Some may dismiss British cuisine with a smirk and a lazy, generalising sweep of the hand, yet should they sample the wares featured in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2012, they’d quickly learn many such gastronomic assumptions simply aren’t worth their salt. A new edition of the guide was launched today, and for the first time ever its listings include a two-star British pub.
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Buoyed by better economic data from the US, natural rubber prices in Malaysia and Thailand increased for the third straight day. According to Bloomberg, March delivery natural rubber pricing increased 1.4 per cent to US$4,020 per tonne on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange. Rubber pricing also improved from the second quarter’s 15 per cent falloff.
Toyo Tire Canada has announced price increases of up to five per cent for its all-season and summer passenger and light truck tyre. These new prices take effect December 1, 2011 and are being implemented due to “escalating raw material costs.” Toyo notes that “certain select sizes” may not be subjected to the abovementioned increases
Natural rubber prices should average $5/kg, $5.10/kg and $4.50/kg in 2011, 2012, 2013, respectively, according to a recent Deutsche Bank report. The stabilisation of prices that have been skyrocketing for the last few years is predicted as the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries, whose members produce 92 per cent of the world's supply, is expected to expand production by about 6.3 per cent in 2011. Production will grow another 6 per cent in 2012. Global production was about 10.4 million metric tonnes in 2010.
A1 Motor Stores, whose battery range includes the Yuasa, UK Batteries and Easystart brands, reports that 2010 was an “exceptional year for battery sales.” The company believes strong sales last year were pushed in part by a double-whammy winter that delivered severe weather both before and after Christmas: Cold weather, A1 points out, accelerates the demise of a ‘tired’ battery as the electro-chemical reaction slows and performance is reduced as the temperature plummets.
If the team behind the “Vendetta Tyres“ brand had its way, deliveries to a large chunk of the European tyre market would have already got underway during the course of this year. Yet, as Laree Jane notes, success in Europe involves building up both a new brand and customer relationships, and the director of Melbourne, Australia-based Vendetta International Pty. Ltd is confident of achieving this soon. Sales of Vendetta tyres began last year in the Australian home market and the brand will shortly be present in Canada, Argentina and Ireland, Vendetta’s first market in Europe. Vendetta International now has its eyes on entering further replacement markets; the company is seeking agencies in the UK and other European countries. Speaking with Tyres & Accessories, Laree Jane explained the company’s plans for Europe and what Vendetta International has to offer.
In their daily automotive sector report, analysts at Deutsche Bank observe that while most tyre companies budget a natural rubber price of US$5.00 per kilogram for 2011, the current price for the commodity is, at $4.20 per kilogram, 15 per cent below this planned-for figure. As natural rubber purchasing costs account for between 13 and 18 per cent of sales, they posit that recent declines in the price of natural rubber could “have a meaningful impact” on next year’s tyre maker earnings, assuming – the analysts add, that the industry retains similar discipline to that it has demonstrated in the last few years.
Euro Car Parts, the UK’s largest car and van parts distributor, reports experiencing “phenomenal growth” across its car, commercial vehicle, motorcycle and leisure battery ranges. Bill Stimson, marketing director for the Bosch, Exide and Lion brand supplier, comments “we pride ourselves on offering an unbeatable choice of batteries and have recently made significant additions to all our ranges. Being prime battery supplier to the RAC has only enhanced our reputation as the fastest emerging force in the UK battery market.”
A new round of Bridgestone Europe price rises will be rolled out in the fourth quarter of 2011. On October 1 prices for agricultural tyres will increase by an average of four per cent, while winter passenger, light commercial vehicle and 4×4 tyre prices will go up by an average of five per cent. Commenting on decision to increase prices, Mitsuhira Shimazaki, senior vice-president of Sales and Marketing at Bridgestone Europe, said that these two product groups “still require efforts to fully compensate for the raw materials hikes that we have suffered in the last two years.”
Tire Review notes that Michelin North America (Canada)'s price increase was the continent's 86th in 2011. As of 1 October, the unit is increasing pricing on its Michelin and BFGoodrich medium truck tyres by up to 6.5 per cent. Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal and MNA’s associate brand passenger and light truck replacement tyres (excluding winter tires) will see increases averaging 4 per cent as of 1 November.
Prices for Continental’s passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyres in the US are scheduled to increase by up to 8.5 per cent on November 1. Continental Tire The Americas says this price rise, which applies to its Continental, General and proprietary brand tyres, is being implemented as “a response to the continuing rise in raw material cost.” Exact price increases will vary according to product line and size, and Continental adds that some in-line adjustments will occur.
The 10-year contract between Heuver Tyrewholesale and Aeolus Tyres has been extended. Director Jan Heuver signed the agreement with Wang Feng, general manager at Aeolus Tyres. “We have been working with Aeolus for over 10 years now”, states Heuver in reaction to the contract extension.
County Donegal’s Ulster Tyre Company has announced it is to use the Cameo platform to establish a line into MIDaS B2B from Cam Systems. The new applications will enable the tyre wholesaler and retailer to streamline trade lines with its partners to support its ambitious growth plans. The company’s 50,000 sq ft site houses over 20 different brands of tyres, covering all segments. The decision to introduce the two platforms together is based on the company’s desire to increase customer connectivity, interaction and delivery, and to acquire effective tools for effective operations in the future.
The price of steel price has dropped US$120-130/tone in Europe (North European HRC) since March and now sites around $730-770/ton level (515 – 540 euros/ton), according too financial analysts. Writing in an investor’s note dated 30 August, Deutsche Bank explained its view of that the market has stabilised in the medium term market: “We expect current prices to remain more or less stable in the second half of 11 and for full year 2012.”
OTR tyre company Eurotire has announced that it will increase prices by up to 9.8 per cent on all its OTR bias tyres and up to 11.5 per cent on all its OTR radial tyres, effective globally on 5 September, 2011. Orders delivered before then will be at pre-increase prices.
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