Tyres & Accessories September 2009

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September 2009

The magazine for the tyre and wheel industries

Tyres & Accessories September 2009

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EDITORIAL

The Changing Face of UK Tyre Retail As soon as Tyres & Accessories’ tyrepress.com website reported that ATS Euromaster is embarking on a consultation exercise, the story went to the top of our newly updated website’s most popular list. The news is that the Michelin-owned tyre retail equity, Britain’s second largest fast fit chain is “reviewing” as many as 80 of its UK centres. According to a company spokesperson, ATS Euromaster currently runs 456 centres, but is looking into the viability of continuing to run some in their present format. Therefore mergers, redundancies and some degree of reorganisation are all being discussed.

However, as much as company representatives deny that they are looking to sell branches and downplay the estimations of the number of sites they will occupy when this is all over, it is difficult to see how the chain won’t end up making the gap between itself and number one-placed Kwik-Fit larger. In crude branch count, dots-on-maps terms at least, this latest development is just the latest in a series of massive changes in the tyre retail business. While their retail centres continue under three different brand names, it was less than a year ago that Stapleton’s bought Central Tyre’s retail network doubling its retail presence overnight. And it wasn’t so long before that that news reports caused rumours of a National Tyres & Autocare sale.

As for ATS Euromaster, in the future the chain is expected to place a greater emphasis on its mobile operations and intends to operate with fewer (but larger) service centres that will offer enhanced facilities to customers. The changes will include a move away from the current regional organization to one in which there are three key divisions Retail (purely customer facing), Comprehensive (a continuance of the multi-faceted operations already available at some ATS Euromaster outlets) and Truck (focusing on commercial vehicle tyre sales). This move will be supported by a £1 million investment programme, which will take place over the next four months to upgrade some centres and enhance the company’s 1100 strong car and truck mobile van fleet.

At the time the news was announced, Chris Hufflett, group operations director at ATS Euromaster, said: “This is being driven by a change in the way we provide service to our customers. Motorists and fleet managers are having to tighten their belts and become more efficient, and the service we offer needs to reflect that.”

But what exactly does this mean? Branch closures? A different business model, perhaps? Either way in the short-term the news gives the other large retail networks a PR leg-up – the smaller networks will look proportionally bigger and Kwik-Fit, currently the largest UK tyre retailer with 662 centres, will only extend its lead to way ahead of its nearest rival.

In the meantime (and in much more general terms), there are questions to be asked about the extent to which Fast-Fit market share could be being won by Autocentres. Take Nationwide Autocentres (220 garages) for example, the chain is reportedly aiming to grow by around 25 sites a year to a minimum network size of 400 centres. Then there are the online tyre businesses (see October’s magazine for more on this subject) which number literally thousands of branches in their networks. The question is: what’s next?

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

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September 2009

Contents

40 Features

News • Editorial The Changing Face Of UK Retail

Tyres Don't Last Forever Natural Rubber Prices Up 25% July Sell-in Market Stabilising

3

• News in Brief

6

• NTDA News

12

30 32 34

• Truck Tyres

48 52 54 56

• Batteries

Green Shoots?

Maxxis Recruits CV Distributors Double Coin adds 12 Sizes

40 42 46

• International Tyre Market Titan Addresses Giant Tyre Concerns A Leading Tyre Racking Maker Phase 2 of Yokohamas ‘4ever Forest’ Reifen China 2009 Preview

• UK Tyre Market August Sales Help Korean Tyremakers 14 WRAP Launches Quality Protocol 15 Infinity & Bond Push Forward 16

• Product Information

• Company News Liberating Retreads from Stigma

14

Johnson Controls Answers Confusion 58 Battery Market Brands Growing 59 Conti Lithium-ion Development 60

28

56

Tire Monitor Gains OTR Interest Bosch Launches Alignment Range Wolfrace Launches New Wheels

65 64 68

58

72 Web Directory – 75 Classifieds – 78 Advertisers’ Index – 106 Preview – 106 Impressum

4

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Toyo Sponsors Goodwood Revival 2009

Goodwood is one of the few events where you are encouraged to dress in 40’s and 50’s clothing!

This year Toyo Tires are the official group sponsor at the Goodwood Revival for the first time. Sarah Clavey, senior marketing executive at Toyo Tires commented: “Toyo Tyres have achieved great success within a relatively short period in the Trackday and motorsport arena. Our range of motorsport tyres, led by the Proxes R888 are fast becoming the tyre of choice by many competitors and in many championships. As the Goodwood Revival celebrates all aspects of motorsports, from past to present, we are very excited to be associated with such a prestigious event which brings together all of our motorsport values.”

Toyo Tires are proud to be supporting this nostalgic, which the company says “takes a historic look back at motor racing, however also successfully incorporates the modern-day side of motor racing through the sponsors and exhibitors attending the event…”

Toyo Tires are well known for their presence as such high profiled shows and exhibitions. For example, the company exhibited at both the Goodwood Festival of Speed and also Autosport International earlier this year.

The Goodwood Revival will be held over three days at the famous Goodwood Motor Circuit in Chichester, West Sussex, which during its active time through the 1940’s to the 1960’s hosted many major sporting events. It is also one of the few events where you are encouraged to dress in the appropriate period clothing from the 1940’s and 1950’s! cja

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Merityre Uses Uniflate Nitrogen System to Stay Ahead After five years of partnership, Nitrogen inflation specialists at Tyre Bay Direct are reporting that using their Uniflate system has helped Merityre Specialists Ltd, the largest independent tyre specialist in the Home Counties, stay ahead of the game. Established in 1963, Merityre now has nineteen service centres across the region. Staying ahead of the market is clearly a big consideration for the company, with their stated aim to exceed customer expectations and the presence of a well-established customer care programme to back this up.

Merityre was one of the first retail chains in the UK to use Tyre Bay’s Uniflate nitrogen inflation system. Having seen the system prove popular in Europe, Merityre was reporteredly eager to offer the benefits to customers in this country.

General manager Dene Arnold explains further: “We started with the Uniflate system at one of our sites around five years ago as we felt it was a great product to offer UK motorists. We Merityre was one of the first were so impressed that we had them installed at all of our locaretail chains in the UK to use tions.”

Tyre Bay’s Uniflate nitrogen Tyre Bay Direct has been providing nitrogen inflation inflation system systems for 17 years, for both the high performance demands of Formula 1 and the consumer motoring market. This means they are ideally positioned to offer experienced and skilled advice to their customers.

Dene Arnold continued: “Alongside the product itself, the great level of service provided

by Tyre Bay is crucial to us. We know that if there is a problem then technical support is just on the other end of the phone, and we can have an engineer with us in no time if we need further help.” cja

German Scrappage Scheme Ends Market analysts are predicting that the German market scrappage scheme is likely to have come to end today as demand for cars purchased under the scheme now exceeds supply.

According to a Deutsche bank report published today the scheme has been responsible for 9000 unit sales a day since its introduction and – as of today – only 5000 applications remain.

German government investment in the project is estimated to amount to 5 billion euros, with this investment believed to have supported 2 million new/nearly new vehicle sales. In Germany’s case this kind of market support has driven sales near an all-time high while the economy recorded “the worst German government GDP decline since the end of investment in the project the Second World War.” is estimated to amount to 5 billion euros according to Deutsche Bank.

However, moving forward, domestic demand is expected to “collapse” in the months to come with analysts predicting the German car market will decline to 2.7 million units (-25 per cent) in 2010, potentially the worst level since reunification. cja

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Bank of England Boss Visits Cooper Tire Mervyn King enquires about the state of UK tyre industry The Governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, recently visited Cooper Tire’s European headquarters in Melksham, Wiltshire, as part of a tour of businesses in the West Country.

According to company representatives, King met with Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe managing director, Julian Baldwin on Tuesday 28 July. They are said to have discussed current economic and business conditions to help the Bank of England with its policy-setting process.

“Mr King and I discussed business in general,” Baldwin said, adding: “He was interested in the current state of the UK tyre industry, how it was fairing in the recession and what impact the recent banking problems and shortage of finance were having on the trade. I hope the information we at Cooper Tire were able to give is useful – it’s not every day the Bank of England comes asking for our opinion on how we see the economy over next few months.” cja

Fire at Murfitts Industries Tyre recovery and recycling specialists Murfitts industries has suffered a fire at its Littleport, Cambridgeshire site.

Managing director Barry Stock told Tyres & Accessories/tyrepress.com that it is too early to say how much damage has been done, but he did confirm that there is both structural and stock loss. Nevertheless, the company is continuing to take in tyres at other sites. According to local firefighers, a diesel fuel tank and gas cylinders exploded during the fire and 50 firefighters tackled flames from 200 tonnes of tyre shred on fire at the site.

Local news reports suggest two buildings next to the tyre factory have been destroyed by the fire. cja

Pan Autos of First Stop Golf Day Raises 1,900 for Jumbulance Pan Autos, part of the First Stop network of tyre dealerships, has raised over £1,900 for a local charity at its annual charity golf day. The money raised by the event – the company’s 14th – will go to Jumbulance, a charity that provides a specially-equipped giant ambulance which is used by the charity to take sick and disabled people on accompanied holidays (l-r) Chris Hawkins of First Stop, John Tarbox, MD at Pan Autos, around Britain and Europe. The with Mike Turnham, director, and Ronald Salvesen, secretary, for charity hopes to purchase a Jumbulance second vehicle in the near future and Pan Autos’ donation will go towards this goal.

Over 30 clients and friends of the business took part in the tournament at Aldwickbury Park Golf Club. The event saw teams and individuals playing the 18-hole course in order to be crowned top male, female or team on the day. The tournament was followed by a special gala-dinner with a prize giving ceremony and an auction. As part of the First Stop network, which is supported by Bridgestone, Pan Autos successfully auctioned for £260 a pair of tickets for an exclusive tour of the Red Bull F1 factory.

John Tarbox, Managing Director at Pan Autos, who played a round on the day comments, “It is great that 14 years on the event is still so successful. This is the second year we have raised money for Jumbulance as it is such a worthwhile cause. We have close links to the charity and its treasurer, Ron Salvesen, is a close friend of the business so we know all the money was greatly received. The golf day is also a great way to relax with our valued clients and thank them for their continued support – we look forward to seeing everyone again next year!”

Chris Hawkins, business development manager for First Stop added, “We are always pleased to be able to support dealers in the First Stop network with events such as this. It was great to see the factory tour tickets go down so well and we are sure the lucky winner will have a fantastic time behind-the-scenes at Red Bull as they ride high in the F1 championship.” akb

Blears’ Tyres Slashed in Possible Expenses Outburst Former communities secretary, Hazel Blears is in the market for two new tyres following an attack on her Citroën Xsara Picasso made while the minister was canvassing in her Salford constituency with her husband and two minders. While Blears dismissed the idea that the attack, which also left the car’s windscreen smashed, was related to her part in the expenses scandal earlier in the year, eye-witnesses claimed that the vandals targeted her car for precisely that reason. No comment was made as to who would be footing the bill for the replacement rubber akb

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Snap-on Gains WDK Training Accreditation

BKT-Equipped Tractor Wins World Ploughing Crown

Company offers ‘full line of machines’ Snap-on Equipment equipment recently became the first garage equipment manufacturer to gain independent, third-party authorisation to provide training courses for mounting and demounting run-flat and UHP tyres at its European Competence Centre in Pfungstadt, Germany. WDK, the Association of the German Rubber Industry, provided the authorisation, which included certification of turntable and roller-type tyre changers.

Snap-on Equipment, Europe's leading manufacturer of garage equipment, offers a comprehensive range including tyre changers and wheel balancers.

Products under the Hofmann and John bean brands include entry-level machines that are ideal for low-volume workshops, through to top-of-the-range equipment for high-volume fast fit operations.

All machines benefit from innovative, patented technology, such as double acting bead breaker cylinders on tyre changers and Virtual Plane Measurement for highly accurate results on all wheel balancers, regardless of ambient conditions. Providing customers with the right equipment to handle the latest developments in tyre technology is a key driver behind Snap-on Equipment's focus on innovation, as exemplified by the redesigned Hofmann monty 3300 racing tyre changer to handle run-flat and ultra high profile (UHP) tyres.

Chris Behan, General Manager, Snapon Equipment commented: "Customers need to have confidence in their equipment supplier at any time and even more so in the current economic downturn. We offer a full range of garage equipment through our Hofmann and John Bean brands, along with the full product lifecycle support you would expect from a member of the global Snap-on family."

Belgian Roel Cuyvers was crowned as champion in the reversible category, driving a Massey Ferguson tractor fitted with BKT-Agrimaz Tractor Radials A BKT-equipped tractor and plough has won first prize in the 2009 World Ploughing Contest (WPC) reversible category. The 56th WPC, held in Moravske Toplice, Slovenia between 4 5 September saw Belgian Roel Cuyvers crowned as champion in the reversible category, driving a Massey Ferguson tractor fitted with BKT-Agrimax Tractor Radials. Third prize winners - Liam O’Driscoll from Ireland in the reversible and Hardy Andersen from Denmark in Conventional category, also ploughed on BKT Agrimax tyres tractors (fitted to Lamborghini & Massey Ferguson tractors respectively).

Company representatives point out that 16 out of total 59 competitors (representing a majority of more than 27 per cent), selected BKT Agrimax tyres as their preferred choice for the same. The Indian-based tyre manufacturer reports that it, as this year’s Bronze sponsor, is “proud to be associated with the event and expresses it’s gratitude towards all the competitors that chose BKT tyres on their tractors, trusting the excellent performance of BKT products for this tough and competitive event.”

The first World Ploughing Contest dates back to 1953; and the competition is an important event in the worldwide agriculture and rural development calendar. cja

TRA Adds Three New Members The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA)has welcomed three new collector members. According to the TRA, “The new companies will significantly broaden the association’s service to its customers.” The new companies are: PB Tyres of Milton Keynes, Statham Tyre & Co (UK) Limited of Cheshire and TRS Tyres of Morecombe. Each of these companies has met the Association’s membership criteria and all three expressed the wish to be audited and accredited to the Tyre Industry’s Responsible Recycler Scheme (RRS). cja

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Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

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NTDA NEWS NTDA Support for 20p Campaign NTDA is fully supporting TyreSafe’s October Tyre Safety which is focusing on tread depth, with the theme of a “life saver in your pocket.” The campaign suggests that motorists can check the safety and legality of their tyres using the edge of a 20 pence coin.

Members will be sent personalized material featuring the 20p theme and actively encouraged to support this exciting initiative.

Commented NTDA Director Richard Edy, “The 20p campaign is a unique approach and as the edge is 3mm deep the campaign complements the NTDA campaign material which encourages motorists

Dinner finishing touches The finishing touches are being made to the NTDA’s 80th Annual Dinner which is being staged in Manchester later this month. Nearly four hundred members and guests will be attending this key networking event for the UK Tyre Industry which will also be the stage to announce the winners of the 2009 TAFF (Tyre and Fast Fit) Awards. The voting for the Awards closed at the end of August and the thousands of votes are now being counted to provide us with the names of the winners of the five Awards which are decided by public voting.

The adjudicating panel for the Innovation Awards has met and, after giving careful consideration to all the attributes of the seven nominees in this category have agreed unanimously on a winner which will also be announced on the night.

The Awards will be hosted by Mark Harrison of ECI International, one of the key sponsors of the evening and organisers of next year’s Brityrex 2010 which is being staged in Manchester in October. Two other key sponsors will be supporting the event and they are DHL and Tyre Industry Publications, publishers of the trade’s leading journal Tyres and Accessories.

to change their tyres at 3mm. All members will be receiving the specially printed material in good time to actively participate in the campaign which looks set to raise awareness.”

Last year’s tyre safety month received fantastic levels of support from NTDA members and the Association hopes members will get even more involved this year.

As well as using TyreSafe’s campaign material members are being encouraged to offer free tyre safety checks and further support the event by organising a tyre safety event in a busy supermarket or car park, or even run a competition or giveaway with their local newspaper or radio station.

New members phone line

Members are reminded that a direct line has been installed at the NTDA’s Aylesbury headquarters to provide the trade with easier, cheaper instant access to head office staff.

Our new members direct line is 01296 482128 and will avoid our 0870 9000 600 number which is receiving increased traffic from motorists being referred to us by Trading Standards and local authorities looking for tyre advice.

The 0870 number will continue as usual but members and the trade should reconfigure their stored number for the NTDA with the 01296 number.

Website - www.ntda.co.uk Headlines for August 2009: One In Five Tyre Businesses Making a Loss Look After Your Tyres And Save Money...

20% Rise In Mobile Tyre Business...

Motor Codes needs to ‘raise profile’ - SURVEY Worlds Leading Logistics Company Sponsors NTDA/TAFF Dinner “You Tube” Advice to Motorists to Avoid Cowboy Garages Fast Fit Accepted as ‘Key Component’ of UK Motor Industry New Tyre Chipper for the South West New Flagship Sponsors for TAFF Awards Tyre Knowledge Low Amongst Women Retailers Urged to be Vigilant Over Tyre Collectors Government urged to extend scrappage R2RC Welcomes EU’s Focus on Aftermarket

www.ntda.co.uk TIGS Golf Day Next month’s Tyre Industry Golf Day, which is again being staged at the classic parkland course of Mere Golf and Country Club near Knutsford, is already attracting wide support from throughout the tyre industry’s golfing aficionados.

The Golf Day is accepted as the key golfing event in the tyre industry calendar and normally attracts over sixty golfers and guests who compete for the four major cups on offer. The four attractive silver trophies have been fiercely fought over for the past thirty years.

The competition is traditionally open to everyone in the tyre industry and if you are interested in attending please contact Lynne Smith in Aylesbury (01296 482128).

TIF “Question Time” panel announced A panel from all sections of the UK Tyre industry has been assembled to answer questions from the floor at TIF’s first Seminar which Mark Brickhill is being staged in the afternoon immediately prior to the NTDA/ TAFF Awards Dinner in Manchester later this month.

The panel which will be chaired by TIF Chairman Peter Gaster consists of: Patrick O’Connell Bandvulc Group Mark Brickhill Goodyear/Dunlop Peter Gaster Kings Road Tyres Derek McMartin Maxxis Alan Baldwin Micheldever Tyre Services Ltd Noel Pope Merityre Specialists Ltd Tim Stott Sapphire Energy Recovery Ltd Organised along the lines of the BBC “Question Time” format the event has already attracted delegates representing all sections of the industry.

If you would like to attend this event, which is being sponsored by the Tyre Industry Federation, please contact the NTDA who will be handling all the administration for the event on 01296 482128.

If you can’t attend please feel free to pose a question and we will report back to you on the response if your question is one of those chosen.

NTDA NEWS New TyreLink call handling partnership

NTDA

Following a review of the call handling facilities for the NTDA Truck Tyre Breakdown service, TyreLink, it has been decided to move the call handling facility to a call centre in North London which has a close working relationship with the Road Haulage Association.

Commented NTDA Director Richard Edy “We are constantly reviewing the Association’s service suppliers and after careful consideration we decided it was time for a change.

“Our new facilities will open up a significant opportunity to increase the number of breakdowns being channeled through TyreLink members.”

The Association is widening the scope of the scheme by approaching members who service areas where existing member cover is light on the ground.

“These changes will provide both an increase in throughput of work and also allow us to develop the scheme further in the interests of our members” concluded the Director.

NTDA’s TyreLink Breakdown scheme has been in existence for nearly two decades and is the country’s largest group of commercial tyre breakdown specialists offering unrivalled coverage throughout the UK and Ireland.

If you would like further information on how to join TyreLink please contact our TyreLink manager Alison Fitzgerald in Aylesbury.

Thousands sign ‘Right to Repair’ petition A petition to attract support for the Right to Repair campaign has already attracted over thirty thousand signatures from both garage and fast fit principals and also motorists concerned that their choice of garage will be limited if legislation currently being considered by the European Commission is put in place.

The Right to Repair Campaign, which is supported financially by the NTDA, is actively campaigning to defend the right of the independent aftermarket to access technical information which some car manufacturers are attempting to provide exclusively to their franchise dealer networks.

If you wish to add your name to support this important initiative here is the website: www.r2rc.eu/petition

UK TYRE MARKET

6% Rise in August Registrations Could Help Korean Tyre Manufacturers Korean bloc may already hold 15% UK tyre replacement market share The latest SMMT figures reveal there was 6 per cent rise in new car registrations in August 2009, with the monthly total growing to 67,006 units. The second successive month of growth in new car registrations is widely attributed to the success of the government’s scrappage initiative, with August’s figures building on on a 2.4 per cent gain in July. As you might expect in light of the scrappage scheme, private purchases of small cars grew particularly strongly with this type of sale accounting for 35,694 (53.3 per cent) of August’s sales, compared to 23,717 (37.5 per cent). However, the recent growth disguises the fact that sales are still 15 per cent off the 78,800 total monthly market average between 1999 and 2008.

The figures, which would have seemed inconceivable a few months ago, show that Hyundai’s overall sales for the month rose 323 per cent compared to August last year to 3,737. It gives Hyundai a record overall market share of 5.6 per cent. The i10 was the company’s biggest seller by far with 2,431 finding homes in August. According to Hyundai, this outsold the second placed car by more than two to one.

With all of the i10’s OE tyres divided between leading Korean manufacturers Hankook and Kumho (the very manufacturers that appear to be benefitting from the so-called de-segmentation phenomenon). For more info, search ‘Kumho breaks the Million Tyre Mark’ at tyrepress.com.

With the new ‘59’ registration numbers available from the beginning of September, and around 17 per cent of annual registrations made at this time because of the new number plate release, the next round of figures are expected to show similarly strong figures for the Korean car makers. This means that Hyundai’s sales figures this month are set to be even more impressive.

“We are well on the way to making September the best ever month for sales in the company’s history” said Tony Whitehorn Hyundai UK's managing director. “Our dealers have taken on an average of 20 per cent more staff to cope with demand.”

“The scrappage incentive scheme is having a positive impact but with consumer and business confidence still fragile, there remain significant risks ahead.

It is essential that these early signs of recovery are sustained into 2010,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.

With Kumho and Hankook supplying 100 per cent of the Hyundai i10’s OE, and Nexen selling OE However, Hyundai’s strong i10 sales are not alone. tyres to Kia, how will tyre replacement sales look when these new models come to change their first set of tyres?

Tyres & Accessories/tyrepress.com has it on good authority that 75 per cent of OE on the popular Kia Rio is supplied ord and Vauxhall continued to dominate sales in August, by Nexen. As a result the third largest Korean tyre maker – Kia’s however it is the surprise success of the Korean car manufac- success continues – could face a disproportionately large uplift in turers that has the potential to re-shape the UK car parc. And as UK sales in the years to come.

However from the tyre market’s point of view, the boom in these car manufacturers are almost exclusively supplied by Korean tyre makers, there is also likely to be a positive effect on Korean tyre formerly lesser sold car marques could already mean significant changes in the tyre market. Sources told T&A/tyrepress.com that sales in the UK. In August Hyundai’s i10 was the surprise number three in the Korean manufacturers are already shoring up stocks at main overall registrations with 2431 new sales recorded, after the first dealers in advance of future servicing requirements. placed Ford Focus (4336 registrations) and Ford Fiesta (2968 regischris.anthony@tyrepress.com trations). However, when you exclude business and fleet purchases, retail sales figures show Hyundai’s market share grew a whopping 323 per cent, meaning the i10 overtook the Vauxhall Corsa to become the third best seller in UK, by this measurement.

F

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UK TYRE MARKET

WRAP to Launch Tyre Crumb Quality Protocol According to Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the publication of a new Quality Protocol (QP) and certification scheme will help to drive the market for rubber crumb and shred derived from used tyres. Mervyn Jones, joint project executive and head of manufacturing at WRAP told Tyres & Accessories the Quality Protocol will assure material quality and encourage sector growth. However, the practical basis for this expansion is not clear and there are question marks over how much this will cost businesses and ultimately end users. Transport Research Laboratory will operate the tyres QP certification process.

use. Removing these barriers will help to encourage growth across the sector – it has been estimated that an increase in sales of just 3 per cent could increase market value by more than £23 million over the next 10 years – and increase demand for tyre-derived rubber crumb and shred from post-consumer tyre reprocessors. However, with all these player already well regulated and most buyers already knowing the quality of their suppliers’ products well, some question whether these figures can materialise in practical terms.

Feedback from the industry has been positive with tyre recyclers recognising that the introduction of the QP will also raise awareness of how secondary materials can be used as like-for-like, fit-for-purpose replacements for natural or primary alternatives. For example, Barry Stocker, commercial manager at Murfitts Industries and president of the Tyre Recovery Association, commented: “This Quality Protocol and the certification scheme will cut a lot of unnecessary red tape for tyrederived rubber purchasers, a move that can only be good for suppliers.”

“With synthetic rubber alternatives being significantly more expensive than the tyre-derived rubber products, the business case becomes still stronger and compliant producers have a powerful set of marketing messages at their disposal. Complying with PAS 107 means we’ve been able to assure businesses purchasing our rubber crumb and shred that it is of consistent quality, and this new development will give even greater confidence in the standard of materials from compliant recyclers.” chris.anthony@tyrepress.com

ervyn Jones believes this growth will be driven by the introduction of a new voluntary QP and certification scheme planned for November 2009, by the Waste Protocols project – a joint WRAP and Environment Agency initiative. The QP follows on from a publicly available specification document (PAS 107) published in 2007. Developed by WRAP and the British Standards Institute (BSI), PAS 107 helps manufacturers of tyre-derived rubber crumb and shred to ensure their products adhere to specified quality standards.

Peter Taylor, Tyre Recovery Association secretary general, explained: “Anything that adds clarity to the market and gives product status to what would otherwise remain classed as waste is to be welcomed. I hope it will be deliverable with a modest cost both in terms of finances and manpower.”

It is estimated that nearly 500,000 tonnes of post consumer tyres enter the UK waste stream each year, according to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (formerly the Department of Trade and Industry). Since the disposal of tyres to landfill was banned by the EU directive in 2006, the demand has increased for reprocessing these tyres for a variety of applications such as landfill engineering and sports surfaces.

However, there is still scope for further market growth.

As far as WRAP is concerned, for used tyre reprocessors, the business benefits of complying with the new voluntary QP and receiving certification are “considerable” and are linked largely to client demands. With the QP in place, purchasers of tyre derived rubber crumb and shred – from industries as diverse as civil engineering to sports and leisure surface manufacturing – will no longer be required to apply for waste permits and exemptions. This reduces both their costs and administrative burden, two WRAP are promoting the new quality protocol, however, this standard looks set to be set to be superseded by the introareas believed to be barriers to increased duction of European CEN (Centre European Normalisation) rules

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Infinity Brand Pushing Forwards with Bond International Infinity, a brand belonging to the Al Dobowi Group, is continuing to carve out a growing spot within the UK passenger car tyre market. Its relationship with Bond International, with whom Al Dobowi has developed a significant relationship in the four years since it was appointed the exclusive UK distributor four years ago, was the focus of an event hosted by key members of the Infinity Europe and Al Dobowi companies in the plush surroundings of York Racecourse earlier in the year. The event was designed both as a celebration and a chance for 30 of Bond’s noticeably youthful and enthusiastic staff to meet Surender and Harjeev Kandhari of the Al Dobowi Group, who delivered an informative presentation about the Infinity brand, for which they hold exclusive worldwide distribution rights.

sell.” While Infinity was the major focus, Bond also mentioned that the company would look to sell tyres out of other territories, such as Indonesia.

Many of Bond’s thoughts were also expressed by both Surender and Harjeev Kandhari, who focused on their pride in the quality of Infinity’s products, the company’s ambitions and the provision of more than just the products. Presenting Infinity’s history, Harjeev mentioned that it was apparent early on that the brand should aim to pursue the service aspect of the industry: “The idea is to provide services and solutions – we realised about 20 years ago that you need to provide services and solutions to your clients; you need to work with them, because anybody could just sell a product. This is why we’ve gone into other areas, such as retreading services et cetera… we’ve also looked at other ranges, apart from tyres; while tyres are our primary business.”

Both of the Kandharis also mentioned the analogy of family and building a brand: “building a brand is about building a family and we uring the course of the evening, Harjeev Kandhari presented “The want to make sure everyone realises that,” continued Harjeev. “I flew Infinity Story” and also outlined some of the future goals and objec- for one day to the South of France to meet our French distributor to tives for the development of the Infinity brand in the UK. Reg Bond, say thank-you. It’s very, very important to us that you understand that this is a family-based brand and owner and managing director of Bond International, also outlined the that we will continue to do all the potential for Infinity tyres across the a g in be things you get from other people UK and emphasised some of the of or knocking on the do logistical features of Bond. Bond “We’re rnational and more. Welcome to the InfiReg Bond on Bond Inte nity family.” has four warehouses across the UK £90 million company”: Surender outlined his confidence in the and guarantees a 24 hour delivery relationship between Infinity and Bond by complementing Reg Bond service to all of its dealers.

Bond was keen to impress upon his staff the growth experienced himself: “The whole tyre world by the company in the sale of the Infinity brand, and the ways in which knows Mr Bond as a solid, the companies are increasing their business through increased commu- family person. I am very proud nication and relationship-building. He said that in the first half of 2009, to be sitting with Reg, because Bond International’s business increased by between 15 and 17.5 per he has given Infinity the opporcent, a feat that he attributed in large part to the salespeople – all of tunity to sell in the UK market.”

Summing up the family-feel whom participate in the policy of picking up the phone within one second – “to sell the tyres [in the quantity they have] is a great, great to the evening was the enterachievement… without good salespeople, we’ve got no company and tainment: a cabaret show by you people here tonight are the good salespeople,” he said. “We’re two of Bond’s grandchildren. knocking on the door of being a £90 million company, and we haven’t Bond was also delighted to announce an addition to his finished yet. This is only just the start.”

Other factors in the rise of Infinity sales at Bond International stable of horses. Infinity Bond (a included the quality of the relationship between the companies – espe- recent winner at Musselburgh) cially the ability to give feedback about the products – and the ability will be joined by Infinity World, to control the quality of the products made in China. Bond said that an unraced attractive dark bay he had met with Infinity representatives in every month of 2009, inclu- filly by Lucky Story. ding a session earlier in the day: “we’ve had a good two and a half andrew.bogie@tyrepress.com hour meeting today, at which I didn’t stop talking, which is a good thing. The future between Surender, his son and Bond is going to be very big. We will be the world number one for Infinity – if we aren’t already, we’re not far away from that now… I’ve bought ten containers of truck tyres today, so there will be a new truck tyre coming along.”

Surender and Harjeev Kandhari pose Bond International has a quality controller in China, where Infinitywith Reg Bond at the celebratory brand tyres are manufactured, ensuring standards remain high: “At least evening at York Racecourse five companies in the UK are selling tyres that we’ve said no to. Other people pick them up, but we are always looking for quality in what we logistical help

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Enegysaver test award 297x210:Layout 1

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MICHELIN Energy Saver The best all round performer* in tests of: Fuel saving

Longevity

Wet braking

*Compared to its principal European competitors. Based on fuel consumption and longevity tests carried out in 2009 by DEKRA and wet braking tests carried out in 2009 by TĂœV SĂœD Automotive.

Tyre size 195/65 R 15H.

www.michelin.co.uk

UK TYRE MARKET

Federal and Grouptyre Launch Red Letter Day Promotion rouptyre has teamed up with Federal – the value brand for which the independent wholesaler has exclusive distribution rights in the UK – to launch a national promotion, which promises a Red Letter Day for six lucky retailers. The promotion is named thus because the prizes on offer are Red Letter Day experience packages: from scuba diving with sharks, powerboating, carriage driving, Medieval jousting and white water rafting for those looking for an adrenalin rush to less energetic pursuits such as spa days, theatre trips, wine and whisky tasting master classes and luxury weekend breaks.

The promotion runs in two distinct stages – from 1 September to 31 October and from 1 November to 31 December – and the winners will be chosen at random from all the entries received. Every Federal tyre participating retailers purchase from their local Grouptyre supplier will improve their chances of winning a Red Letter Day experience.

The first prize is valued at £500 and there are two runner-up prizes worth £250 in each of the promotion periods. Full details on the huge choice of Red Letter Day experiences are available at www.redletterdays.co.uk. To participate in this Grouptyre/Federal promotion all tyre retailers have to do is sign up online at www.grouptyre.co.uk/federal by completing the registration form and answering one straightforward multiple choice question.

“We’re taking a more proactive approach to meeting the needs of independent tyre retailers by giving them the chance to participate in national incentives and special promotions. Recent initiatives have been extremely well received so we are keen to continue building and developing relationships with this new promotion, our first in conjunction with Federal,” says Grouptyre sales director Paul Hollows.

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Federal range Federal states that co-operation with major tyre companies has enabled it to develop the technical capabilities required to produce the quality compounds and tread patterns increasingly demanded by drivers today, allowing it to increase its visibility in the UK market.

The current Federal range extends from high performance tyres – including the Super Steel series of all-season tyres and the street legal 595 Competition Series, developed specifically for street, circuit, drag and drift competitions – to light truck, 4x4 and SUV tyres.

The manufacturer has evolved its Formoza FD1, to create the FD2. This features Federal’s new “Disorder Pitch Evolution Theory” technology, which reduces noise levels to a minimum while maintaining performance and handling capabilities. The new Xtramile XR01aims to maximise tread life through its compound mix and deliver improved fuel economy, precise and consistent handling at high speed and excellent wet grip.

In van tyres, the manufacturer offers the Eco-van tyre, which it says has been engineered to withstand a higher loading capacity and meet the needs of everyday commercial use, and the 791 Plus, which is designed to deliver a car-like smooth, quiet ride and provide outstanding handling and braking in wet and dry conditions.

Improved handling capabilities at high speed, water dispersal and all-terrain control are hallmarks of the Couragia Adventure series, which sits alongside the MR273 – a steel belted radial for mini-trucks. The Himalaya range – recently featured in Tyres & Accesssories August Winter Tyres section – uses a winter tread compound for increased traction when braking on snow and ice. akb

Avon’s ZZR Tyre Paired with Caterham Cars’ Superlight von Tyres’ ultra-high performance tyre, the ZZR, is to be paired with the Caterham Superlight range. The brands’ 18year association has resulted in the creation of a bespoke version of Avon’s road-legal ZZR tyre, designed for optimal dry weather grip.

Avon says that the range is popular among track day attendees seeking a tyre offering predictable and progressive handling.

This is not the first time Avon and Caterham have combined; the much heralded Avon CR500 was developed specifically for the predecessor of the present-day Superlight R500, and is standard fitment across the current Superlight range.

James Weekley, Avon Tyres’ operations and UK sales manager commented, “The

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challenge was to take our most extreme tyre and tune it to compliment the specific characteristics that are inherent to Superlight Sevens. A two-tonne Nissan GTR is an altogether different prospect to a half-tonne Caterham. Using all the data and expertise we’ve collected over the years, we’ve tweaked the ZZR with a lighter overall construction, using less stiff sidewalls, reduced reinforcement and a softer compound of rubber, making it ideally suited to the new application.”

Available as an option on the Caterham Superlight range, the road-legal ZZR offers track enthusiasts enhanced performance in the dry over the standard fitment Avon CR500. akb

Avon’s road-legal ZZR tyre is aimed at track day enthusiasts

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

UK TYRE MARKET

Dunlop Pioneers BTCC RFID First All tyres on HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) cars are now automatically scanned as the cars drive into the pit lane, in what tyremaker Dunlop says is a world first. This technology ensures that each car is using the correct and allocated tyres at all times. he scanning is achieved by a miniature Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag embedded inside every tyre allocated to every car. The tag - just one centimetre in length - enables officials from computer systems firm Datalinx, which has been central to the development of the technology, to track every tyre from production and allocation to each team right back to their return to Dunlop for recycling.

Tony Duffy, Operations Manager for Dunlop Motorsport Europe, said: "This has been quite an undertaking - other tyre manufacturers have not yet reached this level - and the BTCC's technical know-how has been of huge benefit in enabling us to perfect the new system.

"One of our biggest hurdles has been ensuring the RFID tags remain stable in the tyre and fine-tuning the frequencies so that no tyre is 'missed' when cars return from the track - even when they slow for the pit lane speed limit, the tyres are still revolving at a considerable rate. We are now at a stage where no tyre is missed and we can provide the BTCC with a 100 per accurate log of each tyre's activity."

BTCC Series Director Alan Gow added: "Dunlop and Datalinx have achieved a great breakthrough for motor sport globally and I'm very proud that the BTCC has helped pioneer another world-first - one which, undoubtedly, other championships will eventually follow. In just three seasons we have gone from laboriously (manually) recording every serial number of every tyre used in every practice session and race - and then having to stop each car and visually check them - to having a fully computerised, automated and foolproof system."

It is now expected the RFID tag system will be incorporated into other high profile race series in which Dunlop supplies tyres. No details have yet been given about which series these are and when RFID tags will be introduced into them. cja

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According to Dunlop, its use of RFID tags is a world first

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Yokohama HPT managing director, David Seward with Lada Sport drivers Jaap van Lagen and James Thompson

Yokohama UK Distributor Reports WTCC “Great Success” uly's UK round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch was dubbed “a resounding success” by the UK distributor of Yokohama tyres, whose flagship ADVAN range is used as control tyre for the series. Yokohama HPT hosted dealers and clients to witness the spectacle of the world's best touring car racing.

2009 marked the fourth year that YHPT has attended the UK round of the WTCC. The hospitality unit was located, as it has been for the last two years, alongside the racetrack just before the start/finish line, giving exceptional views of the action throughout the weekend. Not only did guests get to watch the two WTCC races, they also saw a Formula Master race and a round of the Lotus On Track series, all of which run on Yokohama rubber.

Managing director of YHPT David Seward and sales manager Nick Greenfield were invited to present the trophies to the winning drivers at each race. Commenting on the weekend, David Seward said: “Once again, this weekend's UK round of the WTCC was an outstanding success. The racing was excellent, the standard of the hospitality provided to our guests was superb and it proved the perfect environment to spend time with our dealer and members of the press.

“As it has been for the last three years, it was extremely gratifying to see our products contributing to such excellent racing action, not only for the WTCC but also, Formula Master and the Lotus On Track series. We look forward to supporting these series and enjoying more visits by the WTCC to the UK using Yokohama ADVAN tyres.”

The unit had a pair of WTCC simulators so guests could see for themselves the closeness of the action. Outside, there was a Palmer Sport RaceMaster BMW M3, which forms part of MotorsportVision's race experience days. YHPT's five grid girls also helped the guests to take part in three grid walks, for both the WTCC races and immediately before the start of the Formula Master race. Two WTCC drivers, Jaap van Lagen and Brit James Thompson later visited the unit to speak to the guests and sign autographs. akb

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UK TYRE MARKET

Avoidable Tyre Damage Costing Fleets 20 per cent of tyres fitted to major leasing fleet vehicles are being replaced early due to avoidable tyre damage. According to figures published by ATS Euromaster following a review of the tyre replacement cycle across 100,000 lease vehicles, the average remaining tread on tyres removed through damage is 4.8mm. With 1mm of tread equivalent to approximately 4,000 miles, these damaged tyres are achieving less than half their potential life. Across a sample fleet of 25,000 vehicles, this damage is costing over ÂŁ440,000 each year in wasted mileage potential.

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ommenting on the findings, Steve Bury, Head of National Car at ATS Euromaster explained: “Just three causes of tyre damage account for a staggering 81 per cent of the tyres we replace prematurely. This includes punctures (31 per cent), sidewall damage (27 per cent) and drivers exceeding the 50mph / 50 mile limit on deflated run-flat tyres (22 per cent).� “In many cases this damage could be avoided, and we are actively encouraging fleet managers to cascade this information

ATS Euromaster found that 81 per cent of premature tyre replacement was caused by either punctures, sidewall damage or drivers exceeding the 50mph/50 mile limit on deflated run-flat tyres back to their company’s drivers, along with three simple steps to help reduce damage. It’s a win-win situation for everyone,� he adds, “as longer tyre life means reduced cost, downtime, hassle and fewer tyres being disposed of prematurely, which in turns benefits the environment.� cja

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Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

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UK TYRE MARKET

Recycling Classic Tyres with the Stig

Retune Your Tyres

In other Vintage Tyre Supplies news, the Beaulieu based specialist comments that, in the current climate of “recycle and reuse”, the company is well aware of the need to dispose of worn out classic tyres in a responsible way. VTS reports that its tyres are always collected and processed by an ethical tyre processing company; many tyres reappear as children’s playgrounds, conveyer belts and even new car tyres.

Recently however, VTS has been able to use its old worn tyres in a different way, as part of the new “World of Top Gear” at the National Motor Museum, located just a hop, skip and a jump from Vintage Tyres’ headquarters. This new exhibition displays many of the cars built and tested to destruction by the team on Some say his skin contains silica to make it more supple in the popular BBC television low temperatures, and that he breathes out pure inflation nitrogen….all we know is, he’s called the Stig programme. The creators wanted to employ used tyres as part of the display, and VTS customers can now see their old tyres lined up alongside the “cool wall” and the “reasonably priced car” lap times. Also present is a full size replica of The Stig…or, as some people say, the real Stig in hibernation between lap duties. sg

Avoid flat tyres, high fuel consumption and ‘fuzzy screens’ with simple maintenance Freeview may be campaigning to remind viewers to retune their digital TV equipment as often as they check their tyres pressure, but representatives of Michelin’s ‘Fill up With Air’ are hoping drivers would improve this pressure awareness a bit first. Ilse Howling, managing director of Freeview, recently said: “In the same way you would regularly check tyre pressure and keep water levels topped up on a car, get into the habit of retuning your digital box, Freeview+ recorder or digital TV from time-to-time.”

However tyre manufacturer Michelin warns “Freeview customers they could be left with blank screens if they apply attitudes towards car maintenance to TV sets.” The fact is that, according to research carried out as part of Michelin’s annual Fill Up With Air campaign, the UK and Ireland are amongst the worst in Europe for checking tyre pressures. In 2007/2008 a staggering 43% of drivers checked by Michelin had dangerously under-inflated tyres. cja

UK and Ireland Europe’s Top Tyre Safety Offenders The UK and Ireland are reportedly Europe’s worst offenders when it comes to driving with dangerous tyres. That’s the verdict of tyre manufacturer Michelin, which is embarking on its sixth year of running Fill Up With Air, a European tyre safety campaign. Based on checks of 50,000 cars across 27 countries, only Latvia, Greece, Lithuania and Estonia have a worse record with Austria and Germany being consistently the most safety conscious. Out of 5,000 UK cars surveyed by Michelin in 2007/08, more than 43 per cent were found to have “dangerously” under-inflated tyres, risking an accident. (For the purposes of this campaign dangerous means between 8 and 14 psi off recommend pressures).

Motoring journalist Vicki Butler-Henderson, who is promoting the campaign, said: “Tyres are the only contact a vehicle has with the road and it always amazes me how little care we take as a nation in terms of looking after them. We have to remember that cars are potential lethal weapons and it is our duty to ensure that we make them as safe as possible and minimise the risk of potentially lethal accidents.”

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For 2009 Michelin has collated the statistics gathered over the last six years to compile a picture of tyre safety in the UK and across Europe. Interestingly 27 per cent of cars checked in Liverpool were found to be driving with punctures. The most tyre conscious region is said to East Anglia with 10 per cent of the population checking tyre pressure once a week Michelin’s head of communications, Peter Snelling, said: “On the continent, drivers far more aware of the importance of their tyres.

They have respect for their vehicles and are fully aware of the safety implications of using unsuitable or incorrectly maintained tyres, something we seem to happily ignore in this country, until it’s too late.”

Fill Up With Air will be taking to the roads this summer and visiting more than 45 locations across the UK and Ireland. In order to promoted the event Vicki Butler Henderson’s has produced this top tyre safety tips video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4nHa RkVRHQ. cja

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

Pure Class ECSTA – the ultra high performance tyre with Formula Technology More control, more style ECSTA’s state-of-the-art technologies ensure precise and consistent handling at high speed.

ECSTA adds a touch of elegance and style to your car.

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To find out about selling KUMHO tyres through the ECSTA Performance Centre programme, contact: Jason Burgess at Micheldever Tyre Services on 07767 297730 or Bonnie Adams on 01926 816826

UK TYRE MARKET

3 Motorsport Series Commit to Dunlop Great and British Till 2012 Dunlop are to support the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) organized Great and British Festival package for a further three seasons, and three leading UK Championships have committed to be a core part of the programme for the next three seasons till 2012.

The Radical Championships, Mini Challenge and the BARC Dunlop Sport Maxx Production Cup have proved to be popular with competitors and spectators alike, and will form the core content on the package for a further three seasons.

The package was launched in 2006 with the mission of ‘putting national racing back on the map’ and has carved its place in the UK motorsport hierarchy, complementing the TOCA British Touring Car Championship package that is also supported by Dunlop and organized by BARC. Dennis Carter BARC “Being able to put this package together with the help and support of Dunlop has resulted in being able to elevate and showcase various championships in a manner that otherwise would not be possible.”

James Bailey, Dunlop: “To have a three-year commitment from three of the UK’s best national championships is a sign that the Dunlop Great and British package can continue to grow. This agreement will take us through to the seventh year of our partnership with the BARC in 2012 and proves that such a stable, well organized and promoted package is able to entice ambitious, professionally run championships on board.”

Paul Harvey: Mini Challenge: “To have unanimous commitment to the future of the Dunlop Great & British package until 2012 from all the core members this early is excellent news. The MINI Challenge can confidently push ahead with its plans for the future with the stability of a package that is now considered TOCA’s successful younger brother.” cja

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Bandvulc Enters New Tyre Market Retreader becomes leading UK Fulda commercial tyre stockist The Bandvulc Group has entered the new tyre market by becoming the leading stockist of the Fulda range of commercial tyres in the UK. Covering sizes from 17.5 to 22.5-inch, Bandvulc will wholesale and distribute the Fulda brand alongside its own products and the recently agreed small order Goodyear/Dunlop arrangements.

Dave Hurrell, distribution manager for Bandvulc Tyres, with The Fulda brand is wholly the Bandvulc Telesales team. owned by Goodyear Dunlop and, in Europe at least, is described as “a leading brand.” The new agreement gives Bandvulc the opportunity to compete in the new tyre market sector, which it has previously been unable to do. According to the company, the move will enable Bandvulc and its fleet operation BTC to compete in both wholesale and regional fleet business with much more confidence.

Philip West, commercial director, Bandvulc commented: “By having control over distribution of a new tyre brand we will be able to manage policy fitments very effectively and at the same time offer our dealer network a competitively priced tyre product which fits a niche in the market.” cja

Birmingham Show to Host Tyre Munching Panther In the past T&A has reported on a cheetah snacking on tyres in a Cambridgeshire backyard – see our November 2008 story for details of this surreal occurrence – and now we’ve caught wind of a panther heading in our direction. This particular creature also chomps readily upon the black rubber objects, yet there is no cause for concern….rather than being a zoo escapee, the panther in question is a boon for the tyre recycling industry.

The Evashred Panther, to use its full and correct name, is the largest industrial shredder ever to be built by New Zealand based company Evans Engineering. The company, who is represented in the UK by Ecosystem Ltd, is shipping a Panther unit to Britain for exhibiting at September’s The Recycling and Waste Management Exhibition in Birmingham.

This is the first time a Panther shredder has been sent overseas “We’ve got ongoing sales for our smaller units, but this is the first time we’ve taken our biggest machine out of New Zealand for promotion,” sales manager Neil Rees told New Zealand’s Dominion Post newspaper. “It’s the first time we’ve taken a machine to a trade fair like this. The sheer size of it is a factor, of course.”

The Panther weighs a hefty 3.5 tonnes, is 4.5 metres long and stands more than 2.5m high. According to information printed in the Dominion Post, the unit is driven by two 40horsepower motors with 42,000 normal cubic metres of torque, and is designed to munch upon truck and car tyres. Yet according to Rees, the Panther is a versatile beast: “It’s set up to shred passenger and truck tyres but it can be configured to shred any product.”

Two Evashred Panthers are built simultaneously at Evans Engineering’s New Zealand facility, and the UK bound unit’s twin has already been sold to a local company for around NZ$220,000 (£85,000). sg

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

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COMPANY NEWS

Career Tracks

Continental Reshuffles Executive Board ollowing a meeting of the Supervisory Board of Continental, the company’s Executive Board has been reshuffled. Effective immediately, the Supervisory Board appointed Dr. Elmar Degenhart, formerly president of the Schaeffler Group’s Automotive Division, as chairman of the Executive Board. He replaces Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, who steps down from Continental’s Executive Board “by mutual agreement,” according to a statement by the corporation. The Supervisory Board thanked Dr. Neumann for his work. Also effective immediately, Dr. Elmar Degenhart, previously chairman of the management board of the Automotive unit in the Schaeffler Group, was appointed as new chairman of the Executive Board of Continental AG. He also takes charge of the Powertrain division.

The Supervisory Board appointed three new members to the Executive Board: Dr. Ralf Cramer (head of the Chassis & Safety division of Continental AG), Helmut Matschi (head of the Interior division of Continental AG) and Nikolai Setzer (head of the Passenger and Light Truck Tires division of Continental AG). Rolf Koerfer is prepared to pass on his post as chairman of the Supervisory Board to an external successor as soon as a new chief financial officer has been found and the reorganization of the Executive Board has been concluded.

Dr. Elmar Degenhart, formerly president of the Schaeffler Group’s Automotive Division, This is to be effected as soon as possible. Afterwards, Koerfer replaces Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann as will continue to advance the chairman of the Executive Board

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(l-r) Dr. Hans-Joachim Nikolin, Dr. Ralf Cramer, Helmut Matschi, Dr. Elmar Degenhart (chairman of the Executive Board), Heinz-Gerhard Wente, Nikolai Setzer

merging of Schaeffler and Continental as a member of the Chairman’s Committee. The Schaeffler Group restated its unfailing confidence in Koerfer.

“Today's decisions clear the way for a trust-based collaboration between the two companies in the interest of their customers,” said Dr. Jürgen Geißinger, Schaeffler Group President and CEO. “With Elmar Degenhart, an excellent manager assumes the leadership of Continental AG. The Executive Board has been strengthened with the three proven specialists, Dr. Ralf Cramer, Helmut Matschi and Nikolai Setzer.

We expect that the new Executive Board will work together in a constructive and result-oriented manner.”

Schaeffler insists that it continues to adhere to its objective of creating a global technology group consisting of the three divisions Automotive, Industrial and Rubber, as the Supervisory Board confirmed once again the continuing preparation of a capital increase. akb

Malcolm Scovell New Michelin Tyre Plc Commercial Director alcolm Scovell has been appointed as commercial director for Michelin Tyre Plc with responsibility for the UK and Republic of Ireland. He will be based at Michelin’s UK headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent. He replaces Hervé de Froment, who is transferring after four years in the role to take on a new position with Michelin in Spain. The latest appointment signifies significant change in the management of Michelin Tyre Plc as it follows the appointment of Bill Schafer 42 as commercial director of Michelin’s truck and bus operations in July.

Scovell brings with him extensive industry experience after 34 years with Michelin, most recently as managing director for the replacement car tyre market for the Nordic countries, based in Stockholm.

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Other roles during his career with the Company have included 10 years in the manufacturing group as well as three years as head of the UK motorsports department and various account and management positions in car, truck, aircraft replacement and OE departments.

Commenting on his new appointment, Scovell said: “My main objectives in the short term will be to ensure that in the current market we identify and manage threats to our business ahead of time and are agile and courageous enough to spot, generate and act on Malcolm Scovell has 34 years of opportunities that occur….this while protecting our experience at Michelin customers’ and end-users’ longer-term interests.” cja

Tyres & Accessories 09/2009

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COMPANY NEWS

Liberating Retreaded Tyres from the Stigma of Being Second-Rate Michael Schwämmlein: BAST project is imminent

Union’s hands. The BIPAVER is attempting to receive a proportion of the cost involved, estimated at almost one and a half million euros, through EU co-financing. The scope of the study – generally speaking – will centre upon the relative comparison of a cross-section of European retreaders have a problem. They constantly lag Europe’s most commonly produced (in terms of dimension) mould behind current legislation in Europe. They now fear that and precure retreaded tyres with the equivalent new tyres produced the stigma of being second-rate will become entrenched by premium manufacturers. In other words, the retreaded tyre in law and, sooner or later, the bottom will fall out of the sample group will be directly compared with new tyres in relation to rolling resistance, wet grip and road noise. Other companies are market. The European retreading association BIPAVER is participating intensively in this study along with Kraiburg, including now endeavouring under the overall control of its Technical Marangoni/Ellerbrock and Bandag.

Committee to demonstrate that retreaded tyres can comply BIPAVER assumes that Brussels will make a positive decision on with the same product requirements as new tyres, and the project’s grant application within a year. Then the BAST project, consequently a practicable and financially feasible means whose completion is estimated to require around one and a half for smaller and medium size retreading business to secure years, can begin. This admittedly means, Michael Schwämmlein type approval must now be found. “We are ready to play emphasises, that part of the above-mentioned new legal requirea part in this,” explains Michael Schwämmlein, who serves ments will already have come into effect. “We lag behind legislation as BIPAVER’s technical consultant. To argue its case the asso- for new tyres,” says the BIPAVER technical consultant. It is perhaps ciation will now conduct a study together with the BAST not a problem for the time being, yet retreaded tyres may well soon fall behind their new tyre equivalents. A risk will emerge if fleets – (Germany’s Federal Highway Research Institute). public transport operators, for example – continue to only accept he legal requirements placed upon tyres today and in the near replacement tyres that meet environmental and safety related stanfuture will keep on increasing in complexity while placing a dards. Retreaded tyres – at least under the current legal arrangegreater emphasis upon road safety and environmental protection. ment – are not at all required to meet these standards. They are, after Whether the legislation be for vehicle type approval, such as that all not included, and retreaders could thus be cut off from such fleet which as of November 1, 2011 sets new standards in regards to customers. Schwämmlein fears that along with public vehicle fleets, rolling resistance, wet grip and road surface noise, or for type private fleet operators will develop a preference for purchasing new approval for components such as tyres, such as the S-Mark require- tyres over retreads; these after all fulfil – at least for the time being – the legal requirements, however for ment due to take effect in most European countries on retreads neither a test procedure or October 1, 2009, or the European Union’s so-called Ecostandard exists. Even if everybody Label – retreaded truck tyres will be exempt. Yet it is clear knows through the new study that a at BIPAVER and throughout the European retreading retreaded tyre has, for instance, industry that retreaded tyres, at least those manufactured exactly more or less road noise in a professionally operated facility, have nothing to fear produced as an equivalent new tyre, when compared in any way with new tyres. A 2003 study there is still no S-mark on the sidewall published by the BAST adds weight to this belief. to show this.

The BIPAVER now wishes to provide evidence of retreIf the conclusions of the aded tyres’ ability to perform in terms of rolling resistance, BIPAVER/BAST study are available in road noise and wet grip in a new study, so that in future two and a half to three years, then these tyres can compete in the market against new tyres the focus will shift to the current on a level playing field and not – through a legal stroke project’s second phase: integration of fate – fall behind. “At the moment we are asking into a legal framework. At the ourselves what we can do to prove that retreaded tyres moment retreaded tyres are not are not second-rate and how we can embed this in legistreated as type approved compolation, as the absence of would spell the demise of 90 per nents, and according to Michael cent of all retreading businesses,” states Michael Schwämmlein up to 8,000 variants Schwämmlein, the Kraiburg Austria product and service are manufactured in Europe alone, manager who also acts as technical consultant for The European retreading industry is ready to and a testing and approval procedure BIPAVER. The draft for an “environmental and safety contribute towards the further development of must be established in order to both related performances of retreaded truck tyres in compa- legislation to free retreaded tyres from their prevent small and medium size retrerison to new tyres” study is currently in the European perceived second-class stigma

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ading businesses being driven to financial ruin and to boost their original equipment credibility with customers such as trailer manufacturers. As the cogs of the legal apparatus turn slowly it is necessary to adjust the parameters at an early stage, a fact demonstrated by the ban on high aromatic oils in tyre products. The use of Polycyclical aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, which serve as a softening agent, will as of January 1, 2010 no longer be permitted in tyres. „At Kraiburg we introduced PAH free retreads as early as 2007,” Schwämmlein points out, noting that the company’s new treads are storable for up to three years. “We’ve done our homework early,” the Kraiburg Austria product and service manager adds. At the same

time, it unfortunately cannot automatically be assumed that this is the case with all suppliers in the market. As the retreader, as manufacturer, carries the responsibility for a tyre, next year it will be he rather than his supplier that would be answerable for breaches of the PAH ban. In particular against a current background of weak demand in the truck tyre sector – whether new or retreaded – every retreader must precisely consider what to do with its tread stocks.

Cushion gum and mould cure compound meanwhile can only be stored for three and from three to nine months respectively, hence the PAH ban’s implementation here is still under way. arno.borchers@reifenpresse.de/sg

Tyres Don’t Last Forever…Let them Run Again Kargro battles high stocks and 50% lower retread output Built on the pragmatic assertion that “tyres don’t last forever; they get worn” the Kargro Group has quite literally made it their business to make good use of what others throw away.

Like other similar operations Kargo collects both passenger car and commercial vehicle casings, inspects them and determines whether they are suitable for re-use, can be retreaded or are destined for the shredder. What’s different is the scale. argro Group stores an average of 120,000 casings ready for export to any of 40 countries at any given time. However, when Tyres & Accessories visited the company’s Montfoort base earlier this summer, 40,000 casings were in inspection yard, with another 115,000 lined up in a further storage site nearby. According to company representatives, these above average casing stocks are a result of reduced haulage miles in the transportation business and therefore reduced usage.

Rather than buy new stocks, some haulage companies are said to be idling vehicles and doing their own internal tyre replacements. 315/70 R22.5 size products are said to be moving particularly slowly. That said,

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The UBO retreading division runs 21 curing moulds

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at the last published count (in 2007), the company calculated that it traded 1 million tyres a year.

However, with current market conditions as they are, it is unlikely that the company traded so many in 2008 or will do in 2009. Instead successful navigation of the recession looks likely to come down to the company’s diversity. Kargro’s strength is in the varied, but inter-related nature of the group’s component parts. At the core of the business is the company’s casing collection and storage operation, which takes place on 75,000m2 of premises to VACO, Recytyre and ISO 9002 standards. A large proportion of the casings the company collects are stored on-site before being exported all round the world. Suitable passenger car casings are distributed through the company’s Lintire international trading subsidiary. In addition, Kargo International specialises in the sales of new and used truck wheels “in most common sizes.”

Those casings that aren’t exported or traded are either retreaded (by the company’s Banden Plan, Tyre Plan, Bandag and UBO retreading operations) or reprocessed by Kargro Group’s Rumal subsidiary. As far as production is concerned, retread output may have been down

Kargro Group operations include casing collection and trading, pre-cure and mould-cure retreading and tyre recycling.

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COMPANY NEWS

by as much as 50 per cent when T&A visited, but that is no different to the marked production cuts experienced across the board.

The fact is that the company’s Banden Plan (in Holland) and Tyre Plan (in Belgium) businesses are able to pre-cure or mould-cure retread customers’ own casings according to their wishes. Mould-cure retreads are branded with the UBO trademark, while pre-cure retreads are produced using the Bandag process. The company’s annual Bandag capacity equates to 60,000 units a year and the group has 21 mould-cure presses. Quality remains high on the company’s agenda, with the UBO factory one of the first in Europe to be ECE109R and ISO 9002 certified.

Tyres that are not traded, exported or retreaded end up at the Rumal division, which brought its 20 years of experience in tyre recycling into the Kargro Group in 1994. Rumal reprocesses 30,000 tonnes of tyres each year.

Tyres with a maximum diameter of 1400 mm by 450 mm are fed directly the shredders and come out as rubber granulate and crumb. The company runs two production lines under cryogenic (below -45°C) and normal ambient

temperature conditions. The resultant materials are used in products such as synthetic sport surfaces, carpet underlay, car mats, brake pads, cattle mats, solid wheels, rubberised asphalt and compound-extenders.

So as the company says, whether they end up running as retreaded tyres or in carpet underlay, tyre Kargro collects still get to “run again.” chris.anthony@tyrepress.com

Kargro Group stores an average of 120,000 casings ready for export to any of 40 countries at any given time

Continental Reports 32% Sales Drop; Achieves “Intermediate Goal” Restructuring costs will continue to restrict, but improvements in sales and earnings in second quarter of 2009 should continue, according to Dr Neumann ontinental reported mixed news in its half-year financial results. Sales are down 31.6 per cent to 9.063 billion euros from 13.254 billion in the same period in 2008, but the company’s press release was keen to play up its Adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) figure of 248.7 million euros, representing an effective return to profitability, albeit with a figure considerably down from 2008’s first half Adjusted EBIT figure of 1.184 billion euros – of course, in the context of the worldwide financial crisis, this drop is less than surprising, and the positives to be gleaned from this years figure are numerous. (“Adjusted” is defined

by Continental as the EBIT figure, “before amortization of intangible assets from PPA, changes in the scope of consolidation, and special effects, including severance payments from the worldwide cost-cutting programme in 2009.”)

According to Continental Executive Board chairman, Dr KarlThomas Neumann, “The entire Continental team has worked hard in recent months, and the results are becoming more and more obvious.

Together, we have achieved an important immediate goal by returning our operations to profitability in a very difficult marketing environment.”

Dr Neumann argued that the company’s cost-cutting measures – a restructuring programme he describes as the most “extensive…in the history of Continental” – have been primary in factors leading to signs of the company’s improving financial position. The restructuring and cost-cutting programme has seen the corporation’s total employees

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figure cut 8,621 since the end of 2008, leaving the number at 130,534.

In terms of the Rubber Group side of Continental’s business, the company showed a vast improvement in its second 2009 quarter to achieve a half-year Adjusted EBIT of 382 million euros, down from 2008’s first half figure of 554.4 million euros. Illustrating this and the progress made in 2009’s second quarter, the Passenger and Light Truck Tires division was able to achieve an Adjusted EBIT of 296.9 million euros, with more than two-thirds of this figure recorded between April and June. The ContiTech division posted an Adjusted EBIT of 98.8 million euros, with 61.4 million made in the second quarter. While the Commercial Vehicle Tires division saw what the corporation describes as “a huge market-driven slump in sales in the second quarter”, its Adjusted EBIT “reached the breakeven point. Sales for the Ruber Group as a whole were down by just over a billion euros, at 3.710 billion from 4.778 in 2008.

Dr Neumann concluded, in his outlook for the corporation, that it remains difficult to forecast for the remainder of 2009, but was willing to share Continental’s expectation of “a continuing revival in sales and operating results in the second half of 2009 compared to the first half.”

However, similar wide gaps are predicted for figures comparing 2009 with 2008, due to “the planned plant closures and the announced production adjustments.” According to Dr Neumann, these changes “will result in further restructuring expenses for the corporation in the coming quarters.” Conti will also look into options regarding the repayment or refinancing of part of its credit facility, due in August 2010, “with the goal of substantially improving the capital structure as well,” said Dr Neumann. akb

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Natural Rubber Price Up +25% Rubber prices no longer a ‘tailwind’ for tyre makers he price of RSS3 grade natural rubber has shot up 25 Rubber Price Trends 2007 –to date per cent to US$2.0/kg in the last month (and US$ 1.8/kg for TSR 20 grade). True, according to Deutsche Bank analysts the latest prices surge is expected to impact tyre manufacturers’ profit and loss accounts in the first quarter of 2010, but this is still significantly below what tyre companies paid in 2008 (approximately $2.8/kg; 2007:$2.3/kg). Furthermore, according to the bankers, this is “not necessarily bad news for the industry” because higher input prices reduces the risks of “negative pricing” in the short term. In other words, with the impending recovery in sell-in markets expected any time now, in the coming months the industry will face no difficulties in increasing selling prices.

The fact that natural rubber prices have rebounded 25 per cent to US$2.1/kg for RSS3 in the last month means raw Tyres & Accessories 09/2009 Source: Bloomberg material prices that had been assisting tyre manufacturers are no longer a “tailwind.” The news is forcing analysts such as Deutsche Bank to revise their earnings estimates as they had mostly the lower prices they have been experiencing in advance of the prices factored in the possibility that that tyre companies would pass a portion hikes kicking into their balance sheets in six months time. As a result of this raw material price benefit onto their vehicle making customers. of this and improved sell-in sales, profit margins are expected to However, with the increase.

Rubber represents a significant portion of the purchasing cost for current boost in rubber prices behind tyre companies. According to Deutsche Bank, 56 per cent of Michelthem the 33 – 50 per in’s and 50 per cent of Pirelli’s purchasing bill is made up of rubbers.

Global production of natural rubber (NR) is estimated to have fallen cent of the so-called rubber tailwind they by 4.6 per cent, according to Association of Natural Rubber Produmay have pencilled to cing Countries (ANRPC) data for July. The figures show that Thai share with the OEMs is production fell by 12.4 per cent on an annualized basis. Production not likely to be erased. during the 12 months to June 2009 was 2906 thousand tons, down Since 75 per cent 6.0 per cent from 2008 (January to December). Indonesia's NR output of tyre demand comes contracted 6.0 per cent in first half 2009 compared with the same from the aftermarket, period in 2008. Production is estimated to have fallen by 3.1 per cent analysts expect tyre to 2665 thousand tons in the 12 months ended June 2009, compared Rubber prices may have grown by a quarter, but manufactures to keep to 2008 full year. Production in Malaysia dropped by 32.6 per cent in this may also allow manufacturers to prevent prices falling too low most of the benefit of first half 2009. cja

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Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Receives Funding for Modelling Project research project utilising modelling technology to reduce the cost and time involved in aircraft tyre development has landed Dunlop Aircraft Tyres £120,000 in funding from the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA). This project, co-funded by the aircraft tyre manufacturer, is being conducted together with the University of Birmingham’s School of Mechanical Engineering.

In addition to identifying ways in which modelling can improve the tyre design process and thus bring products to market quicker, the project gives airframe, landing gear and wheel and brake manufacturers will have the opportunity to save costs by utilising output from the supply chain partnership project to improve aircraft and landing gear system modelling and simulation.

“We have an aggressive new product programme as part of our

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overall expansion strategy,” said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres chairman Ian Edmondson. “This funding, and the support of the University of Birmingham and Airbus, gives us the opportunity to research new ways to use the very latest modelling technology to make advancements in aircraft tyre design and to remain at the leading edge of the industry.”

The project is part of the MAA’s Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Advantage West Midlands. It is headed up by Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ head of research, Dr Wei Ding. Before joining the tyre manufacturer Wei worked for Airbus, where he was project manager for tyre research and team leader for tyre, wheel and brake modelling and simulation. sg

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EU Probes Chinese Wheel Dumping Complaint

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n 14 August, the European Commission began an investigation into the alleged ‘dumping’ of Chinese-made aluminium wheels into the European market. The investigation followed Association of European Wheel Manufacturers’ (EUWA) June complaint that the practice has been taking place.

“Having determined that there is sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of a proceeding, the Commission hereby initiates an investigation,” Reuters quoted the journal of the executive arm of the 27-nation European Union as saying. China's Ministry of Commerce denied the charges saying: “It raises the cost of repairs for customers, affects the recovery of the European auto sector from the global financial crisis, and hurts the interests of both China and Europe'” in a statement on the Ministry's website.

The investigation launched by the EU reportedly involves more than 60 Chinese companies, and Chinese sources estimate it will cause US$390 million in economic losses to wheel exporters. The Chinese Xinhua news agency speculated that if an anti-dumping judgment is made, the EU may levy tariffs of up to 33 per cent on Chinese aluminum alloy hubs for five years. cja

According to the China’s Ministry of Commerce, 60 Chinese companies are being investigated at an estimated cost of US$390 million in economic losses to wheel exporters

Citexpo China International Tire Expo

1/2 AD CITExpo

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July Sell-in Market ‘Stabilising’ The last statistics show that global replacement demand is improving, however OE tyre sales remain weak and opinion are divided about whether or not the worst is over for the European truck tyre market. ccording to figures compiled by Michelin and further research by analysts published on 3 September, European and worldwide tyre markets are finally beginning to stabilise. Writing in response to the latest round of market figures issued by leading French tyre manufacturer, Michelin, market analysts at Morgan Stanley described their view of the current market conditions as “slightly better than our expectations.” Despite highlighting the fact that the data continues to show negative year-to-date growth rates in almost every market, the analysts focused on the fact that the pace of the decline “showed material improvements compared to year-to-date trends and it looks on track to exceed our volume forecast for the quarter.”

The usually bearish analysts at Morgan Stanley optimistically reported that while European truck tyre OE sales fell 69 per cent in July, replacement sales were just a comparatively low 17 per cent “the most mild year-on-year decline since October 2008.” However, this assertion flies in the face of an earlier report from Deutsche Bank which suggested the same figures represented some of the least improved figures are in the European truck replacement market; figures, which the bank described as, “very poor.”

Looking globally, the analysts described Chinese replacement market tyre sales as “improving,” with sales of replacement truck tyres in the replacement market down 7 per cent year-on-year. OE truck tyre sales were down 5 per cent in China in July. In Brazil sales of truck tyre OE sales decreased 37 per cent while replacement sales fell 17 per cent. The analysts outlook is that improving year-on-year declines should turn to “outright growth in many key markets by year-end with growth accelerating into the first half of 2010.”

Referring to Michelin itself, the analysts’ report notes that Michelin volumes in July declined 9 per cent compared the analysts’ earlier prediction of a 12 per cent volume decline in the third quarter.

However, Deutsche Bank interpreted the same figures rather

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Toyo Joins VLN Race oyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. will participate in the next round of the VLN at the Nürburgring continuing their race tyre development programme. As in the recent Millenium Merdeka race at Sepang, the “Lammertink Racing with Toyo Tires” team will be working with Toyo engineers to further develop their race tyres.

Lammertink will use their Porsche 997 GT3 race car fitted with 245/640R18 front tyres and 285/680R18 rears against the very experienced “Ringmeisters” of the VLN series. Lammertink will use Proxes RS1 if the conditions are dry with Proxes RR1 wets available if it rains.

Held on 29 August the RCM DMV Grenzlandrennen is the seventh round of the 10 race VLN series. It is a well established round, being the 32nd time the Rheydter Club für Motorsport have held the race and is expected to feature more than 190 teams. This year’s VLN series has seen close racing and after six rounds, the series is

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Morgan Stanley optimistically reported that while European truck tyre OE sales fell 69 per cent in July, replacement sales were just a comparatively low 17 per cent “the most mild year-on-year decline since October 2008.” differently, singling out commercial vehicle tyre markets for particular caution. Some of the least improved figures are in the European truck replacement market, they said, describing the status quo as “very poor” - while truck tyre OE figures were said to be almost twice as bad with OE tyre sales down 50 per cent in July and -60 per cent year-to-date.

The good news is that replacement market sales are improving and, while still not yet positive, are considerably better than they were. In Europe passenger car tyre replacement sales were down 6 per cent in July and -11 per cent year-to-date. In North America passcar replacement tyre sales actually grew 3 per cent in June, however this figure is still down 9 per cent year-to-date. According to the figures, North American Truck tyre sales were down 2 per cent in July and -15 per cent year-to-date.

Commenting on the figures, Deutsche Bank analysts said: “We still expect a small volume decline in the third quarter (-5 per cent) and a small recovery in the fourth quarter (+5 per cent) on a very low base) after a 20 per cent decline in the first half. cja

still wide open. As a result, Lammertink, with less experience at the Nürburgring than most VLN competitors, expect four hours of very challenging racing. cja

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

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COMPANY NEWS

Elemica and RubberNetwork Merge Elemica and RubberNetwork have merged in a moved designed to provide greater cost savings for global manufacturers. Elemica, a global supply chain services provider, and RubberNetwork, a sourcing and supply chain company will continue to operate under the Elemica name. Financial terms of the merger were not disclosed. ccording to an official statement announcing the news, “positive results are expected quickly as the combined product portfolio provides a complete suite of capabilities to unlock cash in the supply chain for the company’s clients.”

“The products of both Elemica and RubberNetwork are similar but not overlapping, we provide outstanding supply chain services to our blue chip clients, and we complement each other in the industries in which we operate,” said Mike McGuigan, President and CEO of

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Elemica, who will continue to serve in this role for the combined company, adding: “This merger creates exceptional opportunities for our current clients and new manufacturing customers globally to drive greater efficiencies in their businesses. In turn, this will further enhance the growth of our company.”

The global footprint of the merged company includes offices in Atlanta, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo. Headquarters will remain in Exton, Pennsylvania.

Elemica annually processes over $50 billion in annual transactions across multiple industries. Clients include Arkema, BASF, BP, Dow, DuPont, Lanxess, Rohm and Haas, and Shell. RubberNetwork is reportedly the leader in sourcing and supply chain integration for the global tyre and rubber industry. The company sources about $10 billion in spending with savings of approximately $1 billion. Clients include Continental, Cooper, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, Pirelli, Sumitomo, Toyo and Yokohama. cja

Recession Pressure a Safety Worry, Says Bridgestone Manufacturer warns of the dangers of bowing to economic forces at the expense of tyre safety checks

is a false economy,” says Bridgestone’s senior analyst Andy Dingley.

“Driving with tyres below the legal limit could involve a fine of up to £2,500 and three points per tyre. At worst those tyres could cause an accident, putting not only the driver and passengers at risk, but also other road users.”

Bridgestone is keen to point out the importance of the message ridgestone has released a plea to drivers not to allow their tread depth to drop below the legal limit, a trend that could be on the this week as millions of Britons take to the roads on holiday, especially rise while the economy continues to flatline. With many cars on the as cash-strapped holidaymakers spend their holidays in the UK. Working vacation trail during the summer months, concerns that drivers are in conjunction with the international FIA Foundation, Bridgestone’s trying to save cash by keeping their tyres going past the legal 1.6mm Think Before You Drive programme also identified that 26 per cent of tread depth limit are increasingly common. Bridgestone’s European re- drivers run on under-inflated tyres. Almost all of these motorists are unaware of the adverse consequences of search study of more than 100,000 their behaviour – to their safety, to their fuel drivers showed that 10.3 per cent of budget and to the environment. checked cars were fitted with tyres worn The first consequence of low tyre presbeyond the legal limit. The dangerous sure is that it puts safety at risk. Deflation consequences of this are well doculeads to a loss of handling control, incremented and include serious loss of grip ased vehicle drift, and lower tyre durability in wet road conditions and an increased due to the stress and heat build-up from risk of puncture at speed on the tyre sidewall bending. The increased motorway. weight of holiday baggage, extra passenA recent report from Touring Mobilis gers and a caravan or boat in tow adds to – an online traffic service of the Belgian the potentially dangerous situation. Low Automobile Club and breakdown tyre pressure hits holiday-makers’ pockets. service, “Touring” – noted a 30 per cent It not only increases tyre rolling resistance, increase in tyre punctures in 2008 Not only will the correct tyre pressure aid safety, it will help pushing up fuel consumption, but also compared to the same period in 2006. conserve energy – another concern highlighted by Bridgestone’s increases tread wear, thus reducing the life It stated that in response to current green-striped Formula One Potenzas of the tyre. Tyre wear life is halved if preseconomic difficulties, motorists appeared to be postponing the purchase of new tyres and driving for too long sure falls from 2.2 bar to 1.0 bar.

Bridgestone’s Technical Centre Europe, based near Rome in Italy, on worn treads.

In the UK, tyres were the second main cause of breakdown for the calculates that the motorists who routinely drive on under-inflated tyres AA with 331,000 call-outs during 2008. Bridgestone is concerned that use more fuel than they need to – equivalent to 3.9 billion litres of extra the figure reveals that motorists could be prepared to take more risks fuel a year worth 5.1 billion Euros. They also emit an extra 9.2 million in order to save money. “Leaving changing your tyres to the last minute tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. akb

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Pirelli Issues Global PZero Corsa Recall

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irelli has initiated a recall of any 285/35 ZR19 PZero Corsa tyres manufactured from May 2007 to July 2009. The tyres in question equip the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and 430 Scuderia Spider 16M. Company representatives explained that owners of these cars have been contacted any that have rear tyres marked with the "XB" identification mark are advised that these may need substituting.

According to an official statement on the matter, the recall campaign is “a preventative measure only.” Pirelli’s explanation for this is that “due to a manufacturing discrepancy,” PZero Corsa tyres marked "XB" could incur partial detachment of portions of the tread blocks. However, Pirelli and Ferrari point out that this problem may only occur under severe circumstances - running at over 300 km/h for long distances. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure the two companies have chosen to replace all rear tyres on the vehicles in question.

The announcement follows a similar recall in the US where Pirelli issued a statement recalling 1,680 Pirelli PZero Corsa tyres, size 285/35

Pirelli is recalling any 285/35 ZR19 PZero Corsa tyres manufactured between May 2007 and July 2009 ZR19 (99Y) K1, manufactured between June 2007 and July 2009 with an apparently similar problem. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, partial tread and/or belt edge separation can occur at speeds over 168 mph or 270 kph, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash. Pirelli has not yet provided NHTSA with a remedy and notification schedule. cja

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Schrader: EU Accident Prevention Rules May Compromise Road From 2012 all new cars sold in Europe will have to be fitted with tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) as standard.

However, leading TPMS-maker Schrader Electronics believes the legislation passed by the European Parliament earlier this year is flawed and could even compromise road safety. he concerns centre on the fact that the forthcoming rules make two types of TPMS technologies available to car companies - direct and indirect measuring systems. The tyre and TPMS industries favour solutions such as the direct system which places a pressure sensor in each wheel and transmits reliable pressure measurement information back to the car data centre which then informs the driver immediately about the condition of its tyres.

The problem is that indirect systems, while a less expensive option, compare one wheel against the others and/or perform an analysis of the vibration characteristics using the car’s ABS sensors. The car’s computer (ECU) analyses the data and works out if the tyre is changing diameter and the software interprets this as a loss of tyre pres-

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sure. The delay in providing this information to the driver is considerable opening up the possibility of a rapidly deflating tyre not being detected and the possibility of an accident. In some instances (for example when tyres are worn unevenly) this can lead to phantom blow outs where a TPMS light signals, but pressures are actually correct.

The other crucial difference between the two systems is that the indirect version requires, when the tyre pressures are adjusted or a tyre changed, that the driver must – to make the system effective – re-calibrate the system. This relies heavily on the driver checking the tyre pressures with an accurate gauge, and in the optimum conditions when the rubber is cool, and then hitting the re-set button. With tyre pressures ranking low down on the agenda of most drivers, the process is open to mistakes. This is a fundamental flaw and could provide a false sense of safety to the driver who could be running on severely deflated tyres yet the system is indicating “correctly inflated” However the indirect system is favoured by some car companies and supported by OICA (Organisation International Constructeurs d’Automobiles).

Dunlop Help Set ‘Radical’ Nürburgring Record Radical Sportscars have set a new benchmark for Roadgoing production cars on Dunlop tyres. Radical Sportscars reportedly smashed the Nürburgring production car lap record, with driver Michael Vergers posting a committed 6m48s lap time. The road-legal SR8LM smashed the previous record, also held by Radical since 2005, by an incredible eight seconds. All this, less than 24 hours after the car was driven from England to Germany for the record

by Vergers and Roger Green, from UK automotive magazine ‘Evo’. The latest Dunlop Direzza DZ03G road-legal tyres were used to drive from the UK to Germany – and the same set of tyres was then used for the record. he Dunlops chosen by Radical were 225/45R16 Direzza DZ03G front tyres and 255/40R17 Direzza DZ03G H1 on the rear. The test programme was engineered by Paul Bryant, Matthew Rees and Michael Butler from Dunlop Motorsport.

When launching new supercars, car manufacturers wear a Nurburgring Nordschleife lap record as a badge of honour. More relevant than maximum speed or acceleration times, a ‘Ring lap time tells the story of how fast a car is in an environment with every type of corner, crest, and camber to challenge its dynamic capabilities. As production cars and tyre technology gets faster and more effective, they are getting ever closer to the outright lap-record for racing cars, set by Stefan Bellof in a Porsche 956 in 1985 in 6m 11s on slick tyres in 1983.

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The latest record lopped eight seconds off the previous lap best Radical co-founder Mick Hyde said: “I’m obviously delighted, the record has been a real team effort. Dunlop have supplied us with brilliant, hard-wearing trackday tyres, indeed we’ve only used one set to both drive to the ‘Ring, and set the record. We’ve proved that the SR8LM is not only the world’s best trackday car, but it’s also practical enough to drive to and from the circuit. It is a genuine production sportscar, with genuine performance credentials, as we’ve shown today.”

Some may claim the Radical is merely a ‘racing car with number plates and a tax disc’ and highlight Nissan’s recent 7m27s lap with their GT-R as truly representative of the ultimate lap for a car with a ‘roof and four seats’, but Dunlop are comfortable with this debate: both the Nissan GT-R and indeed Bellof’s 956 record-breaker were shod with Dunlop tyres as well. cja

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COMPANY NEWS

Safety Those lobbying for the direct method are encourage the European Commission to ask the UNECE committee, responsible for implementing the technical details of the new regulation, to favour the accurate tyre pressure monitoring technology which will maximise its contribution to road safety and CO2 reduction, an issue at the top of the EU agenda. A campaign to highlight this road safety issue is being spearheaded by Schrader Electronics, one of the principle developers and suppliers of TPMS, with support from major tyre companies. Leading industry bodies have issued position papers supporting strict performance requirements for TPMS, currently achievable using only the direct TPMS option, these include ETRTO (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation), CLEPA (the European Association of Automotive Suppliers) and the European Federation for Transport and Environment. cja

While a collection of TPMS manufacturers and tyre makers support the direct measuring technology, the indirect system is favoured by some car companies and supported by OICA (Organisation International Constructeurs d’Automobiles).

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The world of tyres is our world

Change of Seasons = Change of Tyres

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Analysts say the worst may be over, but the truck tyre market still has a tricky path to negotiate

Green Shoots or False Dawn?

Things may be better than before, but truck tyre market must still weather a storm In the midst of some of the worst falls in Europe truck tyre production in a decade, opinions about the short and medium term prognosis for the segment remain divided. But while the research available fails to offer conclusive answers to the question of whether or not the truck tyre market has yet “bottomed out”; and fails to clearly indicate whether or not it is yet in recovery mode, there are signs that the worst is over. et’s get the bad news out of the way first. Full year 2008 European truck tyre sell-in sales totalled 7.95 million units – a decline of around the same size as the total UK truck tyre market. By all accounts 2009’s figures are set to be even worse. The latest data Tyres & Accessories has seen (year-to-July) puts Western European truck tyre sales at 3.7 million units, down 27 per cent. Now this metric doesn’t include the significant numbers of Far Eastern imports that are available in the market, but it is still sobering reading.

Looking at the SMMT’s UK commercial vehicle registration figures is a similarly depressing place to start, but it reflects just how bad the situation has been up till now. This data shows that there were just 309 3.5 – 6 tonne truck registrations (-35.89 per cent) in August; 7,531 3.5 tonne van registrations (-34.56 per cent); and 1546 heavy truck registrations (-46.49 per cent). Year-to-date registrations aren’t any better and are currently -43.88 per cent, -21.79 per cent and -44.59 per cent for each of those three segments at 203,117; 5,669 and 32,263 registrations respectively. According to SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt, not only are the truck and van markets “dogged by weak demand,” but the outlook is that “van and truck registrations will stabilise at around 45 per cent down” compared with 2008.

While not venturing as far ahead as a projection for how far down the market will be at the end of the year, Michelin’s latest market figures (for July) show a similar pattern. The leading French tyre manufacturer confirmed that OE tyre demand is likely to remain down for some

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time, reporting that the European (including CIS) truck tyre OE market experienced a 68.7 fall in demand in July. European truck tyre replacement demand was reportedly down 16.6 per cent in July. The news is that, as big as these month falls are, the rate of decline appears to be slowing at around 2 points a month in OE (compared with April) and 4 or more points or month the truck tyre replacement markets.

With this in mind Morgan Stanley said market conditions are “slightly better than our expectations.” Their view is that the 16.6 per cent fall is “the most mild year-on-year decline since October 2008.”

However, Deutsche Bank analysts suggested that the same data shows that the market is still “very poor.” Make of this what you will, but the consensus seems to be that improving year-on-year declines should turn to “outright growth in many key markets by year-end with growth accelerating into the first half of 2010.”

Western European Truck Tyre Sales 2004-2008 9.41

8.98

9.0

9.1 7.95

3.7*

2004 2005 Unit sales in millions Source: T&A research

2006

2007

2008

2009* *year to July

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

TRUCK TYRES

Goodyear’s Debica, Poland plant increases truck tyre production 17% One sign that the demand doom and gloom could be lifting in the medium term is that Goodyear’s TC Debica S.A. factory recently announced it is jump-starting truck tyre production by increasing output 17 per cent. Debica has halted truck tyre production three times so far this year due to faltering demand, after it said (on 26 February) it would triple commercial vehicle tyre production from 1,700 to 5,000 units a day. It is not clear where the latest increase in production puts current truck tyre output, but the figure is likely to lie between the 1,700 and 5,000 unit per day range. This example is significant because company data shows that 75 per cent of production at Debica is destined for export, and that just under 99 per cent of the factory’s output (which includes passenger car and agricultural tyres) is destined for major European aftermarkets such as UK, France and Germany.

So what signs are there a wider recovery in the market? Positive general economic indicators out of Europe, Asia and the US have reportedly given market analysts reason to forecast a recovery in the wider global logistics industry. However for global freight volumes and revenues to rebound significantly – and therefore the tyre sales which rely on logistics firms of this kind prospering – analysts at Datamonitor suggest there will need to be “major improvements in consumer confidence, industrial output and subsequent international trade volumes.”

Datamonitor bases its predictions on the fact that positive German exports, which have traditionally driven the country's economic growth, surged by 7 per cent in June compared to the previous month, representing the fastest growth in almost three years. Imports were also up by seven per cent month on

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

UK Withstanding Retreading Downturn Well ollowing a decade of steady growth in demand averaging 10 per cent, last October the financial and economic crisis pushed European retreading markets into a freefall. The largest decline was listed by market participants in the opening quarter of this year, and according to Marangoni demand for retreaded tyres in Europe reduced by a quarter. Yet at the same time, the market for new truck tyres dropped some 30 per cent. In the second quarter, demand was still some 15 per cent below that of the previous year, while the new tyre industry recorded sales a clear 25 per cent worse – another result reflecting the new tyre industry’s greater difficulties.

June performance, reports Marangoni Retreading Systems managing director Giuseppe Ferrari, admittedly lagged some 5 per cent behind that of last year, yet Marangoni calculates that demand during the second half of the year will return to last year’s levels. This points towards, says Ferrari, “optimism for the future,” even though whole year 2009 will probably end up around 10 per cent down. As was the case in previous downturns, he now expects a “sudden and massive market recovery.” Ferrari anticipates the start of this recovery to arrive next year.

The fact that not every market is affected to the same degree – as is the case during every downturn – also holds true for the retreading industry. While Eastern Europe, Germany and Spain/Portugal have suffered from a drop in demand, the UK and Turkish markets were helped by their currencies. The weaker pound, for example, led to increases in the cost of (imported) new tyres, and retreaders were able to hit home their advantage in light of this.

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arno.borchers@reifenpresse.de/sg

month. As a result, the German economy has now exited the recession, recording 0.3 per cent overall growth between April and June. With France matching this performance, Europe's two largest economies have rebounded from a 12-month period of recession.

The UK - as has been well publicised - may not have got there yet, but the government and OECD data, not to mention the delayed introduction of the “bangers for cash” seems to suggest that recovery is running late rather than AWOL. The one word of caution is that such broad economic figures are, by definition, imprecise. For example the French and German economies have managed to haul themselves out of recessions thanks to their respective oversubscribed car scrappage incentive schemes. But Germany’s scheme ran out of steam in August. Healthy economies are usually good environments for business in general and therefore tyres, but will France and Germany’s currently good overall economic figures look so good next year when car sales are predicted to plummet due when consumers are no longer being offer 2000 euros to buy cars? The point is that unless you are in the new car transportation business, France and Germany’s relative economic strength (and hopefully the UK’s soon) doesn’t say much about tyres sales. chris.anthony@tyrepress.com

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TRUCK TYRES

Meanwhile, sales of Maxxis 17.5 inch and 19.5 inch van and light truck tyres are also said to be on the up. Manufactured from a premium rubber compound, the tyres are of double steel belt construction and feature continuous shoulder ribs for long life and uniformity and extra plies for improved puncture and abrasion resistance.

The Maxxis UR-275 is available in sizes 215/75R 17.5PR to 245/70R 19.5 and is said to offer “superb manoeuvrability and handling stabiHaving made headway in the UK passenger lity thanks” to its low rolling resistance and car and light truck segments, Maxxis reports puncture-resistant casing, while the UEthat it is now on the lookout for heavy truck 168 has a 70-80 profile and jointless tyre distribution partners. The company’s spiral-wrapped full nylon cap for added main selling point (both to customers and strength. potential distribution partners is the long A practical solution for everyday use, the UE-103 enjoys a rugged tread term mileage performance of its products. compound formulation that resists According to the company, tests with abrasion and a rib tread design which leading UK fleets show the all-important improves water dispersal and ensures PPM (pence per mile) figures achieved by stability, especially on motorways. The the Maxxis 22.5 inch heavy truck range are Maxxis MA-751 Bravo comes in 13-16on a par with those reported by the top inch sizes and is a well-established brands. While the figures are not yet favourite amongst sports truck/pickcomplete (due to the ongoing nature of the up/4x4 operators due to its responsive tests) company representatives told Tyres & handling and optimum traction on all Accessories the figures are still helping to terrains, while the MA-703 combines “boost the brand’s credentials for quality, responsiveness and durability to reliability and value in this sector.” produce excellent traction in wet and dry conditions along with smooth handling at high speeds.

“The new super single has been well-received Maxxis steer, drive and trailer and for the range as a whole the PPM figures Maxxis added the UR288, a 385/65R22.5 super single tyre, tyres come in sizes 10R22.5, to its range last winter speak for themselves. Demonstrating not that 11R22.5, 12R22.5, 275/80R22.5, Maxxis truck tyres are cheap, but rather, that they 295/80R22.5, 315/80R22.5 and include a 385/65R22.5 super represent excellent value, they underline that we have the credentsingle, the UR288, which was added to the range last winter. Maxxis ials to be a major player in this marketplace,” says Maxxis UK Intervan and light truck tyres (up to 17.5 inch) are available from leading national managing director Derek McMartin, adding: “Sales are contiindependent wholesaler Grouptyre, while Maxxis 22.5 inch heavy nuing to rise steadily on the back of the impressive customer test truck tyres are available direct from Maxxis International UK. cja programme results and we are now keen to appoint distributors.”

Maxxis Recruits UK Heavy Truck Tyre Distributors Company’s heavy truck PPM ‘on a par with top brands’

Aeolus Brand Tyres Stolen from KRT ings Road Tyres (KRT) had a container load of Aeolus heavy truck tyres stolen on Friday 4 September. According to KRT managing director, Adrian Bader, a container on the way to the wholesaler was high-jacked en route to Aston in the Midlands and around 100 tyres have been stolen. However, it is unlikely that the thieves will be able to shift the stock without raising suspicions as the Aeolus brand is exclusive to KRT throughout the UK. So, dealers being

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offered these tyres from any source other than KRT are advised to contact Adrian Bader the Wholesale managing director on +44 (0)1460 57353 or +44 (0)7976 442656.

The details of the stolen tyre are as follows: 315/70R22.5 HN355 (13 tyres); 315/70R22.5 HN359 (15); 315/80R22.5 HN355 (6); 315/80R22.5 HN252 (15); and finally 38 units of 385/65R22.5 HN805 tyres – a total of 87 pieces. cja

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NDI UK: A New Competitive Option for Truck Tyres ince the beginning of 2009, West Midlands based NDI UK has been evolving from a small regional tyre wholesaler/distributor into a nationwide tyre wholesaling option. According to the company, this progression can be directly attributed to the fact that it is part of one of Europe’s most competitive tyre distribution groups – Nordisk Daek Import A-S in Denmark.

Ian Smith, managing director of NDI UK commented: “Up to the end of 2008, the company had been well known throughout the West Midlands but now we intend to work more closely with NDI Denmark in order to gradually become a respected wholesaler specialising in all market sectors from a small implement tyre right through to large earthmover patterns serving the entire UK market. Like NDI Denmark we intend to develop into a fully active multi-brand specialist offering a competitive combination of major ‘A’ brands plus numerous mid-range brands to suit all applications.”

One particular specialist market for NDI UK has always been truck tyres and the company’s base in Coseley (near the M6 motorway) can be well supported by its Danish partners (when required) who operate a current warehousing area of 56,000 square metres at their headquarters in Brørup plus other distribution points throughout Scandinavia and Germany.

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All truck tyre orders can be distributed courtesy of a dedicated nationwide carrier service throughout the UK. At the same time NDI is currently in the process of upgrading its facilities to promote a number of specially selected brands whilst maintaining its growing reputation as a multi-brand specialist.

“When it comes to truck tyres, NDI UK now consider themselves to be a growing, competitive new distribution source to the UK market backed by a vast amount of quality products and experience in this specialist sector,” Ian Smith concluded. cja

Uniroyal Takes on Forest Tracks

The impressive performance of Uniroyal tyres on its timber trucks led Cumbrian operator John Miller Limited fit the tyres across its general haulage fleet arlier this year Cumbrian operator John Miller Limited selected Uniroyal tyres for use in its general haulage fleet. The reason? The tyres stood up to real-life tests consisting of frequent journeys of up to 20 miles on unpaved forest tracks as part of the company’s timber fleet.

Now they’re fitting them to steer axles on Mercedes-Benz Actros tractors on general haulage work and looking to achieve up to 180,000 kilometres of life before they go for regrooving.

The Carlisle firm, which has 30 trucks dedicated to timber haulage, used the Uniroyal FO 200 on/off road steer axle tyre on its tag-axle DAF

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CF85s for 18 months on its timber trucks carrying wood out of forests right across the Scottish borders to saw mills throughout the region.

When they’re not on forest tracks, the trucks are mainly running on A roads, which can also put tyres to the test.

These demanding conditions make it essential that drivers check their tyres daily. At Miller’s this is also backed up with more thorough inspections carried out by the supplying dealer, Matthew Brewer Tyres (MBT), who provide a complete tyre management service to the company.

MBT will often check a truck’s tyres two or three times a week and always at least weekly to ensure that any sign of damage or underinflation is quickly spotted and action taken. When tread depth approaches 3 mm the tyres come off the steer axle for regrooving and the FO 200s are then available for use on the lift axle, thus extending their life by several thousand more kilometres. Further life is gained by retreading, which can also later be followed by a second regrooving.

Davie Carson, a director at John Miller Limited, says that the arduous conditions of timber work are about as testing as it gets for truck tyres.

“I’ve been very satisfied with the way the Uniroyal’s have performed in our timber fleet. Following that experience, and on the advice of MBT, we’re now using the DH 100 on the drive axles of our Actros Mega space tractors and so far they appear to be doing well.”

Uniroyal tyres are sold and distributed exclusively for Continental Tyre Group by Uniroyal Truck Tyres UK, a subsidiary of King Road Tyres, one of the largest tyre wholesalers in the UK and Ireland. cja

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

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TRUCK TYRES

Double Coin Adds 12 Sizes Double Coin distributor, Kirkby Tyres Ltd, has announced that the Chinese tyre manufacturer is expanding its truck tyre range. According to Kirkby Tyres, the size expansion means the sole distributor (UK and Ireland) can now offer an “all-encompassing truck tyre line to meet the needs of the most demanding tyre retailer or end user.”

The Double Coin factory commenced operation in 1991 after installing “state-of-the-art” tyre building and curing machinery sourced from equipment manufacturers in the USA, Japan and Europe.

According to company literature, Double Coin engineers have recently integrated the advanced TECO (Tyre Entirety Construction Optimization) theory and special adhesive technology to “further improve tyre performance and manufacturing quality.” cja

New Double Coin Sizes 295/60R22.5 Double Coin RR202 149/146L 295/60R22.5 Double Coin RLB450 149/146L 315/60R22.5 Double Coin RR202 152/148L 315/60R22.5 Double Coin RLB450 152/148L 435/50R19.5 Double Coin RR905 156J 445/45R19.5 Double Coin RR905 18PLY 156J 385/55R19.5 Double Coin RR905 18PLY 156J 385/55R22.5 Double Coin RR905 160J 285/70R19.5Double Coin RT500 14PLY 140/137M 8R17.5 Double Coin RT500 10PLY 117/116L 825R20 Double Coin RR500 135/131L 825R20 Double Coin RLB300 135/131L

Hayes Lemmerz Receives Daimler Truck Award ayes Lemmerz International has become one of a small number of companies acknowledged by Daimler Trucks North America for meeting its rigid quality requirements and expectations. This recognition came in the form of a Masters of Quality Award for 2008.

"It is a great honour for us to receive this high recognition for quality excellence from one of our valued customers," said Donald Hampton, Jr., Vice President, North American Operations. "We are proud of our Akron facility's accomplishments. Our Akron facility, like all of our global facilities, is committed to continuing to deliver world-class products to Daimler Trucks and all of our global customers.” sg

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Swinton Survey Outs Van Tyre Safety Ignorance ccording to a recent poll of 1,000 commercial van driving customers, Swinton Insurance has revealed that 25 per cent of the segment never checked the condition or tread of their tyres, while 42 per cent did not know the correct legal tread depth. While only 9 per cent admitted that they never check their tyre pressure – much better on average than passenger car drivers – the figures still show that there is some way to go before tyre safety awareness reaches an acceptable level, including those whose livelihood depends on the good condition of their vehicle.

Phil Moss, commercial vehicle manager at Swinton said, “Van drivers tend to clock up more miles than other road users therefore it is vital that they carry out routine safety checks on their vehicle.

Low tyre tread depth can be extremely dangerous in wet weather conditions and given the ever-changing weather this summer we would urge van drivers to inspect their tyres on a regular basis. Failing to maintain a commercial vehicle properly increases the risk of an accident which will ultimately affect future van insurance premiums.”

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Infinity Tyres Get Bandag Retreadability Certification Infinity is now openly promoting both its light and heavy ranges as retreadable products after Bandag issued the following official certification: “In conjunction with Bandag and its distributors, Infinity truck tyres have received some very good reports for the quality of the casings which have recently been retreaded.” According to retreading systems and material supplier and franchiser, Infinity casings have “reasonable integrity” and “the quality of the casing is good”. As a result the Bandag certification says: “Infinity casings are fully suitable for retreading through Bandag dealers.” All Infinity truck tyres are manufactured to international standards under strong operational quality control systems and

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all Infinity Truck radial tyres bear “E” and “s” markings,” the statement explained.

In addition, Infinity are now offering distributors tyres/wheel sets loaded on pallets, direct from the factory in most Infinity TBR sizes. The move opens the way for Infinity distributors to supply OE customers, or anyone who wants a complete tyre and wheel unit.

The heavy truck radial range is available across over 20 patterns and over 40 sizes – and includes the new INF F865, INF D925 and INFA902 patterns. The light truck radial range is available in 15 sizes. cja

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

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INTERNATIONAL TYRE MARKET

Titan Works to Address Giant Tyre Concerns Taylor responds to media reports on performance issues Following performance problems with its 63-inch radial OTR tyres, Titan Tire said it will install inflation and heat sensor equipment on each tyre. “In next few months, Titan expects to ship each tyre with a sensor that will monitor air pressure and temperature so that each mine will know tyre data instantly, as will Titan,” said Titan chairman and CEO Maurice M. Taylor Jr. he decision to fit the additional equipment comes after reports emerged that giant Titan OTR tyres in use on Canada’s oil sands were delivering far less than their anticipated performance. Bloomberg stated on August 24 that some of the tyres installed on trucks operating in the region lasted just one per cent as long as expected.

Reporting on a telephone interview made with Taylor, the news service said a number of tyres failed after 100 hours of work on the 400-ton trucks used to haul oil-soaked sand for Royal Dutch Shell Plc and other energy companies in Alberta – a far cry from the minimum expected lifespan of 10,000 hours.

Bloomberg reporter Joe Carroll further stated that Taylor placed the blame for the failures on local dealers who set air pressure too low, raising internal temperatures and causing steel belts to separate. “The tyre dealers up there demanded a seven per cent to ten per cent kickback, but I refused to pay it,” Taylor was reported as

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saying. “If you don’t give them some money, they let a little air out of your tyres, and no one sees it.” According to Carroll, Taylor did not reveal the dealers’ identity.

In a Titan issued statement, however, Mr. Taylor took exception to the information released by Bloomberg and other news sources.

He claimed the stories were inaccurate and did not reflect the performance “without interruption” provided by the company’s giant tyres.

“It is interesting to see just how much misinformation is flowing around,” said the Titan chairman and CEO. “Bloomberg reporter Joe Carroll called me from Calgary to discuss 63-inch tyres that were being tested with heavy loads, running at faster speeds and longer distances. This scenario is beyond the rated conditions of any tyre this size. Our competitors’ tyres don’t hold up to these excessive conditions, either. In these tests, Titan’s tyres were getting too hot in the steel belt, which was melting the rubber, resulting in a failure.

The report didn’t mention the other hundred Titan tyres that have been in use.” Taylor added: “The average life of a 63-inch tyre in the oil sands is around 5,000 hours, not 10,000. In fact, Mr. Carroll noted that a celebration was held for a tyre that ran 10,600 hours – that is a special occasion, not the average.”

According to the Bloomberg article, the cost of each fitted sensor comes to US$2,700. Taylor, however, disputes this sum. “This is a service we will supply, and our cost is expected to be lower than the reported $2,700.”

In his statement, Taylor announced he had invited Mr. Carroll to visit Titan’s Bryan, Ohio factory, and he extended this invitation to other journalists. "Titan is in the business not only to produce every off-the-road tyre size, but also to be the best, and we will,” he concluded. “It is a great compliment that we share the spotlight with the ‘big dogs' and we love the challenge to prove the naysayers wrong. Titan is still on the move, and never forget that the word ‘Titan' means giant." sg

News regarding the performance of Titan tyres in Canada is “inaccurate”, says Maurice Taylor

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Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

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INTERNATIONAL TYRE MARKET

ECI International launches Tyrexpo India Chennai based tyre trade exhibition to be held in July 2011 India is set to have its own dedicated tyre and equipment exhibition following confirmation of plans to stage Tyrexpo India in Chennai in July 2011. The exhibition, based in the region that is home to many country’s leading automotive industry players, including Apollo Tyres, Michelin, Dunlop India and MRF, will be based on the successful model already applied by organiser ECI International at its established Tyrexpo Asia, Tyrexpo Africa and Brityrex events.

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aking the announcement, ECI International sales director Rowena Suthers said: “India’s position as one of the fastestgrowing and most important markets for the global tyre industry makes it a natural choice to stage a high profile exhibition like Tyrexpo India.

“Our research among exhibitors and industry contacts worldwide tells us there is enormous interest in doing business in India,” Suthers added. “Tyrexpo India will fill the gap in the market for a truly international and dedicated tyre trade exhibition that will offer great potential for suppliers in the tyre, retreading, accessories and equipment markets to establish profitable new relationships.”

Welcoming the news, Mr Rajesh Vyas, senior general manager (exports) with tyre manufacturer BKT stated: “India is home to a rapidly developing tyre market and is now a significant global player, so it is fitting that the country will have its own trade show dedicated to the tyre business. I welcome this new initiative as it will attract greater international interest in the Indian market and help to raise the profile of domestic manufacturers and suppliers to global buyers.

BKT has been closely involved in other tyre expos organised by ECI International, so I am confident they will deliver a top class event in 2011.”

His views were echoed by Treadsdirect president T. Ashokanand. “This new show will be a golden opportunity for the tyre and rubber people over here [in India] and I am sure there will be good participation from India as well as overseas,” said Ashokanand. “We are very glad that at last India is now on the global map of tyre trade shows. I am sure that all Indian tyre and rubber manufacturers will be very eager to participate in this big event, alongside the global players, and benefit immensely. With radialisation gaining momentum in this country, the timing is perfect.”

Tyrexpo India will take place at the Chennai Trade Centre in Chennai on the 5, 6 and 7 July 2011. The venue is, comments ECI International, one of the country’s most prestigious exhibition centres, playing host to a series of major events including the International Rubber Expo, Indian Industry Expo and Print Expo. More details about Tyrexpo India can be found at www.eci-international.com. sg

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The new Arcom factory in Rzezawa, Poland

Arcom SPJ a Leading Manufacturer of Tyre Storage Systems rcom SPJ is a family-owned business was established by brot- time from receipt of order will normally be two months; this applies hers-in-law Artur Wilk and Robert Zieba in the spring of 1996. to all products in our catalogued standard range as well as those Previously, both Artur and Robert owned rival tyre shops, which had made to customers' specifications.

"In an ever changing industry we listen very carefully to our custobeen trading very successfully for several years, in neighbouring districts of Poland. The evolution of the new business came about mers' comments in order to make absolutely sure we are manufacthrough a number of their customers enquiring after suitable turing the storage system that exactly matches the needs of the suppliers of tyre storage systems in Poland. The realisation that, at market. For this reason we are continually improving and updating that time, there was no company supplying specifically for this market our product portfolio. Currently over 85 per cent of total production eventually culminated in a joint decision to form a new venture to is exported to tyre manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, fast-fit outlets, tyre shops and garages in over 30 countries throughout the produce storage systems exclusively for the tyre industry.

Arcom began life in a small building, with one skilled welder and world, with sales being particularly strong in Germany and Italy. limited resources but, from the very beginning, the company While we have established markets in Europe, which we will adopted a clearly defined policy to manufacture the highest quality continue to develop, recent research has indicated excellent potenproducts available. The success of the new enterprise was imme- tial for our products in the Middle East and Africa, these are markets diate; the order book soon surpassing the production capability. we will be targeting in the very near future. Our export marketing Consequently, additional skilled staff was recruited and extra produc- strategy is based upon direct sales. To date, we have found this to tion space was built onto the existing premises, which were further be the most appropriate and successful approach. However, we at expanded on a number of occasions during the following months Arcom are always prepared to broaden our horizons by introducing new business concepts as long as the professionalism with which and years.

In 2002 a significant order was placed by a large Dutch tyre we conduct all our sales is not compromised. The company attends wholesaler, necessitating further investment in new and more sophis- a number of international exhibitions, which we find to be a very ticated machinery. New designs were introduced, providing Arcom successful method of customer contact and product promotion.

"Last year we were approached by both SAAB and Ford to design with the opportunity to make increasingly significant inroads into the export market. By early 2007, still retaining an abundant order and produce special containers for the movement of original equipbook and no possibility for further expansion of the existing premises ment parts. In a positive way this encounter with the automotive available, there was only one possible solution. So, later that year a manufacturing industry has possibly initiated an optional trading five hectare site, with industrial planning, was purchased in Rzezawa perspective, which could prove to be a lucrative extension to our near Krakow on which would be constructed a highly contempo- business. rary facility, incorporating the very latest in high technology manufacturing machinery, including robotics.

Today, Arcom employs more than 80 people working a continuing 24 hour, 3 shift system. Office staff include a multi-lingual sales team plus specialist export, marketing and logistical personnel.

"Our current standard production range consists of 30 storage containers of which four or five are exceptionally popular, making up almost 70 per cent of total sales," said joint managing director, Robert Zieba. "Although we principally produce for passenger and truck tyres we have the flexibility and expertise to manufacture containers for any size of tyre. Our design office will be pleased to consult with customers in order to construct products that meet the clients' own specific requirements; this facility is available even for relatively short production runs. Arcom also specialises and advises on the complete storage fitment of turnkey projects for any size facility. Products can, if required, be finished in customers' The Arcom management team; joint managing directors Artur Wilk and Robert Zieba own corporate colours including insignias and logos. Delivery are shown far left and far right respectively

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A robotic manufacturing station at Arcom "The company has achieved ISO 9001:2000 and other required certifications, covering the design and production of metal structures used in storage logistics. Obtaining this official recognition was not only a matter of pride and achievement for us, but also a basis for the continuing improvement of the composition of our management systems for working methods and production."

