Goodway Rubber Industries Sdn Bhd has named a new management team effective 1 June 2006, in line with its recent corporate reorganisation exercise. New managing director, Alison Wong (Wong Ping Kiong), will lead the renewed management team.
The Autodrom Most, near Prague in the Czech Republic was the venue chosen by Italian manufacturer Marangoni to showcase its performance tyre range to a selection of Eastern European customers and journalists. With the recently-introduced Mythos and Maxó tyres as the feature products, the launch indicates the Marangoni brand’s intent to become a major player across the Eastern European markets in 2006/7. “At Marangoni, partnership is ingrained into the culture of the business. We have developed fantastic relationships with all our customers in Eastern Europe, and the event in ‘Most’ will serve to strengthen the bonds with our customers,” commented Marangoni’s Peter Gabris. “The feedback was extremely positive from trade partners and the press who attended, regarding the organisation of the event and the tyre products, which were the focus of the event.” Concluded Derek Carruthers, Marangoni Global Sales and Marketing Director, “We have held a number of similar events over recent years and its effect on our business has been incredible. The interaction with our customer base has provided not only opportunities to illustrate our products and technologies, but also for feedback from our customers which is vital for future development.”
SmarTire Systems Inc. has announced that Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc., one of the largest RV manufacturers in North America, will install SmarTire’s SmartWave (TM) tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) as standard equipment on its high-end Heritage line of American Coach brand motorhomes.
The first load of end of life tyres processed at Sapphire Energy Recovery’s new Manchester facility coincided with the signing of a major contract with ATS Euromaster. Now that the site is practically up and running the company has invited a number of tyre retailers and distributors to a special open day on 29 June, followed by the official press and VIP opening on 30 June.
SmarTire Systems Inc announced that Optima Bus Corporation has selected SmarTire to supply tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) on its buses, including those units that Optima will manufacture for the Chicago Transit Authority. Optima is a leading manufacturer of medium-size mass transit buses, including the Opus Low-floor Bus and American Heritage Streetcar.
Making an appearance as an exhibitor at Reifen 2006 will be Far-East based Sumo Tyres who will promote their growing range of Firenza radial truck tyres and launch a new Firenza high performance pattern at the same time.
As a thriving division of the Stamford Tyres group of companies, Sumo will be using the show to further enhance the company’s Firenza brand in the European market and an extensive collection of truck tyres will be on display for inspection by both existing and potential new customers.
SmartTire Systems Inc has appointed Leif E Pedersen as the new president and CEO of SmarTire, effective immediately. Pedersen replaces Al Kozak who has left the company to pursue other interests.
Automotive parts manufacturer Remy Automotive UK has announced a significant productivity improvement in its brake caliper operation, following a recent investment programme in its Leicester remanufacturing factory. In the past 12 months, Remy has invested more than £20,000 in a complete overhaul of operations at Leicester – this is on top of the £40,000 originally invested when Remy bought the plant in 2001 – and this has been rewarded by a 15 per cent increase in productivity.
Bridgestone Europe NV/SA has announced that it will increase prices on all of its tyre brands and categories. It will apply to all replacement channels in all European countries. The increases are between 3.5 per cent and 5 per cent depending on the product category, and are scheduled to take effect from 1 June 2006.
Medtec Ambulance Corporation, an Oshkosh Truck Corporation company, is to include the SmarTire active tyre pressure monitoring system as an option for new and existing ambulance vehicles. Medtec is a leading North American manufacturer of custom ambulances and is the second Oshkosh Truck Corporation company to offer SmarTire products. The first was Pierce Manufacturing Inc., North America’s leading manufacturer of fire and safety apparatus.
(Akron/Tire Review) ArvinMeritor and Pressure Systems International Inc. (PSI) have agreed to a new long-term collaborative arrangement to continue marketing and distributing the Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS). The agreement, first established in 1999, includes key global commercial vehicle markets, the companies said.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has received Spartan Chassis Inc.’s “SPARC” Award for commercial tyres installed on Spartan recreational vehicle and fire truck chassis.
Spartan Chassis – part of Spartan Motors Inc. – said the award involves product quality, supply and delivery, engineering and technical support, sales and marketing, and training and warranty support.
Goodyear Engineered Products has appointed Jim Pecorelli as vice president and general manager of its North America region. Pecorelli had been director of global manufacturing since 2003. Prior to that, he held general manager positions for Goodyear’s industrial power transmission product, hose and conveyor belt businesses over an eight-year span. Pecorelli joined Goodyear in 1982.
“Jim’s expertise and leadership skills strengthen the link between our sales and marketing, manufacturing and supply chain operations to support continued sales growth,’” said president Tim Toppen. ‘”Externally, he knows our customers and understands the markets and channels. Internally, he has led our commercial and manufacturing teams.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.’s Mickey Thompson brand division has hired Carl Robinson to the new position of wheel product manager. Robinson had been Weld Wheel Industries Inc.’s director of motorsports and president of Race Wheel Enterprises Inc. in Dania, Fla. Robinson has also helped develop various testing devices for wheel and tire assemblies and is a past member of the S.F.I. Wheel Certification Committee, Cooper said.
Kumho Tyres has announced relocated to new offices in Sutton, Surrey. In a ceremony held on 10 February, H S Lee, president of Kumho Tire Europe GmbH, officially opened the new facility together with the managing director of Kumho Tyre (UK) Ltd, Steve Tidmarsh.
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