Yokohama has sold its Hamatite automotive and construction sealent business to Swiss company Sika Group AG in a transfer that is scheduled to be completed on 1 November 2021. Yokohama hasn’t released exactly how much Sika is paying for the Hamatite business, but management expects to post a gain on the sale of about ¥5 billion (£33 million; 38 million euros; US$46 million – after tax). However, the exact amount is said to be “subject to change”.
Workshop equipment and wheel alignment specialist Pro-Align has appointed a former Kwik Fit branch manager to its sales team. Tom Burkett, a former director and owner of a mobile tyre fitting service and branch manager at Kwik Fit, has been appointed to join the team as a sales executive, covering the Midlands and South Wales region. The Hunter distributor said the addition of Burkett will provide “even greater levels of support to workshops across the country.”
Nexen Tire Europe is rationalising its approach to sales and marketing, and has thus announced changes affecting its operations in Austria and Sweden. The tyre maker will transfer responsibility for both markets’ sales organisations to its European headquarters in Kelkheim, Germany by the end of Q1 2021.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which is active in Europe with its Falken brand, has published third-quarter results which show that group-wide sales fell by 16.1 per cent in the first nine months of the current year, while at the same time earnings evaporated to only a third of the previous year’s figure.
PCL has welcomed a new Area Sales Manager for the South of England to its team. According to the inflation specialist manufacturer, Steve Nolan brings extensive experience within the motor industry to his new role, having worked on key automotive accounts dealing with distributors and end users, and covering national trade shows and conferences.
Whichever company is responsible for manufacturing Eurorepar Reliance tyres, the repair chain certainly appears to be moving significant quantities.
Following the reports that Continental is in talks to sell off various parts of its wider group, analysts have responded positively to Siemens’ recent sale of its Energy division, saying it is good for Conti.
Upgrading their rating to “buy”, Jefferies analysts said: “Siemen’s recent spin-off of Energy gives confidence that Conti’s share price will benefit from its planned spin-off of Vitesco as the combined market cap of Siemens and Energy was up 7 per cent on the day of transaction (DAX +3%)” The implication, they explained, was that there was a discount in Siemens’ sum-of-the-parts valuation. That being the case, given Conti’s “more attractive transaction structure”, the analysts predicted that Conti’s “re-rating should be more pronounced.”
Goodyear has appointed Kate Norton sales general manager commercial UK & Ireland. She assumes the role after a decade-long career with Goodyear. Most recently she was head of sales capability Europe. Goodyear states that Norton has extensive knowledge of the industry. She has previously managed some of the company’s largest consumer accounts in the UK, bringing strong sales coaching skills to support the ongoing development of the commercial team.
Hankook Tyre UK has appointed David Block as national accounts manager. Block has more than 20 years’ experience in the tyre industry. He will work to develop sales of Hankook car and light truck tyres in the UK. Hankook states that Block’s extensive experience in various tyre industry positions will allow him to “provide an added value of customer service, whilst building and strengthening his customer base.”
Camso Germany’s sales team has been integrated into Michelin Reifenwerke. The manufacturer of Camso and Solideal brand off-road tyres, wheels, tracks and chain systems is now under the umbrella of Michelin Off- and Highway Transportation (OHT). Michelin acquired the Canadian company in 2018.
SMP Europe has appointed Wayne Hodgkisson as its new sales director. Hodgkisson has previously overseen the company’s tier one sales strategy, where he was successful in bringing further growth into the business, the company states. In his new position he will oversee the entire sales department with a key focus on supporting growth with customers and buying groups, as well as tapping into new opportunities.
Michelin has appointed Andrew Evans and Andy Aylward to two new national sales manager roles. The pair will oversee the company’s car tyre business in the retail, wholesale and fleet markets across the UK and Ireland. Evans is national sales manager B2C – key accounts, while Aylward take on the new role of national sales manager B2C – territories.
Pirelli & C. S.p.A reported revenues of 1,051.6 million euros in the first quarter of Q1 2020 ended 31 March 2020. This represents a decline of 20 per cent compared to the same period in 2019.
Bridgestone has promoted Daniel Giroud to chief sales officer (CSO), Bridgestone EMIA, after Riccardo Cichi leaves the role on 16 March after three years in the position. Giroud is currently VP retail operations, Bridgestone EMIA, and CEO and president of First Stop Europe. Cichi is joining Bridgestone North America as CSO after three years in EMIA.
Having recently been appointed as a key strategic partner for Exide in the UK & Ireland, ECOBAT Battery Technologies (EBT) has recruited Brian Sanders and Scott Barker from Exide Technologies to spearhead the company’s nationwide push with the prominent original equipment (OE) brand with Carbon Boost 2.0 technology.
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Source: Sumitomo Rubber Industries
PCL
PSA UK
Vitesco
Goodyear
Hankook
Michelin
SMP Europe
Michelin