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Sunborne Solutions Introduces ‘Liquid Gloves’ to the Tyre Business

Tyre shop equipment and consumables specialists, Sunborne Solutions recently introduced “liquid gloves” to the garage and tyre bay business. Imagine the normal latex gloves used for messy oil changes and air conditioning services, only this time in a bottle. According to Sunborne, the new product “will replace most of the uses Latex gloves were designed for with a plus.”

Liquid Gloves have been used in the home and the health service for a few years now. When first introduced into the UK they were designed for domestic and medical use and the product is still being used for medical purposes by people that suffer with eczema, dry skin, calluses etc. Now, however, according to the company, Liquid Gloves is now ready for heavy industry use by mechanics, tyre fitters, aviation maintenance and ancillary medical support staff.

16th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Derco Signs Agreement with Michelin Aircraft Tire Company

Sikorsky Aerospace Services company, Derco Aerospace, has signed a new agreement with Michelin Aircraft Tire Company today that will support Derco’s distribution of Michelin’s military aircraft tyres around the world. Aircraft platforms supported under the agreement include, but are not limited to, the C-130, L-100, F-16, KC-135, P-3, UH-60 and Mirage.

“Derco is pleased to continue its relationship with Michelin Aircraft Tire Company to provide our worldwide customer base with high-quality Michelin tyre products,” said Paul Fuhrmann, Derco’s director of OEM & Repair Solutions. “Teaming with Michelin on this new agreement allows us better service our customers with immediate stock availability and competitive pricing for aircraft tyre products.”

16th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli OE on 8C Spider, Ferrari 599 and Aston Martin V12 Vantage

The latest run of supercars to hit the tarmac – the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider, Ferrari 599 HGTE, Aston Martin V12 Vantage – will all be launched with Pirelli P Zero tyres, according to the Italian UHP tyre manufacturer. Initially presented at the Geneva motor show, the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider is scheduled for an official launch at Balocco end of June where it will be fitted with P Zero tyres (245/35 ZR20 and 285/35 ZR20). According to the company, the P Zero represents the latest evolution in tyre design from the Pirelli research team and is covered by five patents.

For the Ferrari 599 P Zero developers modified the tyre’s compound for improved sportiness, so it has become something like the P Zero Corsa in sizes (245/35ZR20 and 305/35ZR20), while the British super-sport Aston Martin V12 Vantage went straight for the P Zero Corsa sports tyres (255/35ZR19 and 295/30ZR19).

16th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Wennemer Set to Become Opel Advisor

Former Continental AG CEO, Manfred Wennemer, is set to represent Berlin on an advisory board overseeing the trust that administers Opel, according to a Reuters report. Wennemer, who led Continental’s rearguard action against Schaeffler Group’s July 2008 hostile takeover, stepped down last August after seven years with the company when the automotive supplier managed to overcome Conti’s defences. He was subsequently nominated to join the board of steel wire manufacturer Bekaert in March 2009. According to Reuters, the trust holds 65 per cent of Opel shares and is charged with ensuring that 1.5 billion euros ($2.1 billion) in bridge financing offered by Berlin and the four German states with Opel plants is not misappropriated.

16th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Analysts: Michelin is Generating Free Cash Flow

Michelin’s decision to pay down a 350 million euro loan borrowed at 6.7 per cent interest and maturing in 2033 is said to be an early sign that the tyre manufacturer is beginning to generate free cash flow. According to a Deutsche Bank report, despite the fact that analysts are expecting Michelin to publish first half net losses of 230 million euros, the fact that the company is buying back a loan that is more expensive than the group’s average debt (5.9 per cent) is “a strong positive signal that Michelin is currently generating free cash.”

16th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Cut 1,500 Jobs in France?

A report in the French newspaper Le Monde indicates Michelin will eliminate 1500 jobs in France. These job reductions will apparently be part of a range of measures to combat declining tyre demand the tyre major will announce on June 24.

Le Monde did not quote any sources for the information given in its June 16 article, however the newspaper did quote a union representative, Sakir Ali Mandjee, as saying “on June 9, during a group committee, we have asked whether a layoff scheme was being prepared and the management did not provide any denial.”

16th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Thank You for Being Frank…

German communications agency Kienbaum Communications has awarded Continental AG a gold ‘Kienbaum Communications Award’ for its communication with job seekers. The award was given after a jury of five, made up of industrial organisational psychologists, human resource officers, communications specialists and trainees evaluated the letters on the basis of authenticity, individuality, linguistic style and their effect on the addressee.

16th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

MRF Entreaties Employees to Return to Work

Unrest at the MRF Ltd factory in Arakkonam, India is now entering its second month, and the tyre manufacturer has voiced its hope for a swift resolution to the strike. In early June the company sent a letter to the plant’s 1400 workers, requesting their return to work.

“You are all aware of the difficulties that we are facing for the past few days due to all the unfortunate incidents that have happened,” the letter states. “Every day, our factory is suffering a loss of Rs 3.5 crore (£445,000). In these difficult circumstances, you must have been aware of the bonus and the wholesome amount to be paid every month. Therefore, be cautious and keep the evil forces at bay and cooperate with us on the path of success.”

16th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Selected as an IT ‘Best Place’

Michelin North America has been selected as one of the top workplaces for information technology professionals by Computerworld magazine. The distinction comes as part of the weekly IT publication’s 16th annual Best Places to Work in IT survey, which was published in the June 15 issue of Computerworld and online at computerworld.com. Michelin was ranked 18th among the 100 companies selected.

“Respect for people is one of Michelin’s core values, and this honour speaks to the company’s dedication to providing a stimulating and rewarding work environment for all employees, including our information technology team,” says Richard Alexander, vice president of information systems for Michelin North America. “This award also demonstrates Michelin’s ongoing commitment to providing our workforce and our customers with the best technology and IT support resources available.”

16th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Peter Taylor Receives OBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

Peter Taylor the Tyre Recycling Association’s secretary general and long time director of the Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association (ITMA) has been awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in a move which is seen as honouring the UK tyre industry’s pioneering work in developing a ground breaking tyre recovery and recycling programme.

“I am absolutely delighted to receive this important honour,” said Peter Taylor: “However without the help and support of other members of the tyre industry and its various trade associations we would not have been able to establish the Responsible Recycler Scheme and make it work as effectively as it does. I am happy to accept this honour on behalf of the UK tyre industry.”

15th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Shareholder Camfin Negotiates Capital Increase

Camfin SpA, the largest shareholder in Pirelli parent company Pirelli & C SpA, has negotiated with its banks regarding a 100 million euro capital increase and a rescheduling of its debt. Camfin’s controlling shareholder GPI, along with a consortium of banks, will guarantee all of the capital increase, Reuters reported. Three new directors will also be appointed to Camfin’s board, making a total of 15 directors.

The banks participating in the debt deal include Banco Popolare, UniCredit, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Intesa Sanpaolo SpA and Banca Popolare di Milano. “The agreement foresees in addition that up to end of 2011 there will be no dividend distribution and that by 2012 the 49 per cent stakes in Pirelli & C Ambiente SpA and Pirelli & C EcoTechnology are sold,” the company said.

15th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

ITC to Rule on Imported Chinese Tyres This Week

The US International Trade Commission will determine by June 18 whether or not consumer tyres imported from China are harming or have the potential to harm potential tyre manufacturers, and will report its findings to President Obama and the US trade representative the following day.

15th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sri Lanka’s Eu-Retec to Expand Range Under Conti Alliance

The partnership operating between Watts Industrial Tyres and Continental AG since late 2004 has been replaced by a new strategic alliance with Sri Lankan manufacturer Eu-Retec (Pvt) Limited, who formerly produced tyres for Conti as part of the Watts arrangement. Watts held a 50 per cent share in Eu-Retec until earlier this year.

Continental has officially announced the formation of a joint venture with Eu-Retec, an arrangement in which Conti will take the majority shareholding.

15th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Ready-Made Promotions For Independent Distributors

Promo Basics is a range of ready made promotions devised by Brake Engineering for distributors to run, which won’t break the bank and includes rewards such as free newspapers, snacks and drinks.

Designed to fight the credit crunch, when it’s often tempting to cut back on marketing and promotions and just at the time when those activities could be at their most useful, Promo Basics gives the independent distributor an extra, low-cost marketing tool.

15th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Removing Jobs, Operations from Puchov Site

At present Continental reports an overcapacity of more than two million truck tyres in its European markets, a situation that has developed due to a “drastic” fall in demand during the opening months of 2009. To remedy this, the company is further reducing European truck tyre capacity by eliminating a number of jobs at and operations its Continental Matador Truck Tires facility in Puchov, Slovakia.

Continental says it has decided to remove 75 positions will be removed from Puchov by November 30 at the latest. On top of this, following a detailed analysis of the company’s machinery business, Conti will concentrate this aspect of operations to its Hannover-Stöcken plant in Germany. This measure, reports Continental, will affect around 190 Puchov based Continental Machinery employees.

15th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors