Michelin Archives - Page 243 of 323

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

Michelin Most Satisfying – J.D. Power

Product News

Michelin has come out tops for customer satisfaction in the winter tyre market amongst vehicle owners in Japan for the fourth year in a row, according to the results the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2007 Japan Winter Tire Customer Satisfaction Index (W-TSI) Study. This particular study is now in its fourth year and employs five criteria to determine overall customer satisfaction with their winter tyres: tyre performance in snow-covered road conditions, icy road conditions and regular road conditions, as well as appearance and quality/durability. Customer evaluations are scored on a 1,000 point scale to determine the across the board winner.

Seven tyre brands were included in the study, and Michelin’s overall index score of 636 points saw the French manufacturer not only securing first place but also topping all five individual criteria that determine satisfaction. Close behind was Bridgestone on 606 points, who also performed strongly in all five individual areas. Both Bridgestone and Michelin earned the highest rating in tyre performance on icy road conditions, and were the only two manufacturers to rate an overall score above the industry average of 587 points. At the other end of the scale the lowest overall score was recorded by Falken, who received 532 points.

18th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Van den Ban – A Total Tyre Supplier

Product News

Van den Ban came to Brityrex with new products – and with news of the company’s expansion plans and how they can serve their UK customers.

The most significant of Van den Ban’s new products to be shown at Brityrex was the new range of SUV sport tyres from their exclusive private brand Novex. As Michael Noorland, a member of the company’s UK sales team, explained, this range signals Van den Ban’s first venture into the 4×4 market with Novex, and it fills a gap the company identified in its product range. Designed with smaller 4×4 vehicles in mind, the Novex SUV Speed range will be available in a total of 16 sizes between 15 and 20-inch and in speed ratings from H to W. The first product in the SUV Speed range to be released onto the market is the sports-oriented 255/55VR18, which will most likely be available from late May 2007. The remainder of the range will be available from the end of July.

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Riding the Wave

Product News

The surface acoustic wave (SAW) tyre pressure monitoring technology that Transense Technologies plc has specialised in since the company’s establishment in 1991 will be used to produce the automotive industry’s first piezo-electric surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor based system. In mid-May Texas Instruments announced their selection of Transense Technologies’ TMS3 20F28X digital signal controller as a key component in the development of this new system, a decision that will see the Oxford-based company supplying a market where, come September 1, all new light motor vehicles registered must be equipped with tyre pressure technology that alerts drivers of significant tyre under-inflation.

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Holds Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

Product News

Michelin’s annual shareholders’ meeting was held in Clermont-Ferrand on May 11, and managing partner Michel Rollier submitted to the shareholders a number of proposed changes in the area of Michelin Group corporate governance. Of particular significance was the proposal that “the [Group’s] management be enlarged to non-general managing partners in order to guarantee the sustainability as well as collegial nature of its management”.

The resolutions submitted for shareholder vote – 18 in total – were approved by a sizable majority, and the company’s bylaws were amended accordingly. Mr. Didier Miraton, Head of Research and Industrial Performance and Mr. Jean-Dominique Senard, Chief Financial Officer, were appointed Non-General Managing Partners. Commenting on the changes, Mr. Rollier stated he was convinced that he and the two new managing partners, would form “the close and efficient team Michelin needs to rise to the challenges confronting it”.

14th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin and Goodyear Dunlop Chosen for Pan-Govt Supply Agreement

Product News

Michelin, with its service partner ATS Euromaster, has been appointed as one of two suppliers of tyres and associated services in a three-year framework agreement for a pan-government tyre sourcing initiative led by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA), in conjunction with the Office of Government Commerce (OGC). The other supplier is understood to be Goodyear Dunlop who will service the agreement through its HiQ and Truck Force retail networks. According to sources close to the arrangement, the contract is divided equally between the two suppliers.

Available to all Public Sector Organisations (PSOs) across the UK – encompassing a combined vehicle parc of more than 300,000 vehicles, ranging from cars and motorbikes to vans, trucks and earthmovers – the deal represents the largest tyre framework agreement of its type ever established in the UK. It also includes the option of a 12 month extension until January 2011 and is estimated to be worth tens of millions of pounds.

The agreement has been set up to deliver significant efficiencies as a result of combined volumes, additional leverage and collaborative working between central government departments and wider public bodies nationwide.

14th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Files Suits Against Double Coin Dealers

Product News

Michelin has informed the media that it is filing suits against tyre dealers selling the Double Coin brand as it follows up previous notifications regarding the sale of tyres with tread patterns resembling those on Michelin truck tyres. The French tyremaker alerted more than 5,000 dealers of the risks involved in marketing these look-alike tyres sourced from Asia back in December 2005, stating that while the treads may look the same on both tyres, the look-alikes may not deliver the same grip or longevity as an authentic Michelin tyre.

With tyres bearing unauthorised copies of patented Michelin tread patterns still available on a number of markets 18 months later, the company has chosen to pursue legal action against dealers of these products in all countries where Michelin sales teams have identified the products.

11th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Thai Hua Rubber – Set to Tap the Boom

Product News

(India/Rubber Asia) Thai Hua Rubber (THR), a leading natural rubber supplier to tyre manufacturers, is making vigorous efforts to emerge as a top global player by tapping the enduring NR boom to its maximum. “Our idea is to emerge as a dominant global player covering the entire rubber business cycle as fast as we can and in the most credible manner,” says Mr Luckchai Kittipol, the company’s ever dynamic founder and CEO.

The latest plans include major marketing forays into China and India, the emerging power centres of global rubber industry and ambitious plantation initiatives in potential Asian countries. For instance, in Laos, the company will be investing US$50 million to develop NR plantations in 40,000 hectares during the current decade.

9th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

NTDA Names 2007 TAFF Award Winners

Premium, Product News, UK News

On Wednesday 2, alongside the Brityrex International exhibition, the NTDA named the 2007 TAFF award winners. Michelin took best single company result of the night, winning two awards. But Bridgestone, Vellco, Apaseal and Group Tyre were also celebrating success in categories including production innovation, wholesaler of the year and tyre and aftermarket equipment supplier of the year.

The awards were presented during a glittering ceremony at Manchester’s Palace Hotel, which featured well-known stand-up comic Stan Boardman. The Tyre and Fast Fit (TAFF) Awards, which are sponsored by Renault UK, are the NTDA’s own awards which were established in 2005 to reward excellence from industry suppliers and, in that short time, they have firmly established themselves as the premier awards for the UK Tyre Industry.

The 2007 TAFF awards included categories for Tyre Manufacturer, National Wholesaler, Tyre and Aftermarket Equipment Supplier, Product Innovation and a special award for Industry Advertising Campaigns. A special category covering scrap tyre disposal, collecting and recycling is entitled the Environmental Award.

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9th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Change UK Pension Scheme

Product News

The retirement plans of 4,000 Michelin employees in the UK – including workers at the Stoke-on-Trent, Dundee and Ballymena plants and ATS employees – have been affected by the company’s planned closure of its final-salary pension scheme to existing members and decision to transfer staff onto a money-purchase plan. The company said this decision was made in the face of a continued deficit of more than £250 million, despite the fund receiving a £100 million top-up in recent years. In 2002 the company’s UK pension deficit sat at only £57 million.

The proposed changes would see members of its pension scheme cease building up any further benefits from January 1, 2009. Accrued pension benefits will be preserved and will remain linked to the employee’s final salary at retirement. Michelin stated that it plans to pay off the deficit in its final salary scheme over the next decade.

8th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Announces Truck Tyre Price Increases

Product News

Michelin has announced a price increase of up to 4 per cent for its truck tyres in the US. The increase will take effect on 1 June. In addition from 1 July prices of agricultural tyres sold under the Michelin, BFGoodrich, Kleber and Taurus brands will rise by an average of 3 per cent in the US and Canada, the group said.

Referring to the truck tyre price increase, Deutsche Bank analysts said: “We believe that only a small portion will stick. However, this small portion will go directly to the bottom line since natural rubber price (primary used in truck tyres) is now more or less stable since the beginning of February. So far the reporting season of the industry has highlighted a very strong price/mix effect.”

4th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Redcap Brings One Stop Auto Care to the Middle East

Product News

Motorists in Saudi Arabia are now able to benefit from the convenience of having all their automotive purchasing and servicing needs met under the one roof. The giant Tamimi Group has announced the opening of four car care hypercentres, a concept Tyres & Accessories are informed is brand new to the Middle East. The centres will trade under the brand name ‘Redcap’ and will cater for every make and model, from the smallest car to the largest SUV.

The chain’s initial four hypercentres have opened in the cities of Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Hassa, with a fifth outlet opening in Al Khobar in the near future. The Tamimi Group state that Redcap hypercentres in numerous other locations – including outlets in Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait – are also in the pipeline.

27th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Q1 Sales Praised

Product News

Analysts have praised Michelin’s strong first quarter sales which saw sales increase 9.5 per cent when restated from foreign exchange impact. The company also reported market share gains of 4.9 and 4.4 per cent in Europe and the US respectively. “…this gives us comfort in our first half EBIT of 900 million euros, 40 per cent (250 million euros), significantly above consensus,” Deutsche Bank analysts commented, reporting the consensus as 765 million or 120 million euros. Meanwhile Thomas Aney of Dresdner Kleinwort maintained his “hold” rating on Michelin, while raising his estimates for the company.

27th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

A Different Approach

Product News

(Akron/Tire Review) Possibly the quietest, one of the most accomplished and certainly one of the most respected head of a major tyre company, Jim Micali has also had one of the longest careers, having first joined what is now Michelin North America some 30 years ago as a staff attorney. Micali worked his way up through a number of assignments, including two stints in France, before becoming chairman and president in 1996.

In 2001, Micali was appointed to the Groupe Michelin executive council, and served a term as RMA chairman in 2002. He has also served on the boards of Sonoco and Lafarge North America, and was named distinguished senior fellow in political economy and leadership management at Furman University in 2004, where he is still a guest lecturer. Micali also received the Order of Merit from the French government.

This past December, Micali sat down with Tire Review to discuss legacy and raw material costs and their impact on North American tyre manufacturing and competition, and how MNA is tackling these key issues.

27th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Second Life

Product News

Berwickshire based Rocklug Tyres are well aware of the affect a good tyre – and a bad one – can have on the performance of an earthmover. That is why the company, who have been in the tyre business since 1974, decided to make the provision of quality remoulded OTR tyres one of their priorities.

When Rocklug Tyres co-director Graham Redpath spoke to Tyres & Accessories he likened earthmoving machinery to high performance cars. “They are designed around a particular tyre and are optimised for its specifications,” he said. “For example, a Caterpillar 50 tonne dump truck may be homologated for Bridgestone tyres, and it works at its best when fitted with these. But if the operator is unable to replace the OE tyres with another set and instead must fit cross-ply tyres sourced from China, the equipment will not be able to work to its full design capacity. In many cases there have been major shortcomings in the tonne-per-hour capabilities specified for these machines.”

27th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

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