pricing Archives - Page 11 of 32 - Tyrepress

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Apollo South Africa invests in new budgeting system

Apollo Tyres South Africa, formerly known as Dunlop Tyres South Africa, has invested in a specialist budgeting solution from Synergy Business Intelligence. Urekha Venketas, associate manager business Analysis at Apollo Tyres South Africa explained why the company sought such a system and her comments also give a flavour of the now Indian-owned firm’s approach: “In a global business, of which the South African operations are a part…means being able to very closely track performance in a highly unpredictable market.”

20th April 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin opens US ‘Advantage Program’ to owner-operators

Michelin North America has extended its ‘Advantage Program’ to truck owner-operators. Initially established for smaller-sized fleets, the Advantage Program offers operators consistent programme pricing on both new tyre and Michelin Retread Technologies products plus no-fee access to the tyre maker’s ‘ONCall’ emergency road service and access to Michelin’s Commercial Service Network. Further stated benefits are resources available through the Advantage Program website, regular e-newsletter updates and – new for 2011 – quarterly webcasts on important tyre topics.

8th April 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Nokian experiencing increased demand, especially in Russia

Following the company’s recent pre-announcement of fiscal results, financial analysts have characterised them as proving “demand has continued to grow in all Nokian's key markets. According to an investor’s note published by Deutsche Bank, this is said to be especially in Russia, where foreign car sales are expected to grow by about a third in 2011 – 2012. Nokian said its sales will reach 278 million euros, with pre-tax profits (EBIT) of some 65 – 70 million euros in the first quarter of 2011. According to Deutsche Bank, the upper end of the EBIT-range was “56 per cent ahead of Reuters’ consensus estimate before the announcement.” Nokian’s management also upgraded its full year 2011 guidance: “In 2011, the company is positioned to provide strong sales growth and to improve operating profit clearly compared to 2010.” Previously the company had said: “In 2011, the company is positioned to provide strong sales growth and to improve operating profit compared to 2010.”

5th April 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Successful service pilot programme leads to national rollout

The success of Vauxhall MasterFit's online service booking pilot programme in 2010 has led to its introduction across the national network, according to an article on the headline.auto website. Of those retailers involved in the pilot, many reported 70 per cent of those using the online booking system were new customers whose vehicles they were servicing for the first time.

4th April 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcar Wheelwright combatting “40% collapse” in UK market with Calibre range

Alcar Wheelwright managing director Kevin Greer has reported a notable area of success in a UK wheel market battling hard against a medium-term slump, which looks set to continue in many segments. The wheel aftermarket is described by the Kent based importer as “difficult and depressed”, but the company is playing up the success of its recently expanded Calibre range, which it says has seen a significant level of interest from both the UK and increasingly mainland Europe. Alcar says the retro styles: Eclipse, Vice, Bomb and especially Vintage fill a gap in a European “look market” it describes as “hungry”.

31st March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Sea freight update: size matters

Continuing in our recent series of articles on sea freight, Rob Shelley founder of Maritime Cargo Services, a Suffolk-based freight forwarder explains how the cost of international maritime transportation has eased slightly.

Freight rates have been sliding for some months now and there has been much sabre rattling from the shipping lines talking up rising oil prices and the like and having to redress the balance with “rate restorations” or GRIs (General Rate Increases). However, the reality is that the market is hugely competitive at the moment and that, in the short term at any rate, price increases will be hard to make stick.

21st March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Halfords promises to tell it like it is

Halfords Autocentres has pledged to make customers' lives easier by championing the use of 'plain English' in its garages, following a poll of 2,000 motorists carried out for Halfords which revealed a high level of confusion around mechanical jargon and the need for simple and un-patronising language when dealing with motorists.

Over nine out of ten car owners (91 per cent) say they are left bewildered by terminology used by mechanics and almost half of motorists (48 per cent) admit paying for a service or repair without understanding what it was for.

14th March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Europe announces further price increases

Prices for all Bridgestone consumer, commercial and specialty tyres are set to increase by an average of seven per cent in European markets. The new prices take effect with the start of the second financial quarter in April and exact increases will vary between product categories, Bridgestone Europe reports.

10th March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Preliminary report: Pirelli 4Q improves on estimates

A preliminary report from analysts suggests that Pirelli’s fourth quarter financial figures have beaten consensus estimates in terms of earnings before interest and tax by 15 per cent, leading banks to predict an upgrade to the company’s stock value. Net debt is also lower than expected according to the report, while analysts called the Italian manufacturers message that its pricing will offset higher raw materials costs “very confident”.

8th March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Cameo transforms JH Tyres business management system

JH Tyres of Armagh, Northern Ireland has invested in Cam Systems’ Cameo platform, citing its ability to control its stock and generate credit reports as worthy of the long-term investment. John Henry, owner of JH Tyres says: “We are looking forward to reaping the benefits of the new Cameo system such as stock monitoring and generating credit reports. I’m confident it will reveal a full range of benefits as the system is rolled out.”

7th March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Americas’ Tom Rodgers takes on expanded role

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has promoted Tom Rodgers to the role of director of Sales and Marketing, Agricultural Tire, US & Canada Commercial Tire Sales Division (BAAG). In his expanded role, Rodgers’ primary objective will be to manage the channel supply strategy between the company’s original equipment and replacement markets. In addition, he will work with sales personnel to continue providing technology and service to and through the company’s original equipment customers and Certified Dealer network to meet the needs of production agriculture. The former director Marketing, Sales Support and Strategic Management at BAAG will also continue with his existing marketing duties, including responsibility for Marketing and Promotions, Sales Support, Budgeting and Forecasting, Pricing, Product Development, and Field Engineering.

7th March 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

JP Morgan increases Goodyear 2012 EPS, drops 2011 figure

Analysts at JP Morgan have increased their estimates for Goodyear Tire & Rubber's 2012 earning per share (EPS) and reduced 2011’s figure – mainly due to the impact of raw material prices. To reflect the impact of higher natural rubber prices, JP Morgan lowered its 2011 earnings per share projection to $0.50. However, 2012 has been revised up to $2.25. The estimates assume global volume growth of 4 per cent in 2011 and 2012 and a $374 million negative price/mix against raw material costs spread out in 2011.

14th February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin sales up 20.8% to 17.9 billion euros, operating margin now 9.5%

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin has announced that the tyre major’s sales shot up 20.8 per cent in 2010, while operating income swelled to 1.695 billion euros, representing a 9.5 per cent operating margin. Net income totalled 1.049 billion euros. According to Michelin the growth was driven by a 13.4 per cent increase in sales volumes, led by the group’s global presence and the rebound in mature markets. However managing partner Michel Rollier warned investors “In light of our capital expenditure commitments and the increase in raw materials costs, free cash flow is expected to be temporarily negative in 2011.” Nevertheless, Michelin confirmed its objective of generating positive free cash flow over the entire 2011-2015 period.

The manufacturer also sought to emphasise its “responsive pricing policy” in the face of rising raw materials costs; sustained productivity gains and cost discipline; not to mention “robust free cash flow.” At the same time the company proposed a dividend of 1.78 euros subject to approval.

11th February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Prices rises announced for Michelin’s European portfolio

Michelin has announced fresh price rises for European markets – part of its “firm pricing policy” in the face of rising raw material costs. As of March 1, motorcycle and scooter tyres will increase by up to 7.5 per cent, while prices for earthmover tyres will go up by up to 7.5 per cent on this date in most European markets. Between March 1 and April 1 price rises for new and retreaded truck tyres averaging seven per cent will be “gradually implemented” in European markets (excluding Russia), while agricultural tyres will receive the same gradual approach to price increases in many European markets between April 1 and May 1; this time prices will go up by an average of four per cent. Last but not least, the passenger car and small truck tyre segment will see increases averaging five per cent for summer and winter products gradually implemented between April 1 and June 1, 2011.

10th February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Further Bridgestone Americas price increases

In addition to previously announced price adjustments in its Bandag and truck tyre businesses, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has announced price increases for two of its off-road divisions. The company’s Off Road Tire, U.S. & Canada Commercial Tire Sales division (BAOR) has announced plans to increase prices by 12 per cent with some in-line adjustments. The price increases will affect all mining, construction and industrial tyres marketed by BAOR and are scheduled to begin March 1. Furthermore, the Agricultural Tire, U.S. & Canada Commercial Tire Sales division (BAAG), has announced a four per cent price increase on Firestone branded agricultural, construction and forestry tyres; Bridgestone branded garden tyres and Regency branded tyres sold in the United States and Canada replacement markets. The new pricing will be effective April 1, 2011.

8th February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors