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Top Shop Entry Deadline Looms

The entry deadline is fast approaching for the 2009 Tire Review Top Shop Awards presented by Ammco/Coats. Now in its third year, entries will be accepted until midnight on 10 July, 2009. Entry forms and information are now available via the Top Shop Awards Web site at www.tirereviewtopshopaward.com. Complete entries can be made right online. US and Canadian dealers can nominate their own businesses, or others can nominate tyre dealer businesses. The entry process is simple: Those making the nomination need to provide basic information about the dealership being nominated and write a short (300-word maximum) essay explaining why that dealership should be considered.

From there, all entrants will be reviewed and a group of semi-finalists selected. Those semi-finalists will be asked to provide additional information for judging. A panel of judges, including industry professionals and a member of the Tire Review staff, will select the four finalists and, ultimately, the 2009 Top Shop Award winner.

The awards are as outstanding as the dealers selected:

• The Grand Prize Winner will receive a Coats APX90 tyre changer, $1,500 in cash, airfare and hotel for two (2 nights/3 days) to the 2009 SEMA Show, a feature story in the October issue of Tire Review, and a Top Shop trophy to display in their dealership.

• Three Finalists will each receive a Coats 1250-3DV tyre/wheel balancer (featuring on-board training), $500 in cash, a feature story in the October issue and a specially designed finalist trophy. (Tire Review/Akron)

4th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

800,000km on a Single Set of Tyres

A driver for the Denmark based fish supplier Nielsens Fiskeeksport has racked up an astonishing 801,090 kilometres on the set of Bridgestone M729 tyres fitted to his Volvo FH12. Driver Poul Jensen achieved this whilst driving between the company’s northern Jutland headquarters and various European destinations, primarily Poland and Germany. The kilometres obtained from the M729 is, comments Bridgestone, an “impressive performance from one set of drive tyres”.

4th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

SRT to Buy Bankrupt Amtel-Vredestein Factories?

According to a Reuters news brief, Sibur Russian Tyres is seeking to acquire the Russian tyre factories belonging to the bankrupt rival Amtel-Vredestein. The company’s deputy head is reported as saying this acquisition would take place with co-financing from the state.

4th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kramer Named Goodyear COO

Goodyear Tire & Rubber’s Board of Directors has elected Richard J. Kramer chief operating officer of the company. In this new role, which takes effect immediately, Kramer will report to company chairman and CEO Robert J. Keegan. Kramer will also continue in his current position as president of the company’s North American Tire business until his successor is named.

“Rich’s appointment as chief operating officer reflects our game plan of having a laser focus on operations globally during these extraordinary times,” Keegan said. “It also reflects the confidence that the Board and I have in Rich’s overall business leadership capability.

4th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Extends Audi OE into Europe

Hankook sends word that in future the Audi A3, A3 Sportback and A3 Cabrio will roll off the assembly line fitted with Hankook tyres. The South Korean manufacturer’s Ventus S1 evo range have been selected as original equipment, and will be supplied for the A3 models is size 225/45 ZR 17.

This newly finalised original equipment agreement extends the partnership between Audi and Hankook Tire to the European market. Hankook has been equipping various Audi models for the Chinese market since 2008, however this is the first time Hankook’s tyres have been directly to the vehicle manufacturer’s main plant in Germany, the Audi works in the Bavarian city of Ingolstadt.

4th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

USW Testifies Against Chinese Imports at ITC

The United Steelworkers (USW) reports that its president, Leo W. Gerard, asked the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on June 2 to give the U.S. tyre industry a “fighting chance” against consumer tyres imported from China. According to the USW, Gerard told the ITC that the union has used every tool at its disposal to save the US consumer tyre industry from total collapse, including contract concessions, wage increase deferrals and improved productivity.

“But all of these efforts aren’t worth a dime if the market is being pulled out right from under us,” Gerard said. “With a short period of relief, we can start to build a sustainable foundation for the future of the American tyre industry and its workers.”

3rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Looking to Appoint More Industrial Tyre Distributors

Maxxis reports that its industrial range – a line-up that includes skid steer tyres purpose-designed for use in a variety of heavy duty applications, including construction, agriculture and dockside loading/ unloading – is selling well and that further distributors are required to help develop business opportunities in a number of sectors.

“Since the range was officially launched in the UK last May we have seen a good level of interest from heavy industry, especially dockside freight businesses, and are now looking to appoint additional distributors to enable us to take full advantage of the opportunities this niche marketplace presents,” states Maxxis International UK’s managing director Derek McMartin. “Our skid steer tyres are designed to tackle the most demanding jobs and are highly versatile, delivering superior traction and wear as a result of their extra strong casings, sturdy sidewalls and specially formulated rubber compound.”

3rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Interstate Appoints Copadex as French Distributor

A statement released by Interstate Tire and Rubber Company announces that the manufacturer has put pen to paper on an exclusive distribution deal in France with Copadex. During a recent meeting, chairman and vice president of the Dutch manufacturer, Theo de Vries and Bruno Clairay (director of Copadex) agreed a long-term cooperation deal.

Interstate’s de Vries explained that Copadex is one of the leading tyre distributors in France with a very professional organisation and an emphasis on added value in terms of service and marketing. The distributor started business in 1980 and now has more then 5,000 different sizes in stock. The complete programme of Interstate Tires will soon be available and is set to be displayed during the Equip Auto in Paris on 13-18 October, 2009.

3rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

JK Tyre Sponsor Indian National Karting Championship

JK Tyre are to sponsor the fifth JK Tyre Indian National Rotax Max Karting Championship, which begins with its first round of the season at Coimbatore. The championship will take off at the Kari Motor Speedway with the qualifying & heat races to be held on Saturday June 6 and the main races on Sunday June 7, 2009. The winners of the 3 classes will have the honour of being declared the National Rotax Karting Champions of India.

The concept of the championship has been formatted to develop the burgeoning field of Indian motor sports. For the first time several teams will be in the fray for the prestigious event, with Amaron-Meco Pro Kart, Red Rooster, Mohites, Indus, AW, Rayo and Meco-City Kart all taking part. Also, for the first time the entries will have an international flavour, with a Scottish driver and an Iraqi girl participating.

3rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama HPT to Support RX Racing in Portugal

The UK distributor for Yokohama tyres, Yokohama HPT, will be heading south to Portugal next month, as it supports RX Racing when the buggies form part of the first regional final towards this year’s Race of Champions. With the 2009 Race of Champions moving to the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, home of last year’s Olympics, the organisers of the event have responded to demand from numerous countries to join the Nation’s Cup by creating the first regional final. The event, to be held in the Estadio do Dragao in Porto, the home of FC Porto, will see teams from Portugal, Spain, Italy and Monaco fight for a place in the ROC.

The format for the first final will follow a similar one to the ROC, with teams of drivers from every discipline of motorsport competing on a tarmac course laid out in the stadium. Saturday will see Portuguese drivers going head-to-head for a place alongside local Production car World Rally Championship leader Armindo Araujo to form the four-strong team for Sunday’s competition.

3rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Finally Sells Lake Property

After two years on the market, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. was finally able to sell its Wingfoot Lake property near Akron. The 540-acre lake and 150-acre park area was acquired by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife for a reported $3.2 million.

The sale does not include the tyre maker’s blimp port and hangar there. The state plans to open the park to the public by mid-2010. In 2007, Goodyear announced plans to sell the property as part of its financial plans. Once a company-only facility, the complex includes picnic shelters, playgrounds, ball fields and courts, a miniature golf course and driving range, boat docks, and a snack bar. (Tire Review/Akron)

3rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Touring Tyre from Hercules

Hercules has launched the Hercules Roadtour 655, a new all-season touring radial. Available in both H- and T-rated sizes, the Roadtour 655 features a computer optimized tread for treaction and wear, and a nylon over-wrap for stability and treadlife. “The Hercules Roadtour 655 has one of our most aesthetically pleasing sidewall designs to date,” says Joshua Simpson, vice president of marketing.

The tyre features a distinct sidewall design that includes icons representing fuel efficiency, road handling, noise control, all weather performance and spiral wound nylon over-wrap, the company said. “The sidewall icons act as silent salesmen, communicating the tyres’ benefits to consumers,” said Simpson. The Roadtour 655 is being launched in 24 SKUs covering 14- to 16-inch sizes. Hercules said that H- and V-rated sizes will be added later. (Tire Review/Akron)

3rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti South Africa Appoints New Marketing Manager

As of June 1 Russel Stewart has taken on the role of marketing manager at Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA). Stewart has been with Continental since 2004, most recently holding the position of key accounts manager in the Original Equipment division. He has also served as product marketing manager and marketing services manager.

3rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Marshal Launches Matrac MH11

Marshal has reported the introduction of its Matrac MH11 tyre, adding that the new line-up is already available nationwide. The directional tread MH11 is designed for top selling family saloons and hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra, and is available in a range of sizes from 155/65R13 to 236/60R16 and speed ratings H to V

The MH11 features four wide channels and optimally curved outer tread blocks, which Marshal notes are intended to increase resistance to aquaplaning, and a solid circumferential rib for strong straight line performance. Tyre design was carried out by the company’s European Technical Centre, which is based in Birmingham, UK, a facility it shares with parent company Kumho. Given its local design, Marshal comments that customers can be particularly confident of the tyre’s suitability to Britain’s road surfaces and climate.

3rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Snap-on Unveils New Corporate Innovation Centre

On May 29 Snap-on Incorporated announced the official grand opening of its “Innovation Works” facility in the US town of Kenosha, Wisconsin. The opening, which took place in front of more than 600 current and former company employees plus local and state officials, was presided over by Snap-on chairman and chief executive officer Nicholas T. Pinchuk and Wisconsin Governor, Jim Doyle.

“The Snap-on ‘Innovation Works’ is a functioning example of our commitment to the continued development of industry-leading products, processes and technologies. This is truly a unique facility that will provide our associates with the critical resource needed to further accelerate Snap-on’s global innovation,” said Pinchuk.

3rd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors