servicing Archives - Page 18 of 29 - Tyrepress

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Kwik-Fit Expands Servicing and MOT into Corporate Sector

Kwik-Fit Fleet has announced plans to expand its servicing and MOT operations into the company car and van markets. According to the company, the decision was made in response to “booming demand for the services.” Currently 452 centres offer fleet servicing and MoTs, however this number will increase to 500 in the next few months. The extra 48 centres are likely to complete Kwik-Fit’s roll out to its 650-branch strong network. Some of the new centres will be equipped with two MoT bays, thus further increasing centre capacity. In order to facilitate the move, Gary Ralph, operations manager, London and the South East, has been seconded to Kwik-Fit Fleet from Kwik-Fit GB to lead a major project to accelerate the growth of fleet servicing and MoTs.

6th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Mondolfo Ferro at Autopromotec: 46 years in the service of wheels

Mondolfo Ferro says that it was keen to show its commitment to the research of new solutions at Autopromotec 2009. Therefore the show represented the chance to show off its newest wheel servicing products, including the Aquila Raptor and the TBE 160 Matic truck tyre changer.

The company says that the Aquila Raptor is a new tyre changer based on the combination of all types of performance that today’s tyre dealers request from a machine. The mounting and demounting procedures are executed through lever-less technology, consolidating work procedures. It makes it possible to eliminate risks and tiredness for the operator. Among the characteristics emphasised by Mondolfo Ferro are the centralised control console, the double-disc vertical bead breaker unit, which allows the bead breaking operation in the work position, and a safe and rapid wheel blocking pneumatic system.

10th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Snap-on Releases Quadriga Tyre Changer

The latest generation John Bean, Hofmann and Boxer automatic tyre changers – the Quadriga 1000 and Quadriga 1 – are ready for their market launch. These changers from the three Snap-on Equipment brands offer fully automated mounting and demounting and are amongst the first changers of this type to come with certification from the ‘wdk’, Germany’s rubber industry association.

Snap-on reports that the changer offers outstanding dynamic procedures along with controlled power and accuracy and consequently; therefore, it says, optimum results are guaranteed as all operations, especially bead braking, are accomplished efficiently and without harm to tyre and rim.

6th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

BKT Promotes All-Steel Radial OTR Tyres

Balkrishna Tyre (BKT) launched its latest range of OTR radials, which are sub-branded Earthmax at the Intermat show in April. At present they are available in SR 30 pattern E3/L3 tyres in 25-inch rim diameter and are the first Indian produced all steel casing radial tyre for earthmover application. According to the company, the first phase BKT is to extend the product line up to 35-inch diameter tyres in various patterns with multiple compound options. BKT has also increased its existing industrial and construction tyre range, with expansion of its radial industrial tractor tyre segment and launch of AT 621 pattern tyres for Backhoe loaders with special cut resistance compound & lug geometry.

BKT boasts a comprehensive range of industrial, construction, material handling and earthmoving tyres from 8’ to 51-inch rim diameters covering wide applications including underground mining tyres and specialized port application tyres. Now having ventured into the Radial OTR BKT representatives believe the company is “all geared up to make in-roads and widening its penetration in servicing this market.”

2nd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Reynolds Logistics Becomes Latest Michelin PPK Partner

Michelin has added another pence per kilometre (PPK) partner to its UK portfolio through signing a three-year contract with petrochemical transport specialist Reynolds Logistics. As part of the deal the Reynolds fleet of 44 tonne Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor units and 18 to 26 tonne Axor rigids will be fitted with a range of XZE2+ / XDE2+ tyres, as wear dictates, whilst its Magyar tankers will receive XTE2 and XTE3 trailer tyres.

“With a fleet covering more than three million kilometres a year delivering bulk lubricants, safety is of paramount importance,” commented Ian Williams, fleet operations manager at Reynolds Logistics.

19th June 2009/by Chris

Pro-Align: Hunter HawkEye ‘Special’ is a Real Bargain

With the recession biting and more of the aftermarket looking to wheel alignment servicing to generate revenue and increase profit margins, Pro-Align is its new Hunter HawkEye ‘Special’ alignment system at an economical price. The idea is to increase access to premium quality products by offering an entry-level model at a competitive price.

The HawkEye Special is very similar to the Hunter HawkEye 100 model, with the only real difference being it uses a two camera system instead of the four camera system of its sibling. The camera lift system offers versatility enabling the HawkEye Special to operate at variable adjustment height. With the console mounted on the main column, the system remains compact, offering great space savings in the workshop whilst not compromising on quality and accuracy of alignment readings as well as offering the valuable ‘before’ and ‘after’ colour customer printouts. According to the Hunter HawkEye imaging provides low cost of ownership through the use of its polycarbonate HEX targets and the cameras being mounted out of harms way.

21st May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti’s European Tour Gets Underway With 6 New Truck Tyres

At the start of May Continental kicked off its “Road-Show 2009”, and is taking its show truck – featuring a display of its tyres and their various features – on a European tour. The road trip traverses the continent, from Helsinki to southern Portugal, Paris to the Baltic states and on to Sofia in Bulgaria. In total the Road-Show will cover more than 20 European Union lands and stop at more than 50 locations.

6th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Gregory Distribution Fleet Renews ATSE/Michelin £1 million Tyre Deal

Devon-based Gregory Distribution Ltd, which operates over 450 trucks and 750 trailers, has renewed its agreement with ATS Euromaster to fit Michelin tyres across its fleet. The deal, valued at approximately £1 million per year, continues a business relationship dating back to the early 90s and marks one of the company’s largest independent customers. As part of the contract, a full time resident ATS Euromaster technician is based at each of Gregory’s main depots in North Tawton and Cullompton, which are together responsible for servicing tyres on over half of the fleet.

The contract sees ATS Euromaster fit Michelin rubber, with each tyre designed to follow Michelin’s Four Lives policy, which involves regrooving and remixing tyres to deliver maximum performance and economy. Once the regrooved Remix tyre has reached the end of its fourth life, it is sent back to Michelin’s factory in Stoke-on-Trent where it is remoulded into an Encore tyre – enabling customers to benefit from a fifth life from the original Michelin casing. The Encore tyres are fitted to drive axles in the company’s milk collection fleet, which operate on farm tracks where there is a greater risk of damage.

15th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Snider Tire Joins Michelin Retread Technologies Network

The North America based Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT) network of servicing dealers has grown through the addition of Snider Tire. The retreader, headquartered in North Carolina, is one of the largest commercial tyre dealers and retreaders in the US. At present the company operates eight retread facilities and 31 commercial service locations, primarily in the Carolinas, Georgia and Texas area.

“Snider Tire has long been recognised for the quality of its people and service to the fleets,” said Francois Corbin, COO of Michelin Americas Truck Tires. “We are confident that John Snider and his team will help us continue to provide excellent commercial truck services to fleet customers.”

8th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

US State Makes Tyre Pressure Checks Compulsory

When a regulation adopted on March 26 comes into force, automotive maintenance outlets in the US state of California will be required to check tyre pressure on every vehicle they service. The Air Resources Board regulation takes effect July 1, 2010, and is one of 44 early action measures intended to extend the average tyre’s useful life by 4,700 miles, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 700,000 tonnes and the state’s fuel consumption by 284 million litres.

6th April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

HiQ Tyre Retail Chain to Create Up To 500 Jobs

HiQ has announced plans to create up to 500 new jobs as part of its ambitious national franchise programme. The fast fit franchise chain, which currently has 137 HiQ centres across England and Wales, is creating the positions over the next three years as the number of outlets on UK high streets rises to a targetted 275 by 2012. The company has already accelerated the growth of the nationwide tyre and vehicle servicing network by signing long-term franchise agreements in 2008 when 106 Goodyear Dunlop owned HiQ centres were franchised. HiQ is now extending the model to many more towns and cities.

Currently 41 HiQ franchisees operate 137 HiQ centres, compared to just 15 franchisees operating 33 centres in 2007. New jobs are now being created weekly, with for example, 10 new positions announced for HiQ’s Kettering store this month. HiQ Retail Director Juergen Titz said: “The objective is to grow the business with new open points in towns and cities. The plan is to get 170 centres by the end of 2009 and 275 by 2012. The franchisee network is investing more than £2 million into improved customer environments in 2009, and this award winning franchise concept will increase transparency and certainty for our customers.”

18th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Breathe Easy This Allergy Season

With the rate of allergies rising and spring on its way, air conditioning and air purity should be top priority says Beissbarth UK. The company has introduced Saniflux, a new purification system which can be easily integrated into their advanced technology MAC aircon range. Managing director Philip Hodges said: “Saniflux is highly efficient in terms of eliminating allergens, purifying the aircon system and neutralising annoying odours in the car interior.

12th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Survey Investigates Servicing Loyalty

Almost half of UK car owners (47 per cent) would get their car serviced at a local garage rather than take it to the dealer they bought the car from. They are even less likely to use a franchised dealer that sells the same brand of car to service their vehicle (13 per cent), according to a survey by information and marketing services provider Experian.

The survey also revealed a clear difference between new and used car owners. 64 per cent of used car owners would go to a local garage to get their car serviced, compared to just 23 per cent of new car owners. Meanwhile, half (51 per cent) of new car owners would prefer to use the dealer they bought their car from (compared to 13 per cent of used car owners).

5th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Autopromotec 2009 Goes Green With ‘Futurmotive’ Feature

The Bologna Trade Fair Centre is set to host the 23rd, biennial Autopromotec show between 20 – 24 May 2009. According to the company behind the show, the 2009 event is set to be the biggest and most future-orientated yet. Show organisers Promotec SpA recently visited London and gave Tyres & Accessories details of what we can expect in May

A key new feature confirmed at Autopromotec 2009 is “Futurmotive,” which the organisers call “an attention-grabbing new feature showcasing environmentally sustainable technological innovations for car servicing companies. One of the show’s highlights, Futurmotive is being coordinated by Autopromotec in collaboration with Polo per la Mobilità Sostenibile (POMOS) (Centre for Sustainable Mobility) at the University of Rome La Sapienza; and the Centro Salesiano di Formazione Professionale (CNOS FAP). The new Futurmotive feature is designed to respond to increasingly widespread interest among consumers towards alternative car fuelling and maintenance, with special attention being given to fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

26th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Are You Ready For The Vehicles Of Tomorrow? Asks Philip Hodges

Philip Hodges is MD of Beissbarth UK and, in this article, he looks forward to the future facing vehicle servicing and repair technicians. Says Philip: It would be interesting to hear the comments and see the reaction of early pioneers of the Motor Car – Henry Ford, Rolls Royce, Auto Union, Benz and a host of others – who in their own way provided us with what is an everyday pleasure for some and for others a tool for every day means of transport and commerce.

All of these pioneers would, I expect, be amazed at the technology of today’s vehicles but also be speechless at the speed of the new developments which drivers of the future will take for granted.

24th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors