It’s been used as a reinforcement material in tyres for more than four decades, and now Kevlar has been tweaked to give it extra oomph. DuPont has introduced what it calls its DuPont Kevlar Advanced Performance (Kevlar AP) range of fibres – products that, despite a lighter weight, offer 15 per cent more strength than standard Kevlar fibres. The first cab off the rank in the new line-up is Kevlar K29 AP.
(Tire Review) Amerityre Corp. has been notified by NASDAQ that its current financial status “was out of compliance” and that its stock may get delisted. NASDAQ claims Amerityre is not meeting the exchange’s Equity Standard Listing Rules, because it does not have a minimum of $2.5 million in shareholder equity, $35 million in market value of listed securities or $500,000 in net income from continuing operations for the most recent fiscal year. To remain listed, Amerityre must deliver by 20 October a “specific plan” on how it will meet and sustain those requirements, NASDAQ said. For its part, Amerityre said it “anticipates that its implementation of cost cutting measures combined with anticipated increases in revenues and successful fundraising efforts will be sufficient to bring it back into compliance with the minimum stockholders' equity requirements”.
For years, the DQN – Du Quesne Pro-Fit tyre changer has been the machine of choice for thousands of tyre professionals around the world; not only for the mounting/dismounting of standard tyres, but also for low-profile and RunFlat products. Nevertheless, the continuous evolution in tyre technology has prompted DQN – Du Quesne to expand its product range with a new model of tyre changer: the Opti-Fit, which will make its world debut at the forthcoming 2009 Equip’Auto fair. The fair runs from 13th to 16th October.
The major features of the Opti-Fit are its improved structural rigidity, enhancing its resistance to the tensions resulting from the dis-/mounting of today's hardest tyre types, as well as its ability to deal with even wider tyre sizes. In addition, the Opti-Fit has been designed to further simplify the handling related to dis-/mounting operation, while still keeping a literal 'hands-on' approach to tyre changing. This approach has been followed by the DQN – Du Quesne family business, since it was founded by Victor du Quesne in 1929, exactly 80 years ago.
New Holland in the UK has announced that it is to fit AirBoss segmented tyres as standard on its L160 skid steer loaders for the waste recycling industry. The tyre features puncture-proof segments attached to a specially tailored disc, which AirBoss says will reduce downtime and callout charges for equipment operators. Dave Goddard, senior sales executive at AirBoss said, "If a segment of the tyre does get damaged beyond repair, the operator of the skid steer can easily and safely unscrew the damaged segment and replace it. It is extremely rare for a segment to be damaged, but if it is, the fix doesn't require outside assistance or the replacement of the whole tyre and it can be completed by the operator in minutes".
New Zealand could become the first country to ban the use of winter and regular tyres on a single vehicle by as early as 2010 when its government considers a change in the rules proposed by the Transport Agency.
In the US, the Toyo Proxes A20 all-season tyre has been selected as the 18-inch OE upgrade for the 2010 Lexus HS 250h. The first dedicated hybrid for Lexus, it features the optional P225/45R18 Proxes A20, a so-called eco-friendly tyre.
Lexus introduced the HS 250h as the “World’s First Hybrid-Only Luxury Vehicle”. According to the company, it produces the best combined estimated EPA mpg rating of any luxury vehicle in the US at 35-mpg and also achieves 35-mpg city and 34-mpg highway.
Dow Jones reports that Standard & Poor's has reduced Continental AG’s credit rating two notches in light of concerns it has over the influence major shareholder Schaeffler has on the company's strategy and credit quality. The downgrading occurred a day after Karl-Thomas Neumann stepped down from Conti’s Executive Board following a power struggle with the Schaeffler, and according to Standard & Poor’s, Neumann’s resignation "heightens our concerns of a negative influence of Schaeffler on Continental."
Engineering students at one German university are contributing to future tyre development through a programme with Continental. The manufacturer is cooperating with students from the University of Karlsruhe on research into passenger car tyre durability, and work so far has including the designing and construction of a test unit that was subsequently fitted and operated with different, realistic road surfaces.
On July 24 the US based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced new braking standards that will require the “vast majority” of heavy truck tractor units to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in stopping distances compared with current levels. The new regulation, which will be phased in over a four year period beginning with 2012 models, sets out that these vehicles should be capable of stopping from sixty miles per hour in not more than 250 feet when loaded to their gross vehicle weight rating. Previous standards required a complete stop within 355 feet. When lightly loaded, the stopping distance from sixty miles per hour should be within 235 feet.
In response to customer feedback, and in light of recent Ofcom announcements, MAM Software has decided to replace all of its 0870 phone numbers with standard geographic numbers. “Following Ofcom’s recent announcement regarding changes to non-geographic numbers, we took the opportunity to review and improve our customer contact strategy.” explained Robin Darnell, MAM’s Director of Support Services. “In order to offer our customers better value, we decided against implementing the new 0871 or 0844 numbers and have instead reverted back to standard 01226 phone numbers.”
Operations at Dunlop India’s Sahagunj facility have remained idle since last November, and in an attempt to coerce company management to resume production some fifty employees and their families commenced a hunger strike on July 16.
“Fifty workers will continue the relay hunger strike till July 20. From July 22 the workers, accompanied by their family members, will go on a fast unto death. Our demand is that the plant has to be opened and production started immediately,” spokesperson Bidyut Raut said.
According to Indian media sources, Pawan K Ruia has voiced the intention of stepping down as executive chairman of his group companies. According to a report in the Business Standard financial newspaper, Ruia may relinquish his position and appoint separate professional management to the firms. The Ruia Group, of which PK Ruia is chairman, will remain the enterprises’ holding company.
Bridgestone UK group companies Bulldog Remoulds (Holdings) Ltd and Kingsway Tyres Ltd recently achieved the Investor in People Standard. Both companies have been awarded the status for the first time and are said to be thrilled to gain public recognition of their achievements, after a rigorous audit of their working practices.
In mid-June analysts at Standard & Poor’s cut PT Gajah Tunggal’s long-term credit rating from “CCC+” to “CC” due to a negative outlook. An explanatory statement expressed doubts over the Indonesian manufacturer’s ability in the near future to meet its outstanding debts within the agreed upon timeframe.
In recognition of the need to maintain high standards within the independent garage sector, Unipart Automotive has confirmed its support for the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair.
Unipart will be encouraging all existing Unipart Car Care Centres (UCCCs) to sign up to the Code of Practice and it will become compulsory for any new UCCCs joining the network to participate. To help the network benefit from the industry standard, Unipart will contribute towards the cost of signing up to the Code for its Car Care Centres.
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