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.
Exide has appointed a new national sales manager. Effective February 8, this position rests in the hands of Heath Ghent, who, according to the battery supplier, brings with him a wealth of experience. Ghent’s previous roles include senior sales and marketing positions in a variety of companies, including Aggreko Ltd and Air Products PLC, servicing customers in a wide cross section of market sectors.
Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions has introduced two new products – the Bandag brand BDR-HT3 tread and the Firestone FT455 Plus trailer tyre – in addition to a new marketing campaign, reports Tire Review. The BDR-HT3 tread is designed for LTL fleet customers operating single-axle tractors. Used in the drive axle position, it incorporates an innovative tread compound and tread pattern that resists tears and delivers outstanding mileage and exceptional wear, the company said.
North Carolina, US based wholesaler American Tire Distributors Holdings has lodged registration documents with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to initiate proceedings for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The company, who claims to be the largest replacement tyre distributor in the United States, intends to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ATD", however it has not yet determined the number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering.
Pelmar Engineering Ltd. has appointed Enrique Guix as area sales director for the Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal and South American markets. Guix worked for rubber machinery firm Gumix, S.A. in Barcelona, Spain for more than 17 years before Farrel Corp. acquired selected assets from Gumix, S.A. in 2006 in order to establish Farrel Spain, S.L., where Guix worked until the end of 2009.
Continental Tire North America is no more. The company, incorporated in Ohio, has changed its name to Continental Tire the Americas LLC. The change was made on 31 January, according to reports, but no formal announcement was made. Headquartered in Ft. Mill, South Carolina, the company was once named Continental-General Tire when it was based in Akron, following Continental AG’s purchased of the former General Tire Co. Under Ohio law, the company can change its status – from “incorporated” to “limited liability corporation” – through a formal name change. The change only affects the company’s tax status, reports said, as the entity can pass all income and losses through to its owners.
An article published by Tire Review in the US indicates that Chinese officials may be guilty of ‘fowl play’ – anti-dumping duties have been added to chicken products imported from the United States, allegedly a direct response to the Obama Administration’s decision to add high tariffs – 35 per cent in the first year – over a three-year period on consumer tyres imported from China.
Following a year on the world’s racetracks in which more than 120 champions were crowned using its motorsport products, Avon Tyres Motorsport of Melksham, Wiltshire in the UK is to participate in a variety of competitive motorsport championships in categories as diverse as rallycross, hillclimb, sprints and historic racing in 2010. Perhaps most prominently, the division of Cooper Tire will continue its title sponsorship of the British GT Championship.
Gateshead based tuner Revolution Motorstore has taken Car and Accessory Trader magazine’s ‘Retailer of the Year’ Award for 2010. CAT, a magazine for aftermarket professionals, holds the awards ceremony each year. Each award category is voted for solely by members of the general public, with an online voting system permitting patrons of the nominated businesses to register one vote for their preferred winner – as well as being able to leave a comment on the quality of service they have received.
Just ahead of the upcoming Griffin King of Hammers off-road race, Michelin North America unveiled a new 42” BFGoodrich off-road race tyre, reports Tire Review. BFGoodrich drivers competing in the 135-mile race in Johnson Valley, California will sport the new 39×13.50R17 Baja T/A KRT, designed specifically for rock racing.
CGS Tyres is raising the prices on its Mitas, Cultor and Continental branded products in March. Price increasing will range between four and seven per cent. “As prices of raw material escalate, especially for natural rubber, increasing costs are driving us towards a price alignment”, said Andrew Mabin, CGS marketing and sales director.
Continental Tire the Americas has announced price rises of up to 4.5 per cent on its market industrial tyre products. The new prices will take effect March 1 in the US and March 15 in Canada, and are being blamed upon rising raw materials, energy and transportation costs.
The Aiken County, South Carolina passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyre manufacturing plant operated by Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) has earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certification from the US Green Building Council. This certification, explains BATO, recognises outstanding environmental building design and utilisation, and is rarely given to existing manufacturing sites. The Aiken County facility is the second BATO tyre plant to gain LEED certification – the company’s Warren County, Tennessee truck and bus tyre factory earned this distinction in November 2008. The two plants are the first LEED certified tyre manufacturing facilities in the US, and indeed the world.
On February 2 Goodyear Tire & Rubber commenced an offer to exchange any and all of its US$650 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.857 per cent notes due in 2011 (“old notes”) for a new series of 8.75% notes due in 2020 (“new notes”). Concurrent with the exchange offer, Goodyear is soliciting consents from the holders of the old notes to amend the terms of the indenture that governs the old notes. The proposed amendments, if adopted, would delete many of the restrictive covenants and certain events of default in the indenture governing the old notes.
Infleet recently moved its call centre to RAC House adjacent to the M6 Motorway in Walsall, West Midlands. The centre houses vehicle support technology and the company says the move will enhance the roadside tyre breakdown support that Infleet supplies to its fleet customers. Infleet Commercial Director Chris Comport said: “RAC have managed our call referral facility very successfully over the last five years at another location, but when they offered us a move to RAC House in Walsall we had no hesitation in accepting…Short but efficient call centre desk time is crucial in dispatching one of our 700 service providers to a vehicle in distress within a speedy process.”
Popular author Bill Bryson may have referred to Mr. Potato Head as being “majestically unamusing”, but this slur upon the classic toy’s entertainment value did not prevent it from achieving star billing at North America’s top sporting event. Along with wife Mrs. Potato Head, the world’s best known tuber appeared in Bridgestone’s advertisements aired during the 2009 Super Bowl – and their presence in these widely-viewed commercials helped Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) earn the 2009 Spud Award for Outstanding Marketing Partner of the Year award from Hasbro. The award was presented at the toy maker’s eighth annual Entertainment and Licensing Summit.
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