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.
HiQ fast reports that Stockport entrepreneur Leslie Brady has become the latest franchisee to join its fast fit network. Brady has opened a HiQ forecourt venture, known as Fleet Care Maintenance, in the Conway Centre. The newly re-branded site offers MOT and servicing and in addition to selling and fitting tyres, the centre boasts new wheel diagnostic technology that HiQ says will help vehicles last the harsh and often expensive winter months.
A man in the US state of Alabama has been contacted by Goodyear Tire & Rubber’s legal department after using the tyre maker’s logo on billboards celebrating the defeat of Democrats around the country in the November 2 election. Tire Review reports that Ronnie Holmes, who is listed on the Alabama secretary of state’s website as the incorporating agent, president and secretary of Tuscaloosa Tire and Service Center – which operates three Goodyear stores in Tuscaloosa and one in Northport – created the signs using the Goodyear logo without permission.
Following investments in “constant research to improve the quality standards of its products and services to all customers” wheel weight manufacturer BF Srl has published a new company slogan – “step up.” And according to the manufacturer, the latest news that the firm has produced a new balancing weight (the Z12) for French Alloy rims with the edge of Citroen, Peugeot and Renault reflects this motto.
Today the Goodyear blimp is being pressed into service with the US armed forces for a planned strategic operation, yet there is no need to panic, arm yourself to the teeth or flee to the relative safety of your basement. The blimp is pairing up with the United States Marine Corps Reserve for what Goodyear is calling a ‘joint manoeuvre’ to help the ‘Marine Toys for Tots Foundation’ collect toys for needy children.
In the US, Kumho Tires has signed sponsorship agreements with the NBA basketball teams Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. Both contracts extend through to the 2012 season and cover perimeter advertising at both teams’ home grounds, advertising space on video monitors plus joint autograph signing sessions with players.
The GT Radial GSL213 steer tyre and GT669+ drive tyre have received SmartWay verification from the US Environmental Protection Agency. SmartWay verified products reduce emissions and provide estimated fuel savings of three per cent or greater against market leading on-highway commercial truck tyres. These are the first GT Radial tyres to receive SmartWay verification. “This is an important milestone for our customers and company,” said Tom McNamara, vice president of sales for GITI Tire USA. “Our customers are reducing fuel costs, one of their highest expenses. We have received confirmation on the technology of our products and commitment to the environment.”
Kumho Tires reports that its KLT02e trailer tyre, which will soon be available through dealers in North America, has achieved SmartWay certification by the US Environmental Protection Agency. In order to receive the SmartWay designation, the KLT02e needed to demonstrate a reduction in Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions for an estimated fuel savings of three per cent or greater, relative to the “best selling” new tyres for line haul trucks, when used on all five axles on long haul class 8 trucks.
Privately owned multi-service transport organisation Clarke’s Transport has selected the Bandvulc range of tyres as policy fitment for its fleet operation. The arrangement sees the Clarke’s fleet using AC Tyres based in Oldham to manage and provide fleet support to its Northern based vehicles. AC Tyres is a certified member of Bandvulc Tyre Contracts’ Service Provider Recognition Scheme and a key partner for Bandvulc.
McConechys Tyre and Exhaust Centres has appointed Cam Systems to implement its Cameo software platform. McConechys Tyre Service Limited is now in its 54th year is one of the leading tyre distributors in the UK. It caters for all sectors in the replacement tyre market through its branch network covering Scotland and Yorkshire. McConechys will also implement Cam’s UniSerV for its commercial business operations, and Workshop Scheduler products across its 53 outlets once the transition to Cameo is complete.
A Worcester woman has beaten thousands of unsung volunteers and fundraisers to win the ‘HiQ Hero’ award. A month after selecting ten finalists in the campaign to ‘unmask’ the real-life heroes that live amongst us, the fast-fitter has selected Becky Hurd the UK’s number one hero. Ms Hurd, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 29 and now raises money for the Cure Parkinson's Trust, was presented with her award by Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell OBE in Birmingham. As well as gaining the accolade of being the 'HiQ Hero' for 2010, Ms Hurd was presented with a cheque for £500 and a £5,000 cash sum to be spent on a worthy charity or project of her choice.
US industry publication Tire Review has reported the latest chapter in the Washington Tire Corporation saga: It appears the costs involved in the failed Washington Tire deal have prompted residents near the proposed Port of Ephrata, Washington factory site into action. Residents have signed a petition requesting the termination of Mike Wren, manager of the Port of Ephrata.
For the third consecutive year, the UK’s Trax JH Ltd displayed its products at the major US based SEMA show in Las Vegas. With the USA now also moving to lead-free balance weights, the company reports that visitors to November’s show expressed significant interest in the Trax range of quality steel adhesive weights, with agents and distributors now in place to take advantage of this move to using non-lead materials.
Continental Industrial Tyres has partnered with the world’s leading champagne producer, Moët et Chandon, for ten years now – all the time cooperating so the brand which is so famous for producing celebratory wine can avoid popping a cork for the wrong reasons.
Just as Continental Industrial Tyres are able to develop and produce products tailored specifically to customers' specifications and requirements, so the vintners and champagne makers at Moët et Chandon are able to meet individual demands. Both companies can also look back on long traditions. Admittedly, the champagne manufacturer was founded in 1743, making it older than Continental, which was established in 1871. Continental produces over 100 million tyres every year. In 2008 Moët et Chandon produced some 36 million bottles of champagne, with a good 100 million bottles being stored in the manufacturer's cellars, up to 35 metres below the ground.
Eighteen jobs have been cut at the Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS) site in Muscatine, Iowa in advance of the unit’s partial relocation to Tennessee state capital Nashville. The one and a half dozen workers lost their jobs on November 15 while a further 32 Muscatine employees will transfer to Nashville, where parent company Bridgestone Americas has its headquarters. The changes were announced within the context of a restructure of the company’s North American operations.
Pirelli Tire North America has added a compound mixing facility to MIRS automated tyre manufacturing facility located at the company’s North American headquarters in Rome, Georgia. The $12 million US investment is designed to support the Pirelli Group’s strategic growth plan for the North American market and “help PTNA sustain its market gains and the 30 per cent sales increase realized over the past three years.” Since its inception in 2001, PTNA’s Rome, Georgia facility has benefitted from more than $92 million in investments from Pirelli.
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