Maxxis is continuing to expand its position in the high performance sector, with a range of tyres in some 200 sizes. The latest offering comes in the shape of a low aspect ratio unidirectional ultra-high performance. Available in sizes from 195/50 R15 to 255/35 ZR20, the new Maxxis MA-Z4S Victra features a reinforced casing and robust body ply structure for improved handling and stability, while a hard bead filler compound is said to aid cornering.
Snap-on Tools has unveiled a new design for its 420 UK Franchisee vans. According to the company, the update is aimed at giving its trade customers “a better shopping experience.” Terry Barcham, Managing Director of Snap-on, approached several contract hire and leasing specialists to come up with a new design concept for the very successful Snap-on Franchisee vans which would transform them into hi-tech sales outlets. The winning proposal came from Pendragon Contracts, part of Pendragon plc, the largest multi-franchise motor group in Europe.
One of the UK’s largest recyclers of end of life tyres, Credential Automotive, is on the move – but stresses that all is “business as usual” for the firm. The recycler’s Durham site was subleased from tyre remoulder C-Tyres, who in turn leased it from Manchester based property developer Jacob Adler. However C-Tyres’ entry into administration last November and the forfeiture notice for non-payment of rent served by Adler (upon C-Tyres) appears to have changed Credential’s position considerably; the factors driving the recycler’s departure are said to be a rent increase combined with a disagreement with the landlord.
Credential is now operating from a temporary location in Birtley while it seeks new premises for its equipment and 15 staff.
Nokian Tyres president and CEO Kim Gran has been nominated to the board of directors of Finnish building systems and construction services company YIT Corporation. Mr. Gran has served in his current capacity at Nokian since 2000; prior to that he acted as Nokian Tyres’ vice president (1995 to 2000) and in the UK as managing director of Pechiney Cebal between 1992 and 1995.
Ayrshire based haulier French & Son shift a million and a half tonnes of coal each year to local railheads and into southern England, and the company has praised the durability of the Semperit tyres fitted to its vehicles. For almost three years Semperit has been the tyre of choice for the long-established firm of Tom French & Son of Cumnock. Their 42 trucks – mainly Volvo mid-lift axle artics – move between 6,000 and 7,500 tonnes of coal every day from a local open cast mine. It’s very demanding work, both for the vehicles shuttling constantly between the site and the nearby railhead and for those on the long haul work.
The Drester Wheel Washer – distributed by Beissbarth UK – has always been a firm favourite with customers who want that show-room sparkle. But now the Drester has moved from the showroom to the race circuit.
It turns out that the Drester Wheel Washer is the preferred choice for the highly successful RML team, who are targeting more glory in 2008 as they aim to add to their tally of 15 titles over the last 10 years. The team is gearing up for its challenge for WTCC glory following its best-ever season last year. RML will also compete at Le Mans itself and in the Le Mans Series – the scene of their most recent success in 2007.
Cambrian Tyres, the UK importer for Continental motorcycle and bicycle tyres, describes the Continental range as the fastest growing motorcycle tyre brand in the top seven. New for 2008 in the Continental range is the Conti Motion (pictured). Available from March 2008, the Motion is dubbed as the “world’s first entry level sports touring radial tyre.”
The tyre is built for year-round use and is said to provide “great value for money” as it offers a high service life yet costs less than other tyres in its sector. The longer mileage is reportedly achieved by using new formulated polymers in the compound along with a modern, force orientated tread pattern.
Pneumatic Components Ltd (PCL) has declared its loyalty to Sheffield by displaying the city’s “mark of origin and quality” on its products. Created by local businesses and organisations, including the Chamber of Commerce, The Made in Sheffield Mark is a symbol of the city’s ongoing commitment to quality and excellence.
The past five years have seen dramatic changes as PCL strengthens its global leadership in tyre inflation equipment and services, and establishes itself as a leading provider of pneumatic products. This has been achieved with the development of a strong range of new products, including the electronic tyre inflation ranges, air tool and air treatment ranges.
HPC plc has announced that it has completed the purchase of the Compressed Air activities of Economatics Industrial Limited. The purchase includes the sales and service divisions of the Economatics branches in Sheffield, Leicester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Welwyn Garden City and Salford, but excludes Marshall Branson in Hebburn.
“Having supported Economatics in supplying cost effective, industry leading compressed air equipment, parts and service for almost 40 years, we are pleased to have completed this acquisition and are delighted to welcome the compressed air staff and customers of Economatics to HPC” said Trevor Stott, Managing Director of HPC Compressed Air Systems. He continued: “Economatics is one of the best known and most respected names in the UK compressed air industry and such an experienced sales and service organisation immediately strengthens our UK distribution base. We are looking forward to continuing to provide first-rate services for all our customers’ compressed air needs.”
Michelin has reportedly began to provide its UK employees with a part-funded dental plan intended to counter ever-increasing National Health Service costs. According to the publication Employee Benefits, the company reviewed its existing cash plan last year, and asked staff whether a dental plan would be of interest. The response from employees was, Michelin decided, sufficient to implement such a scheme.
“The survey was to gauge how much interest there would be” said Michelin’s benefits manager Julie Lovett, “and we didn’t get a fantastic response but it was enough to get us a meaningful set of results, so that’s the route we are going down.” Employees have already been sent information about the dental plan.
Following yesterday’s news that the Colway brand and equipment owned by C-Tyres have been bought by a Polish retread company (Mark Gum) managing director, Gary Oliver has confirmed that the County Durham-based company’s Greenway brand is included in the deal. Speaking to Tyres & Accessories, Oliver clarified earlier inaccurate media reports that C-Tyres has been sold to the Polish company. In fact the company C-Tyres itself remains in administration in the UK, he explained.
The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is urging business and fleet managers to use retreads. The campaign is focusing on promoting the use retreads on Light commercial Vehicles. Jacks Guinness, marketing project manager at WRAP, said: “The use of retread tyres on Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) is already well established in the UK, but WRAP has identified a significant opportunity for encouraging their increased specification by those with responsibility for fleets of LCVs. By highlighting benefits of retreads and tackling misconceptions attached to their use, we can bring the opinions of key decision-makers up to date and persuade them to look at retreads in a new way.”
The latest statistics show that 12 per cent or 120,000 out of all of the UK’s one million potholes are not being filled by local councils, which means that repair bills are now soaring every year because of the lack of maintenance by government authorities. Since 1996, the number of claims has soared by 78 per cent in London alone, by 42 per cent in England and by 70 per cent in Wales. TyreSafe recommends that one method of reducing damage to tyres caused by potholes is to maintain them at the levels of pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. If any level of damage is suspected, motorists should visit their nearest dealer or tyre retailer for their tyres to be examined for any faults.
When Goodyear Dunlop UK off-the-road tyre specialist, Brian Eastman, visited a farm in Shurford he ended up using a more “hands-on” approach than he bargained for. In January Eastman was visiting Richard Parris at Cutliffe Farm when farmer Parris received a call informing him that one of his sheep was in a bit of bother during labour. He leaped to the rescue, taking an intrigued Brian Eastman with him, whereupon they found the sheep was struggling with a lamb in a breach position. Parris took control, whil Goodyear’s Eastman held the sheep in place and kept it calm. “It was an interesting night at the farm and certainly a first for me! Mother and baby are doing well!” Brian Eastman told T&A. Perhaps his example will lead to animal midwifery being added to OTR tyre training!
WRAP is looking for new lessors to join its successful eQuip Residual Value Guarantee scheme, which in its four years of operation has benefited a number of tyre recyclers. There are currently ten finance providers signed up to the scheme and WRAP now wants to open the panel to new lessors as the recycling sector continues to grow.
Ian Wardle, Head of Business Support at WRAP, says: “eQuip has already made a significant contribution towards meeting UK recycling targets. To date, 328 assets have been guaranteed through eQuip, at a value in excess of £19 million. These assets have already diverted three million tonnes of waste from landfill and the demand for this type of activity is going to grow rapidly in the next few years. We need other lessors to join the existing panel so that we can help the recycling sector to keep pace with this demand.”
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