Tyre industry pioneers, Michelin has a long history. Having begun in 1889, Michelin is now the second-largest tyre manufacturer in the world after Bridgestone and larger than both Goodyear and Contineantal.
Michelin’s Malaysian operation, Michelin Malaysia Sdn Bhd, has announced the appointment of a new managing director. Former sales development manager for Michelin Asia Pacific Yves Pouliquen began in this role on October 1, taking over from Ronald Sutardja, who is leaving the company.
Pouliquen started his career with Michelin in 1998 as a supply chain manager for the Asia-Pacific region before becoming a territory account manager in 2001.
Despite broadsheet gossip that Micheldever was bidding to buy National Tyres at the end of the second quarter, Micheldever executives remain clear that their focus is on selling to independent dealers and that any such speculation was completely unfounded. Instead they would much rather that attention fell on pioneering developments such as the release of the first all-terrain 4×4 tyre in the world capable of H-rated performance with an 18-inch diameter – 255/60hr18 General Grabber AT2.
Micheldever Tyre Services’ core strategy remains the same as ever, according to wholesaler director, Alan Baldwin. And the company continues in it clear mandate to provide “the widest possible range of products at the most competitive prices to the independent tyre retailer.” Further significant investment has been made by the company in additional warehouse capacity and delivery vehicles, says Baldwin, explaining that the company runs eight strategically positioned warehouses that hold the largest multi-brand tyre stocks in the UK.
Michelin has outlined plans affecting the company’s operations in France and Spain. These plans, according to the tyremaker, constitute a new phase in Michelin’s industrial strategy in the two countries, and are aimed at strengthening the group’s competitiveness in Western Europe. Michelin adds that “significant investments” have been earmarked for plant modernisation projects.”
As part of the strategy, production at the company’s factory in the French town of Toul is scheduled to cease in 2009. The facility produces mid-range passenger car tyres, a market experiencing intense competition from low production cost countries that have massively invested in this specific segment during the past five years. Michelin claim that, in spite of significant investment into the operations at Toul in recent years and the streamlining of industrial processes, production costs at the plant are 50 per cent higher than those of the French manufacturer’s competitors, therefore Toul is no longer a competitive site. The company adds that the market currently has an overcapacity in the tyre sizes manufactured in Toul.
Describing itself as a “first-choice trade source for the marketing leading Bridgestone’s tyres and the only business in it’s field to offer freephone ordering,” Bike Tyrestore is currently the leading motorcycle tyre wholesaler and boasts having “the zippiest sales team and most advanced Call Centre order handling technology.” The Birmingham-based company recently supported this by announcing that the results of its annual customer survey were top second to none. According to Bike Tyrestore representatives the company was awarded an overwhelming 10 by customers rating from 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent).
The company’s “your online warehouse” system is also increasingly popular and allows customers registered for this to check stock availability, their own unique cost prices, and also place orders 24/7. Standard trade prices and product details are contained on a CD which is quick and convenient to use, backing up the online warehouse facility.
ATS Euromaster has been appointed by ING Car Lease, one of the top ten fleet operators in the UK long-term contract lease market, to supply Michelin tyres and associated ‘fast-fit’ services across its 46,000-strong vehicle fleet. The deal – estimated to be worth £4.5 million per year – was won following a comprehensive tendering process.
Bryan Stringer, Operations Director of ING Car Lease, which acquired Appleyard Vehicle Contracts last year, says: “The principal factors which led to us appointing ATS Euromaster were their ability to offer an outstanding quality of service and value to our customers, coupled with our desire to fit a premium tyre brand such as Michelin.
“The new contract includes regular fleet tyre checks carried out by ATS Euromaster technicians, to ensure that stringent Duty of Care requirements are met, coupled with added-value services such as mobile tyre fitting and free vehicle health checks,” he adds.
(Akron/Tire Review – Independent Mail) Michelin North America is seeking tax incentives from Anderson County (South Carolina) for a $25 million investment in its Starr and Sandy Springs facilities. The Anderson County Council is expected to consider a 10-year extension of a fee-in-lieu-of tax agreement that was originally approved in 1988. The investment will include equipment upgrades, but the agreement does not specify how many new jobs would be created. A company spokesperson could not be reached for comment on October 1.
In August, the tyremaker announced it planned to invest $350 million to improve and expand all of its major manufacturing facilities in South Carolina during the next four years. The company said it would add about 100 manufacturing jobs to its facilities in Anderson, Greenville, Lexington and Spartanburg counties. Michelin officials have not said how those jobs, which will be phased in as plants add capacity, will be divided among its South Carolina plants. Michelin’s Anderson County facilities employ about 880 people.
Michelin officials have said the expansion is being fuelled by several factors, including a new military contract and increased demand for X One tyres and Earthmover tyres.
The US publication Consumer Reports has rated the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 and Pirelli P-Zero best overall in tests of 21 different ultra-high performance summer tyres for the November issue, with both models achieving “Excellent” scores. Consumer Reports also tested a group of 15 different all-season, UHP tyres for the same issue. In that group, the magazine rated the Falken Ziex ZE-912 and Nitto Neo Gen ZR best overall-again with “Excellent” scores.
The Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 achieved an overall score of 85 points in Consumer Reports testing, coming in slightly ahead of the Pirelli P-Zero. Both tyres were reported as providing superior dry and wet grip and handling. The Michelin displayed a slight edge for hydroplaning resistance while the Pirelli had an edge in dry and wet handling.
The name says it all – just like that well known brand of paint they do “just what it says on the tin” Vintage tyre Supplies distributes one of the largest ranges of original equipment classic and vintage car and motorcycle tyres in the world. Pneumatic tyres have been with us now for almost 120 years and with our insatiable appetite for collecting old things the need for good quality authentic tyres is as strong as ever. Many readers will find it incredible to discover that it’s still possible to get a tyre for a vehicle manufactured when Queen Victoria was on the Throne! Even harder to believe is that it’s a British company that manufacturers them.
When Vintage Tyres was originally set up to fulfil the needs of the motoring enthusiasts, the founders could not have imagined that after almost 50 years the company would become one of the largest specialist distributors in the world. VTS still works closely with Dunlop but now also offers Avon, Michelin, Firestone, Vredestein and more recently their own brand Waymaster, together with a whole host of other smaller specialist brands. VTS have also been active in the re-development of many discontinued tyre sizes, such as the Dunlop Aquajet, the Michelin X and more recently the Avon Traction mileage. Managing Director Chris Marchant is also mindful of the need to also offer more competitively priced products, a gap that is filled with the company’s own Waymaster brand.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America has signed an extension agreement to keep its BFGoodrich brand as the official tyre of the SCORE International and Desert Racing Series. The new agreement runs through the 2018 racing season, MNA said.
“BFGoodrich Tires has become synonymous with off-road desert racing through its support of SCORE International and we are excited that they are continuing their efforts and service to off-road racing professionals and amateur competitors,” said Sal Fish, SCORE president and CEO.
“SCORE International and its desert racing series has been the perfect platform for BFGoodrich to develop the world’s toughest off-road tyres while supporting the sport’s most distinguished competitors,” said Todd Steen, motorsports marketing manager for MNA’s BFGoodrich unit. “We’re thrilled to support SCORE International and its associated off-road events which showcase the heritage and accomplishments of our products at the highest levels.”
Following a roadshow in the US hosted by financial analysts at Deutsche Bank, further details of the previously reported Michelin corporate restructuring programme have been released. The company is said to be aiming for a 30 per cent productivity increase by 2010 (10 per cent from production increase/ 20 per cent from workforce consolidation).
In addition Michelin is said to be looking to produce a better equilibrium of production/sales by continent. This is likely to have a significant effect on the European business as Europe represents 70 per cent of the group’s production compared with only 50 per cent of sales. Plant size is also likely to be rationalised, with the ideal size being described as 8 to 10 m passenger tyres and 2 million truck tyres per annum – basically double the current size of some plants.
Deutsche Bank reports that Michelin’s management still believes in a potential shortage of truck tyres in 2008.
The new Michelin Primacy Alpin tyre has been awarded the highest distinction – a “highly recommendable” rating – in a test conducted by Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club (ADAC), the German Automobile Association and Europe’s largest automobile club.
Carried out by ADAC and its Austrian and Swiss counterparts – Österreichischer Automobil-, Motorrad- und Touring Club (ÖAMTC) and Touring Club Suisse (TCS) – the comparative test involved 16 brands of 205/55 R16 H winter tyres.
The tyres were tested for their grip on snow and ice covered roads as well as on low temperature wet and dry surfaces. Tyre life was also measured, and in this category the Michelin Primacy Alpin received the highest overall score, ahead of all its competitors.
The Michelin Primacy Alpin responds to the dual challenge of optimising safety and longevity. During the design phase, Michelin research and development teams focused on meeting three performance objectives.
PT Gajah Tunggal Tbk is considering raising some funds through a rights issue next year. According to a senior executive said, quoted by the Reuters news agency, Indonesia’s Gajah Tunggal wants to reduce its debt-to-equity ratio to 1.0, from 1.6. According to director Catharina Widjaja the rights issue is not expected to be too large. “We are reviewing an option for a rights issue, possibly next year. The funds would be used to lower our debt ratio. For any corporate actions and capital expenditure, we still have the money from our latest bond issue,” Widjaja told reporters.
Newry-based Ross Thompson Ltd, a long established haulier in Northern Ireland, is currently monitoring the performance of the Michelin 385/65 R22.5 XTE2 tyres on the rear axle of one of its Crossland tanker trailers. Fitted as original equipment in early 2006, the tyres have already clocked up 175,000 km and still have 3-4mm of tread remaining. Over 90 per cent of the company’s fleet is fitted with Michelin tyres as original equipment.
Michelin car tyres have the longest life according to Auto Express. Tests carried out by independent testing body TUV Sud, and witnessed by Auto Express, compared Michelin tyres with six of their main European competitors. The 15-inch Michelin Energy E3A tyres showed a 35 per cent longer tyre life than the worst performing tyre in the test and a significant 18 per cent advantage over the second best tyre.
MotoGP may go the way of Formula One and become a single tyre championship next year if the proposal adopted by Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of series organiser Dorna Sports, is adopted. Such a move would serve the purpose of cutting costs and is aimed at eliminating what many have called the current “imbalance” between Bridgestone and Michelin.
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