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ZT Wholesale Launches Diamond Back Line

(Akron/Tire Review) US importer and wholesaler ZT Wholesale has added a new brand to its portfolio – Diamond Back – a line of performance radials. The Diamond Back line, according to ZT Wholesale, features three M+S rated tyres, covering 14 through 24-inch wheel sizes and T through W speed ratings.

“The addition of the Diamond Back brand gives our dealers a valuable option for both OE replacement and plus size applications,” explains Don Mathis, ZT Wholesale sales director. “The expansion into 14, 15 and 16-inch sizes completes our high performance product range. In addition to expanding the range of performance sizes, we plan on introducing light truck and snow tyres in 2008.”

25th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Bidvest Believed to Behind TiAuto Buyout Announcement

Bidvest, 20 per cent shareholders in Tiger Automotive Ltd (TiAuto), who in turn own a 51 per cent share in Yokohama High Performance Tyres in the UK, is believed to have shown interest in acquiring all of the company’s retail and wholesale aftermarket wheel and tyre business. In mid-October TiAuto’s board announced: “Shareholders of Tiger Automotive are advised that the board has received a proposal which may result in an offer to acquire the entire issued share capital of the company.”

22nd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyrexpo Asia Continues to Grow Despite Clash of Dates

The sixth Tyrexpo Asia, held in Singapore in September, left no hint of a doubt as to the importance of the regional tyre market and of the show itself in comparison with other regions and events. The organisers of the biannual Tyrexpo Asia, the UK’s ECI International, have again been proud to present the show’s final figures, which show an exhibitor increase of about 30 per cent compared to the 2005 show: this year 125 companies from 25 different countries booked floor space in the Singapore Expo Center. In terms of booked floor space this year’s show has developed equally well: about 6,500 m² was covered which, representing a growth of 25 per cent. However, this success is not completely untarnished as the number of visitors might be expected to have grown on par – something that would been justified by the quality of exhibitors – if there had not been a clash of dates with the CITExpo tyre show in Shanghai, China. At the end ECI International reported a growth of nine per cent up to 3,219 registered visitors from 88 different countries.

22nd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Sometimes Change is a Good Thing

After 28 years in the tyres business Peter Harries has been appointed as the new managing director of the UK’s largest wholesale group, Group Tyre (UK) Ltd. For Harries, the appointment represents something of a step change from the manufacturer-based positions he enjoyed at Cooper Avon for the vast majority of his career. Tyres & Accessories met with the new managing director as he settled in to his new role at Group.

Prior to joining Group Tyre, Harries spent six years as sales director of Cooper Tire & Rubber Europe. Before this he spent more than two decades in a range of positions with Avon Tyres and Cooper Tire. “I am very excited to be joining Group, a company which I have always admired,” Harries told Tyres & Accessories, adding that he has joined the company at a significant point. “There is a lot of change in tyre industry,” he commented.

So what’s the plan from here on in? “I am here to develop strategy and structure and to drive the business forward to higher sales and deeper penetration,” said Harries, adding that there is “a lot of scope for growth.” Group Tyre and its members have achieved some impressive results over the last decade and a half, and recent performance has been no different. Harries is confident that Group turnover (which will reach £234 million this year) will continue to grow. There are also said to be five and 10 year plans in the works, but the new managing director was less willing to give details of those away.

5th October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

R H Claydon Ltd: Tyres and Tubes for Today’s Market

Through almost 60 years of trading, the company, a major player in the UK Tyre Wholesale sector, has experienced many changes in this ever-evolving industry, from the early days of crossply tyres, to the now, commonplace radial tyre. Coupled with this the extensive development of the varying aspect ratios now required to meet the many needs and applications of not only road transport, but for all pneumatic tyre equipped vehicles, such as agricultural, industrial, construction, earthmover, open space management, plant & machinery and much more.

In meeting the present day requirements R H Claydon offers tyres for all these requirements and being solely a wholesaler, with no retail outlets, there is no conflict with its customer base. The exclusive brand, BKT, manufactured in India, forms the greater part of this supply for all products outside Car, Van, 4X4 & Truck, The range could be stated as meeting all needs pneumatic, indeed this is signified in BKT’s own advertising strapline “Off-Highway Tyre Solutions”. In this year, there have been many additions to the BKT Range including, 70/65/90&95 Agrimax Radial Tractor, Tele Handler sizes in 460/70R24 (17.5R24) and 19.5R24. BKT Armaturf KV Tyres for the professional ride-on mower, now offer an estimated 90 per cent protection from punctures. The year has also seen the growth in earthmover units; in this sector sizes such as 1800-25 40pr & 1800-33 40pr Rock Grip E4, both sizes also produced for Port & Terminal operations. The BKT range fully justifies Claydon’s own slogan “All- Season All- Reason Agricultural & Industrial Tyres”.

2nd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Compass Expands Warehouse 35%

Compass HD Tyres Ltd, part of the Compass Group Ltd, UK and Ireland distributor of GTRadial and Runway-brand tyres, is expanding its warehousing facilities still further. According to company officials a new 35,000 square foot facility will come on stream to add to the current 100,000 square foot of space at the Compass’ Huddersfield base. In addition, a number of extra sales and logistics staff are due to be recruited.

Tim Chesney, managing director of the Compass Group told Tyres & Accessories that the expansion of storage space is directly attributable to the ongoing success story of Giti produced tyres in the UK. The Company launched GT into Europe almost 20 years ago when it imported the first ever containers of the then fledgling car tyre brand with just seven sizes in the radial range. Today the GT Radial car tyre brand has many hundreds of sizes in its range, covering almost every popular size in car, van and 4X4 and it is a market leader in the mid range sector of the market with its development of UHP and other cutting edge tyre designs. Sales into the new car tyre replacement market have increased year-on-year and today, through Compass Group, GT produced tyre brands boast a market share in the UK that leads the market outside the premium sector.

2nd October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Broadway Tyres Lifts the Lid on New Dealer Training

Several months after unveiling its new corporate identity, Broadway Tyres is making steady progress on the roll out of its rebranding. Depots, vans, staff uniforms and office stationery are now increasingly seen sporting the distinctive new double-tyre Broadway “B” logo. But the company has not stopped at merely sprucing up its image. In late September Broadway Tyres ran the pilot of a new training programme aimed at increasing professionalism amongst the approximately 1,200 independent tyre dealers that purchase from the company – and increasing their ability to generate strong sales.

“I want Broadway Tyres to become a world class company,” stated managing director Jonathan West to an audience of industry representatives – the ‘guinea pig’ audience for this first-ever training session. “And we are committed to our customers’ success as much as our own.” These customers, the smaller independent tyre dealerships that make up 29 per cent of the market, have been the cornerstone of Broadway Tyres’ past success, and West is confident this will continue to be the case.

1st October 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Service The Key For Stapleton’s

As one of the UK’s largest wholesale distributors of passenger car tyres, Stapleton’s understands the needs of the fast moving tyre retail market and is committed to ensuring customers have a wholesaler they can rely on.

25th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New TIA Board Set

(Akron/Tire Review) Members have spoken, and TIA has 13 newly elected board of directors members. The new board members will officially take office Oct. 29 at TIA’s annual membership meeting in Las Vegas, just prior to the SEMA Sow.

Thirteen seats were open including 10 seats with three-year terms, one seat with a two-year term and two seats with a one-year term. Elected to serve three-year terms were:

20th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Steer Axle Tyre Provides 10% More Grip

Michelin has launched the replacement to its XFN+ steer axle truck tyre. Called the XFN2+, in its 315/80 R 22.5 guise the new arrival is said to offer up to 10 per cent more grip than its predecessor, prompting the French tyre major to comment that a ‘new level of safety’ has been reached by its new product.

19th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyres and Tubes for Today’s Market

Through almost 60 years of trading, the company, a major player in the UK Tyre Wholesale sector, has experienced many changes in this ever-evolving industry, from the early days of crossply tyres, to the now, commonplace radial tyre. Coupled with this the extensive development of the varying aspect ratios now required to meet the many needs and applications of not only road transport, but for all pneumatic tyre equipped vehicles, such as agricultural, industrial, construction, earthmover, open space management, plant & machinery and much more. In meeting the present day requirements R H Claydon offers tyres for all these requirements and being solely a wholesaler, with no retail outlets, there is no conflict with its customer base.

The exclusive brand, BKT, manufactured in India, forms the greater part of this supply for all products outside Car, Van, 4X4 & Truck, The range could be stated as meeting all needs pneumatic, indeed this is signified in BKT’s own advertising strapline “Off-Highway Tyre Solutions”. In this year, there have been many additions to the BKT Range including, 70/65/90&95 Agrimax Radial Tractor, Tele Handler sizes in 460/70R24 (17.5R24) and 19.5R24. BKT Armaturf KV Tyres for the professional ride-on mower, now offer an estimated 90 per cent protection from punctures. The year has also seen the growth in earthmover units; in this sector sizes such as 1800-25 40pr & 1800-33 40pr Rock Grip E4, both sizes also produced for Port & Terminal operations. The BKT range fully justifies Claydon’s own slogan “All- Season All- Reason Agricultural & Industrial Tyres”.

14th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Ashley Croft Returns to Stapletons as a Consultant

Former managing director, Ashley Croft, has returned to Stapleton’s to act as a consultant with special responsibility for working with the management to further develop Stapleton’s as one of the country’s leading tyre wholesalers and retailers. In February Croft resigned as Warehousing, Logistics and Wholesale Sales Director of Micheldever Tyre Services, having been involved in the company’s management buy out in February 2006.

At the time he told Tyres & Accessories that the decision to leave was entirely amicable, saying that his original brief was to expand Micheldever’s wholesale and distribution base to a national level and that that project has now been completed.

13th September 2007/by Chris

Tiger Auto Mauls a 19 Per Cent Headline Earnings Increase

Tiger Automotive has thrived since its unbundling from Tiger wheels last December, and the company’s latest financial bear testimony to the wheel and tyre distributor’s good health. Tiger Automotive reports that in its first full year as a company listed with South Africa’s JSE stock exchange in its own right, it has achieved a 19 per cent increase in headline earnings, to Rs 1.242 (£0.085) a share. Revenue has risen 17.3 per cent to Rs 1.1 billion (£75.3 million). The company reports that these results counter the typical pattern of lower earnings in the second half. At the half-year stage, headline earnings were 15.2 per cent up at Rs 0.61 (£0.042), and the forecast was for a slight increase in full-year earnings.

“This pleasing rise in earnings was achieved because we were able to rectify – although not completely – problems that impacted on the first half,” said group managing director Keith Rivers.

Pre-tax profit (for the year to 30 June) increased 15.5 per cent to Rs 101.3-million (£6.9 million), while attributable profit was up by almost Rs 10 million to Rs 73.7 million (£5.04 million). In lieu of an annual dividend, the company is making a capital distribution of Rs 0.49 (£0.03) a share.

7th September 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Wondraschek: New Business and Old Traditions

For smaller companies involved in the tyre business it is sometimes equally important to stick to good old traditions as it is to find a way to develop the business creatively. A company that has obviously succeeded in both over the years is the retreader and tyre dealer “Reifen Wondraschek” from the Austrian city of Linz. While in the past the company was mainly known for its activities in the retreading business, today the company engages in an increasing range of new activities, such as exclusive distribution of the Cooper brand in Austria or – as of this year – the exclusive rights to market the Nexen brand in Austria. And just as Reifen Wondraschek is embarking on new businesses, old ones are being phased out. At the end of last year the company ceased producing retreaded tyres for passenger cars. This step was necessary, although painful at the same time as passenger car tyre retreading was once the core business of Reifen Wondraschek, which was founded in the 1930s as a vulcanising company.

31st August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Peter Harries to Head-Up Group Tyre

Peter Harries has been officially named as the new managing director of leading independent wholesale group, Group Tyre (UK) Ltd. Prior to joining Group Tyre, Harries spent six years as sales director of Cooper Tire & Rubber Europe. Before this he spent more than two decades in a range of positions with Avon Tyres and Cooper Tire. “I am very excited to be joining Group, a company which I have always admired,” Harries told Tyres & Accessories, adding that he has joined the company at a significant point. “There is a lot of change in tyre industry,” he commented.

Previously, group tyre had been run by its former chairman, John Church, until he stepped down on 1 April 2006 due to health reasons. In the interim Larry Cross (coordinating director), Karl Naylor, (director of commercial operations), Nick Manning (director of purchasing), and John Dunleavy (financial controller) took responsibility for maintain continuity.

7th August 2007/by Tyrepress Editors