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Tyre Slasher Ordered to Knit Jumpers as Recompense

Local yob youths in malicious tyre shredding frenzy? Nope. Teenage punks slash defenceless parked cars in drug-crazed rampage? Not even close. Forget the community rag hyperbole, tyre terror recently took on a very different shape and form…

In the German city of Kaiserslautern, an 89-year-old woman has been told to take up knitting as a means of avoiding prosecution for slashing more than 50 tyres. This news was delivered by prosecutor Helmet Bleh, the man faced with the unenviable task of presenting the case against the senior slasher. “We’ll drop the case if she knits a few pullovers,” Bleh said sagely. “We can’t send her to prison, and she doesn’t have the money to pay a fine.”

26th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Staff Changes

Falken Tire Corp. has promoted of Bruce Ware to the position of vice president of sales. Ware had been serving as Falken’s dxecutive director of corporate accounts, where he directed all sales activities pertaining to FTC’s regional and national retailers. In his new position, Bruce will now be responsible for all FTC sales activities in North America.

FTC also announced the retirement of John McAndrew, who has served as FTC’s director of wholesale channel sales for the past two years. With over 30 years experience in the tire industry, John brought to FTC a much needed maturity and professionalism that can only come through dealing with customers at the very highest levels, according to the company. (Tire Review/Akron)

19th June 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Noble Retires as Bridgestone Australia Director

Bridgestone Australia’s Board of Directors has announced the retirement of Mr Barry Noble, B.Ec, FAICD, as a director of the Company, effective as of 1st August 2008. Mr Noble joined the Board as a non-executive director in July 2003, and the company’s directors have acknowledged Mr. Noble’s “significant contribution as an independent director during his five years on the Board.”

In March 2007, the directors advised that a proposal to privatise Bridgestone Australia through a selective capital reduction had been approved by shareholders. As a result, the company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation of Japan. Now that these arrangements have been settled, the decision has been made that it is no longer necessary to have a non-executive director on the Board of the Australian company.

22nd April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Harvie Tyres MD Terry Brooks Retires

Following 43 years in the tyre industry, managing director of Harvie Tyres Ltd., Terry Brooks, has announced his retirement. In a statement Mr. Brooks said that, following more than four decades in the industry, 38 of which have been spent within the Stahlgruber group, it is time he focuses on more leisurely pursuits.

“During my 34 years with Rema Tip Top and the past 4 years with Harvie I was extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with a great number of people who I liked and respected,” said Mr. Brooks. “Trusted colleagues, supplier partners and professional advisers are key to the success of any business, it is even better when personal relationships work well and in this regard I have been extremely lucky.”

He concluded: “For your help and friendship over many years I offer my sincere thanks to you all.”

31st March 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Former Senior BFNAT Exec Appointed CEO of ABC Supply

Former president and CEO of Bridgestone/Firestone Retail Operations and executive vice president of Bridgestone/Firestone in the US, David Luck, has taken on the position of CEO with ABC Supply Co. Luck assumed the position with the large American wholesaler of roofing, windows and building cladding following the sudden death of company founder, chairman and CEO Ken Hendricks last December.

David Luck will also continue in his current capacity as company president, the role he has served in since 1998 following his retirement from the tyre major after 27 years.

18th February 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin NA Chairman and President Micali to Retire

Jim Micali’s three-decade career with Michelin will draw to a close later this year. The company has announced the impending retirement of the Michelin North America chairman and president, who will hand over the reins to Richard (Dick) Wilkerson on August 15.

Joining the company in 1977, four years after graduating in law from Boston College Law School, Micali’s early career with Michelin saw him serve in a number of positions within the company’s legal department, including two assignments in France. In 1985 he was named general counsel and secretary for Michelin North America, and in 1990 he moved on to become executive vice president of the North American legal and finance functions. Micali has served in his current role since 1996. Following his retirement, Micali will act as a consultant for Michelin North America and for several companies based in South Carolina.

23rd January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Maha UK Presents New Management Team

Following the retirement of Gus Gregory from Maha UK Ltd, Neil Ebbs has been appointed as managing director from 1 January 2008. Ebbs, who is 45, has been in the garage equipment industry for more than 20 years. He joined Maha in 2004 to start a new project department which has been very successful and has expanded to keep up with demand from customers. Kevin Howard, who has been with Maha UK since the start in 1997, has taken on a new role as business development manager and will be responsible for expanding the customer base, product range and continued Dynamometer sales.

Catherine Gregory and Louis Tunmore, also both founder members of Maha UK, will continue to manage their successful roles and are key members to the success of the company. Catherine Gregory will now be in charge of all the financial and personnel aspects of MAHA. Tunmore, as after sales manager, now controls the 25 engineers and 5 office staff-strong service department.

14th January 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Morgan Sets Retirement Plans, Alliance Begins Search

(Tire Review/Akron) Richard Morgan has announced his retirement as president and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance.

No exact date for his retirement was announced. The Alliance’s board of directors has launched a search for Morgan’s successor, and the group and Morgan indicated that the search window may be two years.

11th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BFNAT Changes OTR/Agri Tyre Management

(Tire Review/Akron) The impending retirement of Ralph Burchfield, president of its off-road tyre group, has created a number of management changes at Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire. Burchfield has opted to retire at the end of this year, ending a 36-year career with the company. As a result, BFNAT is “streamlining” its OTR and agricultural tyre businesses, with three group vice presidents now reporting to BFNAT President Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama.

Heading the agricultural tyre group will be vice president Kenneth Allen, formerly executive director of sales and marketing for Firestone Agricultural Tire Co. Leading the OTR group will be Shawn Rasey, formerly executive director of the OTR group. Heading up the tube group will be Scott Gateley, general manager.

5th December 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Cutting 20 Jobs at Upgrade Plant

(Akron/Tire Review) A mere ten days after the announcement that Michelin North America planned to spend $4.2 million upgrading its Pictou County, Nova Scotia plant, the company is eliminating 20 positions from this Canadian facility. Sheri Somerville, spokeswoman for the tyremaker, said the jobs in the company’s group services section are disappearing as part of an effort to improve plant efficiency.

“The positions are gone but we are working to find new positions for the workers,” she said. “Some of the people are eligible for retirement. We are trying to figure out what will work best for each individual.” Group services are provided to all the plants, not just those in which they are located.

22nd November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Geoff Bradburn Retires from Bridgestone OTR Department

After 46 years in the OTR Tyre industry Geoff Bradburn is to retire at the end of September 2007. Bradburn worked on some key accounts Bridgestone’s OTR business, including Ainscough crane, McAlpines, Foster Yeoman, to name a few that Geoff has had account management and responsibility for in his long career.

Commenting on his career and pending retirement, John McNaught, Bridgestone UK MD said: “Geoff has made a great contribution to Bridgestone OTR dept his commitment, professionalism, and dedication to his accounts makes him one of the best in the business, we wish him well in his retirement.”

11th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Winter Tyre Test Specialist Appoints New MD

Test World, the independent winter tyre testing facility located in the brisk northerly reaches of Ivalo in Finnish Lapland, has a new managing director. Following the retirement of incumbent managing director Timo Mäkelä on August 1, deputy managing director Harri Eskelinen has filled his snow shoes.

The company performs an invaluable service for Europe’s tyre manufacturers. Tyre World’s extreme northerly location ensures frigid weather for a large chunk of the year – the test season begins in late October and runs until the end of April – making Ivalo a much sought after location for putting winter tyres through their paces. The testing specialist has developed track maintenance techniques that permit invariable conditions for the duration of tyre tests, and can conduct tests in all conditions likely to be encountered, including snow, slush, wet and dry surfaces. During 2007 the company is also launching a brand new indoors test facility that will be used for performing approval tests conforming to ECE norms.

20th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Snap-On Honours Nigel Vogler After 23-years Service

Nigel Vogler, former Hofmann Sales Director and Area Sales Manager for Snap-on Equipment has retired after a career spanning 23-years with the garage equipment company. His friends and colleagues at Snap-on Equipment’s headquarters in Reading gave the former Garage Equipment Association (GEA) Council Member a warm send off and wished him well for his new life and retirement in Cheshire. Chris Pleass, Sales Manager for Snap-on Equipment, comments: “Nigel is a true senior statesman in our industry and will not be forgotten. I shall miss his wise counsel and open approach and wish him all the best for the future.”

1st August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Chemix Autocentres Mark Passing of Former Chairman Mike Harris

The directors and staff of Chemix Autocentres, have reported the death of their long serving chairman, Mr Mike Harris, who passed away on Saturday 14th July, following a period of illness. Mike Harris, 75, was a well-known tyre-man, having established Chemix Autocentres with his father back in 1963. He started in the ‘remoulding’ business early on, establishing a remoulding plant in Annan, and opening a tyre fitting service in Carlisle. He then established further depots in the North and Midlands. More recently the company has concentrated its efforts in the Midlands area, selling the Northern assets of the business. Since retirement a few years ago, Mr. Harris took the opportunity to pursue his passion for golf and travel.

Mike McCarron, MD of Chemix said: “Mike Harris will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was a warm and gregarious individual, with an energy for life that belied his advancing years. All our staff, new and old, were touched by his warm and vibrant personality. It is a very sad day for Chemix, and we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to his family”.

30th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin to Change UK Pension Scheme

The retirement plans of 4,000 Michelin employees in the UK – including workers at the Stoke-on-Trent, Dundee and Ballymena plants and ATS employees – have been affected by the company’s planned closure of its final-salary pension scheme to existing members and decision to transfer staff onto a money-purchase plan. The company said this decision was made in the face of a continued deficit of more than £250 million, despite the fund receiving a £100 million top-up in recent years. In 2002 the company’s UK pension deficit sat at only £57 million.

The proposed changes would see members of its pension scheme cease building up any further benefits from January 1, 2009. Accrued pension benefits will be preserved and will remain linked to the employee’s final salary at retirement. Michelin stated that it plans to pay off the deficit in its final salary scheme over the next decade.

8th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors