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Sir Tom Farmer Keynote Speaker at TyrexpoAfrica

Kwik-Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer, who is credited with revolutionising tyre retailing in the UK, is to present a keynote speech at the TyrexpoAfrica industry conference in Johannesburg next March. Sir Tom is one of the most recognisable names in the global tyre industry. He founded Kwik-Fit in Scotland in 1971, developing it to become one of the world’s largest automotive parts repair and replacement specialists, before selling the company to Ford in 1999.

Among many honours, Sir Tom was awarded the CBE in 1990, received a Knighthood in 1997 and in the same year was made a KCSG (Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great). In 2009 he was created a Commander of the Victorian Order (CVO) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

2nd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Tyres Sees Profit Hike in July-September, Predicts Big Things for 2010

After witnessing a substantial jump in profits from the quarter ending 30 September 2009, Indian tyre manufacturer Apollo has suggested that more is to come in 2010. The company told Indian business news sources that it will be aiming for 50 per cent higher revenues for its financial year (ending March 2010) thanks to the effect of its new-ish European subsidiary, Vredestein Banden, which the company acquired on 15 May.

27th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Techking Introduces Service Centre Concept

During the CITExpo exhibition Techking Tires focused upon presenting its new “Techking Service Centers” (TSC) to interested parties. TSC is a training and educational facility for customers through which can gain information on topics such as tyre repair and maintenance from Techking specialists. Just recently the Qingdao, China based OTR tyre specialist inaugurated the first TSC as its head office location; it serves as a model for further centres, explains Techking Marketing’s Benjamin Zhang. The first TSC outside of China, located in the vicinity of a local customer will soon open in South Africa. This is, incidentally, an essential component of the TSC concept – the service centres will typically be built in partnership with customers, with all essential equipment and operations supplied. “Our goal is to supply the highest quality tyre solutions possible,” Zhang continues. And, according to Zhang, this is a “key point of difference between us and the competition.”

19th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

The Hindu: Indian Tyre Exports Down 22% in July

A report published by Indian newspaper, The Hindu states that while the country remains an important hub for passenger car exports, its tyre makers appear not to be keeping up. Citing a report by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association, the paper reports in its Business Line section that “automotive tyre exports fell 22 per cent in July to 446,418 units against 571,479” in 2008, while quarterly exports fell “22 per cent to 1,558,393 units (2,042,428 units).”

9th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Tyres Outlines Global Top 10 Ambitions

Apollo chairman, Onkar S Kanwar is not one to avoid big statements when it comes to talking up Apollo Tyre’s ambitions. The Gurgaon-based company is currently estimated to be worth Rs 4,985-crore (£627 million) and is in an expansion mode. While the firm already has a presence in Europe and Africa, it seems it is continuing to look for acquisitions outside India as a route to increasing its presence in the global market.

7th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Sponsors South African Tourism Training Programme

Continental’s sponsorship of international football events has also yielded a new avenue for the company’s corporate activities. Just under a year before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Continental AG has initiated a special on-location tourism training programme.

4th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Zimbabwe Fast Fit Chain to Reopen Branches

International News

In September Zimbabwe’s National Tyre Services will reopen the outlets and a factory that had closed due to business conditions. At the company’s Annual General Meeting, CEO Cleophas Makoni told shareholders that the 35.05 per cent Apollo Tyres South Africa owned company will "roll out and revitalise our branch network. We have enough stock and we are in a position to meet the demand."

21st August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bridgestone-Backed Drivers Perform Well in Australasian Safari

Bridgestone backed drivers Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki have raced to respectable result in the 2009 Australasian Safari, securing third place overall after 3,500 gruelling kilometres through Western Australia’s outback. Garland and Suzuki, who also have an 11th outright to their credit in this year's Dakar Rally, drove their Isuzu D-MAX to a top three slot after a successful appeal against a two-hour time penalty.

11th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Chairman Speaks on ‘Signs of Revival’

While addressing shareholders at the Apollo Tyres Annual General Meeting, company chairman Onkar S Kanwar expounded upon what Apollo has gained and learned in the past year. His topic, titled ‘Navigating a Slowdown’, centred upon the company’s business model, which according to Kanwar has enabled Apollo to remain afloat during the recent slowdown.

This business model, Kanwar explained, covers Apollo’s three main principles: domestic markets, cost and quality initiatives. Sticking to this tried and tested business model has paid dividends during the past twelve months, he added. “Last year’s crisis has allowed your company the opportunity to break structures and behaviours that sap productivity and effectiveness out of organisations. It has allowed your company to realign itself to a new reality.

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Tyres to Supply 50% Nissan Truck South Africa OE Needs

Apollo Tyres South Africa recently won the contract to supply half of Nissan Diesel’s truck tyre requirements. Nissan Diesel SA (Pty) Ltd, based in Rosslyn Pretoria, have reportedly chosen Apollo Tyres South Africa (formerly known as Dunlop International) to supply the Dunlop brand steel radial truck tyres, in an “open-ended contract.”

The deal with Nissan Diesel is the single largest original equipment deal secured with a vehicle manufacturer since the reinstatement of Apollo Tyres South Africa’s Original Equipment department early last year. Dr Luis Ceneviz, Apollo Tyres South Africa’s CEO said: “We are proud to be collaborating with Nissan Diesel as both companies share a common goal of exceeding customer expectation and growing its share of business. We look forward to many more such partnerships into the future.”

23rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Brityrex 2010 Embarks on ‘Major International Marketing Drive’

A major marketing campaign is underway to promote the next staging of Brityrex International, which will take place at Manchester Central 5 -7 October 2010. Show organisers ECI International report that early July saw the distribution of 10,000 information packs for the UK’s only dedicated tyre, accessory and workshop equipment trade exhibition. This activity will be supplemented by extensive UK and international tyre trade advertising, marketing, information and online campaigns over the next 12 months.

In addition to covering all sectors of the tyre industry, Brityrex 2010 will also place increased emphasis on workshop equipment, tools and services. Research suggests that tyre retailers and distributors have delayed or postponed making capital purchases during the recession, which is expected to create increased demand for new equipment as market conditions improve later next year.

22nd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo Tyres Launches Refreshed Website

During the first quarter of 2009, Apollo Tyres launched its new corporate identity across its operations. Now it’s the turn of its website to don the new look and colours. Apollo has moved away from the earlier usage of black and red to the vibrancy of purple and orange, moderated by shades of grey – colours and usage, which no other tyre company has, and only a few companies across the world dare to incorporate. The colours have allowed Apollo, it says, to bring to the fore its “internal reality of youthfulness and dynamism”.

14th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Good Showing from International Companies at Autopromotec 2009

With a record 1,443 exhibiting companies from 47 countries and 150,000 square metres of exhibition space, Autopromotec is recognised as a leading international trade exhibition for specialised automotive products and services. This biennial event was held at the Bologna Exhibition Centre in late May. The increasing number of exhibiting companies from outside the host nation was particularly apparent this year, with a total of 468 foreign businesses from 46 countries presenting their products.

Also, despite the current global economic downturn, the continually evolving international influence of the event is manifest in the number of foreign visitors present. During the five days of Autopromotec there were a total of 101,620 visitors, 16,689 of whom were from overseas. As part of a joint agreement sealed betweenthe Italian Institute for Foreign Trade, the Italian Ministry for Economic Development and the Italian Automotive Service Equipment Manufacturers Association, the show hosted 90 trade delegations from 16 countries including: Argentina, Brazil, China, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Turkey, USA and Vietnam.

3rd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Apollo to Launch Full Range into Europe in 6-12 Months

Despite the fact that the Apollo/Vredestein takeover contracts were signed just a month before Tyres & Accessories visited Enschede, the integration process is said to be already well underway. What’s new is the announcement that in less than a year a full range of Apollo tyres will be launched into the European market. The newly merged Apollo Vredestein will be responsible for sales and marketing of all group brands in Europe. Of course when it comes to making major changes to the Apollo brand strategy this will have to be done in consultation with Delhi, but to all intents and purposes Vredestein will be masters of their own and Apollo's destiny within the bounds of the continent of Europe and the USA. In return Apollo will take the lead when it comes to selling Vredestein-branded tyres into the new Asian market territory the recent combination of the two companies brings.

2nd July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pelmar Engineering to Coordinate Sale of Dunlop Nigeria Machinery

Pelmar Engineering has announced that it is coordinating the sale of Dunlop Nigeria’s tyre manufacturing plant and machinery. According to the company, the equipment is suitable for car, light van, truck and farm tyre manufacturing for tyres of both radial and cross-ply construction. The machinery was reportedly used in the full production of tyres for OE and replacement market until the end of 2008.

“In 2004 Pelmar sold the equipment to Dunlop Nigeria. It was completely reconditioned prior to installation and running in by the middle of 2005,” said Hagai Peled, senior VP and COO of Pelmar, adding: “The equipment is in excellent condition, hardly operated and offers our customers a rare opportunity to buy high quality equipment with the Pelmar assurance of quality.”

Dunlop Nigeria ended local production in April less than four years after the decision was taken to invest an estimated 6.5 billion naira (£29.4 million) on radialising plant technology. The company, recently renamed DN Tyre & Rubber Plc, now imports its tyres from South Africa.

29th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors