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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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)
Officers from Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards have called for greater controls on tyre workshops in the city after some were reportedly found to be performing unsafe repairs. This demand was made following a free two-day training course, during which workshop staff failed to correctly repair more than half the punctures they were presented with.
Goodyear Dunlop UK Group Managing Director, Mark Brickhill, has reinforced the company’s commitment to community projects, and has encouraged all employers to seek the benefits that come from supporting their employees in voluntary activity.
Brickhill was speaking following a garden party at Buckingham Palace in honour of the centenary of the Territorial Army which was attended by 6000 guests, including the HRH The Earl of Wessex and HRH The Princess Royal. Over four hundred TA Reservists were invited along to pay tribute to their employers by taking them to this very special event. The Goodyear Dunlop MD had been invited by John Braybrook, Wholesale Manager for the company, who returned from TA assignment in Afghanistan last year.
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