Product News Archives - Page 19 of 260 - Tyrepress

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TRIB MD Brodsky Writes Open Letter to Obama, Congress

Tire Retread and Repair Information Bureau managing director Harvey Brodsky has written an open letter to US president Barack Obama and the members of Congress in general, praising the work of the bureau’s members in advancing retreads as a viable, safe alternative to new tyres. Brodsky also included the bureau’s Retread Tire Information Pack, illustrating “the environmental and economic benefits of retreaded tyres.” The full content of the letter is reproduced below.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Announces 2009-10 SUV, Van Winter Tyre Roster

Pirelli has announced its range of winter tyres designed for the 4×4/SUV and van segments. The Scorpion Ice & Snow is designed to work particularly well at low temperatures and is produced in aspect ratios 35 to 75 Series, wheel diameter codes 15 to 21 and speed codes T, H and V. The Chrono Winter, meanwhile, is available for vans in aspect ratios 60 to 75 Series, wheel diameter codes 14 and 16 and speed codes R, S and T. Both tyres are emblazoned with the “Snowflake” symbol in the North American market, which is embossed on the sidewall of winter tyres that indicates their specialisation for snow.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli to Release Microchipped “Intelligent” Tyre

The Energy Harvesting Journal has reported that Pirelli is close to releasing its latest innovative tyre technology – a microchip to supply tyre and road condition information to the car’s electronic control system. It is designed to increase safety. The new product is expected to become available in the company’s Cyber Tyre Lean and Cyber Tyre in early 2010.

The Cyber Lean will register tyre pressure and temperature data, noting too the average load of the vehicle. It is attached to the inner lining and can store information such as the tyre’s production date and site. It derives the energy necessary to work from vibrations, further enhancing its environmentally friendly credentials.

The Cyber Tyre, which will be released later, will have the electronic sensor inserted directly into the tyre structure. A triaxial accelerometer will, according to the Journal, “give data on the actual and potential friction coefficients, the force of the contact between tyre and road, and on the load, instantaneously.” It supersedes current tyre sensor technology by being able to “correct wrong behaviour in advance.”

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Alabama Health Department Fines BFGoodrich

BFGoodrich Tire Manufacturing in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is to be fined $650 civil after violating state environmental health rules. According to local newspaper reports, Alabama Department of Public Health official identified the violation when BFGoodrich reported in May that “two devices containing radioactive sources were missing from the Tuscaloosa plant site.” WHNT news explained that they were discovered missing in April and were last accounted for in October 2008 and report suggests the devices might have left the site when “the production line they were on was dismantled and removed as scrap.” Such devices are used in gauges that measure the thickness of rubber during production.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Industrial Tyre Association Makes Best Practice Plea

The Industrial Tyre Association (ITA) has called for more action to reduce the risks of making false economies when it comes to fitting industrial tyres. Len Sambrook, ITA chair explained: “When money is tight it can be tempting to buy cheap tyres or to delay replacing worn ones. But tyres are such an integral part of a forklift or industrial truck that by taking responsibility and following strict standards of specification and fitting of tyres users can significantly reduce the lifetime cost of the machine. Most of the time economies made around tyres are false economies in the long run.”

ITA points out that tyres are often the most overlooked part of a truck. But specifying the right type of tyre can affect the lifting, stability and braking distances of an industrial truck, as well as improve its fuel economy. The use of an inferior product will severely impact not only the truck’s performance but also the health and safety of the operator.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kraiburg Complies Early With New Directive

On January 1st 2010, European Directive 76/796/EEC comes into force. The new Directive prescribes limits on the permissible percentage of processing oils containing PAHs (polycyclic aroma¬tic hydrocarbons) which are subject to declaration. It will be illegal to produce tyres which do not conform to the specified limits. Processing oils plasticise the rubber compound, making it more flexible and pliable during the blending process.

However, Kraiburg’s retreading partners needn’t worry, as the company started to adapt all its precure retreads back in 1997 and completed the process at the beginning of 2007. The aim was to ensure that customers adhering to the Kraiburg three-year shelf life policy for precured treads would not have non-compliant goods in stock at the beginning of next year.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Ellerbrock Mixing Plant Doubles Output After Fire

Earlier this week Ellerbrock Reifenrunderneuerungs-Technologie GmbH puts its new North Hamburg (Henstedt-Ulzburg) mixing facility into operation. As a result of the six million euro investment, the plant has also taken on a completely new role within the Marangoni Group.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Group Reorganises its Finances

Financial analysts are predicting that the Pirelli & C SpA will separate shares in its tyre business from the holding company. Writing in an investor’s note, Deutsche Bank analysts predicted “near-term action to reduce holding discount by giving shareholders two stocks: a pure tyre company and a pure holding company” and valued the tyre company at between 0.21 euros and 0.33 euros/share.

Good take up of Pirelli Real Estate SpA’s capital increase, which closed on Friday 3 July and was 99.4 per cent subscribed, has also resulted in a 14 per cent reduction in net debt, according to analysts. The company itself reported it raised 397 million euros throught the offer.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Drunk Tyre Centre Arsonist Jailed

A worker who started a fire that caused £700,000-worth of damage at the Budget Tyre Auto Centre in Edinburgh has been sentenced to 28 months in jail. Colin McReadie reportedly drank 20 (yes, twenty) pints of lager when, paranoid about the potential loss of his job, he took a gas torch to a rack of tyres before locking the building and – incredibly – going back to the pub.

McReadie had recently been promoted to branch manager, having worked at the branch for three months. The fact that he pled guilty at the first opportunity cut his potential sentence considerably from a possible 42 month stretch.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bandvulc Enters New Tyre Market

The Bandvulc Group has entered the new tyre market by becoming the leading stockist of the Fulda range of commercial tyres in the UK. Covering sizes from 17.5 to 22.5-inch, Bandvulc will wholesale and distribute the Fulda brand alongside its own products and the recently agreed small order Goodyear/Dunlop arrangements.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Aeolus Announces New Truck Tyres

Aeolus Tyres has announced that it is introducing two new types of truck tyres. The new HN254 and HN369 truck tyres have a widened tread and a new rubber composition designed to improve road safety and wear resistance. They will replace the brand’s HN257 and HN355 profiles.

“Aeolus Tyres puts all its efforts into the evolution of its current tyre programme. They will not be diverted off this course, not even in the current worldwide financial situation,” says Bertus Heuver on behalf of Aeolus Tyres Europe, exclusive importer for Aeolus in continental Europe.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Autopromotec a “Fundamental Appointment” for MAK Wheels

At Autopromotec, MAK Wheels launched their new Tornado range. This wheel incorporates a five-spoke design, the spokes being positioned on the right side of the wheel which creates a light and shade effect. The silver colour underlines the slenderness and delicate elegance of this wheel. The Tornado is particularly designed for fitment on saloon and medium to high powered cars.

“Autopromotec represents a fundamental appointment for MAK, since the show is probably the most suitable place and occasion to meet national and international dealers. Autopromotec represents a strategic showcase at which the company can present its most important wheel designs,” said MAK Wheels press and public relations manager, Elisabetta Rezzani.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sykes-Pickavant Launches Pneumatic Wheel Lifter

Sykes-Pickavant has announced its new Pneumatic Wheel Lifter, which the company says helps to comply with regulations regarding the working environment and safety in the workplace. It is – says Sykes-Pickavant – particularly useful for larger SUV, 4WD and Van wheels and tyre.

Features include the ability to lift wheels in less than ten seconds with its all in one continuous movement, stopping precisely at the desired position, the wheels rest on rollers making it easy to turn the wheel until the correct position is found and it has an additional compressed air outlet to connect an air wrench with free access to wheel nuts.

In addition to the lifter, the company has announced a wheel trolley, specifically for mounting and dismounting large wheels on SUVs, 4WDs, vans and trucks. It has rotating rollers make it easy to turn the wheel until the correct position is found, with the rollers able to be fitted in 3 positions for different wheel sizes. Find the detailed specifications for both pieces of equipment after the jump.

9th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Truck Orders See a Rebound

FTR Associates said that preliminary data shows Class 8 truck orders for June increased 9.7 per cent from the month prior. All told, FTR said, 8,101 units were ordered in June, the first improvement in three months. The figure includes orders for the US, Canada, Mexico and exports.

At the same time, June 2009 orders were down 52.7 per cent compared to the same month in 2008. Orders were placed at an annualized rate of 97,212, an improvement over the past three-month annualized rate of 94,872 units, FTR said. (Tire Review/Akron)

8th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

SEMA Chairman-Elect Tapped

Paul ‘Scooter’ Brothers of Comp Performance Group will serve as chairman-elect of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) beginning 1 August. Members voted Brothers to fill the position that was held for the past two years by Rick Rollins of Rollins Performance Marketing/Consulting. Rollins takes over as SEMA chairman on 1 August.

“Rick and Scooter are both industry veterans who have proven track records for knowing and understanding what’s important and relevant to the industry,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We are fortunate to have such dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers leading the association during these challenging times.”

Dan Gresham of Coutant Capital will serve as the new secretary/treasurer for the board, while Russ Deane of Trainum, Snowdon & Deane continues as general counsel. (Tire Review/Akron)

8th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors