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Recycling Firm Trials With ATSE

Warrington-based European Metal Recycling is trialling a new tyre contract with ATS Euromaster, based on the company’s ability to provide extensive management information to help reduce expenditure on tyres. The trial involves approximately 70 vehicles and 50 trailers operating from a metal recycling facility in Salford, and marks the first step in moving towards a company-wide tyre policy for its 300-strong commercial vehicle fleet.

Simon Wood, Divisional Director at European Metal Recycling, says: “Our fleet is very hard on tyres as we’re operating in an environment where it is all too easy to run over a piece of scrap metal, causing damage.”

16th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

ASA Offers Updated TireMaster Software

(Akron/Tire Review) ASA Tire Systems has issued Version 7.4.0 of its TireMaster software. ASA said the new version of its tyre dealer POS software provides increased functionality, including a “promised time” indicator, global comments for quotes, and a tyre casings/parts core tracking system. ASA said that current TireMaster users with an Internet connection can receive the update immediately.

Mark Goin, ASA Tire Systems director of sales and marketing, said: “The new promised time indicator will be a great tool to manage a shop’s busy workload. This feature allows tyre dealers to set a ‘promised time’ for each job. If the job takes longer than expected, they will know to contact the customer immediately. This new element improves customer service, while helping to manage a tyre dealer’s daily workload.”

In addition, the casing/core tracking system, he said, allows dealers to track casings sent to a retreader, record cost information and data about repairs and service life.

11th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Lockwoood Haulage Chooses Michelin X-One Tyres

Derby-based Lockwood Haulage has become the first operator in the UK to specify Michelin’s X-One XDA2 Energy tyres, which have been fitted as original equipment to its new MAN TGA 4×2 tractor unit. The wide single drive axle tyres (495/45 R22.5) were selected primarily for their ability to reduce the overall fuel consumption of the vehicle by a further two per cent, compared with a traditional twinned 315/70 R22.5 fitment. This is in addition to the existing six per cent reduction the company already enjoys by fitting Michelin A2 Energy tyres across its fleet of 45 tractor units and 90 trailers.

Robert Lockwood, Managing Director of Lockwood Haulage, explains: “We consulted Michelin’s technical team closely before specifying the X-One tyres, having heard about the additional savings enjoyed by many operators on the Continent already using wide single drive axle tyres.

“Ninety five per cent of our fleet operates at 40 tonnes, so the tyres didn’t pose any operational constraints, and I’m looking forward to monitoring the fuel savings closely over the coming months,” he adds.

6th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

CIMS Commentary on Chinese Tyre Recall

(Akron/Tire Review) Federal regulations require that tyre purchasers have a right to have their tyres registered at no charge, so they will be directly notified in the event of a safety related recall to have the tyres removed from the highway as quickly as possible.

[Editor’s Note: CIMS, which produces and sells tyre registration materials in North America, issued a press release yesterday regarding the current recall situation involving Chinese produced tyres. While the release itself contained no news – only commentary – the comments of CIMS president Paul Kruder regarding the matter may be of interest to readers.]

“As a result of the recent government ordered tyre recall of at least 450,000 Chinese produced tyres, questions regarding tyre safety are dominating the headlines once again. Tyre purchasers need to protect themselves and make sure their tyres are registered.

4th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BFGoodrich Dealers Face Malaysian Driving Challenge

Over 20 tyre dealers recently descended on Kuala Lumpa and Langkawi Islands in Malaysia for a rally challenge trip organised by BFGoodrich. Celebrating its involvement and success in the FIA World Rally and Dakar Rally Championships, the high performance and 4×4 tyre brand developed ‘Rally Challenge 2007,’ an incentive programme open to dealers throughout the UK and Ireland. Meeting the ambitious targets set for Q1, 22 dealers from across the UK and Ireland were flown out to Malaysia for a track and rainforest driving experience.

Based at the luxury Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur for the five- day trip, the group were transported each day to exclusive destinations to experience a range of driving adventures. A rallying experience at the world famous International Sepang Circuit was included in the itinerary. On a specially prepared gravel surface, the group put their driving skills to the test in go-karts, Citroen C2s and Subaru Imprezas.

27th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Digital ePen to ‘Revolutionise’ Offsite Data Transfer

An innovative new way of turning hand written paperwork into electronically transmittable data is set to transform the way in which tyre businesses process information from mobile technicians and other remote workers. Using state-of-the-art hardware, experts at Cam Systems have developed an affordable electronic ballpoint ink pen, which allows a workforce to capture information on paper at one location and transmit it via a Bluetooth enabled device, to another.

The so-called Cam-ePen system is expected to be particularly popular with tyre dealers providing on-site service and roadside breakdown assistance. It will also play an important role in capturing workshop records and job cards or timesheets, in fact practically anything that is currently being documented on paper can be adapted. It means paperwork based reports and signature authorizations can be completed instantly with real time data exchange linked to a central data management system.

22nd June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

With Right Business Approach, Selling Nitrogen Can Pump Up Profits

(Akron/Tire Review) For the past five or so years, suppliers of nitrogen-inflation equipment have made serious claims. Compared to moisture- and dirt-laden compressed air, nitrogen – a dry, inert gas – runs cooler, does not permeate through rubber as quickly and does not cause rust to develop on steel cords, expensive wheels or tyre pressure monitoring sensors. The result is better fuel economy, more consistent inflation pressure, longer tyre life and increased safety, advocates say. Those are big claims, so it’s only natural for tyre dealers, commercial fleets and consumers to be sceptical. As the old saying goes, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Real results are what count.

21st June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Solideal de Mexico Opens 2 New Locations

Solideal’s Mexican wing has opened its third location, a branch in Monterrey, Mexico on 23 April 2007. Adding to the existing branches in Mexico City and Guadalajara, this new 1000 square metre facility is dedicated to serving construction equipment, forklift, and tyre dealers. A month later on 31 May, Solideal opened a distribution centre in Hermosillo.

Richard Le Borgne, General Manager of Solideal de Mexico stated: “Our decision to open these locations [in Monterrey and Hermosillo] was taken in order to allow us to be closer to our market. Our sales people will not only attend the Monterrey market, but all the market in the states of Nuevo Leon, Coahuila and Tamaulipas. Our goal was to reduce to a minimum the lead time for products delivered to this part of the country and reduce customers’ final costs”.

18th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Gives Tyre Safety Training in Africa

International development agency Transaid has launched a Tyre Safety Awareness Campaign in Malawi and Zambia, which commenced with a series of training courses led by Phil Rochester, a Training Manager at Michelin’s head office in Stoke-on-Trent. The initiative forms part of Transaid’s wider programme of work on road safety and professional driver training, which aims to reduce the number of road traffic crashes in Africa, which records 10 per cent of all such incidents, despite having just four per cent of the world’s total vehicle parc.

A total of 10 training courses were delivered over a two week period to key audiences which included traffic police, road safety agencies, road transport operators and public transport operators. Each course provided basic information on safety checks and how to avoid dangers associated with poorly maintained tyres, with training delivered to 270 people.

30th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Sub-Standard Imported Tyres Lasting only 500km – Botswana Report

The general manager of Botswana’s Central Transport Organisation (CTO), the government body responsible for providing and maintaining all government fleet vehicles in that country, claims his government has spent some £255,000 on sub-standard tyres during the last financial year. Lt. Col. (ret) Moakofhi Modisanyane has reportedly stated that the blame for the poor quality of tyres supplied to the CTO lies with tyre dealers, whom he claims have acted to maximise their own profits at all costs.

Following a number of complaints from government vehicle users about tyres prematurely wearing, inspections were made of CTO facilities. Sub-standard tyres have been found at several CTO depots. Reports indicate that these tyres were manufactured in Europe and Asia, although were sourced locally. Brand names singled out as those wearing prematurely include West Lake Tire from China and Kyro.

11th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Files Suits Against Double Coin Dealers

Michelin has informed the media that it is filing suits against tyre dealers selling the Double Coin brand as it follows up previous notifications regarding the sale of tyres with tread patterns resembling those on Michelin truck tyres. The French tyremaker alerted more than 5,000 dealers of the risks involved in marketing these look-alike tyres sourced from Asia back in December 2005, stating that while the treads may look the same on both tyres, the look-alikes may not deliver the same grip or longevity as an authentic Michelin tyre.

With tyres bearing unauthorised copies of patented Michelin tread patterns still available on a number of markets 18 months later, the company has chosen to pursue legal action against dealers of these products in all countries where Michelin sales teams have identified the products.

11th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Deldo Focusing on Established Private Brands

After one glance at Deldo’s product and brand portfolio it is clear that the Belgian tyre wholesaler is a leading player amongst distributors of exclusive tyre brands. Since its foundation some 30 years ago the company has increasingly developed into a specialist within the budget tyre segment without neglecting the premium tyre market, and in recent times Deldo Autobanden has again focused upon the premium market segment. Due to an overall increase in sales figures the company now has decided to increase its central warehouse in Antwerp’s free harbour from a current 40,000 m² up to 50,000 m².

9th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Technology, Practicality Moving Us Closer to Fewer Speed Ratings

(Akron/Tire Review) For too many years, we’ve been explaining to our customers why they need speed-rated tyres. It’s the right choice, for example, if the vehicle came OE with a V-rated UHP radial. To make that rating, the tyre must be able to run at sustained speeds of up to 149 mph.

“But I don’t drive 149 mph,” the customer tells us. And, common sense says they’re right. If you drive that fast, your clothes will go out of style before you get out of jail.

About 30 years ago, speed-rated tyres seemed like a darned good idea. They arrived via Europe, where sporty performance cars and speed-rated tyres were all the rage. The tyres were so good that U.S. tyremakers, who were literally not yet up to speed, were embarrassed.

24th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

A New Breed of Customers Pushing the Limits

(Akron/Tire Review) Trying to stay up with automotive trends is a lot like keeping up with fashion. What’s hot today is soon in the rear-view mirror, left in the dust by the next cool thing.

From the hot rods to muscle cars and from tuners and the big SUV luxury crowd, one trend always gives way to the next big thing. And, while tuners and luxo-SUVs aren’t yet fading into the woodwork, a new breed of modifier is here, presenting new challenges to tyre dealers.

Called “VIP style,” this latest form of modification is not about speed or handling. It’s all about aesthetics. Think style and class, not flash.

23rd April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

USW Report Slams CTNA

An executive report recently released by the United Steelworkers in the US outlines what the union refers to as “some of the company’s most stunning failures in the North American tyre market.” The USW claim that the report, titled ’20 Years Asleep at the Wheel,’ is based upon market and industry research and interviews with independent tyre dealers, and zeroes in on “major management blunders” that are reported to have cost shareholders hundreds of millions of dollars.

The report discusses several issues the USW alleges the company did not fully disclose to its shareholders, including an overemphasis on the OE market, failure to develop an effective tyre dealer network, ineffective marketing strategy and failed sourcing and supply strategy. The USW claims that information made public as part of a recent lawsuit shows management errors in these areas have cost shareholders as much as $1.2 billion during the last five years.

19th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors