Tyre News

Prime Minister Visits Michelin's Dundee Plant
Fast Car awards recognise ContiSportContact 3
Kwik-Fit Named Top Fleet Industry Supplier
New 4x4 Response Service to Switch to Maxxis?
First Stop Employees Maximise their Potential
TyreSafe Helps Bikers Get Round the Bend
Hankook Tire Teams up for Le Mans 2009
Sir Tom Farmer Helps Shop Owner Open a New Chapter
Formula Two Relaunches on Avon Tyres

Prime Minister Visits Michelin's Dundee Plant

Gordon Brown visited Michelin's Dundee tyre factory in March following the launch of the Government's new low carbon industrial strategy, which is aimed at building a low carbon economy to compete in a changing world. During his visit, the Prime Minister saw first-hand how the Company is using green technology, with its state-of-the-art wind turbines, to generate electricity for the plant.

During his visit, the Prime Minister met the Michelin management team and saw the Company's award-winning Energy Saver low rolling resistance 'green' tyres being made; he also visited the wind turbines and the Michelin Apprentice School.

Fast Car Awards Recognise ContiSportContact 3

Continental has won a coveted award from the UK modified car magazine, Fast Car. Announced in March's magazine, Continental's ContiSportContact 3 took the top spot in the Best for Safety category.

The Fast Car Awards celebrate the best of the best in the tuning industry, revealing the most inspirational must-have products. The awards highlight exceptional performance, quality, originality, desirability and value. They are seen within the modified arena as a stamp of approval offering motoring enthusiasts confidence when looking for their next purchase.

The magazine commented "Safe is the name of the game with Continental Tyres and their wet weather performance is the absolute best. The ContiSportContact 3 tyre is focused on serving up awesome handling for powerful performance cars. We like Continental tyres a lot."

Scott Benbow, product manager at Continental, said, "The ContiSportContact 3 is no stranger to winning awards and we are really pleased to add to this collection with the sought after Fast Car honour. Safety is always our main focus when designing a tyre so to be recognised specifically for this is great."

Kwik-Fit Named Top Fleet Industry Supplier

Kwik-Fit has beaten a string of companies responsible for delivering a range of solutions to Britain's multi-billion pound fleet industry to be named Fleet Supplier of the Year by Fleet News, in the 2009 industry 'Oscars'. Kwik-Fit Fleet has been a regular winner of the Best Fast-Fit Company title at the annual awards ceremony, which for more than two decades has been hosted by the UK's leading fleet industry weekly newspaper, but it is the first time that the company has beaten off competition from other sectors - including the likes of AA Business Services and RAC Fleet - to win the top supplier accolade.

The award was presented at a ceremony at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Wednesday March 18 and follows Kwik-Fit Fleet being named the nation's top fast-fit company for an incredible 16 years in succession in the annual BusinessCar Awards announced earlier this year.

New 4x4 Response Service to Switch to Maxxis?

A newly launched volunteer organisation that works alongside Emergency Planning Officers and provides logistical support to the emergency services, local authorities and GPs in the event of severe weather conditions and emergency situations, is considering switching its vehicle fleet to Maxxis 4x4 tyres.

4x4 Response Wales is currently trialling the Maxxis Bravo all-terrain tyre after Grouptyre, the exclusive distributor of Maxxis 4x4 tyres in the UK, agreed to supply a test set of tyres for evaluation purposes.

"Our members are currently using a variety of tyres, including premiums brands like BFGoodrich, but we have heard good things about Maxxis and, pending a positive evaluation, we are seriously contemplating switching," says 4x4 Response Wales co-ordinator Mark Margetts.

"Since our team of volunteers use and maintain their own vehicles, they are very interested in a brand of tyre which is robust, absolutely reliable and affordable, and we are most grateful to Grouptyre for giving us this opportunity to see just what Maxxis can do."

4x4 Response Wales is part of a national 4x4 response network, of which there are 15 groups throughout the UK, and can be called upon at short notice to provide appropriate logistical support. These groups work with existing search and rescue organisations when they require extra 4x4 vehicles to transport equipment or personnel, and get involved in cleaning up programmes and humanitarian work.

First Stop Employees Maximise their Potential

Employees across the First Stop network have passed a new customer-centred training course with flying colours. The active learning course, entitled 'Maximising Sales Potential in the Retail Tyre Business', has been established by Bridgestone UK and accredited by the Institute of Motor Industry (IMI).

The bespoke training programme focuses on the key specific processes within tyre retailing, concentrating on all the essential elements required to maximise sales potential, from initial enquiries to the satisfied customer. Due to its success, the course is being offered to Bridgestone's network of dealers throughout the UK.

Mark Fereday, from the First Stop network, said: "First Stop is committed to investing in its staff to ensure they are equipped with a wide range of skills. We firmly believe in rewarding excellence, and in the current climate, we recognise the importance of developing great customer service skills and giving staff the knowledge and confidence to maximise their sales potential.

"Working alongside the IMI we hope to ensure that this course raises the benchmark for First Stop employees, and within our industry, and we are thrilled with the results which are already being seen from those who have passed the course".

TyreSafe Helps Bikers Get Round the Bend

As April's Bike Tyre Safety Month gets underway, TyreSafe is helping bikers to stay safe and check their tyre pressures with greater ease by offering 90 degree tyre valve extensions to the first 300 people to sign up to its e-newsletter at www.tyresafe.org.

The valve extension can be simply screwed onto the tyre's existing valve, making checking and inflating tyre pressures a simpler operation as the valve's 90 degree bend allows bikers to attach air lines and pressure gauges with greater ease. When inflation is complete, the extension can be removed and stored under the seat so it is always to hand.

"Some bikers experience problems when checking their tyre pressures or inflating their tyres due to difficulties accessing the tyre valve," explains Stuart Jackson, chairman, Tyresafe.

"Unlike car tyres, valves on motorcycle tyres are located in the centre of the rim to avoid any wheel balance issues. This can cause issues when trying to inflate tyres as some equipment is so large that it cannot fit between the wheel hub and the valve. This handy valve extension removes that problem, making it much easier for bikers to check and inflate their tyres."

Correct tyre pressures is being highlighted as a key safety concern throughout Bike Tyre Safety Month. Incorrect pressures can cause dramatic changes in bike performance, most notably affecting handling and cornering as well as reducing fuel economy and accelerating tyre wear. Riders are also being reminded that they should adjust their tyre pressures accordingly if they are carrying pillion passengers or panier loads.

Tyre pressures should be checked at least once per month and before any long journeys, when the tyres are cold. When checking tyre pressures, riders should also give the tyre a quick visual inspection to ensure there are no tears, cracks, cuts or bulges. Any rider unsure about the condition of their tyres should visit one of the many motorcycle tyre dealers across the UK participating in Bike Tyre Safety Month. Participating dealers are displaying campaign posters.

Hankook Tire Teams up for Le Mans 2009

Hankook Tire has announced its entry into the 2009 Le Mans Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans thanks to a sponsorship agreement signed between Hankook and Farnbacher Racing Team in March. Hankook is to team up with Farnbacher Racing to compete in the GT2 class in 2009 with a new Ferrari F 430 GTC. The tyre maker considers the Farnbacher team as the perfect partner that ties in perfectly with the strategy of the up-and-coming Le Mans races. Both companies are aiming for a successful and long-term potential partnership. Hankook Tire will be the exclusive supplier to the Farnbacher team.

"Our entry into Le Mans is not only to further expose the Hankook brand to motorsports enthusiasts and the general public", says Jin-Wook Choi, Hankook Tire Executive Vice President and COO for the European Market. "We see our engagement also as the ideal proving and testing ground for future street tyre technologies. It is a further opportunity to help developing next generation tyres to satisfy the consumers' demands - for instance what concerns increasing grip while lowering rolling resistance or in other words combining highest safety and efficiency at the same time." Hankook Tire will integrate the Le Mans Series races into various marketing activities in the near future.

Sir Tom Farmer Helps Shop Owner Open a New Chapter

Scotland's best-known entrepreneur has helped a 19-year-old launch an unusual business venture. Sir Tom Farmer CBE helped 19-year-old Brian Rafferty begin a new chapter in his life by officially opening his second-hand book store. Brian has Asperger Syndrome and despite having both school and college qualifications, he has been unable to secure a job. This new venture, Broughton Street Book Shop has given Brian the chance not only to earn his own money, but will allow him to make donations to the National Autistic Society, a cause very close to his heart.

Brian Rafferty comments; "I have been trying for a long time to get a job but without success, and I'm really excited about my new business venture. I love books and visitors to the shop will have the chance to browse and purchase a great bargain. I would like to thank Sir Tom for helping me to officially open Broughton Street Book Shop and I'm looking forward to welcoming lots of shoppers through the door!"

Sir Tom adds; "Brian is really demonstrating the can-do attitude that is needed to get ahead in business. He is a great example to others: I wish him every success and hope members of the public give him the support and encouragement he deserves."

Formula Two Relaunches on Avon Tyres

Avon Tyres has been unveiled as the official tyre supplier for the FIA Formula Two Championship, which re-launches in 2009 after a 25-year absence from motorsport. The championship, which will feature 24 identical cars designed by the Williams F1 team, has been created as the ultimate feeder category for Formula One, while still being affordable for aspiring young drivers.

Sixteen races will take place at eight circuits across Europe, from Valencia and Barcelona in Spain to Donington Park and Brands Hatch in the UK. Headed by Jonathan Palmer, whose MotorSport Vision (MSV) company has used Avon as the control tyre supplier of the Formula Palmer Audi championship since it began in 1998, all the F2 cars will be manufactured to identical specification and run entirely by MSV to ensure driver talent shines through. The Williams JPH1 F2 car, was unveiled at Brands Hatch on Monday March 2.

"Avon has a history of supplying tyres to F1 feeder championships and we're proud to continue that tradition," said Julian Baldwin, Managing Director of Cooper Tire Europe.

"After providing tyres to the FIA Formula 3000 series, which replaced the original Formula Two in the 1980s and ran until 2004, we're very happy to continue an association with the natural stepping-stone to Formula 1."

The Williams JPH1 will feature a six-speed semi-automatic gearbox and 1.8-litre turbocharged Audi engine that generates 400bhp with an extra "overboost" of 50bhp available to drivers in the races, to help encourage overtaking. The first round will take place at Valencia, Spain, on 31 May.