York-based Moss Tyres is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a move to Bridgestone’s First Stop network of independent tyre dealerships. Managing director Richard Stow believes joining First Stop will enable his team to build on a successful base and continue upholding values of honesty, hard work and professionalism for many more years to come.
A consortium led by the Macquarie Capital Alliance Group (MCAG), which is part of the Macquarie Bank Group, has acquired the world’s largest operator of tyre inflation vending equipment, ASI Holding Corp, for $US420 million. According to local news reports, MCAG will invest up to $109 million, which is up to 61 per cent of the total equity requirement of $179 million.
Walsall tyre technicians Dave Carrier and Chris Bunce have received certificates from Bridgestone UK technical training manager Phil Thirsk, having passed a health and safety course run by the tyre manufacturer. The course is part of a training scheme endorsed by the Institute of the Motor Industry, and the two technicians, who work at First Stop dealership Lodge Tyres on Pleck Road, are now well on their way to achieving full accreditation.
A truck driver from well-known UK haulier Stan Robinson Ltd has been named Britain’s top driver by Goodyear after managing to achieve a remarkable 425,000 kilometres (266,000 miles) on the same set of Goodyear steer tyres.
Nigel Brown took delivery of his new Scania in April 2003, fitted with Goodyear Marathon LHS 385/65R22.5 steer tyres. Three years later, he had clocked up a mileage equivalent to driving ten times around the Equator and the set of Goodyear steer tyres had yet to be changed.
ABAC, which claims to be the UK’s largest supplier of compressors to the tyre industry has released a nitrogen generator that works with most compressed air systems. It uses a molecular sieve system to remove oxygen and from the compressed air to leave 97 per ent pure nitrogen at up to 12 bar (175 psi). “The system gives more consistent tyre pressures and tyres run cooler, cutting the risks of blow-outs;” says the firm’s Nick Poole. “Lower fuel consumption and longer tyre life should mean a medium haulage fleet will get a pay-back in less than six months.”
Inverness-shire-based Ferguson Transport has become one of the first operators in the UK to fit Michelin’s new XDN2 Grip tyres, which are said to offer increased traction in the wet and on hard packed snow and icy surfaces. Located at Spean Bridge, close to Fort William, Ferguson Transport operates a fleet of 40 tractor units and 100 trailers, and has fitted the new Michelin XDN2 Grip tyres on the drive axle of one of its 460 hp Volvo FH12 6×2 tractor units.
Richard Page, managing director of Hankook Tyre UK has been elected as ITMA’s new association president with immediate effect. The decision was made at this year’s Association AGM held on 12 April. Richard takes over from Steve Tidmarsh MD of Kumho UK who completed a two-year term of office.
Although Hankook is a long-standing ITMA member this is the first time the company has held the Association Presidency. In his acceptance statement Page welcomed closer cooperation with the BTMA and the newly formed TIF:
Bridgestone and Truck Point have announced a three-year tyre contract to supply Bridgestone truck tyres and service for the CM Downton fleet in all of its UK locations. Under the arrangement, Bridgestone UK will supply original equipment and replacement truck tyres and tyres to the Downton fleet. This will be serviced through its national Truck Point service network.
Credential Environmental has sold its hazardous waste division for £8.13 million giving the company’s tyre and waste business – Credential Automotive – a multi-million pound platform for growth through acquisition and new projects.
MAHA moved into their new 12,000 sq ft purpose built factory and warehouse in June 2000 with a staff of 14. Extensions to the service stores started in March 2006 and which has increased the service stores area from 650 sq ft to almost 2,000 sq ft. Bob Smith joined MAHA UK in May 2006 as an experienced parts manager to maintain and expand MAHA’s service to all their customers throughout the UK.
Bridgestone is responding to the fitment of run-flat tyres on a growing number of vehicles by giving expert guidance to technicians at BMW dealerships. To date 15 franchises comprising 22 individual outlets have completed the tyre manufacturer’s comprehensive Run-Flat Certificate Programme. It follows the fitment of Bridgestone’s Turanza ER300 RFT and Potenza RE050 RFT tyres as original equipment on BMW models such as the 1-Series, 3-Series, 5-Series and Z4.
Trials of the world’s first all rubber road and rail highway, funded by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme), are now underway in association with Holdfast Level Crossings Ltd. The HoldFast Rubber Highway (HRH) has the potential to recycle an average of 354,000 tyres in every one mile stretch of rubber highway. WRAP is funding the trial following an open call for demonstration trials using UK post consumer tyres in a range of new applications. The trial will incorporate 8,000 vehicle movements over an eight week period to assess early life performance of the HRH.
After 1674 miles and 10 days, and a detour to the Blue Peter studios, extreme charity fundraiser Lloyd Scott is set to become the first person to successfully drive from John O’Groats to Land’s End in a car running on flat tyres. The marathon drive for Goodyear’s RunOnFlat Rally included special sections on notorious roads, attempted on four completely deflated tyres.
Pulling into Aire Point, near Land’s End today, extreme charity fundraiser Lloyd, has drawn gasps and laughter from on-lookers with his special driving suit, a mixture of Mr Toad from Wind in the Willows fame and the notorious Dick Dastardly character from iconic cartoon Wacky Racers.
Automotive Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the retail motor industry, has welcomed Marc Matthew and Ken Keir as the newest members to their Board of Directors.
Goodyear has set eccentric British challenger Lloyd Scott, a new challenge – drive the length of the nation on flat tyres. Lloyd, 48, from Essex, who has previously cycled across Australia on a Penny Farthing bicycle and completed this year’s London Marathon in a full suit of armour, has agreed to take the wheel throughout May for Goodyear’s RunOnFlat Rally. The RunOnFlat Rally will see Lloyd drive the more than 1600 miles in distance across the British Isles, from John O’Groats, where he started yesterday, to Land’s End in a Mini with flat tyres.
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