Maywood Equipment Group is due to launch the latest edition of its price list on 1 May. The new catalogue covers more than 50 different models including the Europa range of two and four post lifts, as well as scissor lifts. A number of OMER brand scissor lifts will be introduced in the updated brochure.
Beissbarth is marking its 25-year working relationship with BMW through the introduction of the upgraded Beissbarth Kinematic Diagnostic (KDSII) wheel aligner, used by BMW world-wide.
Existing Beissbarth KDSIs are being networked to meet BMW’s information systems and upgraded to KDSII facilities.
BMW was the first manufacturer to request Beissbarth to develop a wheel alignment system for them, based on the popular Microline principle. All leading vehicle manufacturers now recommend the Microline, making Beissbarth a world leader in wheel alignment technology.
Well known celeb Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs has put his name to a new line of aluminium wheels. His partnership with American company, Weld Wheels, will produce a line of Sean John-branded custom one- and three-piece precision-forged aluminium wheels for the sport truck, luxury SUV and high-end American and German luxury car markets. The custom designed wheels made their world debut at the Greater New York Auto Show last week.
Overfinch, the company that brought us the performance Range Rover 30 years ago, has now released a 22 inch alloy, which it simple calls “Tiger.” The alloy wheel, is claimed to be “the largest made in the UK to date,” according to the companies involved. The 22 x 9 inch product has a 12 spoke design, uses a stainless steel rim and features the correct steering offset for the Range Rover. As a result, Overfinch says that this means there is no increase in turning circle or fouling on suspension or bodywork.
The new wheel was engineered specifically for third generation Range Rovers and employs OE ‘shoulder’ nuts as “the only safe method of anchoring wheels to a 2700 kilogram vehicle.” The design has been tested in Europe by the respected TUV centre and was produced and developed in conjunction with Rimstock plc, a company that supplies Aston Martin, MG Rover, Lotus, Morgan, VAG and Mitsubishi.
(Akron/Tire Review) Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) and truck leasing giant Ryder System Inc have extended their agreement in which BFNAT supplies new medium truck radials to Ryder and Bandag Inc provides retreading services. The agreement began in 1990, according to BFNAT.
John DeLorean, who created a legendary car of the same name in Belfast in 1972, died at the age of 80 in Los Angeles last weekend. Mr DeLorean’s DMC 12 sports car played a central role in the “Back To The Future” film series, where it gained worldwide attention. DeLorean went bankrupt in the beginning of the 80s, since that time French company Montupet has produced 800,000 aluminum cast wheels each year for OE customers in the former Belfast DeLorean plant.
In the past the European alloy wheel market was heavily influenced by the decisions of large local producers. However these companies successfully chose to focus more and more on the original equipment business. As a consequence they had to neglect the aftermarket. This created a vacuum, which newcomers from Europe and the Far East have tried to fill. One such company is BSA from Malaysia. In Malayasia, these three letters represent a premium brand, although this is not the case in Europe – and this is something that is unlikely to change overnight. However when the Rudersdorf, Germany based wheel manufacturer, SMC, manufactured with BSA, the company found that it had gained rapid entry into the catalogues of important European wholesalers.
BSA’s slogan is “The Sign of Quality.” These words represent the company’s intention to bring quality into the aftermarket. Rolf Bene, managing director and owner of SMC GmbH is particularly interested in developing good customer relations, exclusively in the aftermarket business. BSA chairman, Dato’ Cam Soh Thiam Hong, summed this up when he said that it was all about: “You and ME!”
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper Tire & Rubber Co has introduced the Cooper Discoverer ATR, a new line of light truck/SUV radials that the company says “offers uncompromising on and off-road performance, going beyond ordinary all-terrain tyres.”
MOTOR Wheel Service Group, the Manchester-based independent distributor of commercial vehicle wheels, will be launching a full range of forged alloy wheels at this year’s CV Show. According to the company, the new forged alloy wheels are exclusive to the MWS Group and will increase the comprehensive range of wheels already stocked by MWS. The company did not release details of where or which company will produce the wheels.
Euro Car Parts has announced a new addition to its XTR alloy wheel family. The Sabre, complete with Hyper Silver Finish, is available in 15 inch to 18 inch sizes and joins the Jagged, Revolve, Phaze and Coast in the XTR alloy range (prices start from £233.95 for a 15 inch set to and £304.95 for 17 inch models). All XTR wheels are available as wheel and tyre packages, with a choice of rubber to suit all pockets. The price includes chrome valve caps, balancing and tyre fitting.
The Austrian Alcar group has taken over Italian wheel manufacturer Consud, Srl. Although the acquisition took place some months ago, the news has only just become public. In total, the new factory and the group’s existing Ambrosetti plant will produce 2.5 million units annually. Hayes Lemmerz is another large source of the group’s steel wheels. Alcar is the European market leader for passenger car steel wheels, sellng 5.6 million units in the last financial year. Of these, 90 per cent were produced by either Hayes Lemmerz or the company itself.
(Brisbane/ATD) Just when markets around the world are complaining of being over crowded with suppliers, some companies are arriving on the scene with a difference approach. In Australia, King Wheels PTY Ltd is one such company.
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. has appointed Pieter Klinkers to the position of vice president of sales and marketing for the company’s International Wheel Group. Mr Klinkers replaces Marc Hendrickx who was recently appointed as vice president of the International Wheel Group’s Aluminum Operations. Mr Klinkers will report directly to president Fred Bentley. The appointment became effective on 1 March, 2005.
Pieter Klinkers joins Hayes Lemmerz from Michelin’s Wheel Group where he has worked since 1997. Mr Klinkers has served in a series of senior level marketing and sales positions with Michelin, most recently as director of sales and marketing, based in Paris, France. Fluent in Dutch, English, German and French, Mr Klinkers holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
JE Design has added a 16 spoke “Multispoke” light alloy wheel to its product range. The wheel rim is available in 7×17”, 7.5×18” and 8×19” for the shadow silver version (CSS) as well as 7.5 x 18” and 8×19” for the ‘Chrome-Look’ version (SLC). The latter puts special emphasis on ensuring a highly durable finish. JE Design also provides a 3-year warranty on the chrome finish.
Continental has said that it will close its Akron tyre testing centre, its last operation in the city. Around 20 people will loose their jobs with most work being transferred to Europe, the Associated Press has reported. Continental acquired the test centre in 1987 when it bought the tyre operations of the former General Tire Company. One of the main features of the test site was a large wheel that could run tyres at speeds of up to 400 miles per hour.
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