During last month’s 55th China International Trade Fair for Auto-Aftermarket (Automaintech), in Beijing, Corghi’s Artiglio 50 was awarded the best tyre changer exhibited at the show. Automaintech is the most important exhibition in China for Automotive Service Equipment and Corghi participated with its own stand, showing its most technologically advanced machines.
Garage equipment specialist The Trade Group, who are a main distributor for leading wheelcare company Hofmann Megaplan, successfully launched their new, high specification Trademaster T2520 Fully Automatic Tyre Changer, at the recent Harrogate MechanEx equipment exhibition. They are confident their range of wheelcare products is now suitable not only for the smallest garage but right up to the largest tyre shop, fast fit or even CV workshop.
In pursuit of the Italian garage equipment brand’s international intentions, Corghi has released details of the development strategy the firm is pursuing. According to Corghi representatives, the plan centres on so-called BRIC markets (Brazil, Russia, India and China) as the main guideline for growth. And for this reason the company reports it is making “significant investment in both the manufacturing and commercial side” of the business, investments that are said to be “already starting to bear fruit.”
Pro-Align has added David Haydon as the latest recruit to join its wheel alignment sales team, as field sales executive in the South West. According to the company, both Pro-Align and Haydon are “bowled over” that the ex-county cricketer has brought his proven sales track record to the wheel alignment business.
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Consumables part of the business and the Reifen China 2010 exhibition that was held at the end of last year in Shanghai.
Based on the principles of the need for quick and efficient tyre servicing, especially in the peak seasons of spring and autumn; the variety of staff experience used in workshops to deal with the high turnover and any customer inquires; and the ability to deal with increasingly popular runflat and ultra high performance tyres, Beissbarth says that the market is now placing increased quality demands on the tyre fitting process. At Automechanika in Frankfurt, the company showcased three new tyre changers and two new balancers for tyre service and contracted workshops, which it says fulfil all of the requirements for quick and easy tyre service. All three changers are certified for fitting RFT and UHP tyres by the Trade Association of the German Rubber Industry (WDK).
Hofmann Megaplan has given away one of its megamount Smart lever-less tyre changers to Mill Tyres of Boston, Lincolnshire, the latter having won the company’s Brityrex 2010 prize-draw. The Smart can handle rims up to 30” in diameter, and is specifically targeted at “tough rim and tyre combinations”, including runflats, according to Hofmann Megaplan.
Snap-on Equipment has recently introduced new entry-level tyre changers and wheel balancers, which it believes will help workshops access greater wheel service revenue. Available under the Hofmann and John Bean brands, Snap-on offers offer a two-year warranty on the machines, which it says are “robustly built”. Installation and training are also provided as standard. Chris Behan, general manager, Snap-on Equipment, comments: “Our new entry-level tyre changers and wheel balancers are ideal for workshops seeking to expand their business into the tyre market, without compromising on quality or technology.”
Leading wheel alignment and wheel service equipment specialist Pro-Align is offering an advanced wheel balancer and tyre changer combination designed to solve the most difficult wheel vibration issues. “The majority of difficult vibration issues occur as a result of stiff spots within the tyre wall,” explains Paul Beaurain, managing director, Pro-Align. “These variations mean the tyre does not roll in a uniform manner and vibrations occur. However, as the stiff spots can only be detected under load, they cannot be identified on traditional wheel balancers. This means technicians rely on luck rather than correct diagnosis to solve issues.”
Tyre Bay Direct aims to be a one stop shop for all tyre fitting and consumable needs. The company reports the stocking of a complete range of valves, including exclusive customised valves available printed with a company’s details, plus balancing weights, repair materials, workshop tools, tyre changers and wheel balancers as well as other garage equipment. Much of the range on offer is exclusive to Tyre Bay Direct, the company adds.
PCL has reported that exchanging Nitrogen for Air is set to be the biggest growth area for tyre inflation, according to feedback from visitors to Brityrex 2010. According to the company, N2 inflation was the talk of the show, with “huge interest” in PCL’s Nitrogen range, and tyreshop managers impressed with product features such as the in-built inflator’s ‘purge’ function – which competitors apparently can’t match.
Snap-on Equipment has reported a successful Brityrex International exhibition, held recently in Manchester. The garage equipment manufacturer showcased a comprehensive range, including tyre changers, wheel balancers and advanced full 3D alignment systems. Chris Behan, Snap-on Equipment’s general manager, said that the “on-stand equipment demonstrations proved to be highly effective, resulting in firm orders for the Hofmann Quadriga 1 fully automatic tyre changer, among many others.”
Snap-on Equipment has introduced two new ‘lever-less’ semi-automatic tyre changers under the Hofmann and John Bean brands for the gentle and user-friendly mounting and demounting of run-flat and ultra high performance (UHP) tyres.
Beissbarth GmbH, a Bosch Group company, has announced plans to present its “New Generation of wheel service equipment,” at Brityrex in October. The company, which reports that “three out of four [tyre] retails choose Beissbarth” says it technical sales team will be available to answer questions and give demonstrations on tyre changers, wheel balancers and aligners as well as the new A/Ccellence air conditioning service units.
Snap-on Equipment is returning to Brityrex International in October where the firm will be showing its equipment portfolio on stand 11A. Purportedly Europe's leading manufacturer of garage equipment, Snap-on is aiming to make a big impact at Brityrex, showcasing a comprehensive range which includes tyre changers, wheel balancers and alignment systems.
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