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Michelin Invites Police into its House of Horrors

One of the lesser-known secrets of Michelin’s presence in Stoke-on-Trent is the company’s so-called Black Museum, which the company bills as “the home to the blackest collection of potentially deadly artefacts in the country.” If misused (which they regularly are) such dark items can cause considerable damage, which is why these examples are assembled together in an educational exhibition.

The Michelin Black Museum is an automotive anthology of the damage that can be caused to a vehicle’s tyres. There are around 200 examples in what is believed to be the most comprehensive compilation of the potentially devastating causes and effects of mistreated and broken tyres in the UK.

10th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Toyota Decreases UK Plant Production

Toyota is set to cut production for five months at its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, according to a report in The Times. Other major carmakers are said to be “monitoring the market.” Burnaston was the second-largest car producer in the UK last year (after the Nissan plant in Sunderland), producing 277,000 cars. The cuts will result in a reduction of output of 15,000 cars by the end of the year. The 3,800 permanent staff will reportedly stay and engage in training and plant maintenance. However, some of the 220 temporary workers will leave.

1st September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Number of Older Drivers in UK to Dramatically Increase

An opportunity for tyre outlets offering a mobile fitting and repair service beckons. According to Elizabeth Dainton, research development manager for the Royal Automobile Club Foundation, car use contributes significantly to wellbeing in old age, and the number of older drivers on our roads is set to mushroom during the next decade.

29th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Training Receives Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ Rating

The multi-million pound staff training programme operated by Kwik-Fit has been described as ‘outstanding’ following an inspection by Ofsted – the Government’s Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. At present Kwik-Fit’s annual training budget totals more than £3 million, and the glowing report the company received places it in the top five to ten per cent for corporate training provision in the UK.

28th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Safety Board to Investigate Goodyear Explosion

The US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has announced that it is proceeding with an investigation into the causes of an explosion that occurred in June at a Goodyear rubber manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas. One employee was killed in the incident and several injured, including contract workers who were exposed to hazardous anhydrous ammonia. CSB investigators have already carried out a fortnight of visits to the plant to conduct interviews and accumulate other evidence.

22nd August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop Launches Health and Safety Plan After Accident

Goodyear Dunlop has announced the launch of a global health and safety plan after a worker was injured in an accident at the company’s Wolverhampton plant. Goodyear Dunlop pleaded guilty to breaching the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act in a hearing before Birmingham magistrates at the beginning of August. The manufacturer was fined £13,500 and ordered to pay £2,888.04 in costs plus £4000 in damages.

Goodyear Dunlop’s main response has come in the form of it new “No one gets hurt” plan, which includes safety awareness training, and risk assessments that are designed to lead to improvements in processes and equipment usage. “[Goodyear Dunlop] has a positive commitment towards health and safety and continues to strive towards a culture and environment in which all its employees can work safely. We will learn from the findings of this case and continue to improve towards achieving our objective of No-one Gets Hurt,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

14th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear EM Tyres Accredited by Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc has awarded Goodyear with its “Supplier Quality Excellence Process Certification” bronze certificate in recognition of the quality of its earthmover tyres. The award recognises the achievement as well as the “know how” of Goodyear with regard to the quality of their earthmover tyres and their ability to supply to the customer.

Goodyear earthmover tyres are produced in Luxembourg and distributed for use across Europe. The Luxembourg plant produces a top quality product for use as Original Equipment for Caterpillar and other leading manufacturers as well as replacement tyres for the construction industry.

14th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop Aircraft Workers Back in China After Birmingham Training

The first new recruits at Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ new China retreading operation have travelled back to the People’s Republic after completing a training course in Birmingham. The China-based team, including six tyre production workers and a supervisor, completed the six-month course in preparation for the opening of the Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ new Jinjiang facility.

13th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

National Fleet is Best Fast-Fit Company 2008

National Tyres and Autocare’s Fleet Division has been awarded the prestigious title of Best Fast-Fit Company 2008 by The Institute of Transport Management. National Tyres and Autocare received the award for its high level of expertise, customer service and safety awareness over and above numerous competitors within the industry.

Patrick Sheedy, ITM’s Media and PR Director, commented: “National Tyres and Autocare has been singled out by the Institute for raising its head above the parapet through its commitment to customer satisfaction and the development of a premium service to the fleet aftermarket. When companies display such excellence within the fleet solutions industry, the Institute of Transport Management is duty bound to acknowledge these companies and their achievements.”

13th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Nationwide Autocentre Names First Apprentice of the Year

Nationwide Autocentre has named 19 year old trainee mechanic Ayaz Khalid as its first ‘Apprentice of the Year.’ Ayaz Khalid, currently training at the Redditch centre in the West Midlands, won the title from the UK’s leading MOT and car servicing specialist, where he is currently studying for the third year of his apprenticeship programme. The competition was made up of 13 second and third year young apprentices, chose from a pool of 200. All had been nominated by their regional or centre manager.

Duncan Wilkes, CEO of Nationwide Autocentre, commented: “The day was a real success and the calibre of candidates that took part really highlighted the talent we have within our apprenticeship scheme. The tasks were not easy, many of the third year challenges were set at master technician level, which is the highest level a mechanic can reach. Ayaz was a well deserved winner; he showed great flair for the job and it was clear he was performing well above the level he is currently at within the apprenticeship programme.”

12th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

PDP’s Diagnostic Evenings Prove Popular

PDP Diagnostic evenings (Premier Distribution Partnership) have welcomed over 2,000 UK garage customers at introductory evenings to launch a unique Diagnostic Support Programme.

With the help of ADS’ Frank Massey and other leading aftermarket experts, PDP have put together a unique and comprehensive programme unavailable elsewhere in the aftermarket, with the clear goal of educating their UK garage customers in the latest diagnostic and repair techniques.

6th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Obituary – Tony Ryan

We were saddened to learn of the death of Tony Ryan, who was Managing Director of Apaseal before retiring due to ill health in 2000.

Tony Ryan – a Chartered Account – joined Apaseal from Wilkinson Sword in 1972 and handled the difficult financial environment of the 70s, enabling Apaseal to remain a key player in the tyre maintenance market. On his appointment in 1983 to managing director he,alongside a dedicated group of management, set about the task to enhance the company’s main objective to provide a complete service for the tyre distributor with the strategy “everything to do with the wheel other than the tyre and rim.”

6th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Hofmann Megaplan Go Posh

Hugely successful and full of ambition– a description that could be applied to both tyre equipment supplier Hofmann Megaplan and League One Football outfit Peterborough United, and the 2008/2009 football season will see the pair join forces as ‘The Posh’ target promotion to The Championship with Hofmann Megaplan as one of their commercial partners.

Hofmann Megaplan have become official sponsors to the Cambridgeshire team, whose ground is only a short drive up the A1 from the company’s HQ, and whose terraces have been a regular haunt for Hofmann Megaplan MD James Boon for the last 20 years.

4th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

The Right Alignment Equipment is Essential – Supertracker

Offering a wheel alignment service is arguably essential for any garage workshop or fast fit operation wishing to remain competitive. When customers request this service it is important to make sure the correct equipment to carry it out is at hand, and, says Supertracker Limited, if they’re not asking for wheel alignment, it should be a service that is on offer and actively promoted.

The wheel alignment system manufacturer recommends that garage and fast fit operators make this a part of every customer visit. Tyres should be visually checked for uneven wear and customers asked if they have noticed any handling problems, such as whether the steering wheel is straight when the car is driven. Offering such a free inspection service will generate income, Supertracker adds.

28th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Federal Joins Drift Instruction

Federal Tire has partnered with JustDrift Clinic to offer a series of instructional events for budding drift drivers. JustDrift is a member of U.S. Drift Association – Formula ProAm Series, and is the West Region host for pro-am events.

According to Federal, JustDrift is committed to professional driving instruction. Training sessions are available for beginners as well as more advanced drivers, Federal said, and feature hands-on experience and classroom work. Most recently, JustDrift held sessions this past June at Willow Springs Raceway. (Tire Review/Akron)

25th July 2008/by Tyrepress Editors