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.
On 12 May this year, an exclusive gala dinner was held at Forbes House in London, commemorating 100 years of Michelin in the UK. Special guest at the event was Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, patron of the Transaid charity, which aims to promote mobility in Africa and of which Michelin is a founder.
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) announced that it is increasing prices on a variety of tyre lines. MNA is raising prices on all of its Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal and private and associate brand replacement passenger car and light truck tyres by up to 8 per cent. That increase will take effective in the US as of 1 February 2006 and in Canada as of 1 March 2006.
Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin products all feature in Construction Equipment magazine’s ranking of 100 new construction related products. Goodyear’s DuraSeal commercial tyre technology was named editor’s choice in the ranking’s ancillary products division. Rod Sutton, editor in chief at the magazine, said editors considered about 700 product introductions before picking DuraSeal technology for the award.
Michelin has worked with transport and logistics charity Transaid to design a set of four exclusive charity pin badges featuring the Michelin Man character. The badges are available from ATS Euromaster service centres across the UK for a suggested donation of just £1 each. Those who donate to Transaid direct will also receive a badge as a thank you.
Fast-fit workshop manager Andy Smedley (38) has beaten 500 other entrants across the UK, displaying outstanding tyre knowledge.
Andy Smedley, the workshop manager for Fast-Fit in Norwich, entered the Michelin Certified Programme competition after being put forward by his area manager. He answered all 47 questions on tyre technology correctly, securing him a place in the top ten for the semi finals.
Kraiburg Austria aims at increasing its market share by integrating end-users. As part of this strategy the company offers its retreader partners a comprehensive service package which includes modules for improving productivity and for providing support in advising users and selling the right tread patterns.
To enhance this service, Kraiburg has brought an additional industry expert onto the team. Thus, since October, Michael Schwämmlein (40) has been assisting Kraiburg in providing customers with advice and support
(Akron/Tire Review) Michelin North America (MNA) has introduced three new Michelin X-Ice PAX system winter tyres that can be operated after a puncture for 125 miles at 50 mph, according to MNA. The Michelin X-Ice PAX System 225-700R480A, Michelin X-Ice PAX System 245-680R460A and Michelin X-Ice PAX System 235-710R460A tires are available now for the Nissan Quest, the Acura RL and the Honda Odyssey Touring Edition, respectively, stated MNA.
(Akron/Tire Review) WSOC TV in South Carolina is reporting that Michelin North America plans to invest some $80 million on upgrades to its rubber mixing and tyre plants in Anderson County, South Carolina. According to the report, MNA submitted plans to the Anderson County Council earlier this week. The station said that MNA plans a formal announcement later this month.
Continental is the leading player in the Bulgarian tyre market, with a 30 per cent market share, Bulgarian newspaper Dnevnik am has reported. According to Europool figures, total sales in Bulgaria will reach 1.1 million units this year. Goodyear is estimated to hold the second largest share with 25-27 per cent of the market, followed by Michelin with 18-23 per cent and Bridgestone-Firestone with 8-12 per cent. These figures do not include the local sales of Korean, Turkish and Russian tyre brands.
Stapletons Tyre Services has made a substantial investment in the relocation and improvement of its Watton branch. Motorist can now benefit from a brand new, dedicated fast fit and exhaust centre.
STS Holburn Tyre and Exhaust Centre in Watton was recently launched by ex-Norwich City FC Goalkeeper, Bryan Gunn. The centre, based at Brecklands Business Park, off Norwich Road hosted a family fun day in conjunction with the official launch, where motorists and families enjoyed competitions, give-aways and discounts on tyres and exhausts.
Bibendum, the well-known Michelin man character, has uttered his first words more than 100 years after he was created. And what did he have to say? “I’m letting off fireworks” – the title of a 30 second radio advert airing this week on 59 British radio stations and in 10 other countries around the world.
Michelin has launched its Alpin, Pilot Alpin and Latitude products on the Bulgarian market. While the Alpin will provide a new winter option for the Bulgarian market and the Pilot Alpin will provide a higher specification winter option, the Latitude SUV tyre is seen as something of a novelty, the Sofia News Agency reported.
Following on from last month’s Spotlight on Northern Europe, Tyres & Accessories spoke to executives from one of the region’s leading manufacturers, Michelin Nordic. Passenger car and light truck marketing director, Vikram Raman and Krista Sivonen, marketing director for industrial products, trucks, agricultural vehicles and earthmover tyres, answered the questions.
Goodyear has taken its Premio franchise to Russia, opening its first store on 10 November. According to a Kommersant report, the company hopes to sign up around a dozen stores in Podolsk, Kalinigrad, Omsk, Rostov, Volgograd and other Russian towns before the end of the year. The establishment phase of the Premio chain is expected to be completed by 2008 Konstantin Alexeev, retail development manager at Goodyear Russia told the newspaper. The company reportedly invests $20,000 to $30,000 in the launch of each store, Alexeev explained.
By establishing a retail presence, Goodyear appears to be attempting to catch up with its competitors. Michelin, Bridgestone and Pirelli launched their projects as far back as 1999. Nokian Tyres set up its Vianor chain, while earlier this Autumn Amtel acquired more than 40 having bought out three Moscow retailers – Rosshina, Koleso, Profil.
(Akron/Tire Review) Groupe Michelin’s Tweel, the non-pneumatic tyre and wheel assembly that debuted at the North American International Auto Show earlier this year, has been named one of the “100 Most Innovative Products of the Year” by Popular Science magazine.
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