Wheels
(Akron/Tire Review) Cooper’s Mickey Thompson tyre group has launched a revised web site – www.mickeythompsontires.com. The updated site, said the company, “features a variety of information on all Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels in addition to the latest race news, tech tips, motorsports links, event calendars, application guides, an online store, and more.”
The Port of Felixstowe recently welcomed the arrival of nine rubber-tyred gantry cranes from Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC) of Shanghai. The arrival of the new machinery means that the Port has invested in forty-one gantry cranes from ZPMC since 2002, bringing the total number on Trinity Terminal to over 100.
Weld Wheel Industries, a Kansas City maker of high-performance automotive wheels, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A Kansas City Star report said the 21-year-old family-owned business lost $1.1 million in the first six months of this year on net sales of $21.8 million. The bankruptcy petition said the company has total assets of $31.6 million. Weld Wheels has signed an asset-sale agreement with American Racing Equipment Inc. in southern California. American Racing will pay $17 million and assume various debt and lease obligations, according to local news sources.
For Sri Lankan tyre manufacturer Solideal, 2006 is proving to be an important year for its growth in the UK. After two record sales years the company has invested in a new warehouse facility in the heart of the UK. Located in Stafford, the 57,000 square foot facility is perfectly positioned to meet the distribution demands of its customers.
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc has announced that its wholly-owned German subsidiary, Hayes Lemmerz Holding GmbH, has entered into a license agreement with Tolyatinskiy Zavod Stalnih Kolyos (TZSK) of Togliatti, Russia, a manufacturer of steel wheels. Under terms of the agreement, Hayes Lemmerz has granted a license to TZSK to use certain technology in the manufacture and sale of certain passenger car steel wheels to specific Russian vehicle manufacturers.
Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International, Inc. has entered a new five-year agreement to supply Deere & Company with construction and forestry tyres. With Titan’s recent acquisition of Continental Tire North America, Inc.’s off-the-road (OTR) tyre plant in Bryan, Ohio, Deere’s senior management requested that Titan help them meet tyre demand and overcome shortage challenges, according to an official statement.
ArvinMeritor, Inc.’s Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) business group steel wheels team recently received a Chrysler Group Gold Award for outstanding performance in 2005. This designation places ArvinMeritor among the highest-rated suppliers to the Chrysler Group.
In response to customer and market demand, Alcoa Wheel Products will exhibit its new WorkHorse wheel for European construction vehicles with disc brakes. More specifically, this new wheel was designed with no ventilation holes to help protect the drive/front axle disc brakes from sand and gravel. Alcoa believes this new design will provide its customers with added value through the reduction of maintenance costs, increased brake life, and improved performance. This wheel is already approved and available on DaimlerChrysler construction vehicles.
With modern cars and their braking systems evolving faster than the technology used to test them, equipment manufacturers are always playing ‘catch up’. This is never more apparent than the modern vehicle drive train and braking systems. Says Chris Pleass Snap-on Equipments national sales manager: “I have been involved with braking systems for over 30 years and have seen a lot of changes. Vehicle manufacturers have always striven to improve traction and braking performance, this is great news for the motorist but a challenge to our industry to be able to test them.”
Alcoa announced today that it will become the first aluminium wheel manufacturer to buy back its used wheels. Alcoa’s new “Value for Life” programme for Fleets and Owner-Operators in the UK will come into effect this month. According to the company, “Value for Life” is all about providing customers with high quality products that offer a lifetime of value and care for our environment.
(Akron/Tire Review) The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has announced the members of the 2006 Tire Industry Hall of Fame. The new inductees are Jaques Bajer, president of Tire Systems Engineering Inc. and Armando Tornel Murillo, executive president at Empresas Tornel.
(Akron/Tire Review) In line with its business plan focused on global distribution, Stamford Tyres Corp. of Singapore has recently expanded into China, India, South America and the US. In March, Stamford announced that its 50 per cent owned joint venture company, Tyre Pacific (HK) Ltd, has incorporated a 100 per cent owned subsidiary company, Orizz (Shanghai) Ltd in Shanghai, China.
Sherbrook’s Outlaw Wheels brand has enhanced its range with its two latest introductions. The Yakuza and Magnum wheels feature a ‘Stainless Steel Lip’ as part of their new and exciting designs.
Falken Tyres attendance at Max Power Live (at the NEC.), said to be the “Fastest, loudest car show ever”, lived up to expectations according to the company. Inside the halls were filled with stands and bursting with customised cars. Outside was the Speed Arena where people could watch the cars in action.
The Falken team designed their exhibit to stand out and, according to company staff it was constantly busy as a result. The Falken girls once again drew in the crowds by giving people signed posters and having their photograph taken. In addition GT4, the Playstation computer game that features the Falken Skyline, had queues of people waiting to play.
Stamford Tyres Distributors India Private Limited (Stamford Tyres India) was incorporated on 6 July 2005 with an authorized capital of 500,000 rupees (£5700) and will sell and distribute wheels and tyres to the Indian market.
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