Now that its part of the MOT to fail cars that have warning lamps showing garages stand to gain extra work by not only diagnosing the problem but fixing it. That’s why Butts of Bawtry have released a new tool designed specifically for this task – the MOTpro.
Leading garage suppliers including Apaseal/Pang, DQN, Haweka UK, Hofmann Megaplan, Rema Tip Top Automotive and Supertracker will be demonstrating their latest technology at Brityrex in October.
Continental says it has expanded its research and development centre in Hanover-Stöcken and installed a new facility that can inspect the insides of passenger car and commercial vehicle tyres more quickly and efficiently. The advantage offered by the LINAC (Linear Electronic Accumulation) computer tomography facility, says Conti, is that it enables internal tyre components to be tested under conditions that replicate on-road driving conditions.
Continental Tyres has introduced new visual alignment indicators (VAI) on two long distance truck tyre sizes; the first time such indicators have become available on truck tyres in Europe. The VAIs aim to show operators incorrect wheel alignment on trucks and trailers more easily and without the use of expensive electronic measuring systems. Conti says the system should help fleet operators to spot excessive positive or negative camber angles or too much toe-in or toe-out, all of which can decrease tyre life through uneven wear and increase fuel consumption. Early detection through a simple visual check can be carried out as part of a routine maintenance inspection.
June's magazine is now available hot off the virtual press. Containing special features on high performance tyres, retail chains/buying groups, and recycling and collection, the latest edition of Tyres & Accessories also looks at the latest in wheel alignment technology. The June issue also features our annual ranking of top tyre manufacturers. Subscribers can view this now by clicking more below.
Cornwall’s first workshop to be equipped with a Hunter HawkEye Elite TD wheel alignment system is the latest site to be recognised as Pro-Align’s Alignment Centre of the Month. Xpress Tyres in Falmouth was given the May award, having installed the new equipment two months ago. The company says the Elite TD is being used up to 10 times a day. Pro-Align says this can be attributed to speculative alignment checks, which are being carried out on almost every car that passes through the workshop for any purpose.
Snap-on Equipment’s extensive Hofmann range of wheel alignment equipment could generate a net income of over £30,000 per year even given conservative throughput expectations, according to the company’s recent field research. Snap-on says its range accommodates any workshop and level of service volume, while the leading European manufacturer of garage equipment also offers wheel alignment service expertise and aftersales care. Its most recent machines feature the latest full 3D four wheel alignment technology.
Rubber and retreading materials manufacturer Kraiburg Austria posted sales of over 108 million euros in 2011, the highest sales figures in the 50 years since the company’s foundation. According to the Kraiburg, the retreading business accounted for a good 65 per cent of the sales. As a result Kraiburg Austria has returned to pre-crisis levels it was achieving in 2008.
The Reifen 2012 show gets underway in just over a month’s time, and B&J Rocket will be there. The Switzerland-based firm reports that it will present its new hallmark ‘Quality Plus’ to trade visitors from all over the world during the exhibition. The programme was initiated by Andreas Müller, managing director of B&J Rocket, to demonstrate to partners and customers how the company achieves and maintains quality at the highest level. This process begins with the careful selection of raw materials and its suppliers.
After reading the facts unearthed by the latest Kwik Fit survey, you’d be forgiven for wishing some British motorists stuck to public transport. The study of 2,027 adults carried out for the fast fit network shows that four per cent of respondents – a proportion representing 1.3 million British motorists – don’t even know if their vehicle has a spare wheel. Three per cent – think a million motorists – confessed to not having any provision whatsoever for a flat tyre.
Tyre repair material and wheel service solution producer Tech Europe is a long-term supporter of the Reifen exhibition, and returns to Essen this year to exhibit the latest products and services in its Tech and Truflex/Pang ranges. As the European arm of Tech International, a supplier of over 5,000 products into 110 countries worldwide, Tech Europe will be presenting its complete range of Tech tyre repair material, Truflex/Pang tyre repair material, tools and accessories, balance weights and valves, and, most significantly this year, introducing its new offering of TPMS solutions.
Goodyear has converted the last bits of its former Truckwise truck tyre programme to the FleetHQ moniker, reports Tire Review. Announced at the recent Truck World event in Toronto, Goodyear rebranded its Canadian fleet tyre and service to FleetHQ. The new Canadian brand will “create a consistent business solutions brand that offers products, services and information tools for trucking fleets and owner/operators throughout North America,” the company said.
Snap-on has announced the release of the new 12.2 software download for its best selling ‘family’ of hand-held diagnostic tools and now including coverage of the Kia and Suzuki models.
“Continued and committed software development ensures that Snap-on customers’ diagnostic tools remain consistently powerful and productive in the workplace,” says Mark Ost, UK sales director for Snap-on Diagnostics. “Our new 12.2 software download has built yet again on the previous software releases to provide profitable features to help the workshop technician deal with the sophisticated technology used on today’s modern vehicles.
CES (UK) Ltd has released the latest version of its Workshop Essentials catalogue. Expanded to 112 pages, the catalogue features brands, such as Comma, Wynn’s, Kent Car Care, Sealey and Ring Automotive. Inside the catalogue there are thousands of consumables, tools and cleaning products that are typically used every day by technicians.
Pirelli has made its Diablo Super Biker application, launched last August on Apple’s iPhone, can now be used on Android devices. The free app boasts an award received at SMAU 2011 in the Utilities Tools and Productivity category of the Mob App Awards. Pirelli says more than 50,000 bikers have downloaded it.
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