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Pirelli Opens New Canadian Distribution Warehouse

Pirelli Tire Inc has opened a second warehouse distribution centre. The new facility is located in Vancouver, British Columbia, and the company reports that it is “dedicated to servicing customers in western Canada.” Pirelli has appointed Schenker Distribution to manage the operations effective immediately. Despite widely publicised tribulations in the automotive sector, Pirelli’s continuing growth in Canada makes capacity expansion necessary at this time, Marco Zambianchi, vice-president & general manager of Pirelli Canada, explained: “As our brand continues to grow, this addition will ensure that our dealers can fully satisfy consumer demand in a timely fashion.” Pival International Inc. remains the company’s primary distribution centre in eastern Canada.

23rd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

OTR Tyres Orders ‘Pneu’ Data Capture System

OTR Tyres a leading international earthmover tyre specialist has integrated an RFID-based data capture system into their tyre management system – TotalTyreLogic. According to the company, this is the world’s first commercially available, fully electronic, inspection and tyre management system.

The data capture system has been developed in partnership with Derbyshire based Pneu-Logic and is reportedly the first part of a multi-phase technology programme planned between OTR and Pneu-Logic. It involves using a handheld device to electronically capture and transmit tyre pressure and tread depth and wirelessly input it into OTR’s TyreLogic tyre management system.

23rd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Is Schaeffler Seeking Complete Control of Conti?

Speculation is mounting that Schaeffler Group executives are positioning themselves for a complete takeover of Continental AG. Following the ball-bearing maker’s successful bid for just under half the company, Schaeffler Group, is now responsible for 11 billion euros ($14.3 billion) of debt relating to the deal. However, the increasing negative global economic climate, especially with relation to the automotive supply business has led some observers to characterise Schaeffler as being backed into a corner. According to Bloomberg, “Schaeffler has one way out: gaining full control of Europe’s second-largest car-parts maker.”

Continental will now hold an emergency supervisory board meeting on 24 January (tomorrow), a gathering that has been arranged in the wake of Schaeffler’s reported demands for the resignation of Continental supervisory board chairman Hubertus von Gruenberg. According to the Financial Times this threat was delivered alongside an ultimatum – either Continental forces out von Gruenberg and gives Schaeffler representatives four seats on the board or the ball bearing member will push for the replacement of all 20 investor representatives on the 20-member board.

23rd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

PCR & LTR Production to End at Bridgestone LaVergne Plant

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) has made was it calls “a difficult decision”. On January 22 the Bridgestone Americas unit announced that, in light of negative economic conditions, it will cease the manufacture of passenger car and light truck tyres at its factory in LaVergne, Tennessee. This sombre news follows a December 1, 2008 notification that 148 hourly and 10 salaried positions were being eliminated at the facility.

“Based on current economic forecasts, it appears that the global economic crisis is going to get worse before it gets better. We are not immune from these challenging times,” said Steve Brooks, president, US, Canada and Monterrey Manufacturing Group, BATO.

23rd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Construction of Kumho US Plant to Start This Year

Following a delay attributed to the economic slowdown, construction work on Kumho Tire’s new factory in the US state of Georgia is tentatively set to begin before the end of 2009. If work proceeds according to this schedule, the factory should be producing tyres in 2011, slightly more than a year after originally anticipated.

23rd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sibur to Buy $600M of Amtel-Vredestein Debt

On January 22 Amtel-Vredestein N.V. reported its postponement of the general meeting of shareholders planned for the second half of the month. This decision was taken, the company discloses, because it is not yet “in a position to submit a decision on the disposal of its subsidiary Vredestein Banden B.V. to the general meeting for approval”. Amtel-Vredestein says plans regarding the subsidiary’s disposal are continuing, however it admits the sale process “may be impacted by certain legal actions taken by creditors of the company”. In a press statement, the company says it intends to conclude the sale process as soon as possible, thereby offering maximum value to all stakeholders. This is, admittedly, a best-case scenario; the statement contains the caveat that there can be no certainty of the successful sale of Vredestein Banden B.V.

23rd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

HiQ Celebrates First National Franchise Conference

HiQ bosses recently held the retail network’s first National Franchise Conference. The leading fast fit retailer organised a franchise networking event at the impressive Crewe Hall venue in Cheshire, where the company’s recently named new managing director, Juergen Titz, outlined HiQ’s vision to grow in the fast-fit and vehicle servicing market. The event gave HiQ the opportunity to have an open dialogue with its franchisees and inform them of the types of services open to them, such as online ordering technology, marketing support and new corporate identity graphics.

Despite trading in an unprecedented economic downturn, the company remained extremely upbeat about its future, mainly because of its National Franchise Programme. HiQ’s franchise structure is the only one of its kind in the fast fit industry, with 130 sites now run by 41 franchisees. By the end of February, this figure will rise to 138 sites and by the end of 2009, it is hoped that 170 centres will be franchised.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Launches New Tyre Testing Web Site

Dunlop have been testing tyres at the Fort Dunlop testing facility in Birmingham since 1923, but this department recently joined the information superhighway with a web site of its own – dunloptyretesting.co.uk. Tyre testing in Birmingham has come a long way since the first tyres were observed on simulator roads at 10 miles per hour. Today the company boasts speed tests of up to 400 km/h. “At Dunlop, we test not only for durability but also for performance. We have recently acquired ISOIE/17025:05 accreditation meaning we are classified as a laboratory standard facility,” web site literature explained.

Currently the facility is equipped to carry out the following tests: ECE 30, ECE 54, ECE 75, ECE 108, ECE 109, FMVSS 109, FMVSS 119, Gulf standards, Saudi Arabian, Australian, FMVSS 139 (when required), rolling resistance to ISO18164, high and low speed uniformity, accelerated ageing, long term endurance testing, high speed camber testing, high speed variable slip angle, pulse braking, burst testing, laser tyre profile measurements, tyre dissection, load deflection, dislodgement.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Save Money, Save The Planet With RightPSI

A new product on show at SEMA was the patented RightPSI tyre pressure management system. RightPSI mounts quickly and easily to any tyre valve stem. Three different coloured tyre-pressure indicators provide a visual reference for tyre pressure status – orange for low pressure, black for correct pressure, and yellow for over-fill status.

The coloured indicator can be seen from up to 15 feet away, making it easy to effectively and consistently monitor tyre pressure. RightPSI is the only product of its kind that can be used as a tyre-pressure gauge, tyre-pressure fill point, and over-fill indicator simultaneously.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Top of PCR, 4×4 Segments in JD Power Japan Survey

Michelin has top the list in the passenger car and SUV segments of the J.D. Power survey into Japanese original equipment tyre customers. The French marque achieved the highest scores for all five factors assessed: traction, quality and durability, design, driving comfort and fuel efficiency.

“Michelin is very pleased to have been ranked as number one for the passenger car and SUV segments in customer satisfaction survey for OE tyres,” said Bernard Delmas, president of Nihon Michelin Tire Co., Ltd. “Michelin has always been endeavouring to offer the highest quality products and been listening to voice of the customers. Long concerned with enhancing mobility for people and goods in Japan, Michelin continue to make customer satisfaction top priorities in the future.”

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

18 New Toyo Sizes

Director of marketing communications at Toyo Tire USA, Julie Sediq, told T&A that the company had introduced 18 new tyre sizes, with products aimed at the performance passenger car segment, as well as light trucks. Some of these are very esoteric; for example the Proxes TQ, which is the first DOT-approved drag radial from Toyo.

Another new tyre, the Proxes R888 is an approved competition radial which is ideal for road racing, track days and high-performance driving schools. It features a semi-slick shoulder area to increase cornering force and a unidirectional tread pattern with v-shaped grooves to enhance wet traction and control. A rounded outer shoulder helps to maintain tyre contact, even during changes in suspension geometry. A continuous centre contact delivers excellent directional control during hard braking.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Rubber Lowers Sales and Earnings Projections

Yokohama Rubber has downwardly revised its sales and earnings projections for the fiscal year to March 31, 2009. Company management now projects consolidated net sales of 523.0 billion yen (£4.2 billion), down 5.2 per cent from the previous fiscal year; consolidated operating income of 14.0 billion yen (£113 million), down 57.7 per cent; and a consolidated net loss of 7.0 billion yen (£56.5 million), down from a consolidated net profit of 21.1 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. The revised projection for net sales is 6.1 per cent lower than the projection Yokohama announced on November 12, 2008; the projection for operating income 46.2 per cent lower; and the projection for net income 16.5 billion yen (£133.2 million) lower. Management is reconsidering the year-end dividend of 7 yen that it had planned to recommend.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Ex-Wife Found Not Guilty of Threatening to Kill Fast-Fit Founder

The former wife of Australian fast fit mogul Bob Jane has been found not guilty of threatening to shoot and stab him. The rocky relationship experienced by the Janes, who divorced in 2008, is well known in their homeland – amongst other things, Bob, aged 79, accused his ex-wife last year of forging his signature on a mortgage document in order to pay off the AU$1.5 million (£706,000) in debt she had racked up on her 41 credit cards.

In February 2007, Bob Jane was granted a 12-month intervention order against his former wife of 20 years, 39-year old Laree Jane, of threatening to shoot him and threatening him with a kitchen knife. She was also accused of throwing a television remote control at the Bob Jane T-Marts founder.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Opens Second Canada Distribution Centre

Pirelli has opened a second tyre distribution centre in Canada. Located in Vancouver, the new facility will service customers in the country’s western region. The new facility will be managed by Schenker Distribution. According to Pirelli, its continuing growth in Canada, despite the automotive sector’s current downturn, necessitates an expansion of capacity at this time.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Supports Rugby Safety Programme

Graham Rowntree, England assistant coach and scrummaging coach for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa this summer, has launched the IRB Rugby Ready Programme in association with Goodyear at Willenhall RFC near Wolverhampton. More than 30 aspiring coaches received training during the three-hour session in match preparation, techniques and injury prevention and management.

IRB Rugby Ready is a programme developed by the International Rugby Board and run in England by the RFU in association with Goodyear and Sport England. The programme is designed to support coaches, referees, players and Unions in preparing to play by providing best practice models for physical conditioning, technique, injury prevention and injury management.

Rowntree was joined by Goodyear managing director Mark Brickhill as they launched the partnership and met those participating in the unique scheme which aims to train around 4,000 coaches nationwide within the next 12 months. Brickhill believes the IRB Rugby Ready in association with Goodyear scheme fits perfectly with the company’s self-styled image as an expert in safety.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors