Michelin Archives - Page 237 of 321 - Tyrepress

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.

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ATSE Locks Onto Wheel Security

ATS Euromaster has teamed up with gas distribution specialist BOC to tackle the major industry-wide issue of wheel loss on commercial vehicles, which is the cause of between 150 and 400 incidents per year, according to Brake. The project has seen the creation of a training DVD which demonstrates best practice in wheel security, illustrating the correct procedures for preparing, removing, inspecting and fitting the most common types of commercial vehicle wheels.

The DVD is being utilised as a valuable interactive learning tool within specific ATS Euromaster technician training courses, which help to ensure consistency in knowledge and skills nationwide. It is also being shown to BOC engineers, technicians, transport team leaders and over 1,000 drivers. Copies are also being supplied to the 40 independent dealers and workshops which carry out maintenance for BOC, in areas of the country where there is not an in-house workshop.

24th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Damaged Riken Factory Not a Tyre Plant

The Riken factory in Japan knocked out of production by the July 16 earthquake is not, despite the name, in any way affiliated with tyres produced by the Michelin Group. The automotive parts plant, owned by the Riken Corporation and located in the Kashiwazaki region of Japan, suffered minor damage and a number of employees were injured. Due to the severance gas and water supplies and the necessity to check plant equipment, supply of auto parts to a number of major Japanese carmakers including Toyota, Mitsubishi and Suzuki has been severed, causing disruptions to their production schedule.

Part of Michelin’s Riken tyre line, sold in the UK through Kwik-Fit, is produced in Japan, however production at Michelin’s Japanese facilities was not affected by the earthquake. Riken tyres are also produced in Romania by Michelin Silvania.

20th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Chinese Pioneer Still Going Strong

Double Coin tyres are produced by Shanghai Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd., the oldest tyre manufacturer in China – the company was established in Shanghai in the early 1930s as a manufacturer of rubber products and tyres. In its current form the company was established in 1992 when two tyre factories based in Shanghai were merged (Shanghai Ta Chung Hua Rubber Factory and Shanghai Tsen Tai Rubber Factory). This 75 per cent state-owned company, located on the outskirts of Shanghai, mainly manufactures all-steel radial truck tyres, bias-ply truck tyres, radial as well as diagonal light truck tyres and agricultural tyres.

According to the manufacturer approximately 350 different tyre specifications are available. Products are marketed in 80 different countries and are DOT- and E-marked for export markets; they also carry a CCC mark (China Compulsory Certification) for the local market. The two brands the tyre manufacturer is primarily known for are Double Coin and Warrior. These brands are well received on both European and Chinese tyre markets.

20th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Puts Media Buying Under One Roof

(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America has taken its North American media planning and buying business and consolidated at a single agency. The estimated $112 million account was placed with MediaCom, a unit of WPP Group. The move, which includes MNA’s Michelin, BFGoodrich and Uniroyal tyre brands, as well as Michelin’s maps and travel guides and MNA’s TCI tire distribution unit. The media planning and buying efforts, once spread around multiple advertising agencies, includes all trade and consumer advertising.

Advertising and promotion creative work reportedly will remain with those agencies currently in place.

19th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin OTR tyre plant to Enter Production in November

Michelin’s new OTR and earth moving tyre plant in Brazil is on schedule to produce its first tyre in November. The plant, constructed adjacent to Michelin’s existing Campo Grande truck tyre making facility, has been built at a cost of some US$200 million. The facility officially opens next January, and by 2010 will be producing some 40,000 tons of 25 to 49-inch tyres. The company intends to increase this amount to 55,000 tons at a later date.

19th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Grosvenor Contract Features 2-Year Michelin Deal

Grosvenor Contracts Leasing Limited, Britain’s largest independent vehicle contract hire company, which is based in Kettering, has extended its contract with Michelin until 2009. Having recently achieved Environmental Standard ISO 14001, Grosvenor Contracts is keen to build partnerships with like-minded organisations that share their belief in taking measures to protect the environment. Earlier, Kwik-Fit announced that the significant environmental focus contributed to it winning preferred partner status until December 31, 2008. Kettering

Andy Reed, Grosvenor’s Commercial Director says: “We have chosen to continue to offer our drivers Michelin tyres as first choice because we know from experience that they are the most cost effective option due to their high mileage performance. Also, due to the low rolling resistance of Michelin tyres there can be savings of up to 2 per cent on fuel and the corresponding reduction in co2 emissions. We also feel they are the safest tyre on the road with shorter stopping distances and better handling characteristics than other tyres on offer, improving our drivers’ safety”, he adds.

19th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hennessy Adds Onboard Training To Changers

(Akron/Tire Review) Hennessy Industries has launched the new Coats OnBoard Operator Training (COBOT), which it calls “a revolutionary new device that brings wheel service training directly to the service technician.” Hennessy’s COBOT can be mounted on Coats APX90, 50X and 70X series rim clamp tyre changers, providing a video tutorial of the operation at the point of service.

Hennessy said it is the first to offer such an onboard training option. “We recognise the problems our customers face when it comes to training,” said Kevin Keefe, Hennessy’s director of marketing. “Training requires time and money. The COBOT enables the technician to perform the work while being trained at the same time, which will keep our customers one step ahead of the competition.”

18th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

MNA Testing Hydrogen-Fueled Lift Trucks

(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America is testing hydrogen-powered lift trucks at one of its tyre plants in South Carolina. The summer-long test is being run at several South Carolina manufacturers by hydrogen fuel cell maker Hydrogenics, equipment distributor LiftOne and lift truck maker Linde.

“Michelin is committed to excellence in the area of environmental responsibility, especially in conjunction with promising, innovative technologies,” said Raul Fernandez, site manager at MNA’s Lexington, S.C., plant. “While the results of this trial won’t be known until the completion of the evaluation period, we are hopeful that this technology for forklift applications will prove to be both practical and environmentally sound.”

18th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Recycling Firm Trials With ATSE

Warrington-based European Metal Recycling is trialling a new tyre contract with ATS Euromaster, based on the company’s ability to provide extensive management information to help reduce expenditure on tyres. The trial involves approximately 70 vehicles and 50 trailers operating from a metal recycling facility in Salford, and marks the first step in moving towards a company-wide tyre policy for its 300-strong commercial vehicle fleet.

Simon Wood, Divisional Director at European Metal Recycling, says: “Our fleet is very hard on tyres as we’re operating in an environment where it is all too easy to run over a piece of scrap metal, causing damage.”

16th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Enviro-mentality Central to Kwik-Fit Winning Grosvenor Leasing Deal

A significant environmental focus contributed to Kwik-Fit Fleet winning a new contract to supply a range of fast-fit services to Grosvenor Contracts Leasing. The new preferred supplier agreement builds on a business partnership between the two organisations stretching back almost 25 years and will run until December 31, 2008. Kettering-based Grosvenor Contracts Leasing is the UK’s largest independent contract hire and fleet management provider with 8,500 cars and light commercials on its books. The company has recently achieved ISO14001 accreditation – the international environmental management standard.

16th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

MNA Opens New Tread Stock Plant

(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America opened the doors to its new tread rubber production facility in Mexico on July 9. The new Michelin Retread Technologies (MRTI) tread plant is located next to MNA’s Mexico headquarters and passenger tyre plant in Querétaro.

The $40 million plant will produce proprietary tread stock for MRTI retreaders across North America, including the 16 MRTI retreaders in Mexico.

“The retread market in Mexico is currently the seventh largest in the world with a growing demand for Michelin products,” said Jim Micali, MNA’s chairman and president. “The opening of this new plant in Querétaro will allow us to fulfill the growing needs of our local customers as well as support our business throughout North America.”

