Dunlop launches SP247 all-weather trailer tyre
Dunlop has launched the SP247 trailer tyre, which the company says offers “extended all-weather performance, high mileage and low cost per kilometre”. The SP247 replaces the Dunlop SP246 range.
Truck Tyres
Dunlop has launched the SP247 trailer tyre, which the company says offers “extended all-weather performance, high mileage and low cost per kilometre”. The SP247 replaces the Dunlop SP246 range.
On 22 April Tyres & Accessories reported that Michelin was restarting production at its Stoke-on-Trent retread manufacturing facility. Roughly six weeks later, we caught up with factory manager Francois Levert in order to find out the latest.
Continental has become the first tyre manufacturer to offer commercial tyre technicians the chance to gain and renew their REACT licence online via the ContiAcademy.
The new online offering has been set up to ensure technicians working across the UK can remain up to date with REACT (Roadside Emergency Action Concerning Technicians) licencing, despite restrictions on public interaction ongoing in light of Covid-19.
Continental Tyres and Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK have created a new integrated digital Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
In recent years, the popularity of multideck trailers has steadily increased as more and more fleets – especially those transporting in the grocery sector – recognise the environmental and cost benefits that these space-maximising trailers can bring. However, such trailer configurations are not without issues. A heavier load and greater frequency of use can lead to tyre pressure challenges and temperature build up around trailer wheels.
In the USA, Cooper Tire’s Roadmaster brand has bolstered its presence in the delivery and emergency vehicle segment with the introduction of two new tyres. The Roadmaster RM257 drive and Roadmaster RM170+ steer, both 19.5-inch tyres, will soon be available for order through Roadmaster dealers.
Giti Tire has introduced a new generation of its Giti GDM686 mixed service drive axle tyre. The new model increases mileage potential by 20 per cent, the manufacturer tells Tyres & Accessories. The manufacturer describes the tyre as one of its most popular products for on/off road vehicles.
Prometeon Tyre Group has appointed Ali Yilmaz as marketing manager for the UK, Eire and Nordic countries. In this new position, he will report to Peter Fairlie, managing director, and will lead the company’s UK marketing team.
Clear International analysts are warning that, while trailer production has restarted, second-quarter demand is likely to be 44 per cent down. At the same time, the analysts report that European countries are likely to suffer gross domestic product (GDP) drops of up to 10 per cent in 2020. The conclusions are based on the facts that, since Clear International’s last report in February, all West European countries have had their forecasts for 2020 economic growth downgraded again. All forecasts now show negative GDP growth of between -6% and -10% in 2020 with every country in recession during this year.
Goodyear’s latest trailer tyre, the Kmax T Gen-2 has arrived, completing its second generation commercial vehicle tyre line-up. Designed for regional fleets, the range offers higher mileage, longer life, full winter tyre EU legislation compliance and RFID connectivity, Goodyear states. The new trailer tyre, which replaces the Kmax T, is the latest tyre product to enter Goodyear Total Mobility – a customisable group of fleet services. Total Mobility also includes smart fleet solutions and the support of an expert service network throughout Europe.
One of Bridgestone’s largest European Bandag franchisees, Top Treads, stayed open during the current pandemic in order “to support our customers, changing working practices” while also “implementing social distancing”, according to Top Treads’ owner and managing director Steve Evans. Moving forward, the firm’s faith in its sustainable retread products is beginning to reap dividends in the demanding commercial tyre market.
Prometeon Tyre Group is donating one euro for each tyre sold in Europe in May to the International Committee of the Red Cross’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of its Together initiative, Prometeon has invited suppliers, customers and its staff to donate as well. Furthermore, Prometeon will match its suppliers’ contributions.
Bandvulc, a Continental Tyres subsidiary is the preferred choice for leading contract hire and fleet management company, Specialist Fleet Services (SFS). Indeed, SFS, a leading contract hire and fleet management supplier to local authorities across the UK, is seeing its relationship with Teignbridge District Council move into an 18th year, something the companies credit in part to the tyre supply and management contract with Bandvulc.
While much of the tyre industry has helped keep Britain rolling during the coronavirus lockdown, commercial vehicle technicians have played a particularly key role since they have serviced the fleets that have kept the blue lights flashing, the food deliveries moving and much more. In order to gain an inside perspective, Tyres & Accessories spoke with Bridgestone North Region Commercial Business Unit Director Greg Ward who, prior to his promotion into this role in October 2019, served as the company’s commercial sales director, UK and Ireland, for 17 years.
Analysis of commercial vehicle trailer demand in the USA conducted by ACT Research has found that April 2020 trailer orders were down 97 per cent compared with March 2020 and down 99 per cent compared with April 2019.
Following initial claims earlier this year, a group of former shareholders and directors of retreader and commercial vehicle tyre supplier Vaculug have denied that financial accounts were manipulated ahead of its sale to Grantham Capital and launched their own legal action against the new owner.
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