Brian Smith is to leave Continental Tyre Group Ltd at the end of December, after 13 years as managing director. Since he joined in 1993, Continental’s UK turnover has more than doubled to £250 million and profit has reportedly reached record levels. His successor as managing director of the Continental Tyre Group will be announced before the end of 2006.
The Rockingham circuit is best-known as the UK’s most modern and only purpose-built motor sport facility and the venue for exciting and action-packed motor racing. However, there is more to Rockingham than competitive motorsports, as the circuit is regularly used for testing, demonstration and driver training programmes. Apart from the original high-speed oval track, the facility boasts multiple in-field race circuit configurations, 4×4 off-road courses, a challenging rally stage and a city driving course.
PCL’s digital inflation kits have increased production by up to 15 per cent on Wheel Solutions’ assembly line. Safe and fast inflation is vital to Wheel Solution’s reputation as a leading importer and supplier of wheels and tyres for the turf, agricultural, trailer, caravan, mobile home, materials handling, plant and construction industries throughout the UK and Europe.
UK-based company PCL received an excellent reception at last year’s SEMA show when it initiated its drive to conquer the US market. Since then, PCL’s high quality “Made in Sheffield” products for Tyre Inflation are becoming increasingly recognised internationally, backed up by excellent customer service and training. At SEMA 2006, visitors looking for swift and cost-effective solutions for tyre shops, garages, workshops, car dealerships, transportation companies, industrial applications, vehicle fleets and racing outfits can view a range of new and established tyre inflation products.
John Nelson, who sadly passed away in July, was the kindest, most humorous, unassuming, modest and caring person you could have the good fortune to know, writes the GEA: He was a gentleman in every sense of the word and a devoted family man.
Born and raised in Somerset in the village of Blagdon, near Weston-Super-Mare and in Bristol. He achieved a scholarship to Colston School in Bristol where he enjoyed maths, physics and Latin as well as representing the school at rugby. This famous old school has produced many international players and as John would freely admit; there was never a chance of him becoming one of them!
Leading fast-fit chain, National Tyres and Autocare have introduced a new Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) accredited brake training programme for its’ nationwide network of over 200 branches. National have added to their existing very successful City & Guilds brake training with a new Technical Awareness & Diagnostic Course produced in conjunction with Entyrety and Acorn Training.
Sapphire Energy has named NW Tyres Ltd as its regional tyre collector for the North West. NW Tyres, a sister company of DME Tyres, will manage Sapphire’s tyre collections for the whole of the North West region, collecting car, van and truck tyres for processing at Sapphire’s recently opened Manchester facility.
Ken Plaster, managing director of NW Tyres commented: “Sapphire has an excellent reputation in the tyre collection industry for its knowledge of tyre reprocessing, service and training and we are looking forward to a long association with them.”
Staffordshire-based Eclipse Automotive Technology, the UK’s leading supplier of Texa vehicle diagnostic systems, has created a dedicated Technical Centre in recognition of its growing customer base across the UK. The Technical Centre, based at a separate site in the company’s home town of Burton-upon-Trent, houses Eclipse’s growing technical support team as well as a repair and maintenance facility.
Omitec is has announced that it has moved its training facilities into a more central location in Long Hanborough near Oxford. The new centre has more spacious facilities than the Devizes site and also carries the IMI seal of approval.
Every month InfoRoute Truck Tyre Manager (TTM) processes tyre inspection details for over 8,000 trucks and trailers across the UK. Glyn Cainey, truck tyre director at Dexel Tyre Company, says: “TTM helps staff with no specialist computer knowledge improve service, increase fitter productivity and win more business”. Dexel, one of the larger UK independent tyre companies with nearly 40 truck tyre service vehicles, has used TTM for over two years. A team of three inspectors use TTM to find and organise work, ensuring that fleets are economically and safely managed.
Amerityre Corporation has announced that it has entered into a manufacturing and distribution license agreement with Joon “James” Won Lee, doing business as Flatfree, Inc., a South Korean corporation (“Flatfree- Korea”). Under the terms of the agreement, Flatfree-Korea will pay an annual license fee, purchase manufacturing equipment and purchase chemical systems.
Employees at a Loughborough tyre dealership are reaping the rewards of outstanding customer service after pooling prize money to create stunning new-look premises.
Tanvic Tyres is a key operator in Bridgestone UK’s network of 160 independent First Stop tyre dealerships. The Derby Road outlet – part of a seven-strong franchise – has secured back-to-back success in Bridgestone’s national Stars awards scheme, which rewards outlets that excel in key areas such as telephone technique, staff training and marketing.
Walsall tyre technicians Dave Carrier and Chris Bunce have received certificates from Bridgestone UK technical training manager Phil Thirsk, having passed a health and safety course run by the tyre manufacturer. The course is part of a training scheme endorsed by the Institute of the Motor Industry, and the two technicians, who work at First Stop dealership Lodge Tyres on Pleck Road, are now well on their way to achieving full accreditation.
Kwik-Fit, recently installed a new drive through Automatic Test Lane (ATL) for MOT testing. Kwik-Fit’s Hemel Hempstead branch was the first to use the new ATL equipment provided by Gemco Equipment. Kwik-Fit has also installed the Gemco ATL in their training academy in Derby, ensuring that their MOT testers are trained on new technology. Gemco will now oversee a nation “roll-out” programme across the country.
Bridgestone is responding to the fitment of run-flat tyres on a growing number of vehicles by giving expert guidance to technicians at BMW dealerships. To date 15 franchises comprising 22 individual outlets have completed the tyre manufacturer’s comprehensive Run-Flat Certificate Programme. It follows the fitment of Bridgestone’s Turanza ER300 RFT and Potenza RE050 RFT tyres as original equipment on BMW models such as the 1-Series, 3-Series, 5-Series and Z4.
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