For almost nine years responsibility for Continental AG’s global communications has rested in the hands of Dr. Heimo Prokop, and during this time the senior vice president of Corporate Communications has, in Conti’s words, been “a formative influence on communication in decisive phases of the corporation’s development”. On November 17 Continental announced that Dr. Prokop will leave his position with the company at the end of 2009.
Global silicone producer Momentive Performance Materials has announced the launch of a new range of elastomer products that can be cured through exposure to ultraviolet light. Unlike traditional silicone elastomers (HCR), which are typically vulcanised with a peroxide catalyst cured by heat exposure, this UV-sensitive, platinum catalysed curing system allows curing to take place at room temperature. This will, says Momentive, lead to energy savings and increased extrusion speed while maintaining the silicone elastomers’ physical properties.
Tire Service Equipment Mfg. Co., Inc. (TSI/SSG) has bought all inventory, trademarks, equipment and manufacturing rights of Amermac, Inc. of Ellaville, Georgia. Not details of the price have been released. Amermac, Inc. is a leader in tyre vibration equipment and is known in the automotive trucking industry and the motorsport world. President, Wes Sprunk, said the company is committed to providing superior service to all Amermac customers and is looking forward to building lasting relationships with them. The entire Amermac line of tyre vibration equipment will continue to be supported and all service parts will be available through TSI/SSG.
Bridgestone has been showing that its involvement in Formula One stretches beyond the supply of rubber on race days; the manufacturer hosted an event in which eight of the disadvantaged children of Singapore’s Club Rainbow met up with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton. Club Rainbow (Singapore) is a registered charity committed to helping children and youths suffering from a range of chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Established in 1992, the charity currently supports more than 470 beneficiaries and their families.
Vauxhall MasterFit is not only offering to price match any local area tyre quote – customers making tyre purchases will also receive a free 25-point vehicle health check and a tyre pressure gauge. Commenting on the offer, David Elder from Vauxhall Aftersales noted: “Motorists don’t always think about taking their car back to their franchised retailer when looking for replacement parts such as tyres. We’re delighted therefore to introduce our tyre price promise campaign this autumn to demonstrate to our customers that we not only provide quality parts as you’d expect with a vehicle manufacturer, but also at an unbeatable price.
Pirelli has been confirmed in the twice-yearly review of Financial Times sustainability indices FTSE4Good World and STOXX, for the seventh consecutive year. The indices measure corporate performance in terms of respect for international standards of economic, social and environmental sustainability. British independent research provider Eiris, working for the Financial Times, evaluated corporate characteristics including: sustainable supply chain management, ethical behavior rules, means of prevention and management of risk, environmental impact management and relations with stakeholders. The review did not admit new companies to the Automobiles & Parts segment of the indices, continuing to include Pirelli as the only Italian company included in that segment.
In the US, Ascot Supply Corp. has added Haweka balancer adapters to its line of tyre and wheel service equipment. "Haweka is a world-renowned innovator of specialty tooling for the wheel balancing industry," said Ascot's Danny Spencer. "We are very optimistic about growth opportunities that this premium product brand will offer our members."
Following the postponement of the 2009 CV Show earlier this year, the event’s organisers are now promoting the Commercial Vehicle Operator Show (13-15 April 2010) as the event for everything for everything from fleet management systems to tyres, lubes and fuels, specialist refrigerated or municipal equipment or vehicle parts, bodies and equipment. Not since the CV Show in April 2008 has such a meeting place been available to enable operators to review their business arrangements and discuss technical and operational developments with suppliers.
According to the organisers the CV Operator Show will focus exclusively on the road transport and logistics business. The event will be held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham
Like the CV Show, the Commercial Vehicle Operator Show is owned by The CV Show LLP, comprising the Road Haulage Association, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and IRTE Services Ltd, the trading company of the SOE (Society of Operations Engineers).
Parts distribution specialist XPart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Logistics Services UK Ltd, has increased its battery range 280 per cent, offering batteries for motorcycle, commercial vehicle, leisure and marine applications. The expansion of the “competitively priced range” will also include nearly 50 percent more car batteries, and will be available to order from all XPart wholesalers and AutoService centres, with same day delivery.
We’ve been praying for this to happen…a church north of Glasgow has decided to build its new place of worship out of old tyres and other waste products. Colston Milton Parish Church will find out on August 28 whether its new building project has obtained Glasgow City Council approval, and should the blessing for it to proceed be given, construction should start next summer.
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has completed its acquisition of parts of Canadian TPMS-maker SmarTire Systems. Bendix is taking on SmarTire’s commercial truck TPMS business.
Aftermarket parts supplier Euro Car Parts is now offer one of the world’s leading manufacturers of brake friction material, Pagid, and customers can thus take advantage of this comprehensive range that includes more than 1,200 brake pads and discs, more than 250 brake drums and over 500 brake shoes. Indeed, ECP states that the Pagid line-up covers an astounding 99 per cent of the UK car parc and gives the company great coverage across may of the newer vehicles. Examples given by ECP are the latest model ford KA, released in February 2009, the new fiesta released last year and the new Vauxhall Insignia released in December 2008 – all of which now have coverage in the Pagid brand.
What have been described as ‘incredibly challenging’ conditions at Donington Park did not prevent Repsol Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso from winning his first race on Bridgestone tyres. Although the race was declared wet before the start only the Ducati Team’s Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden chose to start on Bridgestone’s wet tyres; Dovizioso opted for Bridgestone’s soft front and rear slicks and chased Fiat Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi closely in the opening laps. After the latter fell, Dovizioso made the best use of his soft compound rubber on the slippery tarmac to extend what by lap 23 was a 13.5second lead.
Four years after Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage throughout the city of New Orleans, Firestone Complete Auto Care has celebrated the reopening of one of its centres in the city. The outlet on Carrolton street was forced to close its doors due to damage received on August 29, 2005, and to-date has been one of only a handful of automotive retailers to have returned to the area.
“Our Firestone Complete Auto Care stores are important parts of their communities,” said Ottis Lewis, vice-president, South Central Zone, Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO). “Our teammates not only care about our customers, but we care about the communities that we call home. Since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, it has been BSRO’s goal to reopen this store – we are thrilled to be able to serve this close-knit community once again.”
According to the Khaleej Times, the use tyre market is alive and kicking in some parts of Abu Dhabi. Healthy demand exists for larger size commercial vehicle tyres, with examples changing hands from between Dh 200 and 700. However the country’s authorities are increasingly voicing their concern over the practice of fitting used tyres to vehicles: According to Colonel Hamad Adeel Al Shamsi, director of the Abu Dhabi Police’s Department of Traffic and Patrols, used tyres were responsible for the death of 13 persons and severe injuries of 16 persons last year. For this reason the department has intensified its inspection of substandard and worn out tyres and launched campaigns to educate motorists about the importance of safety of tyres.
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