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Pirelli UK Hoping to Resume Carlisle Operations on January 9

According to The Cumberland News, workers at Pirelli’s Carlisle plant will find out on January 9 whether they are able to return to work following the equipment failure that has delayed operations following the factory’s planned Christmas shutdown period. Although workers were scheduled to return on January 8, plant management informed them that the factory had not yet returned to a fully operational state.

“’During the start-up process after the shutdown period, leaks in the high pressure steam system were detected,” Pirelli said in a statement. “These require immediate repair, therefore there will be a delay in the timing of the start-up of the Carlisle factory planned for January 8.”

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Analysts Expect “Very Bad” 4Q Figures from Michelin

Financial analysts have cut their 2008 operating income estimate for Michelin from 1.15 billion to 1.05 billion (-37 per cent compared with 2007). Deutsche Bank’s reduced estimate comes off the back of sharp falls in tyre demand in mature markets.

According to the analysts, mature markets (such as Europe and North America) represent 70 per cent of Michelin’s volumes. “We estimate tyre demand fell sharply in the fourth quarter (-15 per cent) both in OE and in replacement – in passenger as well as truck markets. We believe this weak demand, coupled with a destocking effect, led to a high 25 per cent production cut in the fourth quarter,” the analysts commented, explaining that the magnitude of this volume drop is not sustainable:

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Ushers in January Tyre Sales

Kwik-Fit has issued its round of January promotions with offers on premium label tyres. The promotion includes 30 per cent off four, and 15 per cent off two premium tyres, including brands such as Pirelli, Dunlop, Goodyear, Firestone, Continental and Bridgestone. Customers can get a further reduction, which equates to 20 per cent off two tyres, if they book online at kwik-fit.com.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

R H Claydon Reviews “Challenging” 2008

Wholesaler R H Claydon reports that the year of 2008 drew to a close after a prolonged period of factors which made the function of stocking and marketing land based tyres, agricultural and construction somewhat challenging. Like many others, the firm experienced worldwide commodity prices to the manufacturing industry continuing to rise, thus affecting the price of the finished product. Rising oil prices, which greatly affected all industries, alongside currency fluctuations prompted widespread re-evaluation of delivery and servicing to contain the high levels of road fuel costs and yet maintain the service. The wholesaler says that, “the most frustrating and punitive situation all experienced in 2008, was shortage of product, a factor especially prevalent, says RHC, in radial tractor tyres.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti US OE for Mercedes-Benz GLK

Continental’s Conti4x4Contact has been chosen as US market original equipment for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK. The tyre will be fitted to the new 4×4 in size 235/50R19 99H.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

The Days of Simple Tyre Selection are Gone

A few years ago council workers, farmers and private amenity contractors had straight forward requirements. Tractors had two types of tyres, small on the front and larger at the rear. Ride-on mowers were simply attired with rubber. According to Stowmarket-based tyre and wheel supplier, Fieldens, when today’s farmer or fleet manager comes to order tyres, the list of requirements covers several pages. Earlier it was floatation or narrow tyres, today there is the requirement for speed with a high payload, but – “oh yes, we don’t want to sacrifice floatation as we must avoid damage to soil structure and ultimately plant growth.” Fieldens reports that amenity operators face a similar challenge – they need to move quickly from site to site, but then work with heavy equipment on a sensitive sports ground.

Alternatively there is the problem of kerbing and blowing out tyres of ride-on mowers. “What can you do about that – but we’d like some wider tyres at the same time so we can carry on working during bad weather like we’ve had in the past two summers?” Then there’s the spraying contractor carrying increasingly heavy loads. It’s not just the tyres that have to be up to the job but the wheels too – especially if the machine has to work across sidling ground with all the stresses and strains that brings.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Resumes Production in Hungary

Hankook’s factory in Dunaujvaros, Hungary resumed production on the afternoon of January 8, following a stoppage the previous day due to gas shortages. The tyre maker had previously anticipated that the factory would remain out of operation until the evening of January 9, reported Hungary’s MTI news agency on January 8.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Worker’s Union Prepared for More ‘Agitation’ in PTL Factory Lockout

The unions representing workers involved in the PTL factory lockout in India are said to have bolstered their resolve following the breakdown of their second discussion with company management. According to India’s Express News Service, union leaders are accusing the Apollo Tyres supplier of changing their demands each time employees agree to the previous set.

“The workers have already agreed to the conditions put forward by the management for capacity utilisation in the wake of recession,” said Premier Tyres Employees Union president K N Raveendranath. “But, the management is behaving with certain ulterior motive and putting forward fresh set of demands every time.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Hoping Unions ‘See Merit’ in PTL Proposal

Apollo Tyres, the sole recipient of products manufactured by PTL Enterprises, has expressed its hope that unions will work with management to save the jobs of more than 1,000 employees at the company’s Kalamassery factory. A list of 12 items management consider inherent for the survival of the factory were on the agenda at a January 7 meeting convened by the Kerala state labour minister, Mr P K Gurudasan. Of these 12 items, reports Apollo Tyres, unions agreed to consider only three. The remainder, they said, would be discussed only after the lockout is lifted. This has, says Apollo, left management “completely disheartened”, as it says previous lockouts have also taken this route without resolution to a single pending request taking place. All 12 items, says the Indian manufacturer, relate to better manufacturing practices and the need to expand and modernise for higher efficiencies. Company management has also appealed to the Kerala State Government to play a positive role, which it says will result in better industrial standards, more employment and even higher Government revenues.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Courts Agricultural Market

Maxxis says that it is “among the top three manufacturers of quality tyres for the amenity market,” and with its wide variety of ATV, 4×4 and high speed trailer tyres, the company is confident that it can meet a variety of applications within the agricultural sector. “The agricultural sector accounts for a large proportion of our ATV tyre sales,” states Maxxis International UK’s managing director Derek McMartin.

As an OE supplier to many major ATV manufacturers, including Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Polaris and Suzuki, Maxxis ATV tyres are acknowledged for all-round performance across a wide range of applications.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Serial Tyre Damager Faces 39 Criminal Charges

Occasionally the tabloid aficionado within struggles to escape, and with it looms the threat of sensationalism spilling onto the staid and respectable pages of Tyres & Accessories. Fortunately this beast can be mastered and controlled – otherwise readers would now find the headline “Tyre Hater’s Three-Year Rampage Finally Deflated” staring back at them. It’s a good thing this hasn’t occurred.

Whether or not the 60-year old New York State man actually hated tyres is a question that remains unanswered, and it is debatable whether his activities constitute a rampage. What is fact, however, is that the man, named as Michael Delisio, has been harbouring various grievances against a range of neighbours since 2006, and venting his negative emotions by booby-trapping their driveways with tyre bursting nails. According to New York’s Journal News, four people have made more than 40 complaints about the man’s behaviour over the last two years.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Begin India Plant Construction in February

The government run business promotional organisation of India’s Tamil Nadu state is said to be in the final stages of granting Michelin in-principle clearance to establish a large project in the Chennai region. The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) has set aside 290 acres of land for Michelin’s use, and the company is likely to begin construction work in February.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New MAK Nova 5-Spoke Wheel

MAK Nova is described as a “sober” five-spoke design. The philosophy behind the product is classic quality and “smooth, tender” lines. The fact that it is a five spoke wheel means the MAK Nova can be fitted to the majority of current car models. The new wheel comes in a silver finish that reinforces the general theme. And furthermore, according to the company the silver finish MAK has employed for this particularly product means it is suitable for winter use and is therefore “very resistant against humidity, fog, salt and low temperatures.” MAK Nova is available in the following sizes: 6,5J15”, 6,5J16”, 7J16”, 7J17”.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Australia Finalises Purchase of Jobson’s Outlets

Following the signing of an agreement on January 5, Bridgestone Australia will be working more closely with Sydney based retail tyre network Jobson’s Discount Tyre and Mechanical. The agreement finalises Bridgestone’s purchase of JLK Holdings, which owns and operates seven Bridgestone Tyre Centre outlets across the metropolitan Sydney region.

Phil Jobson, co-owner and founder of Jobson’s Discount Tyre and Mechanical, said the agreement represented “an exciting new phase” for both businesses. “We have been planning a move such as this for a number of years, so I am delighted to be joining forces with Bridgestone as it allows me to stay very much at the helm of the business while also ensuring its long-term future,” he said.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sainsbury’s Warn Of “Frosting” Crime

With temperatures in many parts of the UK consistently below freezing this week, Sainsbury’s Car Insurance is warning motorists to be on their guard against ‘frosting’ car crime, where opportunist thieves take advantage of drivers who leave their cars unattended whilst warming up the engine. The bank’s research suggests that up to 15,000 households could fall victim to ‘frosting’ this year.

While it is not clear if she was a victim ‘frosting’ Princess Beatrice will be kicking herself after leaving the key to her £17,000 1 Series BMW in the ignition. According to the RAC website Westminster Police are investigating reports the princess’s car was stolen after she left it unlocked with the keys in the ignition.

8th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors