Ex-Magowan Tyres salesman, Colin McCourt has recently joined Ring Automotive and will be primarily managing accounts on the island of Ireland, looking after both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. McCourt has more than 20 years experience in the aftermarket, including previous roles with Forte Lubricants, Magowan Tyres, Würth Ireland and Charles Hurst.
European Tyre Enterprise Ltd (ETEL) is set to extend its footprint with the acquisition of Tractamotors Group, a leading tyre distribution company operating in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Together with shareholders of Tractamotors Group, ETEL has reached an agreement to purchase a 100 per cent shareholding in the business.
Point S Tyre & Autocare shares that it is enjoying continued success in Northern Ireland thanks to its eight members, who all “embody the core values of the UK’s leading independent tyre dealer and car maintenance network.” It praises all eight for fortifying Point S’s presence in Northern Ireland while bolstering individual business growth, a balance that results in a “close-knit working relationship.”
Northern Ireland’s infrastructure minister John O’Dowd has announced the introduction of one-year temporary exemption certificates (TECs) to some private cars. The TECs will apply to private cars first registered between 1 June 2019 and 31 May 2020 or between 1 June 2017 and 31 May 2018, which have a valid MOT certificate issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). TECs will come into effect from 1 June 2024 and will be automatically processed by the DVA. The Minister also confirmed that he will consider launching a public consultation on Biennial MOT testing. Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), expressed the organisation’s disappointment with the decision.
On 27 April 2024, Kerr’s Tyres open its second centre in Coleraine, Northern Ireland at the Coleraine Automotive Retail Centre, Link Road, Coleraine.
On Wednesday 10 April, NFDA-NI members hosted a meeting for key figures within Northern Ireland (NI) including MLAs, MPs, various associations and chargepoint operators at a cross-party roundtable meeting at the Culloden Estate in Belfast.
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) has expressed concerns over the delays drivers in Northern Ireland are facing in getting MOT tests. The region has been in an MOT crisis since 2020, when hairline cracks were found in the Driver and Vehicle Agency’s 55 Maha lifts, found to be caused by excessively long service cycles, as Tyrepress reported in 2021. These issues were compounded by the Covid pandemic, and a satisfactory resolution has yet to be found. Sue Robinson, chief executive of the NFDA said the current state of MOT testing in Northern Ireland is “unacceptable”.
Kerr’s Tyres Group has announced its purchase of GM Tyres in Tandragee, Northern Ireland. The Antrim-based company says this acquisition “marks a significant milestone for Kerr’s Tyres Group” that further solidifies its “commitment to providing proven products and services to its customers.”
Wholesaler Tyre Call has gained approval for a new storage and distribution warehouse at its Antrim, Northern Ireland site. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee has approved plans for the building of a 7,361 square metre distribution warehouse.
With the opening of a new distribution centre in Ballymena, Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) anticipates much swifter tyre deliveries to garages in Northern Ireland. The facility is located at the site of the former Michelin tyre plant, which closed in 2018, and will create up to 16 new jobs by the end of the year.
Northern Ireland’s Vehicle Policy Unit at the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is banning tyres aged 10 years and older on the front axles of HGV’s, buses and coaches, and to the tyres on all axles of minibuses when fitted in single configuration. The changes being implemented in Northern Ireland will align with the changes introduced in Great Britain (GB) on 1 February 2021.
Dasos Michaelides, who has over 40 years of experience working within Northern Ireland’s automotive industry, has been appointed by Autotech Training as Head of Business Development for Ireland.
The Department for Transport (DfT) banned truck tyres over 10 years old with effect from 1 February 2021. Now, in Northern Ireland, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) are “seeking views on proposals with a view to introducing similar legislation in the North of Ireland”. Specifically, DfI are inviting relevant stakeholders and the public to respond to this consultation. The scope of the consultation covers “heavy goods vehicles, buses, coaches and minibuses”. And the consultation is aimed at owners and operators of those vehicles as well as those involved in the “manufacture, provision and/or maintenance of tyres for these vehicle types”.
Anvil Tyre Centre, owned and managed by brothers Daniel and Kyle Wethers, has moved into a new MOT servicing and tyre repair depot in Dromore, Northern Ireland following a six-figure investment supported by Ulster Bank. The move will create two new full-time equivalent jobs when fully operational. As a result, Anvil Tyre Centre is vacating its former trading premises on the Lurgan Road.
Milenco by Padgetts Honda rider Davey Todd recorded Supersport and the headline Race of Legends victories on Dunlop tyres at the Armoy Road Races in Northern Ireland. The British rider also set a new average speed record to round off a dominant event. Most Dunlop riders used the fully slick KR109 and KR106 front and KR108 rear tyres in the Race of Legends, while the treaded D213 Pro was used in other classes.
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