Arcom is one of the three biggest manufacturers of tyre storage and racking systems and is the first company to use durable steel in the construction of its products. Durable steel has the same strength as conventional steel, but is much more flexible. It is also cost effective which enables the company to keep its prices extremely competitive and customer friendly.

"The immediate objective," continued Robert Zieba, "is a return to pre recession 2007 sales levels. Our long term aspirations will lead to further expansion with an increasing number of robotic manufacturing stations, which will allow us to focus on becoming the market leader. However, we will not strive to achieve our ambitions to the detriment of customer care, on which we place the utmost importance, neither will we sacrifice quality for price. The family atmosphere that has remained since Arcom's formation allows management to maintain the personal touch with both employees and customers and this is very important to me." ad/pg

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INTERNATIONAL TYRE MARKET

Enjoy The Best of China Enjoy Tyre is a young, Chinese company trading in the wheel and tyre sector, which has built up an export business supplying companies in more than 60 countries in less than five years. Turnover in 2008 was US$ 46 million. The product range includes good quality Chinese tyres, including a number of brands that are becoming increasingly familiar names in Western Europe. Among these are; Linglong, Chengshan, Westlake, Goodride, Taishan, Double Star and Jintong. Miss Xu Xia, managing director of Enjoy, told T&A that the company has global exclusivity for the distribution of the Rotalla brand of passenger car and high/ultra high performance radial tyres, which are being actively marketed across Europe. Passenger car tyres make up only part of the Enjoy product portfolio and the company can offer van and SUV tyres, light truck bias ply tyres, truck and bus bias ply and radials, agricultural and earthmover tyres, plus a range of industrial tyres including presson, pneumatic and solid tyres. As well as tyres, Enjoy markets a range of wheels (both steel and alloy), rubber tracks, conveyor belts and hoses.

Although the company does not manufacture products itself, it keeps a close eye on the quality of products supplied and has built up close and fruitful relationships with its suppliers, says Miss Xu Xia. In return, Enjoy provides its suppliers with market information and feedback and this has been instrumental in helping the factories develop new sizes and products to cater for changing market needs and demands. pg

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North Hants AD North Hants NORTHHANTS North Hants 1/4 V AD North Hants Vintage Tyres North Hants

North Hants Tyres North Hants Tyre Co. Ltd. Henry John House, 2, Ivy Road, Christy Industrial Estate, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4TX Telephone: 01252 318666 Fax: 01252 318777 Email: sales@northhantstyres.com www.northhantstyres.com

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INTERNATIONAL TYRE MARKET

Toyo Ends China JVs, Announces Construction of New Factory hen building its all-new factory in China, Toyo Tire & Rubber will be going it alone. During a Board of Directors meeting on August 27, the company decided to end its joint venture agreements for tyre production in China. Toyo has operated Cheng ShinToyo Tire & Rubber (China) Co., Ltd. together with Taiwan’s Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd. since the end of 1995, with a focus upon manufacturing car tyres and tubes for the Chinese market.

The company also began a partnership, Cheng Shin-Toyo Tire (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., with Maxxis International Co., Ltd. in 2002, producing commercial vehicle radials. Both joint ventures have been terminated as of August 27.

Toyo reports it decided to end the two joint ventures as a means of responding to “increasing tyre demands in accordance with the rapid progress of motorisation in the Chinese market.” In place of the joint venture agreements, Toyo will rely upon consignment manufacturing, as it believes the company has “achieved

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adequate results regarding the original business target.” The company will also build a wholly owned tyre factory in China.

The new facility will meet, as Toyo says, “robust demand in the developing Chinese market.” The company is currently in the process of selecting a location for the factory, and says the expected site will be somewhere along China’s coastal region, in order to accommodate deliveries to vehicle manufacturers within China. Production is anticipated to commence late in 2001 following an initial 10 billion yen (£65 million) investment phase.

Production capacity will initially be two million passenger car and light truck tyres per annum, destined for domestic consumption, however Toyo comments the plant is “expected to gradually ramp up its capacity in accordance with the market expansion.” Approximately 400 people will be employed at the new factory. sg

Phase 2 of Yokohama’s ‘Forever Forest’ Completed in Thailand ome 5,000 trees have been planted at the Yokohama Rubber tyre factory in Thailand as part of the company’s tree planting programme. The second phase of the plant’s "Yokohama Forever Forest" project – the first phase two planting conducted at a Yokohama facility outside of Japan – took place on August 12. Around 1,100 employees, family members, local residents and other volunteers planted 26 varieties of tree under the supervision of Sirin Kawlaierd, tree planting expert employed by the Thai Imperial Household Agency and Akira Miyawaki, an expert in physiognomy and Professor A total of around 12,000 trees have now been planted at Yokohama’s Thailand site Emeritus of Yokohama National University.

The "Yokohama Forever Forest" project is being implemented over a ten-year period to 2017 – its conclusion is timed to coincide with the company’s 100th anniversary. Under the guidance of Mr. Miyawaki, a total of 500,000 mentation of second-phase tree planting began in April 2009. trees will be planted at seven domestic and 11 overseas Yoko- Overseas, the first-phase of planting has taken place at four sites. hama Rubber Group plants in accordance with potential natural In total, approximately 100,000 trees have been planted through vegetation. In Japan, the first-phase tree planting has already the project worldwide. sg been completed at all the manufacturing bases, and the imple-

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TGI & GITI Tire USA Announce Distribution Agreement

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roup International and GITI Tire USA have announced a distribution arrangement through which TGI will distribute GT Radial branded tires in South Florida. TGI will carry the full line of GT Radial tyres, including the Maxtour line, Champiro 128, Champiro 228, Champiro 328, Champiro 528, Savero H/T, Adventuro A/T II and Adventuro M/T lines.

The GT Radial line up will be stocked in the company’s Miami distribution centre.

“We feel the addition of GT Radial tyres to our current product portfolio is another step in solidifying TGI’s position as the market leader in the distribution of quality tyres,” said TGI CEO Tony Gonzalez. “GT Radial is a perfect fit for TGI and with our marketing expertise and current customer base, we feel that we can make a significant impact in our market rather quickly.”

According to TGI, it and GT Radial will leverage their respective strengths by implementing a retail mar-ket approach. This will be accomplished, the company elaborates, by utilising TGI’s value-added wholesale business model through established access to the retail market in southern Florida. sg

The Champiro 228 is one of a number of tyres to be stocked in TGI’s Miami distribution centre

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Reifen China Aims to Connect Far Eastern and European Businesses China still the world’s fastest growing market At the start of 2009, the Chinese Rubber Industry Association reported that, despite the global economic meltdown, China remains the world's fastest growing market. The Chinese tyre business is reportedly worth about $8 billion and accounts for 9 per cent of the world tyre market share.

However with most of the world’s markets either struggling to recover or still nose-diving, the fact that July figures suggest Chinese passenger car tyre OE and replacement demand are actually up 10 and 20 per cent respectively is truly impressive. With this in mind, Messe Essen’s third Reifen China exhibition running from 11 – 13 November is likely to pique the interest of buyers, manufacturers and traders from around the world.

One thing that has singled out Reifen China in previous years has been the strong support of China’s leading tyre manufacturers for the exhibition. This year some of the biggest names in Chinese tyre manufacturing including Cooper Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Company Ltd, Triangle Tyre Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co., Ltd., Double Coin Holdings Ltd. will once again be in attendance. Reifen China’s relationship with such largescale manufacturers is only likely to increase in importance in the years to come, as most sources agree that the currently quite fractured market is due for consolidation.

At present there are something like 300 tyre production enterprises in China, but according to a recent Research and Markets report, 70 per cent of them are small factories whose annual output is under 500,000. This research states that the average production capacity of China's tyre manufacturers is only 400,000/year, with just 15 larger manufacturers whose production capacity is over 1 million/year.

In addition to the best known new tyre manufacturers in China, ast year’s show attracted 110 exhibitors from 17 countries and 5,500 trade visitors from 72 countries. According to organisers, over 90 the show will also play host to a number of retreading material and per cent of exhibitors and 98 per cent of visitors decided to attend the equipment producers; and a whole host of potential product sources. next fair immediately after attending the 2008 show. In addition 75 One new name that stood out is Road Scenery Holding (U.K.) Ltd, per cent of international exhibitors who came to the last Reifen China which describes itself as a “specialist pneumatic tyre producer and a with the intentions of developing new markets said their results were trading company based in UK, with our own sourcing and procure“very good to satisfactory.” And crucially 83 per cent of international ment office in China.” Road Scenery purchase on a large scale from manufacturers and aim to supply competitive pricing its clients, which exhibitors said they successfully addressed their target groups. mostly buy OTR radials and TBB and LTB tyres.

From the retreading business the more familiar "Newera International (Shanghai) Co., Ltd." will be exhibiting its range retreading products.

Newera, a leading regional retreading supplier, has 40 years experience and the Newera Group has earned a reputation for being an effective distributor for many global (and European made brands).

More importantly, Newera Group is recognized as a reliable supplier of quality products and comprehensive services, including aftersales maintenance, training, consultancy and retreading factory turnkey project implementation.

Also, Tyres & Accessories/tyrepress.com will once again be present with a stand in the European pavilion.

Despite global economic difficulties, China remains the world's largest producer of tyres, and its tyre output and export volumes rank amongst the best in the world.

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TireTech Forum to examine the impact of ITC ‘protectionism’ Judging by experiences other Chinese tyre trade shows this year, one effect of the United States’ proposal import tariffs on Chinese tyres has been to put off some North American visitors from attending this kind of show. However, Reifen Essen’s intrinsic connection with the Europe’s (and arguably the world’s) largest dedicated tyre trade show means there are plenty more interested parties outside of the US. Furthermore, in light of the whole quota/tariff discussions, exhibition organisers have arrange for a seminar on this very topic at November’s show. “Reading and Analysis the ITC calls on Chinese Tires” will see professionals from the Chinese ministry of commerce interpret the “significant trade protectionism measures” in the tyre industry for 2009.

The concurrent seminars, known as TireTech Forum, are being organised by CURC, under the guidance of China Rubber Industry Association, which is cooperating with Beijing Rubber Research Institute and DE Global Consulting Ltd Corporation. According to promotional literature, this forum seeks to discuss the current industry developments, trends and the latest advances in tyre production technology and products. The forum is also open to discussion over the products and technology exhibited at the show. In addition, the forum is intended to serve as an opportunity for better communica-

tion and interaction between technology experts in the tyre and other relevant industries. Here are selection of the topics under discussion: “2008-2009 Rubber Market Analysis and Forecast” – This seminar will see professionals from the China Rubber Industry Association analyse rubber industry trends and developments in the face of the current financial crisis and trade protectionism tendencies. This idea is to prepare and equip forum participants (and tyre companies) to be better able to deal with market changes.

“Understanding China’s Tire Retreading Trade via International Tire Retreading Practices” – The Chinese tyre retreading trade has faced many difficulties in the recent years. Policy issues, market demands and business models have contributed to these difficulties. With discussion from as yet unnamed market professionals, this seminar seeks to review the past developments in this trade and subsequently understand the future direction of the market.

On the raw materials side there are seminars on “The Impact on Tire Oil due to Base Oil Refining Trend” and “Material Traction and Elasticity Research.”

Reifen China 2009 again takes place parallel with Rubber Tech China, the international trade fair for rubber processing and rubber manufacturing. Both shows and the seminar series run from 11-13 November at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in the Pudong region of Shanghai. chris.anthony@tyrepress.com

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BATTERIES

Johnson Controls Batteries Responds to Performance Ratings Confusion upplier of VARTA-branded products, Johnson Controls Batteries says it has responded to problems experienced by tyre and battery specialists when comparing performance ratings for European car batteries with their Far Eastern counterparts.

The company has published guidance for those in the aftermarket experiencing issues surrounding cold cranking values, one of two critical criteria used in the measurement of lead acid starter battery specifications. Cold cranking denotes the amount of starting power the battery can deliver under load – usually seen when starting the engine first thing in the morning. The standard value in Europe, accepted by all European original equipment manufacturers, is EN (European Norm). In the Far East and the US, the standard used is denoted by SAE. Trade feedback suggests that these differing values are often used in error when comparing EN-rated batteries with nonEuropean imports.

The test used to obtain SAE values discharges the battery more than the EN test, with the result that SAE values are always higher than EN. However, says Johnson Controls Batteries, this has no bearing on the real performance of the battery, nor does it mean that a higher SAE rating is better than a lower EN rating. A simple cross reference chart, which can be downloaded from Johnson Controls’ website under the PartnerNet section designed for trade customer support at www.varta-automotive.com, is based on current VARTA Silver dynamic, Blue dynamic and Black dynamic batteries for cars and the newly launched VARTA Promotive batteries for commercial vehicles.

Paul Matarewicz, managing director for Johnson Controls Batteries, UK explained, “Although the EN standard has been with us now for a number of years, feedback from our trade customers has suggested that there is still much confusion for both trade and consumer.

However, fitting the right battery has taken on a new significance in today’s sophisticated car market, where a high number of electrical consumers are fitted as standard, and it is vital that like for like replacement of the OE battery is adopted throughout the trade if premature battery failure is to be avoided.

“In addition, many motorists now retrofit power sapping accessories such as DVD players, iPod and portable satellite navigation systems, and unless the battery is upgraded accordingly, this can lead to problems for the consumer. The trade should take extra care when comparing cranking values of different battery brands to avoid such problems.”

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range of new cars. Stop-start is the European automotive industry’s primary response to EU guidelines for the reduction of average CO2 emissions to 120 g/km by 2012. It conserves energy by shutting off the engine whenever the car stops, such as at a traffic light, thus reducing fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent and also reducing CO2 emissions.

New European models launched with automatic stop-start include the Audi A4, Fiat 500, Panda and Croma, Mercedes-Benz C, E and S Class, Volvo C30, S40 and V50 and the new Mk 6 VW Golf. Re-starting the engine requires sufficient power, but in urban driving conventional batteries often do not charge sufficiently. To resolve this, all cars using stop-start technology rely exclusively on an AGM battery to provide enough starting power to support the new system.

AGM batteries provide far greater cyclic durability and recharge acceptance than conventional lead acid and calcium-silver batteries.

The technology was originally developed to cope with the dramatic increase in electrical consumers in modern cars, leading to the launch of the Varta Ultra dynamic AGM car battery for the aftermarket.

Virtually all AGM batteries fitted as OE on models so far launched with stop-start technology have been supplied by Johnson Controls – early models with stop-start include BMW, Mercedes-Benz A, B and C-Class, Smart, Mini and VW Passat. “With many of these cars now in their third or fourth year of ownership, there will inevitably be pressure on battery suppliers to stock AGM batteries to meet replacement demand,” says Tony Miller, Product Manager for Johnson Controls Batteries. He goes on: “The micro-hybrid (stop-start) market is growing apace and programmes that we have with vehicle manufacturers soon to come to fruition will see many more cars with this technology entering service, this year alone. An estimated 2.5 million micro-hybrid vehicles will be manufactured by 2010, rising to 10 million by 2015. So specialists who can meet local demand for AGM batteries will be in the best position to take advantage of the strong profit opportunities this technology will bring.” pg/akb

Demand for AGM batteries to increase Earlier in the year, Johnson Controls Batteries urged the UK aftermarket to gear up to cope with stronger demand for AGM (absorbent glass mat) batteries to support the stop-start technology now available on an increasing

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BATTERIES

Battery Market Brands Growing, say Manbat, Johnson MDs Manbat reports continued increases aided by extensive training The UK battery market is seeing branded products in growth at the expense of private labels, though the latter still hold over two-thirds of the total market, according to Paul Matarewicz, the managing director of Johnson Controls Batteries and VARTA. Meanwhile, Manbat’s MD, Steve Sheppard believes that the rising brand awareness in the UK is a result of the general economic slump, to which consumers are responding with a desire for greater reliability and longer lifespan. atarewicz estimates that the size of the total UK battery aftermarket (including automotive, LCV and commercial vehicles and excluding the original equipment market) is 4.5 million units per annum. Of this figure, he believes that the split between private labels and brand names is around 70:30, though this ratio is changing within the current economic climate, with brand names seeing growth. In terms of the market share between what Matarewicz sees as the five major names, he believes that VARTA has the largest slice of the market, with 6.5 per cent, though Yuasa and Banner remain close. Bosch and Exide, he says, round out the range of brand names with significant shares in the UK market.

Explaining the trend towards growth in the “name” brands and decline in private labels, Sheppard believes that it is in part because people who usually change their car regularly are delaying the change. In doing so, he theorises, drivers are more likely to fit a recognised brand because they have more interest in the vehicle’s long-term reliability. If they were selling it on, he says, they would be less brand conscious. In keeping a car for longer, he continues, drivers could be going to independent garages for servicing rather than the dealer, meaning that they could be paying substantially less than before, even when a branded battery is fitted.

In terms of new technology, Matarewicz is convinced that the current economic

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climate has taken its toll on developments.

Because vehicle manufacturer’s are needing to cut costs, progressions such as AGM technology are put back in favour of cheaper existing technology, which continues to yield acceptable results. In addition, the cost cutting measures have left the manufacturers with a dilemma: some are going to smaller engines, some stop/start technology and others are moving towards hybrid solutions. This diversity has slowed down battery development, because there is no one obvious path to research and existing battery technology can already serve these interim solutions. Before a single development reveals its importance over others, it seems battery manufacturers must bide their time in order to take their cues from the vehicle markets’ needs.

Manbat continues growth Manbat, the UK’s largest battery distributor, has reported significant sales growth from its top six buying group and national account contracts. Increasing sales of OE brand VARTA, along with its own brand Numax, and the expansion of the leisure sector account for majority of the gains, however without training, the picture would be far less rosy.

Martin McGreevy, UK sales manager explains: “Manbat is dedicated to help its customers sell more batteries and the growth of these major accounts is a perfect endorsement of the philosophy, with sound

The Numax Premium Silver is new to Manbat’s range of VARTA-produced products

staff training being a key element in the process.

“Training is the only way to quickly bring the workforce up to speed with the terminology, applications and testing procedures of batteries,” said McGreevy.

Manbat conducts on-site training with its customers and the training is tailored to cover the specific requirements of the business. However, generic training starts with a basic knowledge-based programme aimed to define the relevant terminology such as CCA (Cold Cranking in Amperes), Ah (ampere hour) capacity, battery type (VRLA, GEL AGM) and battery characteristics (starting, cyclic, etc).

Regional manager, Martin Shillito added, “To make the most of its battery sales, businesses need to provide customers with the most suitable battery for the purpose. It is risky to assume that a direct like-for-like replacement is the correct application. In many cases the incorrect battery could have been fitted and so the correct procedure is to use an application guide for that particular vehicle.

“However, there is the opportunity to upgrade the battery when a more advanced battery is suitable to the vehicle, or to the use that the vehicle is being put to. Manbat training helps customers match the most appropriate battery to each particular application and to explain why cheaper isn’t actually better value for money,” he concluded. akb

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Lithium-ion Battery Development Wins Award for Conti Technology ready for commercial vehicles in two years Continental claims the lithium-ion batteries it has developed offer significantly greater storage capacity compared with the nickel-metal hydride battery technology still currently used in hybrid vehicles. The battery’s energy density is said to be around 30 per cent and its power to size ratio some 50 percent greater, while still retaining its compact dimensions. Development work on this unit, which saw its series production debut in the latest Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID, took place at Continental’s Nuremberg, Germany facility, and the site now has a production capacity of 15,000 units per annum. Recently Conti’s Powertrain Division and its Hybrid & Electric Vehicles business unit were acknowledged for the battery’s development and series introduction with an award from a logistics and transports association located in the factory’s local region. n July 8 the Nuremberg-based Center for Transportation & Logistics Neuer Adler e.V. (CNA) awarded Conti’s Powertrain Division the “Intelligence for Traffic and Logistics” innovation prize, a distinction granted on the basis of the jobs and sustained growth the battery project has brought to the region of Bavaria. The award ceremony was held at the Nuremberg plant in the presence of some 50 representatives.

During the ceremony, CNA chairman Jürgen Nutz paid tribute to the technology developed by the company’s Hybrid & Electric Vehicles business unit, and stated that “an important milestone had been reached in Germany on the way to electrifying the passenger car drive train.”

Attention was also drawn to the major fuel savings made possible by the use of hybrid technology, savings which amount to around 25 per cent compared with the traditional petrol engine. “In two years, Continental’s lithium-ion technology will also be ready for use in the commercial vehicle sector”, said Hybrid & Electric Vehicles business unit head Jörg Grotendorst.

“Our latest generation of powerful lithiumion batteries prepares the ground for hybrid buses driven purely by electric power. This could lead to a future reduction in the level of pollutants and CO2 emissions, particularly in inner-city areas where pollution is such a sensitive issue.”

The lithium-ion batteries used in the Mercedes S400 BlueHYBRID enable the

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Conti notes that using lithium-ion technology in vehicles poses particular challenges: For example, it is vital that the battery functions safely and reliably throughout the entire service life specified by the vehicle manufacturer. A sophisticated battery management system ensures that this requirement is met. The electronics compare the battery’s overall condition, temperature and energy reserves against its age; while safety circuits prevent the energy storage unit from becoming too hot. A Cell Supervising Circuit monitors the individual cells and ensures their optimum interaction.

According to Continental, this guarantees that the lithium-ion batteries will really last with unimpaired functionality, power and safety - for the required ten years or 160,000 to 240,000 kilometres.

spacious saloon’s six-cylinder petrol engine to achieve a consumption rate of 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres, equating to CO2 emissions of 190 grams per kilometre. This will, comments Continental, make the vehicle the world’s most economical petrol-engine luxury saloon. The battery Continental has developed can supply sufficient energy for an electric motor to supplement the combustion engine’s power output by up to 19kW, thus producing a considerable fuel saving when accelerating or starting off. The battery is charged whenever the vehicle brakes or decelerates, for example when freewheeling up to a Nuremberg councilor and economic consultant Dr. Roland Fleck, CAN executive red light. This regenerachairman Jürgen Nutz, head of Conti’s Hybrid & Electric Vehicles business unit tive braking or recupeJörg Grotendorst ration is controlled by Series production of the battery began the power electronics. Like the integral autoin the autumn of 2008, following a 3.3 matic start-stop function which automatimillion euro investment to develop a 300 cally switches off the engine when the square metre manufacturing facility at vehicle comes to a standstill and switches it Continental’s Nuremberg plant. According on again when starting off, recuperation is to the company, existing production capaincluded as part of Continental’s hybrid city can be doubled to 30,000 units a year modular system, which combines all the at short notice should such demand company’s hybrid technology expertise in a develop. single package. sg

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BATTERIES

Euro Car Parts Launches Battery Application Guide, Promo Euro Car Parts has launched a new battery catalogue and announced a buy now and pay later promotion.

According to the aftermarket parts supplier, one of the largest independent distributors of batteries in the UK, customer demand has led Euro Car Parts to produce its own 40-page ‘Battery Application Guide 2009/2010’. The guide covers all car marquee applications, from Alfa Romeo to Volvo, including all the technical specifications one would expect, covering brands by Bosch, Exide and Lion. Also included are sections delivering comprehensive safety advice and regulations for lead-acid batteries as well and instructions for using starter batteries.

CP has also launched a customer buy now and pay later battery promotion, offering the customer the chance to bulk buy on batteries from leading worldwide brands. Customers signing up for the promotion have the chance to receive a free battery stand, point of sale items, and an advanced battery tester.

In 2009, ECP strengthened its portfolio by stocking the Exide range of batteries.

Exide Technologies, with a 100-year pedigree, are a global leader in stored electrical energy with the Transportation Division accounting for 72 million units a year across both OE and aftermarket sectors in Europe alone.

ECP says that it is delighted to be able to offer its customers an “Original Part Matching Quality Programme”, which aims to guarantee the longevity of the products’ quality. The company believes it can offer customers the battery performance levels that the original equipment manufacturer originally provided.

The company stocks the Excell range of batteries, which have an extra 15 percent starting power compared to a standard battery, are completely maintenance free and enjoy a three year warranty, according to ECP. In addition to Exide, ECP boasts premium Bosch Batteries and LION Brands. The

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company is the largest distributor of Bosch Batteries in southern UK, stocking the S3 and S4 ranges.

All batteries stocked by ECP are produced from European sources and maintain high standards of production, using calcium technology to endure tough conditions. The distributor offers three year and four year warranty terms against manufacturing defects, depending on the battery type. Its central warehouse holds over 40,000 batteries, meaning that stocks are available throughout the UK via ECP’s 65 branches.

ECP representative, Donna West commented, “At ECP we are always looking for ways in which to help our customers save money and enjoy additional benefits.

Exide is one of the major battery brands involved in the promotion in which participants could take away display items such as this stand

The promotion is valid until the end of November. With competitive pricing and a massive range available from ECP, it means every customer is catered for.”

The battery promotion is available now in all of Euro Car Parts 69 branches. akb

The Exide Excell range was added earlier this year

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

Tire Monitor System Gains Interest in OTR Tyre Market ire Monitor System, a OTR TPMS system developed by A M Bromley Limited, is now being distributed to the OTR/earthmover market in the UK via Earthmover Tyres (Wakefield) Limited. The device features a new Operator Interface Unit which is said to enhance performance to the retrofit OTR/earthmover tyre market by displaying tyre pressures and sound alarms for up to six wheels. The unit also has a real time log feature so data can be downloaded and analysed at a later date.

Tire Monitor System has been sold direct to OTR OEMs in the North America and Australia markets since 2005. The product

T

Darran Stone of Earthmover Tyres (Wakefield) Ltd carrying out a routine tyre inspection at Salt Union in Winsford

entered the UK market with Earthmover Tyres (Wakefield Ltd) in June 2008 with trials at Ferrybridge Power Station coal supply plant. Darran Stone, sales executive for Earthmover Tyres (Wakefield Ltd) reported significant interest in the system and is presenting it to their customer base where

they supply tyre maintenance and supply: “Fitting the internal mounted sensors is easy using standard tyre patching techniques and a vehicle power supply is all that is needed to connect the system. Tire Monitor System offers our customers a reliable and robust tyre pressure system designed and proven for the rigours of OTR tyres. The market has been waiting for a product like this, TMS as we know it, is proven technology tested and used by the likes of Bombardier Transportation.” cja

Tire Monitor System entered the UK market in 2008

Marangoni Manufacturing Ringtreads for the World n its Ringtread treads the Marangoni Group has a product that has been effectively developed since its introduction in the 1970s. When the Italian tread manufacturer and retreader took over Germany’s Ellerbrock GmbH in 1990, the share of total production dedicated to Ringtread production was no more than 20 per cent. Today global share has grown to around 50 per cent; Ringtreads are manufactured in Ferentino, Italy, at Ellerbrock in Germany, in Nashville, USA, and in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Pres-

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ently in Europe around 55 per cent of treads sold by the Marangoni Group are Ringtreads. And, according to Guiseppe Ferrari, managing director of Marangoni’s Retreading Systems business unit, a still higher European market share is possible.

In the USA Marangoni has to date only marketed its Ringtread system, a measure admittedly undertaken for historical reasons. Competition from strong market participants such as Bandag, Michelin, Goodyear and Oliver Rubber meant that

Marangoni needed to “come with a special product” in order to enter this market in 2003. After Michelin took over Oliver Rubber in the summer of 2007, however, retreaders bound to a particular system found themselves with no remaining large market participant that would still deliver treads to customers not operating under a franchise set-up. This will now change, comments the Retreading Systems managing director: The Ellerbrock facility near Hamburg in Germany is to manufacture cut-

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

PRODUCT INFORMATION

to-length flat treads for the North American market.

The Chinese retreading market could also one day become an important purchaser of Ringtreads, adds Guiseppe Ferrari. Already some twelve of the 60 million retreaded tyres produced globally every year are manufactured in China. The market will one day be the “world’s largest market”, even though to-date none of the retreading industry’s largest players have made themselves at home there. Since March this year Marangoni has, through a local offtake partner, supplied Chinese customers with Unitread treads, using compound sourced from Marangoni in Ferentino and Ellerbrock in Hamburg. Premium treads, on the other hand, will in future be delivered directly from Europe.

“The market is not yet ripe for Ringtreads,” Ferrari concludes. arno.borchers@reifenpresse.de/sg

Today, every second tread Marangoni produces is a Ringtread

‘Marix Ecology’ 4x4 Retread Range Offers Savings Potential According to Marangoni, its Marix range for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles has proven a popular choice for off-road drivers thanks to a series of products designed for extreme use, such as Lion and Puma. Both of these tyres feature substantial tread blocks, and for this reason are sought by those who use their 4x4 for work or in sporting competitions, and want a tyre with good grip and drainage capacity. The latest additions to the Marix 2008 range are the Cruise and Ghepard, the latter a high performance tyre for SUVs that is approved for high performance and available in 17 and 18-inch sizes. Marangoni says the Marangoni offers an extensive range of retreaded 4x4 tyres Ghepard ensures comfort and maximum grip to the Marix Ecology retreads, is TÜV certified and approved in in all conditions thanks to the use of high performance compliance with the UNECE Regulation 108. The entire Marix compounds.

Ecology 4x4 range is M+S approved for winter use, and included The Marix Ecology 4x4 range is intended to respond to the the following products: demands of people with such a wide variety of off-road requireLion (90 per cent off-road, 10 per cent on-road), Puma (80 per ments, and includes winter and studdable tyres. The range covers cent off-road, 20 per cent on-road), Ecoland (70 per cent off-road, a wide spectrum of applications, from 95 per cent on-road to 90 30 per cent on-road), MPC (60 per cent off-road, 40 per cent onper cent off-road. road), Ecoland Plus all-purpose 4x4 tyre (50 per cent off-road, 50 Marangoni notes that, at a time when we all need to spend per cent on-road), Cruise (10 per cent off-road, 90 per cent on wisely, the choice of retreaded tyres offers particular value for offroad), and the Ghepard high performance SUV tyre (5 per cent roaders. The manufacturer points out that retreads today feature off-road, 95 per cent on-road). quality that is comparable to new tyres – quality that, as pertains sg

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

Bosch Launches New Tyre Service and Alignment Range Through its recent acquisitions of Beissbarth and SICAM, Bosch has enhanced its product range and now reports it can offer workshops a complete range of tyre service and wheel alignment equipment. Its latest release is a new garage equipment line-up that it says focuses upon “around the wheel” products. yre and rim service on passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and motorcycles can be lucrative work and offers workshops a good business opportunity, Bosch notes. In addition, wheel alignment work allows garages to offer customers a great added value service.

Bosch’s new “around the wheel” products include the latest generation tyre changing (TCE) and wheel balancing (WBE) range of equipment and the state-of-the-art FWA 4630 3D wheel aligner. Both of these products, says Bosch, have been specifically designed to help workshops make the most of the growing opportunities in the tyre service business.

Commenting on the new range, Bill Johnson, sales director Bosch and Beissbarth, Equipment and Services said: “More than ever before workshops and technicians need the right technical equipment to get the job done quickly, safely and efficiently. Our new, latest generation tyre service and wheel alignment equipment feature many advanced, technical innovations which we believe will help workshops fulfil ever demanding customer requirements whilst maximise efficiency and importantly profitability.”

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Tyre Changing Equipment: Increasing demands from customers is putting ever-greater time pressure on work-

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The Bosch tyre changing range offers models capable of handling tyres for rim diameters of up to 30-inches shops to get the job done quickly. The new range of tyre changing equipment (TCE) from Bosch has been specifically designed to provide technicians with a safe, versatile and importantly time-saving operation.

Bosch’s TCE range from Bosch is suitable for passenger cars, motorcycles (with additional accessories) and light commercial vehicles.

Key Features of the new range include improved clamping to safely and securely hold the wheel without damaging alloy or polished rims while tyres are removed and refitted, better mounting capabilities to ensure tyres are fitted quickly and safely,

suitability for RFT, PAX, BSR and CSR tyres so workshops will be able to handle both high and low profile run-flat tyre systems (with additional accessories), and the ability to accommodate tyres with up to a 30-inch rim diameter and 22inch width Wheel balancing equipment: The ability to offer customers a fast, accurate and user-friendly wheel balancing service is an important element of tyre service. Bosch reports that its range of wheel balancing equipment boasts a number of innovative features that will help

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Feasibility andINFORMATION PRODUCT flexibility first. improve efficiency in the workshop. Key features include pneumatic or mechanical quick clamp to quickly secure the wheel in the right position as well as a wheel lift and a large weight holder, an electronic scanning arm to allow for quick recording of rim distance, width and to place easily the weights at the correct position, an LED or large TFT Display for quick reading of measured values. A laser measured wheel width, true running, wheel symmetry and side slip control function is also available.

Wheel alignment Equipment: The development of modern suspension and chassis system technology is ongoing, and wheel alignment equipment has had to keep pace with the rate of change. The need to provide technicians with accurate, up-to-date information and data to ensure the correct settings are applied is also vital. Bosch says that its new FWA 4630 has been specifically developed to meet both these important criteria.

The FWA 4630 employs 3D technology through cameras that Bosch reports are three times more accurate than current image aligners and an integrated reference system. According to Bosch, the FWA 4630 is fast, mobile and requires only one technician to operate it.

Optional updates ensure that new models can be quickly integrated into the FWA 4630’s vehicle database, which currently includes around 25,000 vehicles from more than 60 manufacturers.

The user can extend it by individual vehicle specified data and regular software-updates. The interface with Windows-typical functions is designed for user-friendly operation. The user is able to select between a guided routine before and after adjustment, a fast measurement without caster deflection or an optional measurement for targeted testing of individual measured values. The system provides many explanatory images and drawings, which allow immediate, reliable correction of alignment errors.

Key Features of the FWA 4630 include an absence of electronics on the wheel and very robust sensor heads, usability on different lifts, pits and even on the garage floor, without the need to install the aligner in a fixed position, the ability to operate in a relatively confined space (only 600mm is required on each site of the car), fast measurement combined with high accuracy (the complete measurement process including set up can be performed within 7minuntes) and rolling runout compensation and consistent simultaneous accuracy on all four wheels without having to lift the vehicle.

The FWA 4360’s 3D measuring technology permits automatic, high precision measurements. High reproducibility of the results guarantees reliability and competence even in the case of repetitions, Bosch adds. sg

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

Granulator Q Low operating costs Q Low maintenance costs Q Optimum operational utilization Q Minimum service down time due to solid low maintenance construction

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

Cooper Unveils its First Low Rolling Resistance Tyre Cooper Tire & Rubber has announced that, in response to consumer demand for greater vehicle fuel efficiency, it has launched its first low-rolling resistance tyre line – the Cooper GFE (Greater Fuel Efficiency). The new range is already available in dealerships across the US. “With the recent volatility in gasoline prices, customers are looking for ways to improve their vehicle fuel economy,” said Chuck Yurkovich, Vice President of Global Technology. “Tyre rolling resistance has a significant impact on vehicle fuel economy, so Cooper responded with a new tyre specifically designed for fuel-efficient vehicles.”

A mixture of advanced design and materials technology have gone into creating a tyre that maximises fuel economy and saves money at the pump while providing excellent traction and treadwear, comments

Cooper. The GFE is a touring tyre offered in eight sizes. The range is aimed at drivers of fuel-efficient vehicles, but also includes popular mainstream sizes. Key fitments include the Toyota Prius, Corolla, Yaris and Echo, plus the Honda Civic and Fit. The GFE showcases Cooper Energy Return Technology (CERT); the tyre maker explains CERT as being a new tread stock made from a silica technology married with a specialised polymer in order to provide very low-rolling resistance while maintaining outstanding wet grip and long tread

Avon’s ZZR Tyre Paired with Caterham Cars’ Superlight von Tyres’ ultra-high performance tyre, the ZZR, is to be paired with the Caterham Superlight range. The brands’ 18-year association has resulted in the creation of a bespoke version of Avon’s road-legal ZZR tyre, designed for optimal dry weather grip. Avon says that the range is popular among track day attendees seeking a tyre offering predictable and progressive handling.

This is not the first time Avon and Caterham have combined; the much heralded Avon CR500 was developed specifically for the predecessor of the present-day Superlight R500, and is standard fitment across the current Superlight range.

James Weekley, Avon Tyres’ operations and UK sales manager commented, “The challenge was to take our most extreme tyre and tune it to compliment the specific characteristics that are inherent to Superlight Sevens. A two-tonne Nissan GTR is an altogether different prospect to a half-tonne Caterham. Using all the data and expertise we’ve collected over the years, we’ve tweaked the ZZR with a lighter overall construction, using less stiff sidewalls, reduced reinforcement and a softer compound of rubber, making it ideally suited to the new application.”

Available as an option on the Caterham SuperAvon’s road-legal ZZR light range, the road-legal ZZR offers track enthusityre is aimed at track asts enhanced performance in the dry over the standay enthusiasts dard fitment Avon CR500. akb

life.

The GFE also employs unique mould technology using traction compensating sipes. These sipes increase in length as the tyre wears. According to Cooper, the interlocking action of the sipes helps provide more stable handling when the tyre is new, then adds length to the biting edges throughout the tyre’s life. This technology helps maintain wet and winter traction as the tread wears.

In addition, the GFE has a T speed rating, which meets or exceeds the original equipment requirements of many cars, minivans and crossovers. The all-season design also employs a computer-enhanced, soundquality system that optimises the tread pattern to produce a quiet ride. The appearance of the GFE is enhanced by the use of engraved segmented moulds, Cooper

Thorite Webstore Offers Big Name Compressors

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Thorite, has added a substantial number of new compressors to its range of workshop series piston compressors. Established models from FIAC and Thorite’s own brand Diamond Professional and Performance ranges and now joined by the latest models from big name manufacturers ABAC and SIP. The two new ranges offer a wide choice of outputs, all at the most competitive prices: There are 1.5 and 2.5hp direct drive portables, 3hp belt drive portables and belt drive stationary models ranging from 3hp to 10hp. cja

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Locking Wheel Nut PRODUCT INFORMATION PRODUCT INFORMATION LIFTING EQUIPMENT PRODUCT INFORMATION Remover LOSING TRADE DUE TO LOCK NUTS? improve efficiency in the workshop. Key features include pneumatic or mechanical quick clamp to quickly secure the wheel in the right position as well as a wheel lift and a large weight holder, an electronic scanning arm to allow for quick recording of rim distance, width and to place easily the weights at the correct position, an LED or large TFT Display for quick reading of measured values. A laser measured wheel width, true running, wheel symmetry and side slip control function is also available.

Wheel alignment Equipment: The development of modern suspension and chassis system technology is ongoing, and wheel alignment equipment has had to keep pace with the rate of change. The need to provide technicians with accurate, up-to-date information and data to ensure the correct settings are applied is also vital. Bosch says that its new FWA 4630 has been specifically developed to meet both these important criteria.

The FWA 4630 employs 3D technology through cameras that Bosch reports are three times more accurate than current image aligners and an integrated reference system. According to Bosch, the FWA 4630 is fast, mobile and requires only one technician to operate it.

Optional updates ensure that new models can be quickly integrated into the FWA 4630’s vehicle database, which currently includes around 25,000 vehicles from more than 60 manufacturers.

The user can extend it by individual vehicle specified data and regular software-updates. The interface with Windows-typical functions is designed for user-friendly operation. The user is able to select between a guided routine before and after adjustment, a fast measurement without caster deflection or an optional measurement for targeted testing of individual measured values. The system provides many explanatory images and drawings, which allow immediate, reliable correction of alignment errors.

Key Features of the FWA 4630 include an absence of electronics on the wheel and very robust sensor heads, usability on different lifts, pits and even on the garage floor, without the need to install the aligner in a fixed position, the ability to operate in a relatively confined space (only 600mm is required on each site of the car), fast measurement combined with high accuracy (the complete measurement process including set up can be performed within 7minuntes) and rolling runout compensation and consistent simultaneous accuracy on all four wheels without having to lift the vehicle.

The FWA 4360’s 3D measuring technology permits automatic, high precision measurements. High reproducibility of the results guarantees reliability and competence even in the case of repetitions, Bosch adds. sg

Removes 100% of locks nuts

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Tel: 01977 520666 Fax: 01977 510333 www.dynomec.co.uk www.lockingwheelnutremover.com Dynomec Ltd., 34a Fryston Road, Castleford West Yorkshire, WF10 3EW

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01590 612261 www.vintagetyres.com Vintage Tyre Supplies Ltd, Beaulieu, Hampshire SO42 7ZN email: sales@vintagetyres.com local rate call in UK 0845 1200711 fax: +44 (0) 1590 612722

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

Wolfrace Launches New Bari and Milano Wheels Wolfrace GB has launched two new alloy wheels – the new Bari and Milano. Bari (pronounced ba-ri) is a new multi-spoke design finished in Black with a high quality polished surface. Available with a three-year warranty and a wide range of sizes including 7.0x15, 7.5x16, 8.0x17 and 7.5x18 the Bari has recently been approved by Renault as an aftermarket alloy solution for Renault cars.

For those looking for a more OE alloy for their ride, there’s the new Milano. The simple multi-spoke design, twisted slightly for extra effect, looks great on hardcore rides built to impress with under-stated elegance. The Milano is finished in a new Titanium colour and as well as an enviable range of sizes catering for small hatchbacks to larger vehicles, sizes include 5.5x14, 6.5x15, 6.5x16 and 7.0x17. The Milano also offers the Wolfrace GB range’s unique five year warranty.

Like all Wolfrace GB wheels, the Bari and Milano are made in Germany and have TUV certification. The suggested retail prices for Bari are: 7.0x15 - £112.95; 7.5x16 £118.95; 8.0x17 - £156.99; and 7.5x18 - £138.95. The suggested retail prices for Milano are: 5.5x14 - £92.95; 6.5x15 - £99.95; 6.5x16 - £96.95 and 7.0x17 - £107.95. cja

EU Wheel Balancer/Tyre Changer Market Down 2.7% Less than 42,000 tyre changers and wheel balancers were sold across the seven leading European markets in 2008. A new report by LEO-Impact Consulting GmbH found that market volumes in this part of the garage equipment sector varied from -4.9 per cent to +0.2 per cent in the seven markets surveyed (Germany, France, Italy, UK, Spain, Scandinavia, Benelux), but were down 2.7 per cent on average compared with 2007. UK market volumes were the forth largest after Germany, France and Italy. According to the report, the most important players (in alphabetical order are: Cemb, Guilano, Nexion, Samio, Sican (Bosch), Snap-On and Werther. However, there are a lot of regional and a few overseas competitors. cja

Sykes-Pickavant Launches Pneumatic Wheel Lifter Sykes-Pickavant has announced its new Pneumatic Wheel Lifter, which the company says helps to comply with regulations regarding the working environment and safety in the workplace. It is – says Sykes-Pickavant – particularly useful for larger SUV, 4WD and Van wheels and tyre.

Features include the ability to lift wheels in less than ten seconds with its all in one continuous movement, stopping precisely at the desired position, the wheels rest on rollers making it easy to turn the wheel until the correct position is found and it has an additional compressed air outlet to connect an air wrench with free access to wheel nuts.

In addition to the lifter, the company has announced a wheel trolley, specifically for mounting and dismounting large wheels on SUVs, 4WDs, vans and trucks. It has rotating rollers make it easy to turn the wheel until the correct position is found, with the rollers able to be fitted in 3 positions for different wheel sizes.

The new Pneumatic Wheel Lifter

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Wheel Lifter Specifications: • Suitable for Wheel / Tyre overall diameters from 13” - 24” (325 – 600m ) • Lifting capacity up to 65 kg • Max. lifting height 1000 mm • Compressed air capacity 85 – 140psi • Width : 700 mm - Height : 1880 mm Trolley Specifications: • Roller positions: • Outer – 620mm / Middle – 450mm / Inner 290mm • Lifting height: approx.100 mm • Max.weight of wheel: 150 kg • Min. diameter of wheel: Ø600 mm • Max. diameter of wheel: Ø1100 mm akb

New wheel trolley with rotating rollers

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

TYRES APRIL P81.qxp:Layout 1

8/4/09

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

Sunborne Solutions Introduces ‘Liquid Gloves’ to the Tyre Business yre shop equipment and consumables specialists, Sunborne Solutions recently introduced “liquid gloves” to the garage and tyre bay business. Imagine the normal latex gloves used for messy oil changes and air conditioning services, only this time in a bottle. According to Sunborne, the new product “will replace most of the uses Latex gloves were designed for with a plus.”

Liquid Gloves have been used in the home and the health service for a few years now. When first introduced into the UK they were designed for domestic and medical use and the product is still being used for medical purposes by people that suffer with eczema, dry skin, calluses etc. Now, however, according to the company, Liquid Gloves is now ready for heavy industry use by mechanics, tyre fitters, aviation maintenance and ancillary medical support staff.

The product works like this - just squirt the substance onto the palm of your hands, rub well in back and front up to your wrists. Let dry for about 30 seconds and off to work you go.

Whether you work in dirt, grime, grease, oil, rubber Liquid Gloves will protect your hands from the ingrained dirt and grease industry throws at you. Afterwards, according to the directions, you just wash off with water, nothing else, just water. No soap needed or dreaded solvents, just the plain old universal solvent called water. It leaves the skin soft and clean. No chemical fragrance just clean hands.

Those you watching the bottom line will be pleased to note that the cost of the product is no more than a box of Latex gloves with more service and additional protection. cja

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Evo Corse Release Dakar Land Rover Wheel into Aftermarket Evo Corse has released its ‘Dakar’ wheel into the aftermarket. According to the company, the 16 x 7-inch wheel has also proven its worth on the Land Rovers of the British Army in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Each wheel is low pressure cast in a permanent steel mould from A356 Primary aluminium alloy, before being receiving a T6 heat treatment to avoid imperfections. The wheels are then CNC Evo Corse’s Dakar wheel, which has reportedly proven its worth machined both front and rear with the British Army in Iraq and Afghanistan, has reported for duty to get the precise spoke profile in the UK aftermarket this month and to eliminate any possible imbalance. The Dakar is specified up to a load index of 1500kg per corner, meaning that light armoured applications and full loads are both safely within Evo Corse’s stringent design criteria.

The wheels are cast in Italy, and use a hardened steel insert to allow for the retention of the OEM wheel nuts for the ultimate integrity of fitment. Colour wise, the pictured Matt Black is available, plus silver and gunmetal for those not quite so concerned with keeping a low profile. The rims retail at £232.69 + VAT each. cja

Konig Wheels Support Largest Middle East’s Modified Car Competition With modifiers bringing cars to the Barbican Turbo and the Top 100 in Abu Dhabi from as far as Oman and Qatar last year, this time round Konig Wheels wants to get in on the action. Hamid Moaref, manager of Konig Wheels & Accessories division, Varga Trading, in the Middle East stated: “We’ve been strong supporters of Barbican Turbo from day one – it’s important to have a show dedicated purely to customising vehicles in this region…It’s all about finding the most stylish ‘show cars’ in the region and this fits perfectly with the Konig Wheels brand as our motto is ‘style is king’”. All entries to the Top 100 will receive a 20 per cent discount voucher for Konig Wheels from the organisers. cja

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

Hofmann Helps MIRA Stay Balanced

M

IRA, the leading automotive design, development and certification consultancy, has chosen a Hofmann geodyna 6900p wheel balancer for its vehicle dynamics laboratory.

The geodyna 6900p wheel balancer features a number of patented innovations, including virtual plane measurement to ensure accurate balance results that are insensitive to ambient conditions such as temperature, humidity, fatigue and overload. In addition, it also includes a so-called “WeightMiser” function which allows removal of sufficient vibration from a tyre and wheel by applying a lower amount of weight than a normal balance function recommends, thereby reducing the amount of costly balance weights required.

Rob Allton, a Project Engineer in MIRA’s Vehicle Dynamics Department, commented: “The Hofmann wheel balancer has proved to be the ideal choice for our vehicle dynamics laboratory. I am particularly impressed with the machine’s automatic measurement of wheel dimensions, which saves valuable technician time, as well as the accuracy of the weight placement arm that enables us to use less balance weights and reduce costs.”

Chris Behan, general manager, Snap-on Equipment, added: “MIRA’s reputation is legendary, so I am delighted that they have recognised the advantages Hofmann offers in terms of technology and real word cost savings.” cja

Pelmar and Cincinnati Retread Systems Partner in Retreading/Recycling Distribution Deal Pelmar Engineering Ltd. has teamed up with Cincinnati Retread Systems (CRS) to distribution tyre reteading and recycling machinery on a global scale.

The deal sees Pelmar, a leading supplier of pre-owned, reconditioned and new machinery and engineering solutions for the polymer industry, open up its distribution network of 6 subsidiaries and 10 representatives worldwide to CRS in order for both companies to reach further. CRS specializes in manufacturing Tyre Buffers, Expandable Hubs and Rims, Tyre Mulchers, Pollution Controls and Classifiers. Todd Hunsche, CRS president of the machinery division said: “In today’s global marketplace our presence in strategic locations that are beyond our reach, will now be reached thanks to cooperation with Pelmar’s global access. Pelmar and CRS will promote machinery and engineering services that will result in additional customers for both of us.” cja

MIRA has chosen a Hofmann geodyna 6900p wheel balancer for its vehicle dynamics laboratory

Autopromotec

Pic: APBF.jpg

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New Diamond Air Tools Brochure Thorite, the UK’s largest supplier of pneumatic products and process systems, has produced a new brochure featuring updated products in their popular range of Diamond Performance Airtools. Aimed primarily at the light duty automotive market and DIY enthusiast, the new brochure features many new products including: Comprehensive 43 piece air tool kit, the perfect starter kit for anyone setting up a workshop using air tools, 3-inch Air cut off grinder ideal for a multitude of cutting and grinding tasks around the garage or fabrication shop and a 4-inch Angle grinder for heavier duty grinding and cutting tasks. cja

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WEB DIRECTORY

The WEB DIRECTORY in TYRE & ACCESSORIES and the LINK SECTION in

To appear in this Website Directory for 12 months which, will include hyperlinked entries on the Tyres & Accessories website E-Mail: info@tyrepress.com

www.tyrepress.com THE FAST AND DIRECT WAY TO YOUR HOMEPAGE Abrasives

Fleet Management Systems

www.olivercorp.com

www.advancedidcorp.com www.pneu-logic.co.uk

Associations www.btmauk.com www.etrma.org www.itma-europe.com www.ntda.co.uk www.tireindustry.org www.tyrerecovery.org.uk www.tyresafe.org

www.tym-international.com

Industrial Tyres www.solideal.com

Locking Wheel Nuts www.dynomec.co.uk

Materials/Accessories

Breakdown Services

www.gogommasrl.it

www.www.itdn.org.uk

Miscellaneous

Earthmover Wheels

www.traxjh.com

www.kirkbytyres.co.uk

Motorcycle Tyre Wholesalers

E-Commerce

www.cambriantyres.co.uk www.worldofbiketyres.com

www.etyres.co.uk www.oddballtyres.co.uk

Exhausts/Silencers

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Importers/Wholesalers

Recycling Machinery

www.cesuk.com www.klarius.eu

www.btrgroup.co.uk www.mmhrecsys.com www.systems4recycling.com

Exhibitions

Retreading/Recycling/Disposal

www.autopromotec.it www.citexpo.com.cn www.eci-international.com www.maxima-expo.ru www.rubbere.com www.semashow.com www.theaftermarketshow.com

www.credenv.com www.cmshredders.com www.environment-agency.gov.uk/tyrewatch www.kraiburg-retreading.com www.ringtread.com www.sapphirerecovery.co.uk www.treadsdirect.com Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

WEB DIRECTORY

www.watts-rubber.com

www.lexanitire.com

Software

www.lctyres.ie

www.mamsoft.co.uk/tyres

www.lytire.com

Testing Services

www.mastercrafttyres.co.uk

www.dunloptyretesting.co.uk

www.midlandmobiletyres.co.uk

Truck Tyre Retreading

www.micheldever.co.uk

www.bandvulc.co.uk

www.mickeythompson.co.uk

Truck Wheels

www.nete.co.uk

www.kirkbytyres.co.uk

www.northwesttyres.com

Tyre Compounds

www.sd-international.cn

www.vipal.com.br

www.sentaida-international.com

Tyre Computer Software

www.sintontyres.co.uk

www.teamsystems.co.uk

www.starco.com

Tyre Distributors/Wholesalers

www.stapletons-tyres.co.uk

www.4site4x4.co.uk

www.treadwayscorp.com

www.aeolus-tyres.eu

www.tribatyre.com

www.bitsuk.co.uk

www.tyres-bernaerts.com

www.blackcircles.com

www.tyrespot.co.uk

www.bridgestone.eu/truckpoint

www.viking.co.uk

www.dalytyres.com

Tyre Exporters

www.cooperbros.co.uk

www.china-tyre.com

www.deldo.com

Tyre Manufacturers

www.deklokbanden.com

www.bkt-tires.com

www.dessimpson.co.uk

www.bridgestone.eu/truckpoint

www.fieldens.co.uk

www.cgs.cz

www.glanworthtyres.com

www.conti-online.co.uk

www.gripenwheels.com

www.coopertire.com

www.grouptyre.co.uk

www.dunloptyres.co.uk

www.herculesinternational.com

www.eptyres.com

www.heuver.com

www.fulda.co.uk

www.internationaltyres.com

www.gold-spark.com

www.inter-sprint.nl

www.goodyear.co.uk

www.kingdavidtyres.co.uk

www.gt-tires.com

www.kirkbytyres.co.uk

www.kenda.com.tw

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

73

WEB DIRECTORY

www.kirkbytyres.co.uk

Wheels

www.kumho-euro.com

www.afan-tyres.co.uk

www.lassa-europe.com

www.alcar.co.uk

www.maitechtire.com

www.elitedirect.com

www.marangoni.com

www.imagewheels.co.uk

www.magnatyres.com

www.mswuk.com

www.matador.sk

www.overfinch.com

www.mrftyres.com

www.performancealloys.com

www.nankang.com.tw

www.tsw-wheels.co.uk

www.nexentire.co.kr

www.trelleborg.com/wheelsystems-uk

www.pirelli.co.uk

Wheel Balancers/Accessories

www.silverstone.com.my

www.haweka.com

www.techkingtires.com

Workshop Equipment

www.toyo.co.uk

www.agequipment.co.uk

www.trelleborg.com

www.bateman-sellarc.co.uk

www.uniroyaltruck.co.uk

www.beissbarth.co.uk

www.vredestein.com

www.butler.it

www.yokohama.co.uk

www.cosengautomotive.com

Tyre Moulds

www.innotecworld.com

www.jwinc.co.kr

www.pro-align.co.uk

Tyre Repair/Inflation

www.reinheimer-stitcher-roller.com

www.airbosstyre.com

www.sunbornsolutions.com

www.harvieprema.co.uk

www.supertracker.com

www.monaflex.com

www.tip-top.co.uk

www.schrader-valves.co.uk

www.tsissg.com

www.smartronics.co.uk

www.tyre-equipment.co.uk

www.punctureproof.com

www.wheelalignmentuk.com

www.uniflate.com

Vintage Tyres www.grouptyre.co.uk www.longstonetyres.co.uk www.northhantstyres.com www.vintagetyres.com www.vredestein.com 74

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

TA SEP CLASSIFIED .qxp:Layout 1 14/09/2009 13:27 Page 103

LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT DEAL? Place an advert within the classifieds & get a free advert on

www.tyrepress.com

Call Scott on 01782 214224

or e-mail:-scott.parker@tyrepress.com

Aluco GmbH

Leading Official Supplier For: Pirelli ™ Yokohama ™ & Kumho Motorsport and Road Legal Track Day Tyres.

NEW AND USED PASSENGER CAR AND LIGHT TRUCK TYRES ALUMINIUM WHEELS TYRE CHANGERS AND WHEEL BALANCING MACHINES

•

We Buy and Sell at very competitive prices.

•

64579-Gernsheim, Emanuel-Merck-Str.1-3, Germany Tel.+49-6258-93010 Fax:+49-6258-3095 Mob.+49-171-4761509 e-Mail: stoftyres@yahoo.com a.shammout@usa.net alucogmbh@yahoo.de

Over 30,000 major brand tyres held at our warehouses.

• Trade enquiries welcome • Deliveries throughout the UK

The TYRE EQUIPMENT COMPANY Ltd. Browse our catalogue and shop securely on-line at

www.tyre-equipment.co.uk

THE VERY BEST TRADE PRICES ON ALL STOCK Or phone for a catalogue Tel: 01905 821697 Freefax: 0800 3280825.

From Germany All sizes of USED CAR TYRES Profile and tested high-profile tyres

www.reifen-szymos.de Email: henrek@gmx.de Tel/Fax: +49 (0)6245 905858

ONE STOP TRADE SHOP

NEXT DAY DELIVERY

TA SEP CLASSIFIED .qxp:Layout 1 14/09/2009 13:28 Page 104

Business Development Manager Covering the Lincolnshire and Scunthorpe Area The Dexel Tyre Group is one of the largest Independent Tyre Retailers and Distributors in the UK and now due to retirement we require a Business Development Manager

The ideal candidate will live within the area or be prepared to move to the area and have a good knowledge and experience of the Tyre Industry, particularly within the Commercial Tyre field.

• Knowledge of Industrial and Agricultural Tyres would be an advantage • Training will be given to the right person where necessary • The candidate will need to be articulate, self-motivated, target and customer satisfaction driven • The successful applicant would be responsible for maintaining and growing an already large and successful portfolio of customers • The position offers an excellent salary package including a bonus system • The position includes a fully expensed quality Company Car choice and the provision of a mobile phone, pension etc.

Truck casings Wide variety of sizes & Qualities always required Providers of casing management services for International Bluechip Companies ISO 9001:2000

Waste Management Licence

E:casings@stathamtyres.com

W:www.stathamtyres.com

TEL: 01928 568 648

FAX: 01928 568 649

O PERFECT when air-pressure tested O All our used CAR TYRES O Sizes 12/13/14/15/16/17/18 19/20/21/22 inch Wheels O Summer and Winter tyres You are welcome to visit us and see for yourself

Interested candidates should apply in writing and in confidence with an up-to-date C.V. to: Mark Mellon - Director, Dexel Tyre Group, 128-144 Staniforth Road, Sheffield, S9 3JQ or mmellon@dexel.co.uk Replies by 30th September 2009.

KURZ RHG – GERMANY (Frankfurt) www.kurz-reifen.de

kurz-rhg@t-online.de

TYRE COMPANY LTD

WHOLESALE QUALITY USED TYRES Large stock of quality used car & light truck tyres for UK & Export 1000’s in stock atJunction 8/9 M40, Oxford Please call with your requirments

01865 775522 / 07889 006841 & ask for Paul

phillipstyresltd@btconnect.com

WANTED

Quality Used Tyres 4mm Grade 30,35,40 & 45 series In 16,17,18 & up to 19,20 & 22-inch Tyres Also the following sizes @ 6mm tread depth 195/60x15, 205/55x16 Also new tyres in above sizes in any quantities and in job lots

Top Cash Paid Tel:07793 102660 Email:sales@latyres.com

ED T N A W

FOR

T R U C K C A S IN G S

HALL 2, STAND 117

SPECIAL PRICES PAID FOR ALL MAKES & SIZES WE BUY & SELL W ORLDWIDE

A.L.TYRES SHEFFIELD ST., OFF LANCASHIRE HILL, STOCKPORT, SK4 1RL

SAL

E

TEL.+44(0)161 477 5813 FAX.+44(0)161 480 0416

ADRIAN@ALTYRES.CO.UK WWW.ALTYRES.CO.UK

TA SEP CLASSIFIED .qxp:Layout 1 14/09/2009 13:28 Page 105

WELLINGTON RUBBER CO. LTD Consistent Buyers of

ATV TYRES, TURF TYRES, INNER TUBES CALL FREE:

TYRE BUFFINGS BUTYL TUBES BUTYL BLADDERS Textile Street, West Gorton, Manchester M12 5DL

Tel: 0161 223 7181 Fax: 0161 223 0173

0800 731 1720 We Buy on a Regular Basis: Rubber Buffings and Strippings from Tyre Retreading

cooper bros OVERTOWN ROAD, NEWMAINS, WISHAW, LANARKSHIRE

We are also interested in: Old Inner Tubes Off Grade Tyre Compounds Technical Rubber Waste

LEADING STOCKISTS OF YOKOHAMA, STUNNER, VREDESTEIN, MAXXIS, FEDERAL, HANKOOK AND ALL MAJOR BRANDS PLUS BATTERIES, EXHAUSTS, CATS, COMPONENTS, BALANCE WEIGHTS AND REPAIR MATERIALS. REGULAR DELIVERIES THROUGHOUT CENTRAL SCOTLAND PHONE: 01698 383724 FAX: 01698 386673 E MAIL: WHOLESALE@COOPERBROS.CO.UK

Industrieweg 8, 5492 NG, Nijnsel, Holland Tel: 00 31 413 472963 Fax: 00 31 413 473810 www.jakobsrubber.com info@jakobsrubber.com

A DV E RT I S E R S I N D E X

JAPANESE CASINGS All kinds of Japanese Casings and Used Tyres Contact

KANEKO SHOJI., LTD.

A Apollo Arcom SPJ B Bandvulc BKT British & International Tyres Supplies

79 71

21 7 41

M Maxxis Michelin Monarch

5 17 53

N Nexen North Hants Tyres

35 53

TEL: +81 29 2553712 FAX: +81 29 2553713 Email: kaneko@syd.odn.ne.jp

C C.I.T.Expo Cooper Tyre D Deestone Deldo Dynomec E E.C.I. Infinity Tyres Eurotyre

33 Front Cover

37 Insert 67

25 2 39

H Henan

51

K Kabat Kirkby Tyres Kings Road Tyres Kumho

57 45 43 23

Q Quinton Tyres

Back Cover

S Sailun Tire SEMA Shandong Linglong Sibur Sintons Stapletons Supertracker

9 49 69 27 11 19 65

T Treads Direct TSI/SSG Export

29 55

V Van Aarsen Vintage Tyres

65 67

PREVIEW

In Our Next Issue A brief look forward at a few of the articles appearing in next month’s T&A.

A Growing Presence This year online tyre retailers have largely defied prevailing trends by recording much improved year-on-year sales. While the two leading internet only tyre businesses operating in the UK (Blackcircles.com and Delticom AG-owned mytyres.co.uk) still command the majority of the online market share, other sites such as kwik-fit.co.uk, national.co.uk and bestbuytyres.co.uk are also making an impression on the market. Next month Tyres & Accessories once again takes a look at this increasingly essential business tool.

Tyre Wholesaling The importance of the tyre wholesale business cannot be underestimated, with the influence of some of the larger wholesalers even extending to design and development partnerships with manufacturers.

October’s wholesaling feature explores the many facets of the tyre wholesaling business, both in the UK and internationally.

First published in June 1946, T&A is distributed in the third week of every month by: Tyre Industry Publications Ltd. Unit I, Magnolia Centre Telford Road, Clacton-on-Sea Essex CO 15 4LP, England Telephone: +44 (0)1255 222233 Editorial: +44 (0) 1782 214224 Fax: +44 (0)1255 222234 e-mail: info@tyrepress.com Internet: www.tyrepress.com Correspondence and advertising material should be sent to the above address.

Publisher: Klaus Haddenbrock klaus.haddenbrock@reifenpresse.de Editor: Christopher Anthony chris.anthony@tyrepress.com Stephen Goodchild stephen.goodchild@tyrepress.com Andrew Bogie andrew.bogie@tyrepress.com Contributing Editor: Peter Gardner peter.gardner@tyrepress.com Advertising Manager: Alan Day alan@tyrepress.com Advertising Sales: Scott Parker scott.parker@tyrepress.com Circulation Manager: Julie Wilshaw julie.wilshaw@tyrepress.com Editorial office: 6A Salem Street Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire, ST1 5PR Telephone: +44 (0) 1782 214224 Fax: +44 (0) 1782 260252 Contributors: detlef.vogt@reifenpresse.de christian.marx@reifenpresse.de arno.borchers@reifenpresse.de Layout: Heike Schomaker-Eymers Gaby Hinck 2009 Subscription Rate: £60 (UK), £70 (Europe), £90 (R.O.W.) per year.

Back issues: £5 per copy.

Reg. No: 1023538 England VAT No: 466 0254 53 Bank: National Westminster Bank PLC, 10 Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 1TA Account No: 70304440 Sort Code: 60 05 33 Printed by: The Magazine Printing Company 1082 Mollison Avenue Brimsdown, Enfield Middlessex EN3 7NT Tyre Industry Publications Ltd. can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers

78

Tyres & Accessories 9/2009

TYREPRESS.COM – Now even better!

Your number one source for tyre industry news and facts now has a brand new look. We’ve kept the up-to-the-minute news and information you know and trust, but our completely updated site now delivers even more features – in an attractive and user-friendly format.

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