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Black Ice Alloys Introduces New “Marauder”

Black Ice Alloys has announced the presence of a new wheel in its range. The aggressively-named “B4 – Marauder” features a black and chrome finish with six chrome spokes raised up against six black spokes. The Marauder has fitments for most Truck/SUV and passenger vehicles, and is available in 22×8.5 and 20×8.5 sizes.

Black Ice states that “consumer demand for custom finishes on aftermarket wheels [is] at an all-time high,” and the B4 is clearly an attempt to create a visually impressive fitment. The contrasting black and chrome appearance, says the company, is “sure to draw in customers from all demographics.” The company also stresses the durability of its black paint and chrome finish, saying that “it will not separate from the wheel.”

19th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho Wins Russian Magazine Tyre Test

Kumho tyres have won a respected magazine tyre test for the second year in a row. Russian publication Za Rulem declared the Kumho Solus KH17 as outright winner of Za Rulem’s test of 15 major tyre brands. The extensive trial encompassed all key disciplines including: braking, steering response, safety, noise level, fuel consumption and wear resistance on both wet and dry roads.

“Kumho’s Solus KH17 is strongly recommended and boasts excellent performance in all weather conditions as well as remarkable fuel efficiency. Kumho’s second consecutive victory in our annual test proves last year’s result was well deserved,” Za Rulem commented. The Korean manufacturer also won considerable acclaim in a similarly comprehensive comparison of major tyre brands run by Germany’s ADAC motorwelt.

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

BT-016 Selected as Sole OE for Triumph’s Best Selling Bike

Bridgestone’s Battlax BT-016 tyre has been chosen as original equipment (OE) for Triumph’s best seller -the Street Triple. As of this month Bridgestone reports that it has 100 per cent share of OE on the model which, like the BT-016 tyre itself, has been recognised for revolutionising its class.

This latest announcement tops what has been a successful year for the BT-016. The tyre, which successfully transferred Bridgestone’s five-layer compound technology, usually used to produce hand-made MotoGP tyres, onto the production line for the first time, has received plaudits from riders and racers alike.

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Manfred Wennemer Nominated to Bekaert Board

Following Julien De Wilde’s decision not to seek re-election to the board of Bekaert, the steel wire manufacturer has nominated ex-Continental AG CEO, Manfred Wennemer as director. The appointment is subject to approval by the general meeting of shareholders, which will take place on 13 May 2009.

Manfred Wennemer was chief executive officer of Continental AG from 2001 until August 2008, when he stepped down at the point that Schaeffler Group’s hostile takeover offer appeared to have reached the point of no return. Wennemer, had previously fought hard for Continental to retain its independence. He holds a Masters degree in Mathematics from the University of Münster, Germany and an MBA from INSEAD Fontainebleau, France.

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Klaus Rosenfeld New Schaeffler CFO

The Schaeffler Group has appointed Klaus Rosenfeld (42) to the company’s executive management board (effective 18 March 2009) where he will assume the post of chief financial officer (CFO). Prior to joining Schaeffler, Klaus Rosenfeld was a member of the management board of Dresdner Bank AG from 2002 and was responsible for the areas Finance/Controlling, Compliance und Corporate Investments.

According to Reuters Rosenfeld is had been expected to step down from Dresdner Bank following its takeover by Commerzbank earlier this year. Rosenfeld replaces Thomas Hetmann (46) who the company announced was stepping down on 18 February. Schaeffler Group thanked Mr. Hetmann for his “hard work and dedication to the company.”

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Sumitomo Certified as an ‘Eco-First Company’

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. has pledged its Eco-First Commitment to the Japanese minister of the environment. In response the company has received “Eco-First Company” certification in recognition of its group’s efforts on environmental conservation based on the country’s Eco-First Program.

However, from the tyre industry’s point of view, the most striking news is that the company is aiming to develop “the ultimate eco-tyre…100 per cent free of fossil resources and fuel-efficient tyre whose rolling resistance is reduced by 50 per cent for launch in 2013 and in 2015, respectively.” The company’s Enasave product is already 97 per cent petrochemical free, however, Sumitomo’s goal of achieving a fossil-free tyre in the next 4-6 years is certainly ambitious.

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli’s Angel ST Achieves New World Duration Record

Pirelli has snagged itself a new 24-hour world record for the duration of its recently launched Angel ST motorcycle tyre. The record was set at the Nardò Technical Centre in southern Italy by Pirelli testers and international journalists riding a 2009 Suzuki Hayabusa 3,190.8 miles at an average speed of 132.9 mph. The test was designed to simulate a road distance of 7,500 miles at speeds of 50-65 mph.

A second bike, a 2009 Kawasaki GTR 1400 also shod with Angel STs also claimed six other records, including the 12-hour world record of 1,555.2 miles at 129.6 mph on average.

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Double Coin Claims Doubled Mexico Share

CMA said that marketshare for its Double Coin brand in Mexico has more than doubled since the lines were re-introduced in the country in 2007. For 2008, Double Coin held a 1.5 per cent share in Mexico, up 100 per cent vs. 2007, CMA claimed.

“The partnership we fostered beginning in 2007 with Del-Nat Tire Corp. and Todo Neumáticos y Más (TNM) has created a seamless marketing effort for Double Coin in Mexico,” said CMA vice president Aaron Murphy. “It has allowed us to utilize a strong dealership network in all parts of Mexico as our solid foundation for sales and service on our products, as well as capitalise on the strengths that Del-Nat offers when managing export sales.” TNM is a buying group of 13 dealer/distributors throughout Mexico with its headquarters in Queretaro. (Tire Review/Akron)

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Wide Base from Giti

Giti Tire USA has introduced the GT876, a wide base all-position radial. Designed for on-/off-highway and heavy haul applications, the GT876 features a wide footprint, chip and cut resistant tread compound, and a deep, aggressive tread. The tyre is now available in sizes 385/65R22.5 18PR, 425/65R22.5 20PR and 445/65R22.5 20PR. (Tire Review/Akron)

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

HiQ Tyre Retail Chain to Create Up To 500 Jobs

HiQ has announced plans to create up to 500 new jobs as part of its ambitious national franchise programme. The fast fit franchise chain, which currently has 137 HiQ centres across England and Wales, is creating the positions over the next three years as the number of outlets on UK high streets rises to a targetted 275 by 2012. The company has already accelerated the growth of the nationwide tyre and vehicle servicing network by signing long-term franchise agreements in 2008 when 106 Goodyear Dunlop owned HiQ centres were franchised. HiQ is now extending the model to many more towns and cities.

Currently 41 HiQ franchisees operate 137 HiQ centres, compared to just 15 franchisees operating 33 centres in 2007. New jobs are now being created weekly, with for example, 10 new positions announced for HiQ’s Kettering store this month. HiQ Retail Director Juergen Titz said: “The objective is to grow the business with new open points in towns and cities. The plan is to get 170 centres by the end of 2009 and 275 by 2012. The franchisee network is investing more than £2 million into improved customer environments in 2009, and this award winning franchise concept will increase transparency and certainty for our customers.”

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Micheldever Buys Tyreweb’s 3 Branches

Micheldever Group has announced that it purchased Tyreweb on 2 March 2009. According to a statement detailing the acquisition, Tyreweb founder Karl Webber, decided “the time is right for somebody else to invest in taking the business forward” and has chosen to put his trust in Micheldever Tyres. Micheldever has supplied Tyreweb for many years and the two companies have reportedly built up a “very strong relationship.” Webber will now stay on with Micheldever and assist in taking the busines he built up forward. The three branches (two in Ashford and one in Folkestone) will continue trading under the Tyreweb name for the time being.

Jon Cowles, group acquisitions director at Micheldever commented: “This is another example of providing an exit opportunity to a valued customer. There have been a number of opportunities for us to look at in the market over the past 12 months, many of which have proved not to be appropriate as they conflicted with our wholesale customer base, however, we have a strong pipeline of acquisitions coming through over the next year and it is great to kick 2009 off with an acquisition of this quality.”

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyo Sponsors World Cup Ski Jump Final

Toyo tyres is sponsor of the World Final of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, which will take place in Planica, Slovenia between 19 and 22 March through Slovenian distributor, Span. According to the tyre company, the final is the biggest sports event in Slovenia attracting an audience of over 57,000 in 2008. In addition, two million viewers watch the final on TV around the World. Competitors come not just from the traditional Scandinavian countries but from all over Europe and beyond including Russia and Japan.

Sponsorship brings with it coverage from the giant signs (positioned to give the brand maximum publicity) and TV time on most of the major TV channels broadcasting in Europe including the BBC, CNN and Eurosport.

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Accuride Names Interim CFO

James Woodward Jr. has joined Accuride as interim senior vice president and CFO. He replaces David Armstrong, who is leaving the company to accept an assignment with his church. Most recently Woodward served as executive vice president, CFO and treasurer of Joy Global Inc. (Tie Review/Akron)

17th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama USA to Introduce Eco-Friendly GT3 Tyre

Yokohama has announced that it will introduce a series-wide environmentally-friendly race tyre in the GT3 Challenge. Mark Chung, the company’s US director, corporate strategy and planning, stated, “The orange oil technology is extremely exciting for our race programme; reducing petroleum inputs by approximately 10 per cent and increasing recyclability while maintaining the high performance levels of previous race slick compounds.”

17th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Ends American Motocross Involvement

Bridgestone Americas has announced that 2009 will be its last season of involvement in the AMA Supercross and Motocross season, due to finish in September. The decision was made due to the worldwide financial crisis, the company said in a statement, while the door was left open for a return in the future. The decision ends an 18-season supply agreement for the series.

Bob Graham, BATO’s senior manager, motorcycle products was keen to let competitors know that the company remained committed to its 2009 season. “While we have made this decision somewhat early in the season, rest assured that riders on Bridgestone brand tyres can expect the same level of performance and service throughout 2009 to which they have been accustomed,” he said. “Even though we are ceasing our involvement for the time being, the Bridgestone brand has left an indelible mark in the world of off-road motorcycle racing,” concluded Graham.

17th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors