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.
Automotive Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the retail motor industry, has welcomed Marc Matthew and Ken Keir as the newest members to their Board of Directors.
ATS Euromaster has introduced an innovative “Safe2Drive” scheme for all employees who drive while at work. The move is designed to ensure 4,000 employees will have their driving skills individually assessed and, where necessary, improved to ensure they become more advanced and safer drivers technically, practically and behaviourally.
Concerned at the risk of its employees being involved in road incidents while behind the wheel on business, ATS Euromaster recruited DriveTech (UK) Limited, a company that specialises in reducing occupational road risk and improving driving standards. DriveTech’s role is to define and deliver assessment and training to ensure ATS Euromaster employees can minimise the risk of collisions and other incidents happening.
Tyre inflation specialist Pneumatic Components Ltd (PCL) is helping to keep Britain’s roads safe by supplying its equipment to Hampshire Police. PCL’s D10 digital wall-mounted unit is used to inflate tyres on the force’s fleet, which must be kept in peak condition at all times, with safety of paramount importance. With 900 police vehicles covering some 15 million miles per year, Hampshire Police must source only the highest quality products to maintain its vehicles under guidelines outlined in the government’s Driving at Work document.
SmartTire Systems Inc has appointed Leif E Pedersen as the new president and CEO of SmarTire, effective immediately. Pedersen replaces Al Kozak who has left the company to pursue other interests.
Underlining its commitment to the UK automotive trade, The Aftermarket show has appointed Steve Coombes as event Sales Manager for its 2007 expo. Following on from last years event, in which the Aftermarket Show established itself as a stand alone event with more than 3000 specific trade visitors attending, the appointment of Coombes – with his extensive knowledge of the trade – is seen as integral to the development of the 2007 show.
Coombes has more than 15 years experience in the automotive aftermarket. In his new role at The Aftermarket Show, he will be tasked with liaising with potential exhibitors, trade associations and various other groups to look at how the industry can benefit from an aftermarket event tailored to meeting the needs of end users and distributors with a thirst for technical information and training.
Bridgestone has underlined its commitment to educate tyre dealers and fitters about run-flat technology after registering a near 20 per cent increase in participants on its Run-Flat Certificate Programme. A total of 237 dealerships are now certified to replace run-flat tyres after completing the free training scheme – an 18.5 per cent increase in numbers in the first quarter of 2006.
“With a growing number of manufacturers fitting run-flat tyres as original equipment, its vital tyre technicians are up to speed about the technology,” said Paul Turner, Bridgestone UK’s technical training manager.
On 7th April Honda Logistics Centre (UK) Ltd opened a new £24 million logistics operation in Swindon, Wiltshire to supply parts to Honda’s UK car, motorcycle and power equipment networks. Employing 106 people, this state-of-the-art centre is adjacent to Honda’s UK and European car manufacturing facility where Honda employs 4,000 Associates manufacturing Civic and CR-V models. Further to its commitment to car manufacturing in the UK this new, fully-owned purpose built warehouse confirms Honda’s future Logistics and Procurement functions in Swindon.
Bridgestone UK has strengthened its training team by appointing Phil Thirsk (52) to the role of technical training manager, where he will work alongside fellow manager Paul Turner. Thirsk has more than 35 years’ experience in the tyre industry; having started his career in the 1970s as a tyre fitter at ATS, he spent 20 years working at Goodyear in a variety of roles, including service manager for mileage contracts, and spent four years based in Brussels, working at Bandag Incorporated.
The leading players in the driver risk management and fleet driver training industries have re-launched and re-established the Fleet Safety Association, which aims to be the cohesive, authoritative voice of the industry on all matters concerning the wellbeing of those who drive in the course of their work.
Collectively the association will vigorously promote the need for employers to adopt effective risk management programmes for those who drive for work purposes, which in turn will assist those organisations with their duty of care compliance. The Association will also offer prospective customers the reassurance that its members will adhere to agreed quality standards and supply them accurate, consistent guidance in the discharge of their duties for them.
(Akron/Tire Review) Groupe Michelin launched a new service product in China called Sui Ni Xing or “Drive Without Worry,” according to China Daily. The product, which includes services such as 24-hour roadside assistance, free tyre repair, towing and warranty programs, will be available in China within the next two years.
Kwik-Fit Fleet has been named “Best Fast-Fit Company” by weekly fleet industry newspaper Fleet News at a prestigious awards ceremony held recently at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. This is the second accolade for the company this year, having taken first prize in the Fleet Excellence Awards – voted for by the fleet professionals who read Fleet Week and Fleet Management – for an unprecedented 13th year in succession.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has received Spartan Chassis Inc.’s “SPARC” Award for commercial tyres installed on Spartan recreational vehicle and fire truck chassis.
Spartan Chassis – part of Spartan Motors Inc. – said the award involves product quality, supply and delivery, engineering and technical support, sales and marketing, and training and warranty support.
Following the return of the most successful Fulda Challenge UK team ever, organisers of the extreme arctic adventure are now accepting applications for the 2007 event.
The Fulda Challenge takes place early each year, in the Yukon Territory of Canada. After touching down in the Yukon’s capital of Whitehorse, the demanding schedule for the weeklong event will see the teams cover over 2,000km surrounded by spectacular frozen scenery.
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