11th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Energy Saver OE for New Peugeot

When the all-new Peugeot 308 begins to arrive at dealerships it will most likely be wearing tyres from Michelin’s new Energy Saver range. Energy Saver tyres will be fitted to versions of the Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi 66 & 80 kW (90 & 110 hp) sold in Europe and equipped with 15 or 16-inch wheels. The French tyremaker has for some time worked with Peugeot in developing innovations for the new model, a partnership Michelin believes has made a significant contribution to the car’s energy balance.

The Energy Saver, according to tests conducted this year by TÜV SÜD Automotive on 195/65R15 size tyres, has a rolling resistance of 20 per cent, reducing the amount of energy required for traction. As the test results bear out, the Michelin tyre thus delivers above market average fuel efficiency. Results showed savings of almost 0.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined cycle driving, providing for CO2 emission reductions of close to 4 grams per kilometre. Over the average life of a vehicle this represents about one tonne of CO2 not released into the atmosphere – Michelin claim this is the same amount absorbed by 40 trees in a year.

10th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Lockwoood Haulage Chooses Michelin X-One Tyres

Derby-based Lockwood Haulage has become the first operator in the UK to specify Michelin’s X-One XDA2 Energy tyres, which have been fitted as original equipment to its new MAN TGA 4×2 tractor unit. The wide single drive axle tyres (495/45 R22.5) were selected primarily for their ability to reduce the overall fuel consumption of the vehicle by a further two per cent, compared with a traditional twinned 315/70 R22.5 fitment. This is in addition to the existing six per cent reduction the company already enjoys by fitting Michelin A2 Energy tyres across its fleet of 45 tractor units and 90 trailers.

Robert Lockwood, Managing Director of Lockwood Haulage, explains: “We consulted Michelin’s technical team closely before specifying the X-One tyres, having heard about the additional savings enjoyed by many operators on the Continent already using wide single drive axle tyres.

“Ninety five per cent of our fleet operates at 40 tonnes, so the tyres didn’t pose any operational constraints, and I’m looking forward to monitoring the fuel savings closely over the coming months,” he adds.

6th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Canada to Produce Larger Sizes at Expanded Plant

According to sources at Michelin, the planned expansion of the company’s Bridgewater facility in Canada will create 48 new jobs and enable the plant to produce more complex designs and larger sizes in the Michelin passenger car and light commercial ranges. The tyremaker is investing CAD$44 million (£20.6 million) in the project and the province of Nova Scotia $6 million (£2.8 million). The upgrading project is due to be completed in 2009, and the new jobs will be introduced in stages as required.

Michelin’s plans for the Bridgewater plant have not been without controversy. In September 2006 Tyres & Accessories reported on comments made by a Canadian union leader that the expansions plans expose “the company’s long-term strategy to rid itself of unionised plants.” Paul Shrum, local president of the United Steelworkers in the district of Kitchener-Waterloo, stated that “unless someone takes them (Michelin) to task for this, there will be no unionised factories left in the Michelin chain.”

5th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Pilot Sport OE for New BMW M3

BMW has chosen Michelin’s Pilot Sport tyre for OE fitment to its new M3 Coupe. The fourth generation M3 features a 414bhp V-8 engine and is promoted by BMW M GmbH as a “racecar tyre suitable for daily use.” Therefore Michelin sees the selection of the its ultimate sports tyre, developed in conjunction with engineers from BMW M, as a “logical choice.”

“To ensure that its new coupe tightly grips the road, BMW M GmbH has selected a racing tyre made for the street – the latest-generation Michelin Pilot Sport, which delivers all the experience acquired by Michelin in highly demanding Formula 1 races,” stated Michelin. “Before withdrawing from the sport, Michelin equipped the cars that won both the Driver and the Constructors championships two years in a row.” Michelin tyres have equipped the BMW M3 since the release of the first generation model, and are also fitted to other cars produced by BMW M, including the M5 and M6.

5th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors