SD International used the platform of Reifen 2012 to launch its new winter patterns in both its Pace and Zeta brands, along with the European introduction of the company's PCR range in the Briland brand. The company also communicated with customers about tyre labelling.
TyreSafe has announced that its next industry briefing will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday 19 September at the Ardencote Manor Hotel in Warwickshire. The organisation will use the occasion to unveil the latest materials and resources available for deployment in October’s Tyre Safety Month and to explain how delegates can get involved with the annual campaign. An update on TyreSafe’s ongoing part worn tyres campaign will also be given during the free event.
With tyre labelling legislation less than 100 days away, EC1222.com has announced the launch of a tyre labelling database. EC1222.com is a subsidiary company of DriveRight, which already provides vehicle and component data to garages.
After completing a three-year course, 24 apprentices recently entered permanent employment at Halfords Autocentres. Each apprentice has gained NVQ Level 3 in light vehicle technology and a full-time job at Halfords Autocentres after successfully completing the course. This is good news for them, but also points to the fast rate of growth in the network.
Lanxess reports it will work with the China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA) towards developing and implementing tyre labelling in China. The two parties signed a letter of intent on 13 July, and the German specialty chemicals and synthetic rubber specialist says it and the CRIA have “agreed to cooperate closely on sharing knowledge and expertise” in this area.
Cam Systems newly developed website is designed specifically with tyre labelling in mind. The company wants to ensure customers are informed how to be totally operational and compliant in this area by November this year; the label will need to be present at point of sale on 1 November 2012 and Cam’s customers have been looking to the software provider to provide increased functionality to cover this requirement. In support of this, Cam says its own website (www.cam-systems.co.uk) has been designed to offer in-depth guidance and advice on the impending legislation.
While some in the tyre industry are rethinking the way they categorise and sell tyres following the introduction of labelling into the market, others have decided the clearest communication comes when the rubber hits the road. Perhaps that’s why Tyremen’s Hull depot has repainted the lines on its customer car park with a distinct labelling theme. Before they were simply a collection of parking bays, now Tyremen have transformed them into an illustration of how labelling works, with bays labelled from A – G and marked “wet grip.”
As a key partner of the technology leaders in the tyre industry, LeasePlan Corporation N.V. has announced its readiness to comply with the latest EU legislation regarding tyre labelling. As people must surely be aware by now, the new labels will rate fuel-efficiency, wet grip performance, and the exterior rolling noise of tyres.
Al Dobowi Group present its new Eternity brand during the recent Reifen 2012 show in Essen. Aimed squarely at the European market Eternity is described as “a new tyre brand for a new generation” and will feature both passenger car and truck and bus lines.
Halfords Autocentres has signed a deal with Cam Systems to implement its customer-facing tyre labelling programme across its 260 plus centres. Cam says its system will enable the network to address the EU legislation efficiently, while communicating a high quality, interactive image to motorists. The MIDaS based platform will allow the retailer to print out all the legal tyre label credentials on customer invoice documentation and deliver an option to present the tyre’s labelling characteristics – particularly to deal with the legislation’s “pre offer” stipulations – at point of sale and via the internet.
Dawson Rentals has chosen Bandvulc Tyres to supply its commercial tyre requirements plus management of its casing collections across the UK, following previous business with a global tyre manufacturer. According to the company, benchmarking on “each and every aspect of tyre supply” took place to ensure that Dawson Rentals maintained and improved its service to its clients. This process saw Bandvulc win out.
At a gala dinner held during the week of the Reifen 2012 show, Ge Gurong, vice-president of ZhongCe Rubber, unveiled the tyre maker’s short-term plans for the Westlake brand. Mr. Ge told European Westlake dealers the decision has been made “with immediate effect” to end pattern sharing amongst Hangzhou ZhongCe’s different tyre brands, and from this time forward Westlake will be promoted as the company’s flagship brand.
Nexen's N'blue Eco tyre, which entered the market last July, has reportedly gain BB on the European tyre labelling scale that becomes mandatory in November. According to the Korean manufacturer's representatives and the firm's Essen show display, the range also achieves favourable noise levels of 71 dB. With Pirelli the only manufacturer to claim to be able to produce an AA rated tyre, Nexen's score puts it amongst the highest rating products currently available in the market.
Road safety organisation TyreSafe has re-elected Stuart Jackson for the second time as its chairman for a further two years. Membership at the organisation has enjoyed continued growth during Jackson’s tenure, started in 2009, extending to car manufacturers, insurers, equipment suppliers and other relevant road safety bodies such as police forces, the Highways agency and the Association of Chief Fire Officers. TyreSafe was also awarded the Prince Michael International Safety Award, which recognises achievement and innovations which will improve road safety, in 2009
Pirelli has announced a variety of upgrades to its consumer website, including a new section about tyre labelling. The website, the main information source for Pirelli’s various products on the UK and international markets, boasts a greater degree of interactivity, helping visitors to make more informed tyre choices. Pirelli UK managing director Dominic Sandivasci commented: “We recognise that the new labelling legislation may be confusing to some of our consumers, so we felt it was important to create an interactive platform on our website to help our customers understand more about the changes, and how they can ultimately benefit from the new labelling regulations.”
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