes 265/30ZR22 and 295/25ZR22.
Bridgestone Europe Announces Price Increases
Product NewsBridgestone Europe NV/SA announces that it will increase prices on all of its tyre brands and categories. It will apply to all replacement channels in all European countries. The increases are up to 5 per cent and are scheduled to take effect from 1 January 2006.
According to Guenter Unterhauser, senior vice president sales & marketing of Bridgestone Europe: “Our manufacturing divisions are facing huge increases in raw materials costs. The recent increases in oil based raw materials, as well as natural rubber and energy, puts us in the situation where we have to increase prices.”
Dunlop Revives Buzz Cuts at SEMA
Product NewsDunlop’s treadheads are to return to the SEMA show, with 200 buzz cuts expected to take place at the event. The manufacturer reports that Chicago barber, Nate “Scissorhands” Hoops, is sharpening his haircutting tools, and Dunlop Direzza DZ101 tread designs are dancing in the heads of the throngs visiting the automotive aftermarket show. Hoops is expected to reach a clipping rate of 50 heads-per-day clip.
Andy Traicoff, director of Dunlop marketing in North America, said: “Dunlop’s booth is all about performance – from sleek treadheads to sideways drifting cars to the annual ‘Maxxed Out’ Awards. There also will be plenty of surprises. Because the SEMA Show emphasises tuner-style automotive accessories, the venue is a perfect fit for Dunlop.”
Dunlop Promotes Below 7 Degrees Campaign
Product NewsNorth American tyre marketers have taken the comical approach to promoting winter tyre use. A recent press release published from Goodyear’s Akron, Ohio HQ asks: “Waiting for Groundhog Day before deciding on winter tyres for the family vehicle?” Instead Dunlop representatives urge drives not to wait until the
”furry prognosticators make their predictions.”
Supply Direct Celebrates its First Birthday
Product NewsSupply Direct, the sales division of Equipment Services has celebrated its first anniversary by holding an open night to thank its customers for their help. The open night offered discounts on all brands with live demonstrations in the company’s fully functional showroom including their brand new Automated Test Lane.
