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Stamford Keeps Moving With Wheel Production

For the Stamford group Tyrexpo Asia has been a fixed event from the start, with both the company and exhibition being based in Singapore. Stamford, which is also listed on the Singapore stock exchange, is not only known within the tyre industry for its global wholesaling business; during the last three years it has also become very well known through its own wheel production activities. In 2004 Stamford Tyres began operating its Thai subsidiary Stamford Sport Wheels (SSW), which produces light alloy wheels in a low-pressure casting process. But because the new factory is already operating up to its capacity limits, the company is currently investing another 20 million US dollars in order to establish a second wheel factory on the same site near Thailand’s capital Bangkok, says Roger Chang, CEO of Stamford Sport Wheels Co. Ltd.

The initial plans to build its own factory arose when demand for Stamford’s private brand was growing ever stronger at a time when suitable offtake partners possessing additional capacities in the region were becoming more and more difficult to find. This led to the decision to trust in its own capabilities to install and operate a wheel factory rather than continuously exist in a state of uncertainty with regards to the supply situation, the CEO told Tyres & Accessories during an interview at Tyrexpo Asia in Singapore: “The supply situation with light alloy wheels had become an issue.” Consequently, the wholesaler and retailer decided to also become a manufacturer. Thus, since the beginning of 2004 Stamford has operated its SSW factory in Thailand and maintains about 300 employees there. These staff produce about 400,000 light alloy wheels in sizes up to 24 inches per year.

1st November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa and Greg Weld Design Offer Tru-Forged Wheels

Greg Weld Design and Alcoa Wheels will have decided to combine their efforts to design, manufacture, market and sell what they say will be “some of the most advanced forged alloy wheels available for the automotive aftermarket.” The two companies’ aim is to exceed the needs of the most demanding 4×4 or “Tuff Truck” enthusiast by offering Greg Weld Design’s new Tru-Forged wheels by Alcoa. The wheels will be Available in 20, 22 and 24 inch diameters and up to 14 inches wide. All Tru-Forged wheels will feature a unique polished finish that carries a limited 5 year warranty supported by Greg Weld Design.

All Tru-Forged wheels will be hot-forged from a billet of 6061-T6 aerospace alloy for maximum strength and durability. The one-piece design is 100 per cent CNC machined. The lightweight design, 3500lb. load rating and lifetime limited structural warranty are reportedly unmatched in the industry.

1st November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Taking Soil Compaction Out of the Equation

Those of use who didn’t grow up in agricultural families may be unaware of just how important soil quality is to arable farming. And as the size of farms grows and the agricultural industry becomes an increasingly professional business, so the use of modern machinery is also increasing. That’s why Michelin invited journalists to a farm in Leicestershire to learn about how products like its Axiobib tractor tyre prevent the problems that are associated with soil compaction.

We’ve all driven past fields with water-logged tyre tracks running across them. But did you know this can be a sign that poor tyre choice has led to lower levels of soil being compacted, which in turn hinders drainage and reduces crop yield? Neither did we, so it was a good job Michelin had invited the Soil Management Initiative’s (SMI) resident soil expert, Dr Alistair Leake, along to explain the science behind the theory. (The SMI is a non-profit making, independent organisation dedicated to promoting the adoption of systems designed to protect and enhance soil quality, resulting in agronomic and economic benefits for farmers. The Environment Agency, John Deere and Michelin are just three of the 22 SMI members.)

1st November 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Starco Group Bound for Growth in Asia

Known in Europe as the market leader for small tyres, Denmark’s Starco group is currently taking steps to also secure a foothold in Asia. One such step, for example, is Starco’s first time presence at this year’s Tyrexpo Asia, explained Brian Lorentzen. Evidence that the Danish company is pursuing a strong growth strategy can be seen from even a brief look at the company’s annual reports and the development of Starco’s turnover. For example, last year Starco generated a turnover of US$100 million, this year the figure will very likely be 100 million euros. This means that the leading company in the European market for small tyres will experience about 30 per cent growth within just 12 months. Over the last ten years the Starco group has even achieved an increase in its annual turnover by a factor of ten.

31st October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

YHI Focusing on Advanti Racing and Neuton Private Brands

A company that is becoming one of the largest alloy wheel manufacturers amongst the countries lining the Pacific Rim is YHI International, headquartered in Singapore. Currently the company operates production capacities of 2.4 million wheels annually (in 2006 this figure was just 1.2 million) and has generated an annual turnover of more than 180 million euros through its wheel business. And if the company’s mid-term development plan becomes reality, by 2010 YHI will operate up to 24 production lines in its four alloy wheel factories in China, Taiwan and Malaysia. These lines will be able to produce about 4.3 million alloy wheels per year. “We will continue to develop YHI into a global brand”, said managing director Richard Tay in a recent company publication.

30th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan Reports ‘All-Time Record’ Q3 Sales

Titan International reports that its third quarter sales reached an all-time record figure of US$195.5 million, an increase of 25.2 per cent over the previous year’s third quarter result. This strong result has contributed towards record year to date sales of $632.1 million, a 23 per cent increase on the nine-month figures for 2006. Gross profit was $18.3 million for the third quarter, a 7 per cent increase over the $17.1 million obtained in the third quarter of 2006.

“The agricultural market for wheels and tyres is finally starting to show the growth we’ve been waiting for since 2006,” said Titan chairman and CEO Maurice M. Taylor Jr. “The orders for wheels and tyres are as strong as we’ve seen since 2004, and we believe it could continue to grow not only through 2008, but also into 2009 and beyond.

“The OTR mining tyre business remains strong. Since Titan announced the decision to build super giant 57- and 63-inch tyres, almost every mining company in the top 30 has made plant visits to Titan and found that we will be able to supply them with both wheels and tyres for all equipment they use in open-pit or underground mining. This should add tremendous volume going forward for Titan.

30th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Nordic Pneu Joins Starco Group

On 1 December 2007 Starco NV will officially takeover Nordic Pneu. Nordic Pneu, based in Saint Arnoult en-Yvelines near Paris, is a tyre and wheel wholesaler that primarily sells to the French aftermarket in the agriculture, forestry, industry and passenger car segments. The company has an annual turnover of 12 million euros and has 12 employees. Karl Mjörndal has been both owner and daily manager of Nordic Pneu since 1986. According to a company statement Starco is the fastest growing company in its part of the industry and expects to achieve 125 million euros of turnover in 2007.

Nordic Pneu’s integration into the Starco Group is a natural step in view of the globalisation of the business and the “generational change” of the company, according to the companies. It also fits with Starco’s goal of distributing throughout Europe. For this reason the warehouse at Nordic Pneu has been selected to be one of Starco’s distribution centres on the ‘Hansa-line’. This line is said to symbolise Starco’s aftermarket strategy, which focuses on ensuring fast delivery of tyres and wheels for vehicles within the selected segments anywhere in Europe.

29th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Three New MAK Wheels to Hit UK Roads

The UK distributor for the Italian MAK range of replacement alloy wheels, Yokohama HPT Ltd, has announced three new models for the UK market. According to Yokohama HPT, the three new designs “capture the manufacturer’s flair for design” whilst epitomising MAK’s reputation for quality and longevity.

The first of the three wheels is the Volare, a design featuring 20 narrow spokes that spread from the mounting face right out to the edge of the wheel rim. A slight step at the rim is intended to increase the perception of size, and the combination of these two elements is said to lend the wheel a very contemporary, motorsport feel. The Volare comes in a range of sizes, beginning at 15-inch and running up to 9.5×19-inch, and is available in both four and five-stud patterns. Prices begin at £93.95 including VAT and the Volare features a mirror polished face with gunmetal body.

25th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Federal & Hero Welcome Friends at SEMA

The SEMA Show is again around the corner, taking place between October 30 and November 2 in the Las Vegas Convention Center. In attendance at SEMA in 2007 is Federal Tyre, who wishes to extend its hospitality to existing and new friends.

Strongly inspired by motorsport themes, this year’s Federal Tyres stand at SEMA will be home to a vast array of the manufacturer’s tyres, including the FZ201, 595RPM and 595RS. Also present will be D1 Grand Prix Drifting founder and Option Magazine Publisher Daijiro Inada, who will sign autographs alongside his Nissan 180SX. And attendees whose blood does not get pumped by drifting can enjoy the many talents of the “Federal promo-girl squad”, who will offer ‘photo opportunities’ and hand out tattoo stickers.

As if all this wasn’t enough, the 112 square metre stand will also accommodate product lines from the fine-tuning Hero range, including a 16-inch fitment of the Atlanta AR01 PCR; Milanza HZ1 ultra-high performance tyre in a 20-inch size and Dynastorm A/T in 245/70R16. More sophisticated Federal products such as the 595EVO, 595RPM and Couragia A/T are expected to cater for the growing US appetite for this type of product, and offer the following benefits:

24th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Revolution Revised

The planned launch event for Revolution’s new tuning megastore near Gateshead, has had to be put back to Saturday 10 November. Why? Well, despite managing to complete the entire £1 million build on schedule and on budget, owner Glenn Campbell has faced been beaten by the gas board and has to wait to be hooked up to the mains! After all, what’s an open day without a decent cup of tea?

The new site covers an impressive one acre and is expected to house the largest selection of wheels and tyres in the UK. Located just off the A1 in Gateshead, the Megastore will also boast no less than 4 fitting bays, a team of 4 highly trained technicians and the very latest in wheel alignment and tyre-fitting technology. Nitrogen tyre inflation and facilities for up to 30″ rim fitments are all now ‘business as usual’.

19th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

European Associations Launch Right to Repair Campaign

Automotive aftermarket and motorist representatives have today launched the Right to Repair Campaign at Equip’Auto 2007 to safeguard consumer choice and effective competition in the market for vehicle replacement parts, tools and equipment, servicing and repair.

“Vehicles are more and more becoming “computers on wheels”, stated Campaign spokesperson Sylvia Gotzen. “While technological innovations provide better emissions control as well as more safety and comfort, they have made it increasingly challenging to service or repair a vehicle. Fair and full access for independent market operators to technical information, multi-brand diagnostic tools as well as test equipment, replacement parts and training is therefore more than ever crucial to be able to provide European motorists with the quality service and parts they deserve in the aftermarket care of their vehicles”, she explained.

16th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Lamborghini Selects Beru for TPMS

Automotive engineering specialists Beru F1 Systems has announced that it is supplying its award-winning digital tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) DigiTyre to Lamborghini for the Gallardo and Murciélago platforms. The safety feature, developed using Beru F1 Systems’ extensive motorsport experience, is standard fit on US Gallardo and Murciélago models to comply with the TREAD act. (The TREAD act makes it mandatory for passenger vehicles and light trucks sold in the USA to be fitted with a pressure monitoring system).

Specialist and niche vehicle manufacturers rightly demand robust and integrated solutions,” says BERU F1 Systems’ managing director John Bailey. “The higher speeds, higher cornering forces and demands experienced by performance cars rule out many solutions currently available. Our system is robust, light yet still retains all the integration features such as end of line testing and dealer diagnostics that OEMs require.”

15th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Mizati Plans More Wheel Lots Stores

(Akron/Tire Review) Mizati Luxury Alloy Wheels said it plans to open its second Wheel Lots retail store somewhere in the Los Angeles area, and has plans for as many as eight stores in the area. “Initially we were focusing on the Inland Empire area. However, since this October when we launched our radio campaign, we realized that in order to assist our customers after they made purchases, we would like to have the second Wheel Lots store cover a different part of the city,” Mizati CEO Hazel Chu said. “With this scenario, both geographic areas will be covered by at least one location for the installation of customers’ purchases, and in 2008, we will have six to eight stores opened between Inland Empire and the greater Los Angeles area,” Chu added.

11th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Revolution Opens New £1m Megastore

Performance specialist Revolution is set to open the doors to its latest and greatest outlet. The one-acre purpose built site, in the heart of Northeast England, will begin trading on Saturday October 27.

Now in its tenth year of trading, Revolution has grown steadily from its inception to become a highly regarded tuner and mail order suppliers of tyres, wheels and related equipment plus a host of other performance and styling accessories. According to Revolution the new megastore, located just off the A1 in Gateshead, will house the largest selection of wheels and tyres in the UK and be equipped with no less than four fitting bays staffed by specialist technicians trained in the latest wheel alignment and tyre fitting technology. Nitrogen tyre inflation and facilities for fitments of up to 30-inch rims will be, Revolution adds, all ‘business as usual.’

“Our philosophy with the new store is to deliver the ultimate experience for the customer,” says owner Glenn Campbell. “Whether they’re buying tuning parts, visiting us for routine servicing or simply popping in for some impartial advice.” Visitors walking into the Gateshead outlet will find surroundings that Revolution describe as “most alien to hardened tuners” – a comfortable environment with seating, televisions, gaming areas and the obligatory coffee bar. All provided without compromising the company’s price match policy, reassures Campbell: “We can still match any like-for-like quote you can find!”

9th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Enjoy the Daily Grind!

Chicago Pneumatic has added two new additions to its grinder range: the CP7554 angle grinder and the CP7556ES extended die grinder. Derived from the CP854, the CP7554 angle grinder boasts a 14mm spindle that creates compatibility with most popular grinding wheels, which up to this point were restricted to only electric grinders. The CP7556ES is the newest offering of the already popular CP75 series grinder family launched in 2006. The ES (extended shank) tools provide all the ergonomic, power and dependability features associated with the CP75 series grinders with the added ability to reach confined areas.

2nd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors