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Up Close and Personal With Dunlop

(SA Treads – South Africa) April of this year marked the end of an era. Industry icon, Pierre Dreyer, outgoing managing director of Dunlop Tyres SA and Mike Hankinson, CEO, officially announced their joint retirement from Dunlop and the tyre industry as a whole, in a move that will see them pursuing new business ventures and personal aspirations in the months and years to come. Simultaneously, Brazilian-born Dr Luis Ceneviz assumed the role of managing director of Dunlop Tyres SA on 1 April 2007. Amidst all the last-minute frenzied activity, we managed to secure an exclusive interview with all three, to not only recap any historic milestones the Company may have achieved, but gain some insight into what we can expect from this new tyre manufacturer going forward.

1st June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Cut Out the Waiting With Harvie

Harvie Tyres’ attendance at Brityrex coincided with the release of the company’s brand new 84 page catalogue. This new and larger catalogue reflects Harvie’s ongoing commitment to expanding their product range, and the 2007 edition contains more than 1,300 items with many new offerings including wheel aligners, balancers, tyre changers and alignment lifts. A number of these products are the fruit of a recent supplier partner arrangement deal negotiated between Harvie and Pro-Align, and make a valuable addition to the Prema range of tyre repair equipment and kits that Harvie has become so well known for, plus a wide selection of Trax lead free balance weights, valves, bead lubricants, air line equipment and tools of every description.

30th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Raises its Profile at Brityrex

Maxxis has reported that the company enjoyed a busy three days at Brityrex International 2007, the UK’s only independent tyre trade show, with the Maxxis Centres of Excellence initiative and the new Maxxis catalogue reportedly generating major interest.
“Visitors to Brityrex were the first to see our new product catalogue, which incorporates 500 tyre patterns and sizes and covers performance radials, high performance tyres and 4×4 tyres for cars and vans, plus heavy truck products and our Trailermaxx high speed trailer range,” said Derek McMartin, managing director of Maxxis International UK.
“We were also impressed with the level of interest Group Tyre members showed in the Maxxis Centres of Excellence programme, which is designed to help retailers maximise profitability though a winning combination of quality products, value for money and industry-leading delivery and technical support,” he continued. According to Group Tyre (UK) commercial operations director, Karl Naylor, several dealerships have already signed up to become Maxxis Centres of Excellence (see T&A June 2007’s retail feature for more details on this).

25th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Revamped Hi-Q Outlets to Be Unveiled Soon

June sees Neil Burrows take on the responsibilities of retail director at Goodyear Dunlop UK. So, as a way of welcoming him into his new position, Tyres & Accessories interviewed the company’s former marketing director and asked what the future holds for the recently re-vamped Hi-Q retail franchise.

At the end of 2005, Goodyear Dunlop UK announced plans to separate its consumer and commercial tyre retail businesses into two distinct Hi-Q and TruckForce networks. The move was designed to solve the perceived problems that had been encountered by the two sides of the business’ lack of synergy. This radical shake-up proved to have a dramatic effect on the network, with company’s aim being to improve its focus on both sides of the business. On the passenger side this meant introducing a strong “hard-franchising” policy, designed to keep standards and brand image consistent.

24th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Aims for Growth through Retail Network

Speaking exclusively to Tyres & Accessories, Maxxis International (UK) Ltd managing director, Derek McMartin has given more details of plans to grow its PCR business in the UK by setting up a series of retail ‘Centres of Excellence’ to actively promote the brand to the tyre buying public. The centres are being developed with recent TAFF wholesale award winners Group Tyre (UK) Ltd.

Derek McMartin describes the Maxxis Centres of Excellence programme as a key element of UK growth strategy. While the Maxxis brand is already well-known within the industry and particularly strong in sectors like motorcycle and speciality, the move to develop a retail network is seen as the company’s pathway towards increased passenger car/4×4 market penetration.

23rd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho Breaks Ground at New China Site

The groundbreaking ceremony for Kumho Tires’ fourth factory in China – and the first not to be engaged in the manufacture of passenger car tyres – was held in Nanjing on May 16 in the presence of more than three hundred company executives and distinguished guests. The company will invest around £50 million in the construction of this latest facility, which when completed in the second half of 2008 will specialise in the production of truck and bus radials. Annual production is planned at 300,000 units.

At the ceremony, Kumho chief executive Park SamKu stated “I am very glad to build this bus and truck tyre factory at Nanjing, an important place for us to further our growth in the Chinese market.” He added that Kumho intends to place a greater emphasis on dealings between the company’s Korean headquarters and its operations in China. Furthermore, Kumho Tires is planning, in the company’s own words, to “aggressively pursue the Chinese tyre market through an export markets diversification strategy.”

23rd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

‘Wind of Change’ Blowing at Amtel

Deutsche Bank analysts have upgraded their rating for Amtel-Vredestein from Hold to Buy, suggesting a 12-month target price of $7.97. “We forecast the pre-tax profits (EBITDA) margin to improve from 12 per cent at present to 15 per cent in 2009 on better retail margins and the cost benefits of producing premium tyres domestically,” the analysts reported.

Deutsche Bank predicts company revenues will grow at a compound annual growth (CAGR) rate of 8 per cent to $1.6 billion in the next eight years. By 2015 EBITDA is predicted to grow to as much as $241 million on the back of increasing sales of Vredestein tyres in Russia and expanding retail operations.

“The stock, in our view, has been severely oversold since its 2005 IPO, as the company did not achieve the announced goals. We believe that Alfa Group, which accumulated a blocking stake in Amtel at the end of 2006 and which is well-known for its ability to turn troubled companies around, will help Amtel realize maximum value from its strategy and improve financial situation,” the analysts conclude.

23rd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Macgowan to Step Down as SMMT Chief at End of 2007

SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan will leave the Society at the end of the year. His decision to step down on 31 December was announced at an SMMT board of directors’ meeting. “It will be business as usual for the next seven months and I intend to leave at the top of my game,” commented Macgowan. “

“It has been a privilege working for the industry in this crucial role and I have enjoyed every moment of my nine years with the Society. However, the fact is I have reached a point in my life where I want to do a number of different things, not just one full-on job. Being chief executive of the SMMT is arguably the best job in the industry, but it is also all-consuming. So come 1 January 2008, I am going plural.”

SMMT president Graham Smith added: “Christopher is widely known and respected throughout the industry. On behalf of the SMMT I would like to thank him for his significant contribution, not only to the industry, but also to the effectiveness and strength of the Society. We will miss him and he will not be an easy act to follow.”

23rd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Treadsetters and UK Tyre Group Partner in Durun Joint Venture

Telford-based wholesaler, Treadsetters, has partnered with UK Tyre Group to import and distribute Durun brand passenger car and UHP tyres. Following negotiations with Durun’s Chinese manufacturer (Shandong Yongtai Chemical Group) at the end of 2006, Treadsetters began importing the tyres at the beginning of 2007. Then, during Brityrex week at the beginning of May, the two parties announced that they are going to pool resources by effectively selecting Durun as a UK Tyre Group exclusive house brand. Treadsetters will continue to hold the exclusive rights to distribute Durun tyres in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and South Africa.

22nd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Amtel-Vredestein Posts $110 million EBITDA

Amtel-Vredestein N.V. reports in un-audited results that it has exceeded the revenue projections made by the company in November 2006, by delivering sales of $823 million ($800 million estimated) and EBITDA of $110 million ($100 million estimated).

The Company cautions that certain non-cash adjustments to its 2006 results are still possible as it completes a protracted audit as a result of significant and complex transactions last year – including the acquisition of the Moscow Tyre Plant, the sale of its Amtel-Kuzbass chemical fibre plant in Kemerovo, Russia, and acquisitions of retail tyre centres throughout Russia.

Amtel-Vredestein has a positive outlook for 2007 and expects to achieve sales growth – primarily in its key passenger car tyre business. Sales are expected to fall between $1 – 1.1 billion in 2007 based on current sales trends and scheduled production output. Management also anticipates improvements in Gross Profit Margin consistent with previous years. EBITDA may exceed $120 million and rise to as high as $130 million. The Company expects to be profitable in 2007.

21st May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Poland’s Premio Chain Grows

Goodyear Poland’s recently formed Premio retail chain has opened some 45 new outlets in the last eight month. According to the Warsaw Business Journal, the aim is to increase this to 80 by the end of the year. The news follows reports in February that Goodyear had committed to investing over US$100 million to upgrade the UHP production capabilities of the plant over the next 3-4 years. Debica, Europe’s biggest tyre plant according to some, was acquired by Goodyear in 1996 as the company sought to tap the fast-growing Polish market and develop a production base for exports. Exports accounted for 75 per cent of Debica sales last year.

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Maxxis Raises its Profile at Brityrex

Maxxis has reported that the company enjoyed a busy three days at Brityrex International 2007, the UK’s only independent tyre trade show, with the Maxxis Centres of Excellence initiative and the new Maxxis catalogue reportedly generating major interest.

“Visitors to Brityrex were the first to see our new product catalogue, which incorporates
500 tyre patterns and sizes and covers performance radials, high performance tyres and 4×4 tyres for cars and vans, plus heavy truck products and our Trailermaxx high speed trailer range,” said Derek McMartin, managing director of Maxxis International UK.

“We were also impressed with the level of interest Group Tyre members showed in the Maxxis Centres of Excellence programme, which is designed to help retailers maximise profitability though a winning combination of quality products, value for money and industry-leading delivery and technical support,” he continued. According to Group Tyre (UK) commercial operations director, Karl Naylor, several dealerships have already signed up to become Maxxis Centres of Excellence (see T&A June 2007’s retail feature for more details on this).

15th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

NTDA Joins Right to Repair Strategy Group

Following on from the Right to Repair Seminar organised by the NTDA at Brityrex in Manchester earlier this month, the NTDA have been invited to join the powerful R2RC Strategy Group which will run the UK end of the Europe wide campaign. The Strategy Group is made up of representatives from the SMMT Aftermarket Section, the Automotive Distributive Federation and the Independent Garage section of the Retail Motor Industry Federation and other members of the Automotive Aftermarket Liaison Group

The main task of the group will be to manage the UK end of the campaign which will include lobbying of MPs in Westminster and MEP’ in Brussels.

Representing the NTDA will be the newly elected Vice Chairman of the NTDA David White of Kwik-fit who commented: “This issue is one of the most challenging for our sector and I look forward to representing the Tyre and Fast fit interests within this group which has a lot of work to do over the next few years”.

14th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin and Goodyear Dunlop Chosen for Pan-Govt Supply Agreement

Michelin, with its service partner ATS Euromaster, has been appointed as one of two suppliers of tyres and associated services in a three-year framework agreement for a pan-government tyre sourcing initiative led by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA), in conjunction with the Office of Government Commerce (OGC). The other supplier is understood to be Goodyear Dunlop who will service the agreement through its HiQ and Truck Force retail networks. According to sources close to the arrangement, the contract is divided equally between the two suppliers.

Available to all Public Sector Organisations (PSOs) across the UK – encompassing a combined vehicle parc of more than 300,000 vehicles, ranging from cars and motorbikes to vans, trucks and earthmovers – the deal represents the largest tyre framework agreement of its type ever established in the UK. It also includes the option of a 12 month extension until January 2011 and is estimated to be worth tens of millions of pounds.

The agreement has been set up to deliver significant efficiencies as a result of combined volumes, additional leverage and collaborative working between central government departments and wider public bodies nationwide.

14th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Right To Repair Under Threat

Did you know that something as straightforward as replacing a battery or a bulb could soon mean a car will refuse to do as its told? Did you know that as little as changing a tyre on a some vehicles with tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) can set off a dashboard warning light? As David White said in his introduction to the NTDA organised event the “Right to Repair” issue is a “topic that has serious implications for you and your business.”

Certainly, an impressive line-up of speakers had been assembled, namely Dave Garratt, Director Garage Equipment Association; Mike Owen, of the Retail Motor Industry Federation and Bob Davis, Head of Aftermarket Section of the SMMT. Davis laid special emphasis on the fact that he was involved with the aftermarket section of the SMMT and not the manufacturers’, for reasons that will become plain.

11th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors