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Good News for UK Manufacturers and Distributors

Plimsoll’s latest report issues good news for the UK tyre manufacturers and distributors industry by announcing that the value of 59 per cent of companies in the industry has increased in the last 12 months, some by as much as 50 per cent.

David Pattison, senior analyst at Plimsoll, explains: “Having valued many companies in the UK tyre manufacturers and distributors industry in the last two years, I am amazed that despite poor margins and low growth being commonplace in the market, so many of them have managed to increase in value. While 16 per cent of companies saw no change, only 25 per cent of the industry suffered a fall in value.”

12th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

100+ To Attend Winter Tyres Seminar

The NTDA has confirmed that more than 100 delegates have registered to attend a seminar exploring the possibility of developing a market for winter tyres in the UK.

The suggestion follows a successful campaign in Holland, where involved parties saw the winter tyre market increase nine-fold in four years. The NTDA says that a similar exercise in the UK could establish a new market of over 2.5 million units. In Holland, the campaign has been based on the slogan: “If there’s an R in the month change to winter tyres.” Although the country has a similar climate to the UK, sales have risen from around 50,000 units in 1997 to the current high of almost 500,000.

“In a highly competitive and mature market like the UK the prospect of increasing the overall market size by over two million units is an opportunity that cannot be ignored. We are delighted with the response to the seminar which has exceeded expectations so we know the trade is interested in finding out how the concept can be turned into reality,” added Mr Edy.

Tyre & Accessories will be reporting from the seminar, which will take place on 13 January at The Aftermarket Show in Birmingham.

11th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Warning: Stolen Tyres

More that 400 Merit 235/45 R 17 97W tyres have been stolen from a container en route to Micheldever Tyres. As Micheldever Tyre Services is the only official UK importer of this brand, any offer of these tyres should be regarded as suspicious. There are minimal quantities of this tyre currently in the market place. Micheldever has offered a reward for any information leading to the successful prosecution of those involved in the theft of these tyres.

11th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Weber Hydraulik UK Goes It Alone

After nearly three years of preparation, Weber Hydraulik (UK) recently completed a management buyout becoming a wholly independent company. The business was previously managed by parent company Weber Hydraulik GmbH based in Gϋglingen, Germany. As a stand-alone company, Weber Hydraulik (UK) will continue to be a top supplier of hydraulic equipment to the automotive industry. It is now a stand-alone firm, managing sales, service and marketing from its head office at the Broomhills Industrial Estate in Braintree, Essex.

The company’s new senior management team, travelled to Germany to present Weber Hydraulik GmbH’s chief executive, Dr Haselman, with a “big cheque” to conclude the deal. One of the new directors, Doug Tokley, commented: “We will continue to provide the level of service our customers have come to expect and are now looking forward to a very prosperous future.”

5th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Development Fund Reaches New Heights

Three more Dundee firms have been given a cash injection from the Michelin Development Fund, pushing the total loaned to local businesses beyond £100,000. IRT, MW Plastics and Team Play Learning Dynamics (TPLD) shared a total of £68,000, which will help company development, performance and enhance long-term profitability. Working in association with Scottish Enterprise Tayside, Business Gateway, Dundee City Council’s economic development unit and The Royal Bank of Scotland, Michelin Development aims to effectively contribute to the economic regeneration and long-term prosperity of the different regions where Michelin has sites within the UK. Michelin Development Dundee’s core aims are to encourage skills and entrepreneurship able to support the long term future of the city. There is also a drive to attract inward investment and contribute towards the creation of sustainable, quality employment growth.

23rd December 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

CBI Names New Trade Association Council Chairman

SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan is to be the next chairman of the CBI Trade Association Council. Mr Macgowan will serve a one-year term of office and replace the previous chair of the council, Moira McMillan, chief executive of the British Coatings Federation.

Commenting on his recent appointment, Christopher Macgowan said: “I am immensely proud to become the next chairman of the Trade Association Council. It represents the great strength of UK trade associations and I look forward to making sure our collective voice is heard within the business environment. The motor industry is a leader in many areas and we have a vital role to play in the UK economy. I hope my tenure as chairman of the Council will further enhance our reputation while benefiting all.”

The Trade Association Council is made up of the UK’s top 20 trade associations in the CBI. It meets four times a year to contribute to policy work being undertaken by the CBI, and to identify and consider issues of common interest to the heads of major trade sector bodies.

The Council is a cross-sectoral forum spearheading the representation of trade associations within CBI membership. It meets quarterly with Digby Jones, CBI director-general, government and economic organisations to consider a range of policy issues as part of the CBI’s consultation process which helps inform and drive the wider business agenda.

13th December 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

New Subaru to Use Bridgestone Tyres

Subaru has launched a new version of one of its most popular cars – the Legacy. In an attempt to modify its image of being a “sensible family saloon,” the new Legacy range now includes a high-performance version. The Legacy 3.0R spec.B features a new gearbox, suspension system and Bridgestone Potenza tyres – all inspired by the well-known Impreza.

The 3.0R spec.B has a revised Impreza STi 6-speed gearbox, which helps the three litre engine to produce 241bhp. And in keeping with the sporty feel, the new saloon will fit Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres as original equipment.

The Bridgestone Potenza RE050A uses an asymmetrical tread pattern with large blocks on the outer side in order to provide superior lateral rigidity and to increase control in high-speed turning. The company claims that the high-angled grooves on the inner side improve water dispersion and assist in wet-weather driving.

Andy Lane, consumer marketing manager at Bridgestone UK, said: “The Subaru Legacy 3.0R spec.B is a high-performance car that requires high-performance tyres. And with excellent levels of grip in both wet and dry conditions, the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres compliment the Legacy perfectly.”

The Subaru Legacy 3.0R spec.B fits Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres in size 215/45 R18.

1st December 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Kingsway Tyres helps Children in Need

Kingsway Tyres has helped raise more than £4,500 for Children in Need. The dealership worked with a local ASDA store and some television celebrities providing a day of fund-raising activity in Corby, Northamptonshire. The celebrities, including TV chef Rusty Lee and presenter Paul Ross, competed in a series of challenges ranging from leg waxing to competing for the best lap time in a motor racing simulator, provided by Kingsway Tyres’ parent company Bridgestone UK.

“It was a very successful event,” said Bruce Cleghorn, area manager at Kingsway Tyres. “It felt good to aid the Children in Need cause, and everyone had a fun day out too. “Not only were the celebrities that took part in the event very generous to give up their time, but also the general public proved to be very charitable as more than £350 of the total collected was raised from photos with the car and rides on the simulator,” added Bruce.

The tyre dealership, which has 16 outlets across the East Midlands and East Anglia, also brought a replica Ferrari Formula 1 car to the event, and members of the public were given the chance to have their photos taken with the impressive vehicle and also test their driving skills on the simulator in return for a charity donation.

26th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Bosch Releases AsiaSILVER Range

Bosch has released a new range of batteries, designed specifically for Asian cars and car-based LCVs. The new products belong to the company’s AsiaSILVER range and calcium-silver alloy technology. The battery manufacturer says it has designed the new 100 per cent maintenance-free AsiaSILVER range to meet the stringent Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) and offer enhanced performance, durability, safety and functionality compared with more traditional JIS lead acid batteries.

The 14 part numbers are said to provide coverage of almost all Japanese and Korean cars and van derivatives on sale in the UK. The AsiaSILVER range incorporates the same features of the Bosch Silver range, which has now been available in the UK aftermarket for the past 6 years.

Power ratings range from 40A/h up to 95A/h, with the most powerful version vibration proof for use in 4×4 off-road vehicles. Bosch reports that AsiaSILVER has a 20 per cent longer service life than traditional JIS-type batteries and an 18-month shelf life.

25th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

MAHA Expands After Sales Service

MAHA UK has expanded its after sales service to 15 field engineers, in a bid to improve its service coverage of the entire country. The field engineers will compliment the service department engineers based at the head office in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire to offer a wider service to customers.

16th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

GEA Supports UK Automotive Conference

The Garage Equipment Association has decided to support the Automotive Conference to be held at next year’s combined CVS and ATS show. Chief executive John Nelson explained his decision: “I firmly believe it is important to have events that the entire industry can get behind. There have been proposals for splinter events, but there seems to be no real demand for them. Our members want to be involved with events that maximise the chance to do business and we believe this is a step in the right direction.”

10th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Searching for a Battery?

A battery search facility, which provides fitment details at the touch of a button, is now available online at Exide Technologies’ website. The new feature, which has been added to the site following development from the company’s marketing team, enables users to call up a host of useful information by simply typing in the details of the car or commercial vehicle model.

“This is an excellent tool for trade customers who can carry out a search for the correct battery application within seconds. It’s not only quick but extremely user-friendly, detailing all the technical aspects of the product in a clear-cut format,” commented Craig Everett, Exide Technologies’ UK marketing manager. “This project also demonstrates Exide’s commitment to maintaining its high levels of customer service and technical support through the introduction of exciting initiatives such as this new online battery search facility,” he added.

5th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Dunlop’s ‘Black-Clad Hit Squad’

Dunlop is calling on UK drivers to look out for a mysterious calling card, placed on their windscreens by what the company calls its “black-clad hit squad.” The promotion will see the “hit squad” leave their calling cards on vehicles in town centres across the UK.

2nd November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

MAHA UK Awarded Distributor of the Year

MAHA UK has won the distributor of the year award at this year’s MAHA international sales meeting in Haldenwang, Germany. This is the second successive year that MAHA UK has won this award, having last taken the title in 2003.

2nd November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

County Contractors Choose TSUK

As the trading image of Tyre Shredders UK (TSUK) continues to flourish in the UK market, yet another established tyre reprocessor has recently acquired one of the company’s machines.

28th October 2004/by Tyrepress Editors