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Further UK Growth in the Pipeline, Says NDI

Since the recent appointment of Ian Smith as managing director, West Midlands based industrial tyre wholesaler NDI Tyre & Tube Supplies has begun a new chapter in the company’s growth within the UK market. Smith began in his new role on March 2 and brings with him more than two decades of industry experience, including 21 years at Pirelli.

NDI states that it will now concentrate more actively upon working closer with its parent company, Denmark’s Nordisk Dæk Import AS. This leading Scandinavian wholesaler of wheels and tyres, founded in 1970, is already respected throughout Europe as a leading player in the market. The company is based in the town of Brørup and boasts a sizeable presence in its home market.

29th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Soopa Toobs Emphasise Diversity of ATV Applications

All Terrain Vehicles are so named due to the broad and diverse range of off-road and increasingly on-road applications for which they are used. These machines are becoming ever more sophisticated with electric start, selectable four wheel drive, lights, power take off drive shafts, more powerful engines and differentials to improve traction and ride in the turns. Aside from their use in recreational pursuits a variety of accessories, attachments and implements are available enabling the machine to perform many duties such as weed control, pest control and hunting, livestock feeding, snow clearance, haulage duties around the farm, estate, park, garden or wherever they are used.

Of course, alongside the wide offering of parts and peripherals, the different roles the machines undertake and the varied terrains on which they are used have led to the development of a wide range of tyres. Tyres for sports machines tend to have a flat profile while utility machine tyres usually have a round topped profile. The sports tyres lend themselves to powersliding and provide good stability on medium to hard surface trail riding while the round-top tyre will perform better in soft terrain, biting deeper while also providing a softer ride. Many of the new generation of tyres designed by Carlisle are now of radial construction to offer increased traction, better puncture resistance and improved ride comfort.

29th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Magna to Rescue GM Europe

The car parts manufacturer Magna International has agreed to a deal rescuing GM Europe from insolvency. Fiat, who were said to be putting together a bid, decided to decline the option of attending negotiations, which were attended by the German government. Chancellor Angela Merkel, business ministers and representatives of the German states in which GM plants are located will hold a meeting in Berlin on the evening of 29 May to discuss their potential approval of the deal. GM Europe owns auto-makers Opel and Vauxhall, while its American owners General Motors are widely expected to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday 1 June.

29th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

HiQ On-Track for 175 Branches in 2009

Tyre manufacturers, especially those with large OE commitments, have really felt the pain of recession with most announcing double-digit falls in year-on-year sales for the first quarter of this year. However, the continued development of the revamped HiQ chain exemplifies how the downturn hasn’t been all bad for the wider tyre industry. In fact, in the retail business there are even examples of the ‘down’ market actually helping companies grow. Tyres & Accessories recently met with HiQ retail director Juergen Titz and found out how the network’s expansion plans are progressing.

There are currently 140 HiQ centres across England and Wales, however the plan according to Juergen Titz is to establish 175 by the end of 2009 – and another 100 by 2012. When you consider that HiQ franchised off the 106 formerly Goodyear Dunlop owned sites only last year, clear progress is being made towards the HiQ rapid expansion goals. Despite the fact that Goodyear Dunlop’s decision to run the network as a hard franchise operation represents a significant change in direction for the company, there is real sense of optimism (amongst both managers and franchisees) about the company’s future.

29th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Copadex Appointed French Distributor For Interstate

Interstate Tire & Rubber Co. has appointed Copadex as the exclusive distributor of Interstate tyres for France. During a recent meeting, Theo de Vries (vice president of Interstate Tires) and Mr. Bruno Clairay (director of Copadex) agreed on a long-term co-operation. Theo de Vries explained that Copadex is one of the leading tyre distributors in France with a very professional organisation and emphasis on added value in terms of service and marketing. Copadex began trading in 1980 and now has more then 5,000 different sizes in stock. The complete program of Interstate Tires will soon be available and will also be displayed during the Equip Auto show in Paris from 13-18 October 2009.

29th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Coalition to Battle USW Over China Tyre Import Scheme

A group of six US tyre importers – including two major private branders – have joined forces to battle efforts by the United Steelworkers to limit the importation of China-made passenger tyres. The group, which calls itself the American Coalition for Free Trade in Tires, includes Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. and Del-Nat Corp., as well as importers American Omni Trading Co., Dunlap & Kyle Co. Inc., Orteck Global Supply & Distribution Co., and Foreign Tire Sales Inc.

In 2007, Foreign Tire Sales faced the recall of some 250,000 light truck tyres it imported from China’s Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber. Less than 20,000 of those tyres were recovered in the recall, which threatened to bankrupt the importer. The group has retained Washington, D.C., law firm Jochum Shore & Trossevin to represent it in the matter. (Tire Review/Akron)

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Visteon Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

In the USA, giant parts supplier Visteon Corp. – faced with severely reduced demand from automakers, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. According to the Associated Press, Visteon filed its petition in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Last month, it’s Visteon UK subsidiary filed for bankruptcy protection and closed three UK plants.

With its first quarter financials, Visteon showed total liabilities of $3.96 billion and total assets of $4.56 billion. “During the reorganization period, we will seek to address our capital structure and legacy costs that are not sustainable given the current economic environment,” Donald Stebbins, chairman and CEO, said in a statement published by the AP.

Visteon, which in 2000 separated from Ford to become a stand alone company, said Ford has committed to support debtor-in-possession financing for Visteon’s restructuring. Visteon has also applied for court permission to continue serving customers and paying employees and vendors. (Tire Review/Akron)

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Protyre Offers Run-Flat Advice to Caravaners

The number of vehicles utilising run-flat tyres is increasing year by year, and while typical application allows such tyres to be used for a set distance following a loss of air pressure, different issues come into play when run-flats are fitted to a vehicle that is towing a caravan or trailer. This warning has been voiced by Protyre, who says that while normally inflated run-flat tyres on a vehicle towing a caravan or trailer can be treated in the same way as a standard tyre, a deflated run-flat is only designed to cope with the demands of a solo vehicle. The additional mass of a towed caravan or trailer subjects the tyre to higher stress levels and impacts on the tyre’s in-built torsional and lateral stability. The consequences of this is, notes Protyre, that even when travelling at a restricted speed of 50 mph for 50 miles – the speed and distance recommended by most manufactures of this type of tyre – the additional flexibility of the deflated run-flat tyre may negatively affect the stability of the car/caravan combination.

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

TyreSafe Warns Against Consumers’ e-Commerce Errors

The rise in online tyre shopping seems set to remain ongoing, but will this trend prompt another more worrying development in terms of consumers fitting appropriate tyres to their equipment? Tyresafe believes that as e-Commerce continues to boom motorists looking to online retailers for their next pair of tyres are putting their safety at risk by selecting tyres with a lower speed symbol than recommended for their car. This error is not always made unintentionally, says the campaign; in fact, there is a danger that some customers are deliberately choosing lower speed rated tyres due to the lower prices yielded in online comparisons. With safe vehicle handling largely dependent on using the right type of tyres for the car, TyreSafe is urging motorists to consider that selecting tyres of the recommended size, load index and speed symbol is essential to safe driving.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe comments that, “When shopping for tyres, many motorists hold the misconception that their choice of speed symbol should be determined by how fast they drive. The reality is that a tyre’s speed symbol is not just a measure of the tyre’s maximum speed capability; it also provides an indication of overall performance, even at lower speeds. While many motorists may be feeling the pinch in the current economic climate, we would encourage them not to compromise on road safety. Driving on tyres with a lower speed symbol than recommended may seriously compromise vehicle handling, putting the driver and other road users at risk. It could also cause irreversible damage through exaggerated wear or sidewall cracking.”

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone a ‘Superbrand’ in Germany

Bridgestone has been named as a Superbrand for the second time. According to reports, the Superbrand title is valid for periods of two years at a time. Superbrands are selected by a panel of influential business journalists, advertising and public relations experts.

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

EURODA Offers 500 million euros for Stake in GM

In an effort to plug the 300 million euro financing hole that is holding up GM Europe crisis talks with the German government and potential buyers Magna and Fiat, the company’s European dealer association “Euroda” has renewed its offer of a shareholding in a future Opel/Vauxhall corporation.

“As mid-sized dealers, we’re ready to play our part in saving Opel. That is why we’re once again calling upon the federal government to take our offer of 500 million euros seriously. This is a historic chance for the automotive industry to let dealers and manufacturers work together to take entrepreneurial responsibility in shaping the future of Opel,” says Jaap Timmer, president of Euroda.

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Nigeria Receives First Shipment of Dunlop Imports

DN Tyre & Rubber Plc, formerly known as Dunlop Nigeria Plc, has taken delivery of the first consignment of tyres imported from South Africa. The company’s external communications manager Olusola Adebanjo said in a press statement that dealers in various regions have been “delighted” to receive the imported Dunlop brand tyres and that their delivery will end the tyre scarcity in the Nigerian market that followed the recent ending of local production.

“Our accredited dealers, who are placing orders will therefore be stocked with this product so as to satisfy the needs of premium vehicle owners who appreciate the superior quality of the brand,” said Adebanjo.

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Stock Falls 2.4%

Continental AG share fell 2.4 per cent today after a Reuters report suggested Conti’s banks oppose a the reverse takeover plan of current owner Schaeffler discussed in the press. According to the news, the biggest problem for the banks is the “significant increase in debt and therefore higher risks” for lending banks. Meanwhile Financial Times Deutschland reported that Continental’s banks are planning to set up a steering committee to represent their interests.

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Cooper VP & CFO Announces Retirement

Following a career with Cooper Tire & Rubber spanning almost two entire decades, company vice president and chief financial officer Phil Weaver has announced plans to retire later this year. The 56-year old joined Cooper in 1990 and held the positions of tyre division controller (1990 to 1994) and tyre division vice president (1994 to 1998) before being appointed to his current role.

“I want to thank Phil for his years of service and commitment to Cooper Tire,” said Cooper Tire chairman, president and CEO Roy Armes. “While Phil was the CFO of Cooper, he was responsible for managing the finance function with a high level of integrity and within strict accordance with all federal and SEC regulations and guidelines. His contributions to the Company were key to many of the successes that Cooper has enjoyed.”

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

ITMA Launches European Technical Group

The Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association has launched a European Technical Group, aimed at better supporting its member companies across the 27 member states of the EU. Speaking about the new initiative, ITMA Director Peter Taylor said: “The tyre industry is facing a deluge of new Directives and Regulations and we must organise ourselves better in order to prepare to deal with them. By sharing our individual resources in this way we can have a big impact.

“Across the Union, our members account for up to 40 million units annually and we must not allow ourselves to be marginalised or seen wanting. The formation of this group will help us to serve our members better, encourage others to join and give us a unique, new voice.” The group is comprised of tyre engineers and other specialists nominated by ITMA member companies from around the world; it has already held its first meeting.

28th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors