(Akron/Tire Review) According to a release issued by Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA), Guy Mannino, PTNA president and Myles Kovacs, president and co-founder of Twenty Inch Strong Wheels will “unveil something big” on 13 April before the start of the New York International Auto Show.
In 2005 O•Z Racing celebrated successes with Fernando Alonso and Renault F1 in the constructors’ and drivers’ world championships. The start of the 2006 season has produced a strong opener to the year not only for Renault, but for O•Z Racing as well. The wheel manufacturer is once again the supplier to the World Champion team as well as to the Williams team, which also has a successful Formula One track record.
(Akron/Tire Review) Stamford Tires & Wheels Inc. wheel manufacturing plant in Thailand earned TÜV CERT for process quality, and accreditation from the Vehicle Inspection Association (VIA) Japan for its in-house laboratory.
Dynomec Ltd have designed, developed and patented the Locking Wheel Nut Remover. It is manufactured entirely in the UK and it is claimed that it is the only tool in the world that will remove all locknuts when used correctly. It works in a unique and patented way. Using one of three interchangeable blades, the tool will grip the end face of the locknut regardless of its size or design, an air gun/breaker bar/impact driver can then be used with the tool to unscrew the locknut with no damage to the wheel. Simple, easy to follow instructions are included. Dynomec also manufactures and supplies a one directional, high torque and quality impact driver for use with the Locking Wheel Nut Remover.
Alcoa Wheel Products Europe, together with DaimlerChrysler, has developed a new wheel for the Axor construction vehicle. This new wheel does not have any hand holes and it has been developed to protect the Axor construction vehicle’s disc brakes from sand and gravel on the drive/front axle. The application is as an inner dual wheel on the construction vehicle drive or tag axle, single on the front axle. Available sizes: 22.5 x 8.25, 22.5 x 9.00 and 22.5 x 11.75 (inset 120mm), 32 mm bolt holes and a brushed finish.
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. has announced that it has concluded an agreement with its lending group to amend its $625 million senior secured credit facility. Among other changes, the amendment favourably modifies certain financial covenants. “This amendment provides Hayes Lemmerz with additional financial flexibility as we continue to rationalise our manufacturing footprint, implement cost reduction initiatives, and capitalize on growth opportunities within our core businesses and in select geographic regions. We appreciate our lending group’s continuing support of our strategic direction and financial priorities,” said Curtis Clawson, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board.
To help Sven’s team along at the World Cup Snap-on Equipment has launched a competition to win two VIP tickets to England’s opening game against Paraguay on June 10th. The location couldn’t be better as the game is being played in Frankfurt, which is only a few kilometres north of Hofmann’s head office in Pfungstadt. The package will include hotel accommodation, transport to the stadium, hospitality suite, plus a commemorative gift.
A small Airblast modular blast room has provided D&S Factors with a self-contained blast cleaning facility for preparing tractor wheels. As well as stocking new and reconditioned standard products from leading agricultural wheel OE companies, D&S also manufactures its own range of special products such as rowcrop wheels, wide flotation wheels and grassland wheels for use on golf courses, parks etc.
Due to an increasing demand for its products, D&S Factors began restructuring its manufacturing factory at Donington, near Spalding. As part of this development a great deal of thought was given to the installation of a new surface preparation facility. “We have always known that the efficient surface preparation of wheels prior to painting is vital to ensure a quality end product,” said manager, David Tasker. “We used to do our blast cleaning in a home-made room – a rubber lined shed really – using a small open nozzle blast machine.”
Next month’s Tyres & Accessories features our annual coverage of the wheel market. This time the magazine will provide in-depth analysis of what is going on in the undeniably influential Chinese manufacturing base balancing this with coverage from much closer to home. Pick up April’s magazine for industry leading editorial content in this segment.
(Akron/Tire Review) According to the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), aluminium prices are increasing dramatically and will be nearly double those of 2002 by the end of this year if 2005 price growth repeats. Based on annual averages, mean daily price volatility has increased from 2.31 per cent in 2002 to 6.93 per cent in 2005.
Outlaw Wheels are hitting the trail this spring, with two new designs joining the brand’s 10-wheel line-up. Drawing heavily on Western imagery with a high-octane, scarlet-clad cowgirl fronting the ad and merchandising campaign, Outlaw is aiming to be one of the most sought-after wheel brands of 2006.
Chris Franklin is taking Beissbarth technology down to the trackside to help car enthusiasts get the best from their cars. Using a Beissbarth ML Easy 8 – the Microline 8 toe sensor microprocessor alignment computer – linked to a laptop, Chris has been offering owners wheel alignment and corner weight assessments during race-track days.
Towell Auto Centre, the sole representative for Bridgestone tyres has established a nationwide chain of retail outlets in Oman, branded as ‘Tyre Care Plus.’ According to AMEInfo.com, “these exclusive outlets are redefining tyre retailing.” In a very clear and focussed marketing strategy and keeping in line with their ‘Closer to Customer’ concept, Towell Auto Centre has expanded to thirteen Tyre Care Plus outlets in the country. The first outlet was set up in 1999 at Wadi Kabir, which was known as ‘Bridgestone Tyre Service Centre’. Later a need to brand these exclusive outlets led to the conception of ‘Tyre Care Plus’ in 2005.
Beissbarth UK has launched a new wheel aligner in its highly successful Microline range, which has the highest number of top manufacturer approvals.
The Beissbarth ML1800 is an entry level wheel alignment unit aimed at smaller body shops and garages. It runs on a user-friendly Windows computer programme and includes car and van database details.
Beissbarth UK’s managing director Phillip Hodges said: “Beissbarth aligner technology is renowned throughout the industry. By introducing this latest model we have been able to offer even more features than previously available on our starter level systems.
In the USA, Hayes Lemmerz is to close its cast aluminium wheel factory at Huntington, Indiana by the end of its financial year’s second quarter. Closure of the plant, which employs 185 people, is part of Hayes Lemmerz’s on-going programme of rationalisation.
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