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STL Gets Global Award Nod

Standards Testing Laboratories was nominated for a Tire Technology International Award for Innovation and Excellence in the Tire Industry Supplier of the Year category. The awards are sponsored by Tire Technology International magazine, and will be presented on 18 February in Hamburg, Germany.

“We’re honoured to be considered for the Tire Industry Supplier of the Year award as we focus on company growth that allows us to serve tyre and wheel customers throughout the world,” said Cheryl Schnuth, STL vice president of marketing. “Our expert team of engineers, scientists and technicians devotes each day to conducting high-quality, unbiased testing that delivers accurate, reliable data.” (Tire Review/Akron)

16th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa Launches 120mm Offset Lightweight Truck Wheel

One year on from introducing its new series of lightweight wheels, forged aluminium wheel market leader, Alco launched the new FrontRunner 22.5 x 11.75, 120 mm offset wheel. According to the company, Alcoa has succeeded in lowering the weight of this FrontRunner wheel from 25 to 23.6 kilos, shaving off a further 1.4 kilograms.

The new wheel is interchangeable with the current one and also features a repositioned hand-hole design and rim flanges with a patented “Unified Rim Horn Design” to accommodate both stick- and clip-on balancing weights. The new FrontRunner will be available from February 2009 on. The 22.5 x 11.75 wheel joins existing products in 22.5 x 8.25, 22.5 x 9.00, 19.5 x 7.50 and 19.5 x 8.25 sizes.

13th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

First Michelin Exelagri Centre Appointed on Isle of Wight

ATS Euromaster’s centre in South Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, has been appointed as a Michelin Exelagri Centre through the tyre manufacturers’ national accreditation scheme for agricultural and construction specialists. In joining this select group of accredited Exelagri Centres, ATS Euromaster becomes the first tyre dealer on the Isle of Wight to be recognised by Michelin for its ability to supply a high quality service to customers in these two key business sectors.

Paul Murtha, manager of ATS Euromaster in Newport, says: “Over the last three years our sales in the agricultural and construction sectors have risen to represent nearly 40 per cent of our overall turnover, from an original base of less than 10 per cent.

12th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Carlisle Annual Figures Reflect Difficult Times for Industry

Carlisle Companies Incorporated has reported net sales from continuing operations of US$623.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, a 1 per cent decline in net sales from continuing operations of $631.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The company says that a downturn sales in its Transportation Products segment, which includes Carlisle Wheel and Tire, along with its Construction Materials segment offset growth in other areas of the company’s business. For the full-year ended December 31, 2008, net sales from continuing operations were $2.97 billion, an 11 per cent increase over net sales from continuing operations of $2.68 billion in 2007. Sales increased in all segments, says Carlisle and organic sales growth was 3 per cent.

6th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dakar Podium for Toyo-shod Independent Gordon

Robby Gordon achieved the impressive feat of taking his independent Team Dakar USA to the top of the Open category and third place overall in the 2009 Dakar Rally, beating off challenges from several manufacturer teams. In gaining third place, his was also the fastest two wheel drive vehicle on show.

Gordon uses 37×13.5R17 open Country M/T tires on his Monster Energy H3 Hummer. Despite an increased restrictor plate, his H3 Hummer was able to keep up with the factory cars in all but the very fastest sections, something that the grip qualities of the Toyo rubber contributed towards, says the manufacturer. Gordon and Toyo have vowed to return in 2010 to attempt to reach the top step of the podium, which – considering the millions spent by the works teams – would be some achievement.

4th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa Continues in Forged Wheel Business

Alcoa Inc’s recently announced restructuring plan is designed to help the company weather adverse global economic conditions and as such includes “decisive action,” according to the company. However, despite what some media sources erroneously reported, Alcoa is not exiting the forged aluminium wheel business. In a statement sent to Tyres & Accessories on 2 February company said: “Alcoa will continue to produce forged aluminium wheels for both auto and commercial vehicle applications.” The confusion appears to have been caused by the fact that Alcoa is exiting the cast passenger car wheel business and will consolidate and close its Beloit, Wisconsin, plant by 1 June 2009.

2nd February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Michelin XHA2 Designed to Deliver Durability and Traction

The new Michelin XHA2 loader tyre, introduced in early January at the Intermat trade show’s press days, has been designed to accomplish three goals: reduce hourly operating costs, ensure that work continues smoothly and safely, and improve operator working conditions. The tyre is intended for loaders in quarries and cement plants and on construction and infrastructure worksites. The XHA2 will be officially unveiled at the Intermat 2009 building and construction trade show in April 2009. The tyre will be available in replacement markets around the world beginning in May 2009.

30th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Free Tyres Offered to Lure Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Competitors

Motorsport is admittedly not the cheapest of pastimes, but at least competitors taking part in this year’s Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship will not have so many worries about tyre costs. Pirelli, in conjunction with the Association of National Championship Rally Organisers (ANCRO) has announced that all registered competitors will be eligible to receive four brand new Pirelli tyres, completely free of charge. This decision has been taken, say the organisers, in a bid to tempt competitors to contest the eight-round national series.

26th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

European Release for New Firestone Touring Tyre

A new passenger car touring tyre has been added to the Firestone line-up. Targeted at what the manufacturer calls ‘family drivers’ – saloon and compact vehicle drivers who enjoy a peaceful and relaxing experience behind the wheel – the new TZ300α is designed to offer robust and reliable performance, along with safety, comfort and a quiet ride. The TZ300α range is initially available in 14 sizes for 14 to 16-inch rims and will progressively replace the TZ200, which was first introduced in 2002.

20th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Red Rim Pro-Sprint Wheel

The multi-spoke design of the Wolfrace Pro-Sprint has long been popular with the modified car fraternity; its elegant lines and simple design make it suitable for all types of vehicles, without conflicting with a vehicle’s individual styling. Wolfrace recognise this and have added a contemporary touch of refinement to a classic design. The Pro-Sprint is now available in a glossy black finish with a high-quality red anodised rim; this is achieved using the latest anodising techniques, thus producing an extremely durable oxide coating on the alloy rim of between 0.003mm and 0.02mm.

The shiny, striking appearance of the red rim is sure to turn heads, says Wolfrace and the new wheel is available in sizes 6.5×15″ and 7×17″. Other finishes available include black/ polished, white/ polished, pink/ polished and matt black with red rim.

16th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyres Northampton is Pirelli Performance Centre of the Year 2008

Pirelli Tyres has crowned Tyres Northampton as its Pirelli Performance Centre (PPC) of the year for the second year running. The award is the culmination of a four month assessment programme which included the PPC technical audit followed by an onsite video “mystery shop”. The PPC technical audit covers a wide spectrum of areas including working practices, standard and maintenance of equipment, housekeeping and tyre/wheel removal procedures. In contrast, the video “mystery shop” focused on the consumer experience and levels of customer service.

14th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New MAK Nova 5-Spoke Wheel

MAK Nova is described as a “sober” five-spoke design. The philosophy behind the product is classic quality and “smooth, tender” lines. The fact that it is a five spoke wheel means the MAK Nova can be fitted to the majority of current car models. The new wheel comes in a silver finish that reinforces the general theme. And furthermore, according to the company the silver finish MAK has employed for this particularly product means it is suitable for winter use and is therefore “very resistant against humidity, fog, salt and low temperatures.” MAK Nova is available in the following sizes: 6,5J15”, 6,5J16”, 7J16”, 7J17”.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

No Going Back

“In 2008 the Ultra High Performance tyre market experienced changes unlike any year before it and as a result will never be the same again,” that’s the assessment Sentaida USA general manager Don Mathis recently gave Tyres & Accessories. In other circumstances this may have sounded exaggerated, but with the Bank of England slashing interest rates to their lowest point in the institution’s 315-year history and US interest rates heading even lower, the unprecedented economic conditions seem to suggest the international tyre trade is also entering uncharted territory.

“UHP aftermarket sales have been the main and nearly only shining star in the tyre business for the last eight to 10 years. The margins and growth have surpassed nearly every other segment of the market,” Mathis explained. However, this year has also been unlike any other in the experienced sales manager’s 36 years in the tyre business. He believes the unique combination of surplus capacity in UHP factories mixed with the early year surge in raw material costs, mid-year surge in fuel cost, and the credit crunch halting new car sales and taking aftermarket wheel sales with them means the market has hit a watershed.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

The Days of Simple Tyre Selection are Gone

A few years ago council workers, farmers and private amenity contractors had straight forward requirements. Tractors had two types of tyres, small on the front and larger at the rear. Ride-on mowers were simply attired with rubber. According to Stowmarket-based tyre and wheel supplier, Fieldens, when today’s farmer or fleet manager comes to order tyres, the list of requirements covers several pages. Earlier it was floatation or narrow tyres, today there is the requirement for speed with a high payload, but – “oh yes, we don’t want to sacrifice floatation as we must avoid damage to soil structure and ultimately plant growth.” Fieldens reports that amenity operators face a similar challenge – they need to move quickly from site to site, but then work with heavy equipment on a sensitive sports ground.

Alternatively there is the problem of kerbing and blowing out tyres of ride-on mowers. “What can you do about that – but we’d like some wider tyres at the same time so we can carry on working during bad weather like we’ve had in the past two summers?” Then there’s the spraying contractor carrying increasingly heavy loads. It’s not just the tyres that have to be up to the job but the wheels too – especially if the machine has to work across sidling ground with all the stresses and strains that brings.

9th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Upcoming Metzeler Race Tyre to Benefit from Interact Technology

When you’re in the business of race tyres, fast is good. That is why Metzeler operates what it calls the ‘Pure Laptime’ project’ – regardless of a rider’s skill, the tyre should reduce not only his best lap times, but also overall race times, thanks to a constant performance to the very end. Metzeler says that its newest race tyre advances this quest one step further.

In spring Metzeler will release the latest incarnation of its Racetec tyre onto the UK market. Full details of the tyre will be made available closer to its launch date, however pre-release information made public at last October’s Intermot show in Cologne indicate that the new Racetec will be available in four compound variants, three for race and one for street usage, with a total of four front wheel and nine rear wheel sizes available.

8th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors