TPMS and RFID
CES (UK) Ltd has released the latest version of its Workshop Essentials catalogue. Expanded to 112 pages, the catalogue features brands, such as Comma, Wynn’s, Kent Car Care, Sealey and Ring Automotive. Inside the catalogue there are thousands of consumables, tools and cleaning products that are typically used every day by technicians.
Tyre retailers will soon have a major new profit opportunity as legislation covering the fitment and testing of TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems) comes into force later this year. And suppliers including Apaseal/Tyresure, Autogem and Rema Tip Top will be exhibiting at Brityrex International to demonstrate the technical aspects of the systems and the commercial potential available.
Bridgestone’s new Contact Area Information Sensing technology (CAIS) has won an industry award for the second time in as many months. Spain’s leading economic and financial magazine, Actualidad Económica has selected Bridgestone’s CAIS safety technology as one of the “100 Best Ideas of the Year” in the automotive category.
Transense Technologies plc has confirmed that its sales division Translogik Limited has received a further order from Bridgestone Brazil for its next-generation iProbe commercial tyre inspection tool. The iProbe provides a robust, reliable and user-friendly wireless solution for cost effective monitoring of tyre pressure and tread depth, combined with integrated RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) sensor reading capabilities. This order is twice the size originally scheduled for second quarter delivery to Bridgestone. The announcement follows a 6 February 2012 statement explaining the news.
With TPMS becoming mandatory on new car models this year, Rema Tip Top Automotive believes understanding tyre pressure technology is critical to tyre businesses.
Referring to it as, “one of the most topical and important issues in the automotive industry at this time”, company representatives pointed out the environmental and safety benefits of effective tyre maintenance through TPMS. Optimised fuel consumption and reduced tyre wear, the company suggests, can be seen as great financial incentives for any customer wishing to adopt such a system, but crucially – the say – the road safety benefits for the customer and other road users must be treated with equal regard.
Continental Tire the Americas launched ContiPressureCheck, a new tyre pressure monitoring system specifically designed for commercial trucks in the US at the end of March. Unveiled at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, ContiPressureCheck constantly monitors the pressure and temperature of each tyre on the vehicle and provides real-time, on-demand tyre status information and to warn the driver of problems before they become a critical concern, according to the tyremaker.
As is the case in any manufacturing business, production of the finished item usually represents the last link in a complex supply chain. Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are no different. So with a view to understanding a little more of the TPMS landscape, Tyres & Accessories contacted growing Indian valve and TPMS part supplier Sonil Ventilfabrik. The company's link to the segment is in the development and manufacture of what it calls "aiding accessories" to external TPMS sensors. The latest particular aiding accessory, also known as the T valve, has a dual purpose. It offers an additional port to mount TPMS sensors and is simultaneously used to fill tyres with air without removing the external sensor.
With giant OTR tyres containing enough cooped up energy to project a person two kilometres, the particular importance of tyre safety on mine sites is perhaps underestimated. One way of redressing this balance, raising awareness of the pressure and condition of a tyre and at the same time saving emissions, fuel and therefore money, is to employ tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) to keep an eye on these large and expensive components.
Transense Technologies plc has announced that its trading division, IntelliSAW has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with EL PE Engineers, headquartered in Vadodara, India. EL PE currently provides advanced systems technology and engineering support for the electric power industry.
As part of this agreement EL PE will provide exclusive distribution for IntelliSAW’s innovative wireless/passive temperature monitoring system in the Indian market. In return for exclusive terms EL PE has agreed to a minimum revenue target over the next two years of US$375,000.
Point-S has selected Autogem Motor Concepts as a supply partner to its UK network. Writing in a letter to members, company representatives explained that Autogem offers “a number of solutions to the Point-S network through [its] well established and competitive consumables programme”. In short this means, but is by no means limited to, the delivery of TPMS repair and service equipment and products.
Kenworth has announced plans to add the SmarTire TPMS, from Bendix CVS, as an option on selected Class 8 trucks.
“With so much riding on their truck tyres, fleets are finding that they need to be more proactive in addressing tire inflation issues,” said Erik Johnson, Kenworth on-highway marketing manager. “By equipping their trucks with the SmarTire TPMS, truck and fleet operators can help avoid fuel mileage penalties, large bills for roadside assistance and penalties during roadside inspections. They can also gain more tire life, and reduce expenses that for many truck operators are second only to fuel costs.”
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and valve supplier Schrader has been sold for US$505 million after parent company Tomkins agreed a deal with private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC. The deal is subject to the normal conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012. Schrader, which produces both OE and aftermarket TPMS and valve products reported 2011 revenues of approximately US$451 million and adjusted EBITDA of approximately US$76 million.
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has announced plans to host an online webinar TPMS tomorrow 21 March. This twice monthly online webinar series is designed to help Tire Industry Association's current and future members learn how to stay ahead of the competition. Webinar attendees do not have to be a TIA member to participate in the online webinars.
TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems) will soon become a legally required feature of the MOT test. From 1 November 2012 all new passenger car models must be fitted with TPMS and a non-working TPMS system will has already been subject to advisory on the MOT test from 1 January 2012. As from January next year, all taxis will be required to have the TPMS system working to pass the MOT and this will then become the same for all TPMS fitted vehicles as of the start of 2015.
Aftermarket exhaust specialists CES (UK) announced its decision to diversify its business with the addition of TPMS products and services to its fast fit offer in January. The first step was to become an official Schrader TPMS distributor. Now the company is explaining more about the thinking behind this move, predicting that tyre specialists and independent garages can expect to see a lot more cars with Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) entering their workshops in the months and years to come. To help the aftermarket gain its share in this new market, the company has recently launched what it calls a “total TPMS solution.” This encompasses the parts; equipment and technical support that CES believes technicians will need to successfully service TPMS.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
