Report Archives - Page 54 of 59 - Tyrepress

Posts

Giovanni Ferrario Steps Down

On 11 November, Pirelli’s Giovanni Ferrario, stepped down as managing director and general manager. In a statement, the company thanked Mr Ferrario for the 30 years of service he had given to the company. The business areas previously headed by Mr Ferrario will report to managing director, Carlo Buora. The Tire Division, headed by general manager, Francesco Gori, will report directly to the chairman for matters concerning divisional strategies and business development.

13th December 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNT, Steelworkers Re-Start Negotiations

Bridgestone Firestone North America and the United Steelworkers of America union have returned to the negotiating table after talks broke down 13 months ago according to a Modern Tire Dealer report. The negotiation collapsed when USWA officials walked out in response to a BFNA proposal.

Workers at five BFNT plants are still working under a day-to-day contract that can be canceled by either party at five days notice. Factories that would be covered under a new contract include plants in Iowa, Tennessee, Oklahoma and a racing tyre plant in Akron, Ohio.

10th December 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

US Tyre Shipments Increase

Deutsche Bank analysts are reporting that US tyre replacement shipments have “picked up” in November, increasing 6 per cent year over year. This was the first positive year over year comparision since June. The analysts also suggest that Cooper Tire may have slightly under-performed in the market. In spite of this the analysts also report that Cooper is currently proceeding above its –10 per cent volume assumption for the quarter.

9th December 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

EU Report Gives Luxembourg Second Place For Research

The former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Wim Kok, has presented an interim report to the European Union, pursuing the goal of making the EU the strongest economic power in the world, by 2010. The report found that Luxembourg fares well, already in an “above average” position. The research summarised a countries potential to grow based on the number of scientists per thousand. With a European average of 5.7 per thousand, Luxembourg was found to have the second largest proportion in Europe, with 8.78 researchers per thousand. Only Finland has a higher number of research scientists. Luxembourg was less successful in other categories.

The reason for Luxembourg’s impressive standing is because of the number of private research centres based within its borders. Luxembourg is the home of a number of significant research centres including, Goodyear, DuPont and Delphi.

Currently the Lisbon Strategy is a long way away from its goal of making Europe the strongest developed economy in the world.

5th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

ArvinMeritor to Divest Businesses Units

Arvinmeritor has announced that it will divest the company’s Light Vehicle Aftermarket (LVA) business group and take a “non-cash goodwill impairment charge” of $190 million (£103 million) in its fourth quarter budget. In addition, the company announced its plan to divest its Roll Coater coil coating business, a wholly owned subsidiary.

3rd November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Vredestein Launch UHP Winter Tyre

According to Vredestein, winter didn’t begin until it had launched its new winter tyres. Described as “extreme design and function combined in an ultra high performance winter tyre,” the Swiss launch of the Dutch company’s latest offering was always going to be an interesting event. So far the company has remained tight-lipped about its latest product. Tyres & Accessories will report from Switzerland where invited guests will be given the opportunity to test the new tyre under what the company calls “extreme conditions,” including mountain top snow.

3rd November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Glitches in the Computerised Future of the MOT

In light of the recent ‘Which?’ report criticising the quality of MOT testing the emphasis has once again been drawn to what the industry and government can do to improve standards. Computerisation appears to be the government’s answer to improving the quality of the MOT test, but what will this mean for those at the sharp end of MOT testing?

Industry members are becoming increasingly concerned by the imminent arrival of MOT computerisation. However, government association representatives have contradicted these uncertainties by claiming that historically this was not the view of the trade. The Vehicle Operating Service Agency maintains that computerisation was introduced in accordance with the trade’s past response that it was the answer to improving the standards of the MOT test. Whichever side of the argument you are on one thing is certain – MOT computerisation is underway and will set the standard for future changes to build upon.

VOSA has been condemned for continuously delaying the delivery of the computerised system, and this in itself is increasing concerns about the system’s impact on businesses. The official line is that testing of the computerised system has been delayed by “slippage in SBS software.” VOSA spokesperson Miranda Roberts explained: “We have completed trial stage one of the introduction process and are currently installing the equipment into five test stations and 38 MOT garages. We will then begin a wider roll out involving more stations before the system goes live before the end of the year.” The agency predicts the roll out will take about six months to complete. The agency openly admits that some garages are experiencing problems with the software, and so VOSA is trying to make sure the equipment “fulfils all the requirements and is as effective as possible.”

When the system is cleared of all its glitches all 19,000 MOT testing stations will be provided with PCs, monitors and printers, and gas analysers will be fitted with a smart card reader. The equipment will be connected to a central database of vehicle information, test results and details of authorised examiners and testers. Access to the system is designed for authorised users only, via electronic smart cards and a password, however anyone with any computer experience knows how hard this method of security is to maintain in a hectic and pressurised work place.

The majority of mechanics disapprove of computerisation because of the cost and the fact that it has been forced on them, but more simply because it means change. Upgrading equipment will be a cost they didn’t budget for, although installation of the equipment is free, the consequences such as updating equipment are not.

3rd November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

New Truck Point Executive

Bridgestone has announced the appointment of Steve Miller as a new regional fleet. The company says Mr Miller’s appointment is designed to win new business for the company and its network of Truck Point dealers.

25th October 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Polish Market to Grow 3 per cent

The Polish tyre market is to grow at a rate of three per cent during 2004, according to Goodyear estimates. The company, which has invested in domestic tyre producer, Dębica, believes Polish consumers will buy a total of 7.1 million new tyres in 2004.

10th September 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Motorcycle Registrations Continue to Grow

As high-street retailers report a wet August and rising interest rates hit consumer sales generally, the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) today released figures indicating a rise in new bikes sales.

9th September 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Increased Productivity will Lead to Job Cuts, says Report

A new report published by industry analysts, Plimsoll Publishing, identifies 22 companies whose efficiency could have an impact on the rest of the industry.

8th September 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental makes Rainer Strang responsible for ‘Public Relations Tyres’

Rainer Strang has been appointed to strengthen the PR team of the Continental AG’s two tyre divisions. He will is expected to begin his new position on 1 October, but will definitely start by 1 November 2004. Mr Strang succeeds Markus Burgdorf, who left the company in spring in order to work independently of the company. “I am looking forward to the vocational challenges in one of the most successful automotive industry suppliers in the world,“ comments Strang on his move to Hanover.

16th August 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

New Study Reveals Large Players Struggle Most

Contrary to popular belief, smaller companies are not being forced out of the market by their larger counterparts, says a new report released by Plimsoll Publishing Ltd.

5th August 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Hankook Consider Moving to Eastern Europe

A number of news sources are reporting that Hankook Tire is considering sites in Eastern Europe for a possible new construction plant.

The Korean Maeil Business Newspaper identified Poland as one of the front-runners, for the $1 billion project. The claim that the report is supported by the company’s president, Cho Choong Hwana, adds credence to the story.

Meanwhile, the Warsaw Business Journal reports that it will take an estimated two to three years before construction of the plant is finished. The journal also suggests that Hyundai’s recent decision to open a plant in Slovakia could have been a motivating factor behind the move.

4th August 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone Appoint New Business Development Manager

Bridgestone UK has appointed Andrew Whitehead as business development manager in a move designed to strengthen the company’s Truck Point network of independent truck tyre dealers.

16th July 2004/by Tyrepress Editors