An eight-strong team of haulage technicians from Cannock-based distribution specialists Bowmur Haulage Ltd, are the latest recruits of a Roadside Breakdown course organised by Bridgestone UK’s Training Department. The hands-on training covers areas such as pre-breakdown planning, on-site risk assessment and how to carry out and complete repairs on a busy carriageway environment.
(Akron/Tire Review) Ontario-based TireStamp announced that it had entered into a partnership deal with Vehicle Monitoring Systems in which both parties will offer TPMS products created by Taiwan’s Orange Electronic Co. VMS is Orange’s North American marketing and sales representative.
The scrap tyre companies Sapphire Energy Recovery and Saltire Recovery have entered into a major contract with tyre wholesaler and retailer Stapleton’s Tyre Services. The three-year contract, that commenced at the end of 2006, will see Sapphire and Saltire potentially receive more than a million worn out tyres a year.
Since its introduction into the UK less than six months ago, Prestivo, Stapleton’s own brand range of tyres, has enjoyed impressive sales and has a large number of customers already committed to the brand. Steve Parker, Stapleton’s wholesale director says: “We have expanded the range to offer more choice for customers with extra sizes within the Sport range.
(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. introduced dealers to a new consumer marketing and advertising campaign that supports an all-new theme for the Goodyear brand: “Get There.”
Larry Mason, president of consumer tyres, officially debuted the new message and accompanying television ads at Goodyear’s annual dealer meeting in Orlando, Florida.
Michelin has joined forces with world-renowned football brand Umbro for the development of football related products. The first such product to come out of this union is a new type of football boot, the X Boot III. Featuring what has been dubbed ‘touch control’ technology, the X Boot III is made from a unique material that, when combined with the suede strike area of the boot, results – according to tests conducted in lightly wet conditions at Liverpool John Moore’s University – in up to a 90 per cent improvement in control, touch and striking accuracy.
Plastics and rubber consultancy Rapra Technology is heading up a UK consortium of six companies who will conduct research into the devulcanisation of scrap tyre rubber. The two-year project is being funded by the Department of Trade and Industry as part of its Design and Manufacture of Sustainable Products programme, with more than £420,000 of direct financial assistance to be provided. The project partners will contribute another £420,000 between them.
UK based company Watts Tyres Plc has announced the purchase of Diprima Industrial Tire after reaching an agreement with Diprima Marketing Services Inc. This latest acquisition, combined with Watts’ existing US facility in Valley City, Ohio, gives the firm a strategic position in both the northern and southern US states, putting it in a better position to achieve its ambitious growth plans.
(Akron/Tire Review) Marangoni Group has entered a “partnership” with Distribuir Argentina in a move to consolidate and grow Marangoni’s activities in South America. Marangoni operates Marangoni do Brasil, a retread product manufacturing and sales business in Brazil.
Pirelli’s new P Zero has been selected as the OE tyre for the soon to be released Audi R8. The new mid-engine Audi flagship is the company’s first serious competitor for the likes for the Porsche 911, and therefore Pirelli are understandably pleased to be chosen as the company that, so to speak, will make the rubber hit the road.
Indian tyremaker Metro Tyres is planning the production of tubeless motorcycle tyres as part of a technical collaborative deal with Continental AG. The tyres will initially be manufactured principally for overseas markets, although domestic sales will follow at a later date.
Subaru World Rally Team managing director, Richard Taylor has stated that his WRC team is ‘pleased’ with how their new partnership with tyremaker BFGoodrich is progressing. Subaru were required to change to BFGoodrich this season after Pirelli decided to end their involvement with the FIA World Rally Championship.
David Johnson of Essex proved to be the lucky winner of the Marangoni Tyre-sponsored MG Enthusiast Magazine prize MGF. The prize was drawn at the recent NEC Classic Motor Show and the resplendent MGF was handed over at the beginning of December, a very special early Christmas present!
The competition, which ran over a six-month duration during the summer of 2006 in MG Enthusiast and at various events including the Classic Motor Show, attracted thousands of entries. The prize MGF had been restored to perfection over a six-month period by a group of specialist companies. Marangoni supplied a set of Ultra High Performance Zeta Linea tyres for the prize vehicle.
The Marangoni involvement, coordinated by Midlands marketing consultancy Torqback Ltd, was the result of a unique partnership with publisher Octane Media Ltd, parent company of MG Enthusiast Magazine, the joint venture being planned by Octane Media Managing Director Geoff Love, Managing Editor David Lillywhite and Derek Carruthers, Marangoni (Car Tyre Division) Global Sales & Marketing Director.
“We have been delighted by the response to our participation at the Classic Motor Show with Octane Media and being able to communicate the Marangoni story to an informed and discerning audience. We were more than happy to supply the Zeta Linea tyres for the MG Enthusiast project MGF, which highlights their suitability for this hugely popular sports car. Our NEC involvement has certainly proved a very successful and rewarding partnership and has provided an ideal platform for building Marangoni brand awareness in the Classic Car market segment,” said Derek Carruthers.
Continental AG and Microsoft Corp have announced the formation of a strategic partnership between the two organisations in order to develop wireless technology for vehicles.
The companies are in the process of creating devices that will allow electronics such as mobile phones and MP3 players to connect wirelessly to a vehicles’ audio system, and they will begin supplying this technology to Ford later in 2007.
The value of the Ford contract has not been disclosed.
Canadian TPMS specialist SmarTire Systems Inc. has announced that its revenue for the first quarter of the 2007 fiscal year has increased by 44% to $851,770 (£436,476), up from $592,866 (£303,805) in the first quarter of the 2006 fiscal year. At the same time net loss for the quarter decreased to $5.3 million (£2.7 million), or $0,02 per share, for the fiscal year’s first quarter, down from $17.8 million (£9.1 million) or $0.06 a year earlier.
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