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Old Friends and New Blood for Brityrex International

With six months to go before Brityrex International opens its doors, the exhibition is shaping up nicely, with over 67 per cent of floor space already sold, say the organisers, ECI International. And never before has the “International” part of the show’s name been more appropriate, as companies from all over the world will be making tracks for Manchester’s G-MEX Exhibition Centre next May. ECI International managing director Paul Farrant is delighted with progress to date, saying: “Past Brityrex exhibitions have always had a large number of exhibitors from the UK, and indeed the 2007 show is no exception, but we are seeing an increasing number of overseas companies taking space.”

28th November 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

60% of UK Retailers Support Cold Weather Tyres Initiative

A survey of NTDA retail members has found that 60 per cent are calling on the industry to develop the market. The survey revealed that only 41 per cent of retailers actually stocked cold weather tyres (CWTs) and over 85 per cent thought that motorists still saw CWTs as snow tyres.

Commenting on the survey NTDA Director Richard Edy said: “Cold Weather Tyres have always been regarded as a niche market in the UK, unlike other Northern European Countries where the market is firmly established — even in those countries where the weather conditions are very similar to the UK.

28th November 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Wins Run-Flat Tyre Test

The UK’s first independent magazine run-flat tyre test has named the Bridgestone Turanza ER300 RFT as “Best Buy 2006.” The extremely close results placed Continental’s PremiumContact SSR second, with Michelin’s Primacy HP ZP third overall. All three tyres were V-rated 205/55 R16 sidewall reinforced style run-flats. The test car was a BMW 320i. Auto Express carried out the assessment as part of its annual tyre test, with experts assessing some of the biggest names in run-flats in a variety of disciplines including wet handling, rolling resistance, and dry handling.

Naming the ER300 RFT as its “Best Buy 2006,” Auto Express said the tyre was “the best performer in the wet and matched its rivals elsewhere”. The tyre finished top in half of the 10 tests, beating the Continental and Michelin run-flats in straight aquaplaning, curved aquaplaning and wet cornering. The Turanza was also named the top performer in rolling resistance and was the cheapest tyre tested.

The Continental tyre also performed well, winning tests for wet braking, wet handling, dry braking and interior noise. The PremiumContact performed particular well in the dry braking test, stopping 3.4 metres ahead of Bridgestone and about two metres earlier than the Michelin tyre. And with interior noise measured at 67.3 decibels the Premium Contact was found to be about 10 per cent quieter than the next best Michelin tyre.

Michelin scored well in noise (5 per cent quieter than Bridgestone) and wet braking, but failed to win a single test in the Auto Express report. Following on from a 15th place result in Auto Express’ standard tyre test, Michelin managers must be disappointed. On this subject a Michelin spokesman told Tyres & Accessories that the company did not believe the Auto Express run-flat results were consistent with other independent research. According to Michelin research conducted at MIRA, and by the TUV in both Germany and the Czech Republic contradicts Auto Express findings.

Bridgestone Delighted

“We’re obviously delighted to have been given the top rating,” said Andy Lane, marketing manager with Bridgestone UK. “We have worked hard for many years to develop a run-flat tyre that offers consumers the best in performance, safety and comfort, and this test shows that we’re the best at doing just that.”

To reinforce its commitment to the technology, Bridgestone UK – which won the NTDA’s Product Innovation Award for its run-flats last year – has increased the level of investment in its RFT training programme throughout 2006.

Looking forward, Andy Lane believes this infrastructure is vital, if dealers are to cope with the number of run-flat tyres already on the market – estimated to be 750,000 by Auto Express.

“As a result,” said Lane, “dealers will have to ensure that their fitters are fully trained to replace the tyres. The technology has already evolved in the last few years, to the extent that our RFT tyres are now fitted as standard on several vehicles.”

15th November 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Trade Angry at MOT Fee Delay

A long-awaited £6.20 increase in the MoT test fee has been put back more than six weeks by the Department for Transport. Testers expected the increase to be brought in on 1 October, but have now learned it has been put back until 24 November. Some now fear this deadline will slip even further back into December, the NTDA website reported. The traditional date for an MoT fee increase is 1 August.

31st October 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

New NTDA Web Site

The NTDA has launched a new updated website at www.ntda.co.uk. The professionally designed site features links to useful information including the NTDA conference report and the association’s Tyrelink scheme. It also features details of recent announcements from the NTDA, not to mention diary dates and useful links. The re-launch follows an unfortunate bout of web vandalism that saw the NTDA site temporarily hijacked by hackers at the end of September. NTDA representatives told Tyres & Accessories that the association has completely solved this problem with the new site. According to official statistics, the NTDA sites receives up 2 million hits a year from 2000 unique users each month – T&A is certainly a regular visitor.

17th October 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Wins Run-Flat Tyre Test

The UK’s first independent magazine run-flat tyre test has named the Bridgestone Turanza ER300 RFT as “Best Buy 2006.” The extremely close results placed Continental’s PremiumContact SSR second, with Michelin’s Primacy HP ZP third overall. All three tyres were V-rated 205/55 R16 sidewall reinforced style run-flats. The test car was a BMW 320i. Auto Express carried out the assessment as part of its annual tyre test, with experts assessing some of the biggest names in run-flats in a variety of disciplines including wet handling, rolling resistance, and dry handling.

12th October 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

NTDA Website Attacked

While the popularity of the Internet may be increasing, it is not always the successful sales and marketing opportunity that it has the potential to be. National Tyre Distributor’s Association (NTDA) employees found this out at the end of September when they discovered that a self-styled virtual anarchist calling themselves “PSYCH@” had maliciously hacked the association’s website. Instead of news from the NTDA, this professionally designed site was replaced with a few words of incoherent text including an expletive and a comment on Israel.

28th September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Penny Hydraulics and Renault Vans in Partnership

Renault Vans and Penny Hydraulics have got together to offer fully equipped tyre service vehicles, complete with tools and lifting equipment, available from £377 a month. A demonstration Renault Master highlights the two companies’ capabilities under a “Partners in Success and Safety” theme.

25th July 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

“Fifth Gear” Supports 3mm Campaign

The industry’s 3mm campaign has received support from top UK motoring TV programme Fifth Gear, which called on Government to change “dangerous” UK tyre tread laws. Fifth Gear presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson hosted a slot on the programme in July which showed the dramatic effect of worn tyres on stopping performance which travelling at 50mph.

24th July 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Brityrex International – Welcome to G-MEX

Next year’s Brityrex International exhibition (1-3 May 2007) will be breaking new ground, as the show will be taking place for the first time at the G-MEX Convention Centre in Manchester. The show is being supported by the NTDA, who have arranged their AGM and Annual Dinner for 2 May, to be held at the Palace Hotel. In mid-July, the NTDA held an Executive Council Meeting at the hotel and got together with ECI International, the organisers of Brityrex, and members of the press to arrange a familiarisation day.

18th July 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

C-Tyres Launches Run-Flats that Keep-on Going

Following Tyres & Accessories’ initial coverage of the news in June, C-Tyres has provided more information about its pioneering range of Colway run-flat retreads. The recent launch has further highlighted C-tyres’ position as a market leader within its industry segment, and shows the company’s commitment to product innovation.

The run-flats are said to have been manufactured “with the driver in mind” and are made using only “quality first-life casings,” company representatives report. This casing selection strategy is said to ensure the Colway run-flat is “up there with the very best,” but at a fraction of the cost of a new tyre.

12th July 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Signs Up for Brityrex International 2007

Maxxis International is the first of the major tyre manufacturers to confirm it is to attend Brityrex International, which takes place at the G-MEX Convention Centre in Manchester from 1-3 May 2007. All exhibitors will be located in one hall with 10,500 square metres of space and the Maxxis stand will be in a prime position adjacent to the entrance.

Maxxis is continuing to develop its credentials within the PCR market while also expanding its UK product portfolio and is actively looking to recruit specialist distributors for its new light and heavy truck tyres.

12th July 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin UK to ‘Adapt’ Run-Flat Advice

Michelin UK plc is to publish revised run-flat repair advice in the coming weeks. Commercial director, Chris Bloor, told delegates at the recent NTDA conference that Michelin would “adapt” its position. Tyres & Accessories (www.tyrepress.com) will publish the official details as soon as they are available.

26th June 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Brityrex 2007 – Tuning In With the Tyre Business

As the UK’s only independent biennial tyre-trade event both national and international exhibitors are now actively booking their stands for May 2007. Specifically targeted at tyre manufacturers, tyre wholesalers, tyre importers and retailers, Brityrex ’07 will feature tyres and tyre technology, retreads, tyre production equipment, tyre repair and changing equipment, fast-fit and garage equipment, wheel alignment and balancing technology, alloy wheels, valves, tools, workshop management software and tyre recycling and disposal technology. In short, everything relating to the tyre from car tyres through to commercial, industrial, agricultural, off-road and recreational tyres.

9th May 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

C-Tyres Scoops TAFF Environmental Award

The environmentally-friendly credentials of retreaded tyres have been given a major boost following the news that C-Tyres Ltd, one of the UK’s leading retread manufacturers, scooped the Environment Award at the prestigious TAFF (Tyre and Fast Fit) Awards, organised and presented by the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA). C-Tyres managing director Gary Oliver was presented with the award by Renault Vans National Fleet Sales Manager (LCV), Mark Lovett on 26th April at the NTDA’s Annual Dinner held at the Birmingham Metropole Hotel.

2nd May 2006/by Tyrepress Editors