Following the organisational changes announced late last year, the Trelleborg Group has recalculated its business area quarterly data for the years 2007 to 2012. Results are now tabulated under the “Coated Systems”, “Industrial Solutions”, “Offshore & Construction”, “Sealing Solutions” and “Wheel Systems” business areas. This recalculation has resulted in little change for the Trelleborg Wheel Systems tyre and wheel business.
Staff at Motor Wheel Service Distribution donated more than 20 gifts towards the Mission Christmas campaign, run by regional radio station Key 103 and charity Cash for Kids. The charity aimed to collect 150,000 toys to provide one in three children living in severe poverty in the Greater Manchester area with a present from Santa. MWSD provided toys for young children including books, dinosaurs, building blocks and dolls.
Trelleborg shares that its acquisition of Maine Industrial Tire has been finalised. The purchase of the US-based solid tyre maker will broadens Trelleborg’s product portfolio within the industrial tyre segment; Trelleborg says this will enable it to “maintain its global leadership in the supply of solid tyres.”
Early next year Michelin will launch several new motorcycle products. Available from the start of 2013 is the replacement for Michelin’s Power One Track, the Power SuperSport. The new tyre is said to slot between the Street and Power One Power Cup in Michelin’s motorcycle line-up, and be intended for 50-50 road/track use. One front wheel size – 120/70-17 (58W) – and four for the rear wheel – 180/55-17 (73W), 190/50-17 (73W), 190/55-17 (73W) and 200/55-17 (78W) – have been announced.
After 38 years with the company, the executive director of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations’ motorsports activities will retire next year. At present no successor has been named.
On 1 March Bridgestone will launch its latest sport touring range in Europe. The Battlax Sport Touring T30 radial will be marketed in ten front and 13 rear sizes. The Japanese manufacturer says the Battlax Sport Touring T30 is a “premium brand steeped in technology refined through the company's development of MotoGP race tyres” and is intended for use on medium to large motorcycles.
Corghi’s Artiglio Master Code, released half a century after the company first introduced the automatic changer, remains the Italian manufacturer’s flagship light tyre changer. The Master Code utilises ‘leva la leva’, or leverless technology – which Corghi also pioneered a dozen years ago – and features automatic wheel dimension acquisition, enabling automatic tool positioning, and the Smart Corghi System demounting procedure; with these functions, opines the Nexion s.p.a company, the Master Code “rewrites the rule book for tyre changers.”
A key piece of equipment demonstrated at Pro-Align’s recent ‘Service Vision’ events held across the country was the newly-introduced Hunter Road Force ‘Touch’ balancer. This new unit includes unique features that allow it to measure road force variation and load force measurement, and Pro-Align believes it is set to transform wheel balancing. This potential was well demonstrated in September; despite being launched only a matter of weeks ago, the new system has already claimed its first international accolade – it was awarded the prestigious Innovation award at the Automechanika show in Germany.
Michael Rutter secured his place in the history books taking an eighth victory in Macau and dominating the two-wheel action. Using the latest generation Pirelli Diablo Superbike slick tyres from the company’s ‘road race’ programme, Rutter opted for a harder rear compound for his SMT Honda Fireblade which lasted throughout this unique race at the former Portuguese colony. Runner-up Martin Jessopp (Riders Ducati) chose the softer option rear to record a fastest lap at this final International event of the year.
Tyre equipment specialist Hofmann Megaplan recently introduced a new ‘lever-less’ tyre changer, which the company claims is the best priced, premium quality leverless tyre changer ever produced. The megamount 700 ‘evo’ utilises the hugely popular ‘evolution’ leverless device that is employed as an optional upgrade on other megamount models from Hofmann Megaplan. In addition, Hofmann Megaplan says a 24-inch turntable, the inclusion of ‘megafit 2’ assist arm and hands-free ‘Power Out’ bead breaker ensure the new model is equipped to cope in any environment. Utilising the chassis from the ubiquitous megamount 702XL, the 700 achieves an attractive price tag by removing some of the luxury features associated with its bigger brother.
Audi centres are offering a range of winter tyre and wheel options, including winter wheel and tyre sets priced from £799 to £3,659 for all current Audi models. Tyre-only sets also available priced from £540 to £1,300 and previous generation models can also benefit from a set of winter tyres from £325.
The Calibre wheel brand has launched its latest design, Friction, which incorporates motorsport design cues and fine paint detailing. The wheel’s hot blue candy highlights on each spoke edge contrast sharply with the deep black paintwork and, using paint technology developed for US showcars, are particularly prevalent under flash lighting or in sunlight. Available in both 7×17” and 8×18” fitments in both four and five stud PCDs, the Friction is a two stage heat-treated wheel with key PCDs, including most Euro, VAG, Jap and tuner cars, covered.
The sixth annual Club Meccatronica Award has been awarded to Italian company Corghi SpA for its R.E.M.O. (Robotic Equipment for Measuring by Optics) clampless wheel aligner, the first ever wheel alignment system to utilise artificial vision and 3D wheel scanning technology to measure toe-in. The prize-giving ceremony was held on 8 November at Valli Theatre in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The prize was accepted on behalf of Corghi by company president Giulio Corghi.
Trade Garage Equipment report that the company was very busy during the MechanEx show at Sandown Park in November, where directors Keiron Mortlock and Rob Lovesy answered sales and technical questions throughout the show.
Continental AG is to rename its industrial tyres business unit as “Commercial Specialty Tires” (CST). According to the company, the changeover process started in October 2012 and will be finalized by January 2013. Continental reports that the move is part of a global strategy and “paves the ground for future growth in the segment of commercial tyres.”
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