Automotive supplier Delphi has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. General Motors, Delphi’s former parent company will bear the brunt of the collapse because it could be liable for up to $11 billion (£6 billion) worth of pension and retirement benefits for about 25,000 Delphi employees.
(Akron/Tire Review) ArvinMeritor is selling the assets of its off-highway brake business to Carlisle Braking Products, owned by Carlisle Companies Inc. The business, which includes equipment and assets from manufacturing facilities in York, SC, and South Wales, UK, was sold for approximately $39 million.
According to Chip McClure, ArvinMeritor chairman, president and CEO, the sale of the company’s off-highway brakes operation is in line with ArvinMeritor’s strategy to focus on its Light and Commercial Vehicle Systems unit.
(Akron/Tire Review) Federal-Mogul Corp can see light at the end of the bankruptcy tunnel, thanks to a key agreement that was reached late last week between the company and administrators in the UK that will settling outstanding asbestos claims. The agreement is seen as key to allowing Federal-Mogul to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after some four years.
Fulda is planning to showcase the powerful Maybach Exelero when it exhibits at the forthcoming Autosport International 2006 show in January. The vehicle’s appearance on the Fulda stand will represent the one-off UHP car’s first visit to the UK. Of course the car will be fitted with the latest Fulda Exelero tyres.
Entrants who achieve the highest marks in this year’s Top Technician theory test, will be invited to a free training seminar on modern vehicle technology. The seminar will be hosted by newly appointed technical partner, MototeK, helpline provider to many vehicle manufacturers.
Hofmann has received full GEA Automated Test Lane approval. Richard Dixon from VOSA and Dave Garratt, chief executive of the GEA, over saw the testing which was completed at UK Equipment’s headquarters in Reading.
Michelin has invested in a wind turbine electricity system at its Dundee facility. Two giant turbines, each 400 ft high will be operational as of next February and will provide around a third of the factory’s annual power demands.
In a company statement the manufacturer announced that contracts are being finalised with the developer, Ecotricity, and installation will begin within the next few months. The new turbines will generate 8 million kwh of power.
Bridgestone UK has appointed Tim Dougherty as Trade Sales Manager (North). He has spent his career in the tyre industry, working for a truck rental company and spending eight years as Bridgestone’s area sales manager in the Midlands.
Reporting to head of truck sales Julie Plumb, Mr. Dougherty will manage a team of five salesmen and will be responsible for all Bridgestone’s truck and bus tyre sales in the northern half of the UK.
Tyres & Accessories has teamed up with Continental Tyres to run an exclusive world cup competition. In its capacity as Official Partner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Continental is offering one reader the chance to win two all expenses paid tickets to next year’s tournament. A further 10 runners up will receive a goodie bag packed with World Cup merchandise, including match footballs. For more information log onto www.conti-online.co.uk or see the October issue of T&A.
Paul Burnell has joined ATS Euromaster to head up the commercial vehicle and national car fleet sales operation as group sales director.
Commenting on his appointment, Paul Burnell said: “There is a new, extremely positive business philosophy evolving at ATS Euromaster, I look forward to helping drive this forward and grow sales by delivering new levels of service and value to our customers of all sizes.”
(Akron/Tire Review) Timothy Lauth has been named manager of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co’s corporate technical centre materials laboratory. He will be responsible for managing daily laboratory operations and leading future development, administration and execution of testing to enhance capabilities, data integrity and productivity, the company said.
The seven-year Cooper veteran had been a compound development engineer in materials development, an extruded product development engineer for Cooper-Standard, a commercial tyre development engineer and two years in the Melksham, UK, production facility as a factory technical services engineer.
WorldSkills Gold medal winner Andrew Blair received a tribute award at the Bodyshop Magazine Industry Event in London, 15th September 2005. The award was presented by Phil Hope, Minister for Vocational Skills and Damon Hill, former F1 World Champion.
The fact that Maha has now installed over 50 automatic test lanes in the UK market is proof that MOT test lanes and the new one man test procedure is taking off in the UK.
Automotive parts manufacturer Remy Automotive UK has relocated its UK Head Office to a new 61,080 sq. ft. complex at Burntwood in Warwickshire.
(Akron/Tire Review) Vredestein Banden has engaged UK software developer INCAT to help it reduce tooling costs, including a significant 50 per cent drop in the amount of time necessary to produce tyre moulds.
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