MAM Software's new range of e-commerce solutions is banking on its ability to improve customer service and increase the efficiency of transactions both up and down tyre distributors’ and retailer’ supply chain. By handling purchases and sales electronically, MAM's e-commerce solutions are designed to speed-up responses, reduce errors and cut administrative overheads, say company representatives.
Viking International reports that its online ordering service is “now even easier” with the addition of credit card processing. An account management area enables customers to view order history, statements and invoices to help keep track of their account. A new feature allowing customers to pay by credit or debit card will be available from 1 October.
Whether you believe it’s simply ‘green wash’ or not, industry sources are reporting that the increase in ‘extra-slow-steaming’ (ESS) is having a profound effect on the international freighting sector. The knock-on effect for tyre importers and exporters is that ESS adds a few days to transit times.
Officially, ESS is the shipping industry's response to cutting global carbon emissions and is supposed to cut vessel emissions by some 30 per cent. It’s now the norm on the majority of trade routes although the cynic would say that it’s simply a significant cost cutting exercise, keeps ships in employment and, in fact, was widely used just to redress the supply-demand imbalance that built up in 2009. It’s estimated that in May alone, speed cuts to between 17-19 knots from the usual 23-25 kept almost 100 ships in employment.
Tyre market research specialists Encircle Marketing has been developing Italian and French portals of its website as a prelude to launching sell-out pricing and selling way programmes in these countries in the first quarter of 2011. Test programmes will be conducted in the last quarter of this year.
Aluminium Wheel Manufacturer Superior Industries International has announced a net income of US$10.1 million for the second quarter of 2010, a figure that includes a $4.1 million loss on the sale of the company’s joint venture in Hungary. This compares to a net loss in the second quarter of 2009 of $21.0 million.
A reduction in fuel consumption to the tune of two to three per cent is possible with the latest van tyre segment offering from Giti Tire. When compared with its predecessor, the GT Radial Maxmiler EX achieves up to this saving through a ten per cent weight reduction and approximately 15 per cent rolling resistance; the manufacturer states that the production technologies and materials used in the new tyre have enabled such use of an optimised weight construction.
Shares in Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. fell by as much as 13 per cent yesterday (Thursday 5 August) after the tyre manufacturer reported second-quarter revenue below estimates and said earnings were hurt by increased raw material costs. However, market analysts reported that the market has underestimated Cooper’s “near term potential.”
On July 16 Brian Anderson took over the positon of director of financial planning and analysis at Cooper Tire & Rubber, replacing Craig Durliat, who recently became director of credit for the North American Tire Organization. In his new role, Anderson will coordinate and consolidate global business plans and create the North American Tire Operations' financial plans. He will also partner with marketing and pricing to ensure strong customer relationships, and will oversee commercial analysis, working closely with sourcing, purchasing and manufacturing in all regions.
North Eastern Tyre and Autocare (NETA) says its customers can save time and money by taking advantage of its new online service. Purchasing tyres and booking a fitting appointment at a NETA branch through the www.nete.co.uk website is as easy as purchasing a book or downloading music from an online retailer, the North East and Yorkshire based company notes, and the online system comes complete with built in updates that gives customers a reminder about when service or other work is due.
Speke, UK-based wholesaler Kirkby Tyres has announced the latest additions to its earthmover tyre range, including new, larger and more specialist sizes under the Alliance, Double Coin and BKT brands. Alliance has released a new wide-based radial in the 650 design used on Loaders/Dozers and Graders. It is available in sizes ranging from 20.5R25 to 26.5R25, inclusive. Ilan Goldstone commented: “This tyre has been designed with a compound that has exceptional wear and an all-steel casing for superior durability and puncture resistance – it’s a very popular tyre. As well as the tyres we also have off-the-shelf EM wheels, as well as being able to provide bespoke specifications when necessary.”
Retail franchise network HiQ is using its marketing capabilities on a national level to emphasise “local service” this year, and one franchisee is using a poster campaign featuring staff working in his four Cornwall HiQ fast fit centres. Justin Roberton is unveiling posters advertising his stores in Truro, Bodmin, Helston and St Austell courtesy of the new marketing materials, which places his staff at the heart of his business.
Kwik-Fit, the UK’s leading tyre retailer, has reportedly been put up for auction by its owners PAI Partners. PAI, a French private equity group, bought Kwik-Fit from CVC Capital Partners for roughly £800 million in 2005 after seeing off competing bids from suitors including global tyremaker Bridgestone. Newspaper reports from sources including The Guardian and The Scotsman published on the 30 and 31 May respectively suggest that Kwik-Fit has once again attracted the attention of private equity groups including Blackstone, KKR and Permira. However both reports also speculate about the likelihood of Bridgestone’s involvement in bidding for Kwik-Fit’s latest change of ownership. A source close to Kwik-Fit’s owners told Tyres & Accessories that the press reports were inaccurate and “there is no formal sale process,” but confirmed that there is a formal sale process for the firm’s insurance arm.
Chinese tyre company, Aufine Group Co., Ltd., has warned customers of the increasing cost of Ocean freight. “From March until now, the ocean freight from all China’s fundamental ports keeps rising. Especially from 15 May the freight starts increase sharply,” the company wrote in its latest email newsletter.
"Our company is particularly recognised as a specialist in the production of OTR tyres," said Landmax International managing director Joe Lee when talking with Tyres & Accessories at Tyrexpo Africa. "We have invested seriously large sums of money in research and development, which has led to a wide ranging selection of radial and bias OTR tyres for various vehicle applications in mining, construction and container handling.
Shares in Japan’s three largest tyre manufacturers (Bridgestone, Yokohama and Sumitomo) have risen in Tokyo trading this morning, following recommendations made by Citigroup. Bloomberg reports that the gains were made following a report by Citi’s analysts suggesting 2010’s global demand growth in tyres would be 8.2 per cent, as opposed to the previously quoted 5.5 per cent.
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