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   International Tyre Club (ITC)

6/05/08  

Recognising change and meeting opportunities are the watch words of the ITC.
Established almost a decade ago the Club is a member only organisation for tyre professionals from across Europe and the wider world. It hosts annual 'Summit Style' meetings in some of Europe's best venues where its members come together to generate mutually advantageous new business opportunities.
Membership is limited and by invitation only but at the present time the Club would be please to welcome new colleagues from Eastern Europe, the Middle and Far East.
We have regular participants from France, Germany, UK, The Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Italy and many more countries. Hall 2, stand 430.

   Bumping up and scuffing kerbs

24/04/08  

TyreSafe has issued a warning to motorists about the increase in the number of premature tyre removals as a result of either kerbing damage, or uneven tread wear due to wheel or axle misalignment.
The cause of a significant number of these early removals is due to motorists mounting or hitting a kerb, which usually occurs during a parking manoeuvre. As most modern cars are now equipped with power steering, drivers consider that the presence of a kerb is not an obstacle to manoeuvring a car into a tight spot, which may lead to a tyre's sidewall being pinched between the kerb and the wheel, or the steering system becoming misaligned.
A driver may not be aware of any problem associated with such a manoeuvre until either the tread pattern shows rapid and irregular wear or a bulge appears on the tyre sidewall, therefore increasing the likelihood of an accident. Furthermore, the level of grip of an unevenly worn tyre is unpredictable in the wet, whilst a sidewall bulge, the result of a fracture in the carcass of the tyre, can cause a tyre to either lose pressure or in a worst case scenario a tyre blow-out.
TyreSafe recommends that drivers who are aware of having impacted a kerb with some force should have the tyre(s) inspected for any damage and the vehicle alignment checked by a tyre dealer. Tyre sidewall damage cannot be repaired and may lead to possible failure because of the leaking of air from the tyre.

   Size Of UK Tyre Market Revealed For First Time

22/04/08  

Considering it is a multi-million Pound business, the UK tyre industry has always suffered from a lack of availability of reliable statistics and market data.
But no longer, as global market research giant GfK has produced the first in a series of regular reports, designed to provide definitive information on retail sales of new tyres for the first time.
The report is compiled in co-operation with the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), the leading trade association for independent tyre retailers, and divides the market into three, distinct channels.
The analysis has been on-going for six months and GfK estimates the total new tyre replacement market figure at 28.4 million units.

   Biggest and best CV Show

22/04/08  

"That was the biggest and best CV Show ever," said Tony Young, CV Show manager. "We had a terrific response from delighted exhibitors throughout the three-day show. The specialist areas worked extremely well, and compliments about the quality of visitors have been consistent." The CV Show is the biggest of its type in Europe and a shop window for business sectors worth at least £10bn. "Visitor numbers look better than expected, though we'll not have the audited data for some weeks. Importantly, at the show we took over 100 enquiries for the 2009 CV Show, with many of this year's exhibitors looking for bigger stands. Next year's show will be in halls 1 to 5 at the NEC from 28 to 30 April next year," said CV Show marketing consultant Bob Sockl.
 • More from Bob Sockl on +44(0)1 634 261 262 or bob.s@crystal-communications.co.uk

   Peter Gaster, Chairman, 2008 NTDA Annual Dinner

18/04/08  

In his speech to an audience in excess of 450 association members and guests, Peter Gaster, Chairman, spoke of three important issues being addressed by NTDA.
1. A thorough review of the Association's workings
2. Industry associations coming together
3. Problems and danger of ageing tyres

Peter Gaster, Chairman, 2008 NTDA Annual Dinner
"I have undertaken a review of the NTDA to see where we are now and what future we can expect and that of our members interest in taking our association forward and hopefully to modernise where necessary.
This review has started and a select group consisting of a broad spectrum of members has already met to discuss the issues we face. We have listed a number of pros and cons how we see the current status of the NTDA and what recommendations we should now consider and where changes should be made for the future.
Over the last year we have been in informal discussions with other industry associations about the possibility of coming together as one industry group. The clear and very strong message that comes out of the Tyre Industry Federation is the absolute need to have a platform to come together on common issues. Especially where we have to make a collective approach to government. The NTDA is at the heart of the TIF and we will continue to give our full support into the future.
Ageing tyres
We have been working on a major campaign which highlights one of the most serous problems that motorists are unaware of and that is the age of their tyres and the effect that overage tyres can have on safe motoring. There is no regular check on tyre ages and unless motorists are informed they could be driving on tyres that are dangerous. Our campaign will offer motorists the chance to check the age of their tyres and give them the correct advice. In essence we will offer a free check to all motorists who go to a NTDA member.
National awareness campaign
We intend to launch the campaign in the next few months and I am sure we will get our message across to motorists particularly those who are driving older vehicles. Following a meeting between our Director and the RAC Foundation they have pledged their full support for our Campaign and have agreed to work with us to get the message out to Britain's 30 million plus motorists.
We will be sending out details and information in due course with the dates of the campaign and how long it will run. Make sure that all of your technicians are up to speed on how to check the age of the tyre. VOSA did ask the Department of Transport to include an age check during an MOT test, but this was refused?"

   NTDA Annual Dinner Awards

17/04/08  

Rob Beddis, Chairman of TyreSafe and Tony Neill, National Tyres & Autocare.


Left to right: Chris Kisby (Goodyear), Martin Saint (Apaseal), John Parrott (Guest Speaker), Brian Duguid (B.I.T.S.), Chris Bloor (Michelin), Herve de Froment (Michelin), John Campbell (on behalf of Kingpin Tyres)

   SITUATIONS VACANT

 • Yokohama UK, based on Milton Keynes, are seeking top flight sales execs ... full details.
 • Fleet Sales Professional
 • National Accounts Manager - South
 • Sales Professional
 • Divisional Manager Retail accounts Scotland & Northern England
 • UK Wholesalers seeking a General Manager
 • Sales Executive, based at Coventry, needed by a division of Tomkins Group
 • Fit4Fleet are looking for a Sales Manager
 • Business Development Manager required by R H Claydon
 • Austin Clarke Search & Selection have numerous vacancies for the automotive industry
Click on Job Vacancies for more information

   Tyres - The hidden danger for company employee drivers

17/04/08  

Defective or badly worn tyres could be the Achilles' heel of companies and could result in prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, which came into force at the beginning of April. The legislation stipulates that employers have a Duty of Care to ensure the safety of employees driving for work, which means that businesses will be responsible for the maintenance of not only their own fleet, but also those of the 'grey fleet,' the thousands of private vehicles being used every day by employees to travel whilst on company business. It will be necessary for companies to show an audit trail indicating that regular vehicle condition checks have been carried out and documented.
According to research from TyreSafe, 12 per cent of cars and vans on the roads in the UK have at least one defective tyre, and a further 12 per cent have a tyre below 2mm, which highlights the need for greater attention to the condition of tyres with the new legislation. TyreSafe has the for employers to ensure that all tyres on their vehicles are fit for purpose, and to reduce the risk of prosecution under the new act in the event of an accident.
For more information on the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, visit www.cps.gov.uk/legal
To request a copy of the Highways Agency "Fit to Tow" DVD or a hard copy of the accompanying leaflet, call the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30

   Tyre Safety advise for caravanners

17/04/08  

Last year, around two million people took to the road with a caravan in tow, accounting for nearly 20% of holidays taken in the UK. With the arrival of greater daylight hours and with temperatures set to increase, thousands of motorists will hit the country's roads once again towing a caravan or trailer. In conjunction with this traditional migration of holidaymakers, the Highways Agency has recently released a DVD entitled "Fit to Tow," with TV presenter Carol Smillie providing crucial advice to those motorists who use a caravan or trailer for their vacation.
TyreSafe, the UK's leading tyre safety organisation, says it extends its full support to the latest Highways Agency initiative, as many drivers are not aware of the dangers related to the inadequate maintenance and preparation of their vehicles, with incorrect or damaged tyres in particular, presenting a major risk to their safety.
For further information on looking after caravan tyres, visitors may download the latest version of "Caravan Tyres and Your Safety" leaflet for free at www.tyresafe.org/tyre-safety/.

   Motor shows are not just about cars!

17/04/08  

Kumho displayed cutting edge concept tyres at Geneva last month, as it regularly does at motor shows the world over Kumho Tyres is at the forefront of today's high performance tyre market and examples of its powers of innovation are these days regularly displayed at motor shows across the globe. The most recent example was last month's annual Auto Salon in Geneva, where its hi-tech product featured on the three Kia SOUL concept vehicles – the Diva, Burner and Searcher.
Kumho was involved in the project at an early stage. The tyre sizes and tread patterns were all chosen to accentuate the differing characters of the three concepts.  The Diva was fitted with 19in 225/45 tyres designed to give the car a strong but elegant stance. The 245/40R19 covers of the Burner had a tread pattern comprised of dragon's flames designed to accentuate its bold character. The Searcher had equally trend-setting 18in 205/60 tyres that highlighted its neat packaging and city car dimensions.
Concept tyres for concept cars
Kumho is frequently called upon to design and produce prototype tyres for the concept cars of the major motor manufacturers. The work is spearheaded by the company's R&D headquarters in Korea, operating in conjunction with its technical facilities in the US and the UK. 

   'Speed Racer' action adventure

17/04/08  

Yokohama is teaming up with Warner Bros on a product placement and promotional agreement surrounding the upcoming action adventure, "Speed Racer".
Based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the live-action big-screen "Speed Racer" will follow the adventures of the young racecar driver Speed in his quest for glory in his thundering Mach 5 race car.  The cast is truly global, featuring Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Asian music star Ji Hoon Jung (popularly known as Rain) and Hiroyuki Sanada from Japan.
Speed's cars, including the Mach 5, will drive on Yokohama Advan brand tyres in multiple high-speed races.

   New Nankang NS-20

17/04/08  

Nankang has released its brand new Noble Sport NS-20 tyre. The Noble Sport NS-20 is an ultra high performance tyre that delivers the perfect balance of comfort and technical performance for luxury performance cars. The NS-20, uses dual layer tread design to enhance dry traction while its 4-groove directional pattern enhance wet traction. Besides, the lateral groove and multi-sipe design that curb the noise generation can ensure comfort in driving. The Noble Sport NS-20 is available in 16 to 20 inch sizes. The range covers for H, V, W, Y and Z speed ratings (for speeds in excess of 210 km/h to 300 km/h).
Moreover, Nankang' s new innovation design, Step Wear Indicator (SWI), will be used for the NS-20 tyre. In order to be easier for customers to understand tyre wear condition and tyre-replacing timing, NANKANG design group adopts the word-Nankang as SWI(Step Wear Indicator) to display the condition

   Pioneering Run-Flat technology

17/04/08  

For the past few years RunOnFlat tyres have been one of the leading active safety technologies on the market to help drivers maintain full control over their car in the event of a blowout or puncture. At present Goodyear equips one in every three cars that is originally fitted with this tyre technology. Interest in runflat tyres is growing and with Goodyear selling globally over 2.5 million RunOnFlat tyres in 2007, millions of customers have been enjoying the benefits of this innovation. The tyre manufacturer (they claim) is the world's leading producer of runflat tyres, with original equipment fitment on a range of BMWs, the award winning Mini, Mercedes-Benz high performance cars and the Corvette. The Goodyear RunOnFlat is now, an option on the Ford S-Max, Galaxy, Ferrari F430 and Maserati Coupe.
This new technology, presented at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, offers numerous benefits to both consumers and the environment, including improved comfort, reduced mass and rolling resistance, increased fuel economy as well as reduced CO2 emission

   GITI Europe: Announcing a grand entrance into Europe

17/04/08  

Making their debut at Reifen 2008 will be GITI Tire Europe the recently formed European division of a leading Far East tyre manufacturer.
In previous shows the company has been represented by their German distributor – Reifen Gundlach but for the very first time GITI Europe will be staging its own impressive presence at the event.
European Marketing Manager, Peter Foulkes says, "GITI intend to use their presence at the show to officially launch and take forward to the next progressive stage, the company's growing sales presence in Europe (including the UK and Ireland). Which is why we have partnered Reifen Gundlach at the event for the very first time."

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