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Editorial comment: Its show time

Those in Scotland and particularly Aberdeenshire may not agree, but normally April marks the end of winter and the coming of spring. In tyre markets across Europe this often means the re-introduction and re-fitting of summer tyres that have been nestled in “hotels” during the cold months. In fact those running Goodyear Dunlop’s HiQ retail franchise twitter account began prompting consumers to change back to summer tyres on 26 March. There’s not room to get into a discussion on the whys and wherefores of this particular approach here. Instead let’s highlight something else the seasonal change brings with it – trade shows.

4th April 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Amalgamated US Bridgestone dealer programme launched

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has combined its current Affiliated Dealer, TireStarz and Family Retail Dealer programmes under one umbrella for the United States market. This new independent retail dealer programme has been named the Bridgestone Affiliated Retailer Nationwide Network and will encompass over 2,500 points of sale nationwide.

4th April 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin develops its retail position and Certified Centre Network

Michelin already has one of the most recognised brands in the market. Now the company is taking steps to ensure the distribution part of the business operates at the same level. At the end of February Tyres & Accessories met with Oliver Gros, head of ‘go to market’ distribution development within UK and Eire, who – you may remember from previous interviews in these pages – was previously head of two-wheel at Michelin Tyres Plc. At the same time we spoke with Mark Coleman, partnership and certification programme (part of what Michelin calls its distribution team, itself an extension of the sales and marketing team), with a brief contribution from sales director Malcolm Scovell who was en route to another meeting. The focus of conversation was on the development of Michelin’s position in the retail distribution of its various product lines and specifically on the effort Michelin is putting into its certified centre valued added scheme in order to re-develop its links with small and medium sized tyre retail businesses.

2nd April 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin launches Certified Centre Ag tyre dealer programme

Accredited Michelin Exelagri dealers in the UK and Ireland will now be able to secure prestigious Michelin Certified Centre (MCC) status, as the manufacturer launches a new dealer programme for agricultural tyres. Michelin is introducing the new certification scheme across Europe to recognise exceptionally high standards of customer service and expertise; to gain MCC recognition dealers must pass a 48-point independent quality audit that examines every aspect of their business, including workshop cleanliness, the standard of equipment, staff training and customer advice quality. The scheme also includes car and truck tyre dealers and will include earthmover tyre specialists towards the end of 2012.

30th March 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Quality a focus for Respa

Despite a marked trend towards increased industrialisation, business remains good for medium-sized retreaders in Germany. A good example of the companies within this segment, who promise quality through their own brands and have secured market position through a shift to higher-margin products over a number of years, is Respa GmbH. The retreader from Passau, near the border between Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, is today one of only a few remaining high-profile passenger car tyre retreaders in Germany, and the company has established for itself a substantial market position in both the mould cure and precure retreading sectors. During a plant visit, Respa managing director Ferdinand Wenzl spoke with Tyres & Accessories about “an industry that is rich in variety.”

30th March 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Caravan season is coming – how are your tyres?

Easter is approaching and with it the sobering prospect that many of the nation’s two million caravans will venture back onto the road. The impending start of the caravanning season has prompted both TyreSafe and the Protyre retail chain to issue safety reminders to caravan owners. The essence of both reminders is to check for safety issues that may have developed during the vehicle’s months of inactivity.

28th March 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Bosch Car Service holds first Irish garage conference

The Bosch Car Service network has held its first conference in Ireland. The network says the event is designed to help independent garages get the most from the scheme’s many benefits, with a day of workshops, training sessions and talks for garages signed up to the Bosch Car Service network.

27th March 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

HiQ rolls out label education programme for partners

Say hello to ‘Terry the technician’. Goodyear Dunlop’s retail team has rolled out a new communication campaign strategy on tyre labelling to the direct dealer partners in its HiQ network, and will show the importance of reading labels through the activities of an imaginary tyre fitter.

27th March 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Autogem to supply TPMS to Point-S UK network

Point-S has selected Autogem Motor Concepts as a supply partner to its UK network. Writing in a letter to members, company representatives explained that Autogem offers “a number of solutions to the Point-S network through [its] well established and competitive consumables programme”. In short this means, but is by no means limited to, the delivery of TPMS repair and service equipment and products.

22nd March 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti announces US promotions

Continental Tire the Americas has given news of two promotions within its Passenger and Light Truck – US Replacement unit. Chris Charity has been named director of sales – corporate accounts. In this role, Charity will be responsible for managing and directing sales efforts for passenger and light truck tyres with national retail and automotive aftermarket customers within the US market. Sean McDermaid will take over from Charity as national sales manager – dealer group. In his new position, McDermaid will be responsible for overseeing Continental’s field sales force, as well as the development and growth of business with independent dealers and distributors.

22nd March 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

IT firms showing latest tyre software at Brityrex 2012

Leading tyre sector software firms will be on hand at Brityrex International 2012 in Manchester, offering show visitors the latest technology to improve the efficiency of their businesses. Cam Systems, MAM Software and TEAM Systems for example will each demonstrate their own solutions to the imminent tyre labelling legislation, due to come into force in November.

Long-term Brityrex exhibitor TEAM Systems, an ever present at the show since 1992, will mark the occasion by celebrating 20 years as an IT supplier to the tyre and fast fit sector. The latest version of its popular TEAM software containing a number of exciting new features will be on display, as will the company’s tyre labelling facility, which will be offered free of charge to existing customers.

19th March 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

ATS Euromaster prepares for Olympic task

ATS Euromaster says it is ducking to meet the finish line of its preparations for the London Olympics in late-July through to 9 September, when the Paralympic Games close. The company has been introducing measures to ensure its ability to support customers in areas affected by the Olympic and Paralympic Games. With three centres located within six miles of the Olympic Park in Stratford (Bow, Leyton and Camden), the company has special reason to make special plans, though ATS-E says it is taking into account all of its 15 centres within the M25, those close to Olympic venues outside London and centres near major airports, where traffic is expected to reach record levels on 13 August (the day after the Olympic Games closing ceremony).

19th March 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

'Trust My Garage' scheme launched by IGA

The RMI's Independent Garage Association (IGA) has launched the Trust My Garage scheme, a consumer reassurance scheme for independent garages.

Stuart James, IGA Director, commented: "The Trust My Garage scheme offers consumers who use Independent garages financial reassurance in the event of a dispute or if the garage goes out of business. This reassurance is backed by the IGA.

19th March 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

Merityre introduces Cam customer data system

Merityre has introduced Cam Systems’ Wholesale Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software. The system is designed to help the tyre specialist improve its customer intelligence and data reporting specifically for its retail customer base, according to the software provider.

15th March 2012/by Tyrepress Editors

TBC Corp to acquire Midas for $310M

US-based company TBC Corporation, which calls itself the country’s largest marketer of tyres for the automotive replacement market, has acquired automotive service provider Midas for approximately US$310 million. The all-cash transaction will see Midas shares change hands for $11.50 each, a price that represents a 75 per cent premium over Midas’ closing price of $6.58 on 11 August 2011, when Midas announced it would conduct a strategic review process, and a 28 per cent premium over the closing share price as of 12 March 2012. The proposed transaction has been unanimously approved by both companies’ boards of directors. In addition, Midas chairman, president and CEO Alan Feldman has signed a tender and voting agreement in support of the offer.

14th March 2012/by Tyrepress Editors