Across the Atlantic they are called tires, while over here we use a “Y” and say tyres. This tag provides the latest tyre business news emanating from the United States of America (USA), whichever way you spell it.
Autodata Limited has reported the death of managing director Tony Swiatek on the 24 July 2011 from cancer. Sharing the news with “deep regret and sadness”, company representatives said: “Tony was an inspirational leader and dedicated his enthusiasm to taking Autodata firmly into the digital age, doubling the size of the company and building it into the successful international business it is today.”
Fleet tyre management company Trucktyre has integrated Cam Systems’ recently launched casing management module into its UniSerV suite, leading to an increase in the speed and efficiency of its job card system and a 90 per cent reduction in its paper transfer. The module also eliminates double entries and improves data accuracy and tracking. Trucktyre says it processes 6,500 breakdown job cards each month.
Double Coin Tires and China Manufacturers Alliance have launched a refreshed US market website. In addition to providing a wider viewing area and all-new tyre imagery, the updated www.doublecoin-us.com website features a resource centre where information and reference material can be downloaded plus a customer testimonial page.
Ambest Service Centers, a 68-outlet chain of truck repair and facilities in the US, has signed a deal with Michelin Americas Truck Tires to stock the tyre maker’s range of Michelin and BFGoodrich brand products and for Michelin to offer tyre and emergency road service at many Ambest locations.
Today the Triangle Group will officially launch its new US research, development and sales company. The Shandong province, China-based company then intends to begin its activities in North America with the establishment of a research and development centre in Akron, Ohio; this will be followed by sales offices. Triangle has already hired its first local employee and intends to start its US operations with 30 new local employees – 10 in research and development and 20 in sales. The number of employees is expected to grow as Triangle further establishes its North American operation.
Despite receiving no lack of talent, HiQ says those wishing to become the fast fit network’s official ‘Grid Girl’ still have a chance. If you are suitably qualified – to be in with a chance you must be at least 18 years old and, presumably, female – entries are still being taken at the hiqonline.co.uk website until August 30.
In the US, Toyo Tires has introduced the M157 free-rolling axle tyre for long haul highway operations. The company reports that the M157 is EPA SmartWays verified and features Toyo Tires’ proprietary e-balance technology.
US publication Tire Review says Bridgestone Americas has referred to the actions of one of its former employees, which resulted in a homeless man suffering significant injuries, as “appalling and senseless. The 64-year-old homeless man, Ruben Sandoval, suffered third-degree burns on his arms and face on January 2, 2010, when a service technician working at a Firestone Complete Auto Care store in California tried to scare the man away by dousing his shopping trolley with petrol and setting it on fire.
BKT Tire (USA) has added a number of new sizes to some several US and Canada market product line-up. The tyre maker’s FL 639 flotation radial has a size 560/45R22.5 added to its roster. The on/off-road agricultural implement and trailer tyre was designed for high load capacities at low inflation pressures for minimum soil compaction, and its wide footprint is ideal for soft soil conditions, BKT said.
A faultering US tyre market contributed to poor second quarter results for Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. The tyre-maker saw second quarter net income of just $12 million, down nearly 38 per cent year-on-year, against sales of $922 million, up 15 per cent from the second quarter of 2010. For the entire first half, Cooper posted sales of $1.83 billion, up from $1.56 billion for the same period last year. Net income, however, came to $32.9 million, down considerably YoY from $67.3 million.
Wrightington’s One Stop Hire, the largest independent tool and equipment hirer in the North West, has appointed ATS Euromaster to service tyres across the firm’s fleet of 30 light commercial vehicles and eight company cars. Steve Hitchen, managing director of One Stop Hire, says: “Our own business is modelled around being able to provide a one-stop-shop service to our customers, and that’s exactly what we need from a tyre service provider. ATS Euromaster has the expertise to supply and fit tyres for both our cars and light commercials – and can carry out the work in the most convenient locations.
The US replacement consumer tyre market will remain depressed through 2011, according to an update by the Rubber Manufacturers Association, even as OE shipments to automakers are continuing to grow. The RMA now says that replacement P-metric tyre shipments will fall short of even posting 1 per cent growth for the year, “as continued high energy costs, decreases in non-essential driving, and continued economic uncertainties weigh on the consumer.”
Directors of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company have declared a quarterly dividend of 73.44 cents per share of mandatory convertible preferred stock. The dividend is payable October 1, 2011, to shareholders of record on September 15, 2011. The payout represents an annual rate of US$2.9375 per share.
A replacement for Michelin Guide director Jean-Luc Naret has finally been named – New Yorker Michael L. Ellis has filled the shoes vacated last December. In announcing the appointment, Michelin states that Ellis, vice-president of marketing and sales for the French manufacturer’s Two Wheel Tire Division since 2007, has “always been a food enthusiast” and previously “studied the culinary arts” in the US and Europe.
The Warren County tyre plant operated by Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has received the highest health and safety award given out by health authorities in its home state; on July 27 the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development’s Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) unit honoured the plant with its Volunteer STAR (Safety Through Accountability and Recognition) award.
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