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Hurricane Damaged Firestone Retail Centre Re-Opens

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.”

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Tire Maker Gajah Tunggal To Roll Out Bond Exchange

Indonesia’s PT Gajah Tunngal has said a plan for restructuring its debt will probably gain approval with investors following changes made to a bond exchange offer. A second bondholder meeting was held on July 21 after a quorum was not previously reached. The company intends to swap US$420 million of 10.25 per cent bonds due in 2010 for new notes maturing in 2014.

“In the absence of any substantial blocking votes, the issuer and the company expect to reach the requisite quorum and approval,” a company release stated.

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Trelleborg Reports Improved Operating Margin in April – June Period

In its interim report for the months between April and June 2009, Trelleborg reports that “in a difficult market situation, we have successfully managed to generate a continued strong cash flow and improved our operating margin compared with the first quarter of 2009.” The company also states that effects of its “capacity adjustments” are gradually increasing, although the sense of uncertainty regarding the future remains “great”.

Net sales in the second quarter of 2009 totalled SEK 6.867 million, down 17.5 per cent on the same period a year earlier. Operating profit, at SEK 159 million, decreased 52.8 per cent year-on-year.

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Expected to Report 7.2 billion euros 1H Sales

Financial analysts are projecting Michelin will post sales of 7.2 billion euros (-13 per cent compared with last year) when it presents its first half results. According to a recent Deutsche Bank investor’s note, the company will report an operating loss of 50 million euros and a net loss of 360 million euros (after factoring differed tax assets and restructuring charges). The bank’s first half estimates are below consensus (expected operating profit – 90 million euros; net loss – 200 million euros), however looking forward to the second half the analysts report that they expect a sharp rebound (above consensus) “thanks to a recovery of volumes.”

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sava Launches Three Upgraded Truck Tyre Lines

Sava has announced the launch of three upgraded tyre ranges designed to offer enhanced performance and value for long and regional haul trucks, trailers and coaches. The Slovenia based Goodyear Dunlop subsidiary reports that its Avant A3plus steer tyre and Orjak O3plus drive tyre have benefited from new construction and tread compounds, giving the tyres significantly improved mileage, durability and stability compared with their predecessors. The new carcass construction is shared in the Cargo C3plus trailer tyre and features a revised belt package lay-up that delivers reduced heat build up and improved durability.

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bike Tyrestore Increases Premium Two-Wheel Tyre Prices

Leading two-wheel tyre wholesaler, Bike Tyrestore, has announced that it is to increase its prices for “key sizes” by Bridgestone, Dunlop and Michelin. For specific prices, the company recommends that customers visit the “YOUR Online Warehouse” of www.worldofbiketyres.com.

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Carbon Black Shortage Creating Headaches in India

The New Indian Express newspaper has reported a “severe crisis” looming over India’s tyre and tread rubber manufacturers. According to the newspaper, carbon black supplies are critically low and the four major Indian manufacturers of the substance lack the capacity to meet domestic market demand. This problem is compounded by allegations that India’s Ministry of Commerce is preventing the importation of carbon black to compensate for this shortfall.

A number of factories are said to have been idled as a result of this shortage, which The New Indian Express attributes to a Ministry of Commerce decision to restrict carbon black imports if the landed cost is less than RS 80 (£1.00) per kilogram, markedly more than the current Indian price.

24th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

More US Miles Logged in May

After April 2009 broke the nearly year-and-half streak of falling year-over-year monthly mileage, it is welcome news that May continued the trend. Preliminary total vehicle travel reports from the U.S. Department of Transportation show a 0.07 per cent increase compared to May 2008. The year-to-date total remains down, 0.82 per cent compared to the same time in 2008, however that is also an improvement. In May of 2008, year-to-date travel was 2.5 per cent lower than 2007 levels.

Total travel in May was 257,311 million miles, and 29 states posted increases in mileage. Rural travel increased by 0.83 per cent, while urban travel fell 0.17 per cent compared to May 2008. The rolling 12-month total is 2.77 per cent lower, however last month it was down 3.1 per cent, so the trend is certainly positive. (Tire Review/Akron)

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Appoints New Operations VP, Plant Manager

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. appointed John Bodart as vice president of its North American tyre manufacturing operations and Alex Perry as plant manager at the Texarkana, Arkansas, manufacturing facility. Bodart will oversee North American tyre plant managers, operations excellence, reliability engineering and lean engineering. A 20-year Cooper employee with experience in plant management, quality assurance, mold operations, tyre testing and product development, he most recently worked as plant manager in Texarkana, Cooper said.

Perry will relocate from Cooper’s manufacturing facility in Melksham, England. Perry previously served in manufacturing operations, assembly operations and production roles in Melksham and Texarkana. Before joining Cooper in 2001, he spent several years in the British Army as a bomb disposal officer, reaching the rank of captain prior to his retirement. He also has prior experience with two other companies in management roles. Perry is the first Cooper employee to become certified as a black belt under the Cooper Tire Lean Six Sigma program, the company said. (Tire Review/Akron)

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Magna Launches 3 New Solid Tyre Sizes

Magna has launched three new solid tyre sizes – 26.5-25; 29-5-25; and 35/65-33. According to a company press release, the new tyres are of “superior quality for the toughest applications on industrial vehicles with risks of impact and damage.” The tyres are reportedly stable, puncture resistant and maintenance-free with “high loading capacity” for forklift trucks and other industrial applications.

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Names New Commercial Director

Bill Schafer, 42, has been appointed commercial director of Michelin’s truck and bus operations in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Schafer previously spent five years as vice president of Michelin’s North American agricultural division based in Greenville, South Carolina.

Schafer brings 16 years of experience within the Michelin Group and most recently held roles including three years as European key account manager for Michelin Fleet Solutions based at the company’s worldwide headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France, prior to which he was commercial irector of Michelin’s truck operations in Mexico and Central America.

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hayes Lemmerz Receives Daimler Truck Award

Hayes Lemmerz International has become one of a small number of companies acknowledged by Daimler Trucks North America for meeting its rigid quality requirements and expectations. This recognition came in the form of a Masters of Quality Award for 2008.

“It is a great honour for us to receive this high recognition for quality excellence from one of our valued customers,” said Donald Hampton, Jr., Vice President, North American Operations. “We are proud of our Akron facility’s accomplishments. Our Akron facility, like all of our global facilities, is committed to continuing to deliver world-class products to Daimler Trucks and all of our global customers.”

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Tyres to Supply 50% Nissan Truck South Africa OE Needs

Apollo Tyres South Africa recently won the contract to supply half of Nissan Diesel’s truck tyre requirements. Nissan Diesel SA (Pty) Ltd, based in Rosslyn Pretoria, have reportedly chosen Apollo Tyres South Africa (formerly known as Dunlop International) to supply the Dunlop brand steel radial truck tyres, in an “open-ended contract.”

The deal with Nissan Diesel is the single largest original equipment deal secured with a vehicle manufacturer since the reinstatement of Apollo Tyres South Africa’s Original Equipment department early last year. Dr Luis Ceneviz, Apollo Tyres South Africa’s CEO said: “We are proud to be collaborating with Nissan Diesel as both companies share a common goal of exceeding customer expectation and growing its share of business. We look forward to many more such partnerships into the future.”

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper Responds to Consumer Demand with New Sizes

Cooper Tire & Rubber has announced that, in response to consumer demand, it has added new sizes to a number of its tyre line-ups. These new sizes, the company states, form part of its effort to ensure replacement tyre buyers have the ability to make the right tyre purchase for their vehicle. The expanded Cooper tyre ranges include the following additions:

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Romanian Hospital to Benefit from Pirelli Sponsored Training

Pirelli Tyre has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Romania’s Health Ministry, pledging to finance a training programme for staff at a hospital in Slatina, where the Italian company’s Romanian factory is located. Medical staff from the County Emergency Hospital’s Emergency Reception Unit will receive training at Milan’s Niguardia hospital, continuing a cooperation between the two units that began around a year and a half ago.

The document was signed in Slatina by Pirelli Tyre’s Romania director Enrico Malerba and Romanian health minister Ioan Bazac on July 23. Italy’s ambassador to Romania, Mario Cospito, also attended the signing ceremony.

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors