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Maxxis Aims for Growth through Retail Network

Speaking exclusively to Tyres & Accessories, Maxxis International (UK) Ltd managing director, Derek McMartin has given more details of plans to grow its PCR business in the UK by setting up a series of retail ‘Centres of Excellence’ to actively promote the brand to the tyre buying public. The centres are being developed with recent TAFF wholesale award winners Group Tyre (UK) Ltd.

Derek McMartin describes the Maxxis Centres of Excellence programme as a key element of UK growth strategy. While the Maxxis brand is already well-known within the industry and particularly strong in sectors like motorcycle and speciality, the move to develop a retail network is seen as the company’s pathway towards increased passenger car/4×4 market penetration.

23rd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Setting the Wheels in Motion for Business Success

Neill and Ginny Murphy, a team with pioneering ideas on alloy wheel refurbishment in the UK, are franchising their business and looking to recruit 65 franchisees. Neill Murphy said: “The success of the business has been phenomenal and we want to now grow it to become the leading Alloy Wheel Refurbishment Company in the UK. To do that we want to recruit around 65 franchisees who have the desire and enthusiasm to run a thriving business which could make them anything from £50,000 in their first year to £150,000 plus per year net profit.

In 1985 Neill and Ginny set up a division within their company of Lap-Tab UK Ltd called The Wheel Specialist, one of the first companies of its kind in this country, after identifying a growing market for alloy wheel refurbishment. Over the past 20 years the business has continued to grow and they count a number of high profile companies and car enthusiasts including TV presenter and newspaper columnist Quentin Willson amongst their customers.

23rd May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

GTI Pirelli Makes a Long-Awaited Comeback

Almost a quarter century after its hugely popular predecessor first saw light of day, Pirelli is once again lending its name to Volkswagen’s high performance hatchback. Differentiated from its lesser brethren by its unique aesthetics and mechanical specifications, the Golf GTI Pirelli will make its debut several weeks after September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Media and aficionados were treated to an advance showing of the new Volkswagen at its world premiere at the international GTI Meeting in Wörthersee, Austria on May 16.

The rubber chosen for the Golf GTI Pirelli is from the P Zero range, in 225/40 size, fitted to 18-inch 5P Pirelli light alloy wheels. The P Zero theme extends into the GTI Pirelli’s insides, with interior styling inspired by the tyre’s tread pattern. But while they may add to the car’s appearance, the P Zero tyres are not there simply for show – lurking under the Golf GTI Pirelli’s bonnet is a 230hp direct injection turbocharged engine capable of delivering a maximum speed of 245 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.

21st May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan’s Board Approves Giant Tyre Production

The go-ahead has been given for Titan International to gear-up for giant tyre production. The company’s Board of Directors approved the allocation of funding to increase mining tyre production by the addition of 57 and 63-inch sizes to its range. This injection of finances should give Titan the ability to produced around 6,000 of the giant radials per year.

“We are very excited about this newest venture since there are only two manufacturers in the world that produce 63-inch radial tyres: Michelin and Bridgestone,” said Titan Chairman and CEO Maurice M. Taylor Jr. “This is what it’s all about; a small American company going up against two powerhouse foreign companies, one French, the other Japanese.

“Titan has assembled a great team, and we believe that we have a better way to produce these giant tyres. We believe radial tyres perform better on 15-degree wheels, which is what cars and trucks now utilise. Titan has developed these wheels and we plan to produce our new tyres on a 72.5-inch 15-degree wheel at the same time as we produce 63-inch radial tyres.”

21st May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Indian Figures Show Production Up, Exports Down

Detailed figures showing tyre production and exports by Indian manufacturers have been released, covering the months of December 2006 and January this year. The figures are split into a number of categories – 12 in all – and the January figures show that, in eight of these, production rose compared with January last year. The total number of tyres produced during the month was 10 per cent up on January 2006.

Figure 1 shows the numbers of tyres produced in January, the percentage change over January 2006, plus the percentage change for the period from April to January (06-07) over April- January (05-06). This last figure gives a more accurate indication of trends, as a single month’s figures could be affected by such things as seasonal factors.

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Take the Strain out of Moving Tyres with Mace

The days when employees could put their back into a job are long gone, and workplace safety regulations have instead resulted in companies fearing employees putting their backs out. Mace Industries Ltd supply a valuable range of equipment that can help employers avoid workplace injuries and the costly legal action that can result from such events. Of particular interest to those in operating in the tyre trade is the Uni-Loada Tyre Lift, a conveyor belt that can rapidly transport tyres and other products from ground to mezzanine level. And according to Mace Industries’ Tony Mace, the Uni-Loada can be moved and set up in a matter of seconds, making it a convenient addition to the workplace.

Demonstrating the merits of the Uni-Loada at Brityrex, Tony Mace and his colleagues loaded the unit with large quantities of tyres to show how easily the Uni-Loada could shift them upstairs. The Uni-Loada’s 13 amp two-speed electric drum motor, which can move the conveyor belt at between 20 and 26 metres a minute, made light work of the tyres. In fact if required the Uni-Loada can move up to 1200 items in a single hour.

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hayes Lemmerz Reports Estimated Q1 Results

On May 15 Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc., global supplier of wheels, brakes and powertrain components, announced their estimated results for the first quarter of 2007 and issued updated guidance for the 2007 full fiscal year. The estimated results are unaudited, have not been reviewed by the company’s independent auditors, and are subject to adjustment during the course of preparation and review of the Hayes Lemmerz quarterly financial statements.

For the fiscal year first quarter 2007 Hayes Lemmerz expects to achieve sales of approximately US$560 to $565 million, Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $54 to $58 million, slightly negative free cash flow and capital expenditures of approximately $16 million.

16th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Redcap Brings One Stop Auto Care to the Middle East

Motorists in Saudi Arabia are now able to benefit from the convenience of having all their automotive purchasing and servicing needs met under the one roof. The giant Tamimi Group has announced the opening of four car care hypercentres, a concept Tyres & Accessories are informed is brand new to the Middle East. The centres will trade under the brand name ‘Redcap’ and will cater for every make and model, from the smallest car to the largest SUV.

The chain’s initial four hypercentres have opened in the cities of Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Hassa, with a fifth outlet opening in Al Khobar in the near future. The Tamimi Group state that Redcap hypercentres in numerous other locations – including outlets in Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait – are also in the pipeline.

27th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Falken Introduces New Wheels

(Akron/Tire Review) Falken Tire Corp. has announced the availability of its Solaris and Executive wheels.

The Solaris wheel “combines a traditional mesh face with an eight-spoke overlay creating a distinctive look,” said the company. Made or SUV and large passenger vehicle applications, the Solaris comes in 20 to 24-inch sizes and in two finishes, chrome or black machined.

The Executive wheel features a “full-face design and aggressive lip,” Falken said. It is available in a chrome, black-face/chrome-lip and black-face/machined-lip finishes, with sizes ranging from an 18 to 22-inch for the domestic and import market.

27th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Titan Wheels Wins Queen’s Awards for Enterprise

Titan Steel Wheels Ltd and several other firms from the automotive and commercial vehicle sectors are celebrating after winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise – the UK’s most prestigious annual accolade for business success.

In total, 119 Business Awards are announced this year – 71 for International Trade, 40 for Innovation and 8 for Sustainable Development. As ever, winning companies come from a vast range of business sectors, and range in size from two firms with just three employees to an international giant employing 68,000 people. 49 per cent of this year’s winning firms employ less than 50 people.

This year Titan Steel Wheels Ltd, a manufacturer of wheels for earthmoving machines, represented the tyre and wheel industry.

To mark their achievement, a representative from each winning company is invited to attend a special reception in London tonight (Tuesday 24th April 2007) in the presence of HRH The Duke of York.

24th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

A New Breed of Customers Pushing the Limits

(Akron/Tire Review) Trying to stay up with automotive trends is a lot like keeping up with fashion. What’s hot today is soon in the rear-view mirror, left in the dust by the next cool thing.

From the hot rods to muscle cars and from tuners and the big SUV luxury crowd, one trend always gives way to the next big thing. And, while tuners and luxo-SUVs aren’t yet fading into the woodwork, a new breed of modifier is here, presenting new challenges to tyre dealers.

Called “VIP style,” this latest form of modification is not about speed or handling. It’s all about aesthetics. Think style and class, not flash.

23rd April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Hayes Lemmerz Receives Ford 2006 World Excellence Award

Hayes Lemmerz International has been awarded the Ford Motor Company’s Silver World Excellence Award for exemplary performance during 2006 as a supplier of automotive wheels and brakes.

In granting the World Excellence Awards, Ford specifically gave recognition to the Hayes Lemmerz automotive steel wheel facility in Ostrava, Czech Republic and its automotive brake facility in Apodaca (Monterrey), Mexico, for achieving the highest levels of performance in cost, quality and delivery. In announcing the award recipients, Ford’s senior vice president for global purchasing, Tony Brown said, “Their efforts have positively impacted customer satisfaction.”

23rd April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Progetto Marangoni Ready to Deliver

Italian manufacturer Marangoni Tyre is claiming its recent Progetto Marangoni partnership with Redline magazine is already bearing fruit at the retail level. As redline’s Toyota Yaris project car nears completion, Derek Carruthers, Marangoni (Car Tyre Division) Sales & Marketing Director, commented on the brand visibility that has been achieved through the project: “This unique media/tyre company partnership has really caught everyone’s imagination. For Marangoni it is proving a fantastic opportunity to communicate our message to a new, demanding and highly influential market, while for Redline it dramatically shifts their ambitious project car programme to a new and elevated platform.”

The Toyota Yaris has been stripped of its original engine and gearbox and all interior trim. The MR2 donor car has been purchased, its much-modified turbo already boasting printouts of 298bhp. Redline will add a chargecooler and a few hush-hush mods which will boost output to well over 300bhp.

19th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Alcoa Wheel Technology Wins 2007 PACE Award

Alcoa Wheel Products has been named a 2007 Automotive News PACE Award winner. The awards, which are given in recognition of superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance amongst automotive suppliers, were announced on April 16 at a ceremony in Detroit.

Alcoa was awarded for its Dura-Bright wheels that utilise the company’s patented XBR Technology. This unique surface treatment penetrates the aluminium to become an integral part of the wheel. Alcoa claim that, unlike coated wheels, wheels treated with XBR Technology, will not peel, crack, corrode or chip. Dura-Bright wheels only require rinsing with mild soap and water to maintain their appearance.

During his acceptance speech, president of Alcoa Wheel Products Kevin Kramer said, “We are truly honoured to be recognised as a winner for this prestigious award. Dura-Bright technology is now enjoying acceptance from our global OEM partners while we have also recently launched the innovation into our automotive aftermarket business. Winning the Automotive News PACE Award further validates our commitment to wheel innovation.”

18th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Goodyear Dunlop on Top Down Under

The Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 has been singled out as Australasia’s tyre of choice for large cars after scoring highly in independent tyre tests conducted by leading Australian motoring publication Wheels Magazine. South Pacific Tyres, Goodyear Dunlop’s Australian and New Zealand operation, also received a second accolade as the Eagle F1 GS-D3 was joined by the Dunlop Sport Maxx as the best tyre for small to medium cars.

In 2006 the tests were conducted on 17-inch tyres only but this year the magazine editors created two classes – one for 245/45R18 tyres, which were mounted on a 6 litre V8 Holden Commodore SS, and the other for 205/55R16 on a turbo diesel VW Golf. Six different brands of tyre, including those fitted as OE, were tested by professional rally and race drivers. The tests comprised slalom, cornering, braking and hot laps on wet and dry roads.

18th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors