Australian Tyre Dealer - February & March - Online Edition

Australian Tyre Dealer | vol. 21 | issue 1 | Feb/Mar 2012

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CONTENTS TD is a publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) and is endorsed by the Australian Tyre Dealers and Retreaders Association (ATDRA) Print Post approved PPP444752/0002 The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the ATDRA or any State or Territory constituent body, or of the Publishers and they take no responsibility for them, except where specifically indicated.

Industry News 4.

Melbourne Grand Prix

EDITOR Michael Taylor

Marathon ‘+’ tyres cut truck fleet costs

5.

Female PR guru for Hankook

6.

Continental’s LifeCycle Story

8.

Capitalising on market demand

10. Nexen wins acclaimed design award

Head Office Building 8/2728 Logan Road Eight Mile Plains Qld 4113 PO Box 4530 Eight Mile Plains QLD 4113 Tel: 07 3237 8777 Fax: 07 3844 4488 Toll Free: 1800 177 951 Email: atd@mtaq.com.au Website: www.mtaq.com.au

Industry on show during

Tyre labelling to educate consumers

12. Rubber leaders to meet in Singapore in May

Charitable act aids in patient transport

14. View online, shop in store 15. Floods result in tyre shortage

Australian Carbon Black facility closure

16. Factors aplenty with ART DIRECTOR Peter Richardson ADVERTISING Jeff Dunlop Telephone: 07 3237 8777 Mobile: 0422 075 007 Facsimile: 07 3844 4488 Email: jeffd@mtaq.com.auu EDITORIAL Enquiries should be made to: The Editor 07 3237 8777 or email atd@mtaq.com.au ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $45.60 (inc gst) in Australia $99.00 overseas (airmail)

The Australian Automotive Week , principally geared toward the aftermarket, will take place during the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix, p. 4.

Consumers increasingly turn to the Internet to learn more about the tyres that they are going to purchase, p. 14.

customer loyalty 17. Sustainability conference focuses on safety

FEATURE 18. Tyres4U keeps customers on the move

Innovation 22. Exxium unveiled at tyre expo

Conti’s new tyre for electric cars

23. Linglong’s new bladder

F1 tyre supplier Pirelli has reinstated the Cinturato brand in its line up, p.30

improves performance

iPads in the workshop

24. New inks for tyre lettering

MTA-Queensland ABN: 740 289 338 48

Thoroughly modern tyre recycling

27. Trials to begin with new Dunlop aircraft tyre

“Australian Tyre Dealer” welcomes submissions of information and prepared articles, but their publication will be at its sole discretion. Material appearing in “Australian Tyre Dealer” is copyright, and reproduction in whole or part without the Publisher’s written consent is prohibited. “Australian Tyre Dealer” is circulated to tyre dealers, senior executives of companies which supply the tyre industry, and representatives of relevant industry groups.

Sport 28. The rise of drifting

Going for gold

30. F1 tyre alterations for 2012 season 32. Fitting 3,500 tyres in one day

VMI introduces the Exxium, its latest tyre-building machine, p. 22

Wanted: F1 test car

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Editor’s word or not) of the tyres they have, or have had, or are going to have!

Recently, I was recommended by an auto technician (lets call him ‘Bill’) to ring a local tyre shop to enquire about getting my right rear tyre fixed. Its got a nail in it and a very slow leak. So I rang the tyre shop and specifically asked for the person whom I was told to ask for. Let’s call him ‘John’. Lets also call the tyre shop ‘Tyrefixerz’.

Michael Taylor Editor

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ith consumers increasingly searching online for tyre information, they are going to tyre shops more educated than ever before. They may not let you know what they know, but rest assured they are arming themselves with plenty of information from the Internet via manufacturer information, tyre reviewers and/or tyre forums where tyre enthusiasts are very specific about their own personal experiences with any particular tyre. Although ‘forums’ aren’t necessarily ‘gospel’, what is shared are the consumers’ experiences (or opinions – favourable

“Tyrefixerz”, came the monotone, slightly bothered tone of the man who answered the phone.

“Hello, this is Michael, may I please speak to John?”

“This is John”, he said, sounding somewhat guarded.

“Oh, hi John, Bill told me to ring you because I’ve got a nail in my right rear tyre with a slow leak and I’d like to know if I could drive over there and get it fixed,” I said.

“Yeah just drop the tyre in and we’ll have a look at it,” he said.

“Ok, so you want me to take the tyre off and just drive over there with it?” I asked.

“Yeah, but wait a minute …. Um, no, tomorrow or the next day

would be better,” he answered.

I was immediately reminded of the time about ten years ago when I was driving from Melbourne to Brisbane and had noticed a low tyre when I filled up with petrol in Goulburn, NSW. I had a closer look and saw a nail embedded in the tyre.

I drove in to town and stopped at a service station that had a rack of tyres sitting outside the workshop and thought I’d give it a try. A tall, lanky gentleman emerged from the darkness of the workshop and said, “Howyagoin’ mate?”.

I showed him the tyre and he said, “No worries, let’s get this sorted”.

Ten minutes later the job was done and I asked how much the bill came to.

“Uh, is ten dollars too much?” he asked.

“How about I give you twenty and you keep the change,” I said.

“Thanks mate!” he said.

“No, thank YOU!” I said as I jumped in the car and got back on the road.

Back to the situation I’m in today, I’ve still got that nail in my tyre and I wished I lived in Goulburn.

HEEL EASY WENT FITM OR! SELECT

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INDUSTRY NEWS Industry on show during Melbourne Grand Prix Automotive Week to showcase local manufacturing to international buyer delegations.

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he Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has announced that the 2012 Australian Automotive Week will be held from March 11 to 18, coinciding with this year’s F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.

With support from the Victorian Government, Australian Automotive Week will showcase local manufacturers of accessories, equipment, parts and tools including off-road and specialist equipment manufacturers.

The weeklong event will also include the Victorian Motorsport Product Showcase, a 240sqm pavilion at the F1 Australian Grand Prix. Local manufacturers and exporters will play host to international buyer delegations from the Middle East and North America.

The weeklong event will also include the Victorian Motorsport Product Showcase, a 240sqm pavilion at the F1 Australian Grand Prix.

AAAA Senior Manager Ben Bartlett said that with an $8 billion annual turnover and a 300,000-strong workforce, Australia’s automotive aftermarket sector is a vital part of the Australian economy.

“This special Australian Automotive Week program is a first for our industry sector and is recognition of its importance,” Mr. Bartlett said.

“Building on the international success of other high profile Australian brands, local manufacturers including Pedders

Suspension, Harrop Engineering, and Dyno Dynamics are today in demand in export markets such as Asia, Europe and North America,” he added.

Marathon ‘+’ tyres cut truck fleet costs Goodyear utilises an ‘optimised’ blend of silica fillers and premium natural rubber.

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oodyear has introduced its latest generation commercial vehicle tyre range, the Marathon +, and says rolling resistance in its new LHD II+ and LHS II+ drive and steer tyres is seven per cent lower than in their predecessors.

Goodyear said that in some cases fuel costs represent 34.9 per cent of total vehicle operating costs, while tyre expenses add a further 2.4 per cent.

This is, it says, ample incentive to focus on technology that cuts consumption – so long as it doesn’t result in a compromise in mileage and wet grip qualities.

To achieve the seven per cent improvement in rolling resistance over the predecessor LHD II and LHS II, Goodyear used a tread compound enhancement it calls Silefex. This newly introduced substance is described as containing “an optimised blend of silica fillers and premium natural rubber.”

Thanks to the use of Silefex, Goodyear calculates that replacing a combination of Marathon LHS II, LHD II and LHT II with LHS II +, LHD II + and

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LHT II+ could represent a one per cent reduction in fuel consumption. So for a truck and trailer with a fuel consumption of 32 l/100km, a fuel price of AUD $1.79 per litre and an annual mileage of 120,000 km, the saving would be $744 per vehicle, per year and a 1,000 kilogram reduction in CO2 emissions.

Favourable feedback from TÜV Süd The technical services company TÜV Süd compared the Goodyear Marathon LHS II + / LHD II+/LHT II + with three main competitors. Goodyear hasn’t disclosed which competitor products were used in the TÜV comparison but the sizes tested were 315/70R22.5 for the steer and drive axle fitments and 385/65R22.5 on the trailer axles. A key objective of the test was to determine the comparative rolling resistance of the tyres, and rolling resistance ratio calculations were based on a load distribution of 17 per cent for the steer axle, 25 per cent for the drive axle and 58 per cent for the trailer axle. Goodyear reports that rolling resistance for the LHS II+ steer tyre was found to be between three and 19 per cent better than the competition while the Marathon LHD II + was in one case equal to the competition and in the other cases up to 16 per cent better. The Marathon LHT II+ trailer

Female PR guru for Hankook Hankook appoints first female vice president in public relations role to strengthen international promotional work with the view to boosting global sales.

Hankook Tyre Co. has appointed a new vice president of public relations. Kim Hyun-Kyung, who is the company’s first female vice president, joins the tyre maker after spending 18 years at the Samsung Group, where she was responsible for international public relations and sports marketing.

“Kim is the first female to hold the title since the company was founded in 1941,” commented a Hankook official. “She will strengthen promotional work abroad to boost global sales.”

Kim’s team operates within the company’s management planning division run by president Cho Hyun-Bum, son of Hankook chairman Cho Yang-Rae and son-in-law of South Korean president Lee Myung-Bak

tyre was between 12 per cent and 28 per cent better than the competitors.

The TÜV Süd Automotive report (76246886-1) from the comparative test also covered wet grip; the wet grip index

was measured with steer tyres on the front axle and drive tyres on the drive axle and a loading of 6,600 kilograms on the steer axle and 11,200 kilograms on the drive axle. Goodyear relates that the results show the Goodyear combination stopped shorter than the competitors’ tyres in all cases. The average performance of the Goodyear combination braking on wet asphalt was said to be two per cent better than the competitor tyres.

Testing the Marathon + Goodyear says it worked closely with Mercedes-Benz Trucks while developing the Marathon + range and the vehicle manufacturer conducted numerous tyre tests, including those for tread wear and wet grip. The Marathon LHS II + and Marathon LHD II + were also sent out on field trials with several fleets over a period of 18 months and were employed in commercial long haul operations using Mercedes-Benz Actros 1844 and 1841 models.

An initial line-up of four LHS II+ and one LHD II+ sizes has been launched and further additions to the range will be made in the first and third quarters of 2012.

The Marathon LHT II+ is available in three sizes. Goodyear says it is currently introducing the Marathon + range to all major OEMs to highlight the benefits that it offers as an original equipment tyre.

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INDUSTRY NEWS Continental’s LifeCycle Story

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n 2009, Continental was putting the key elements in place for a huge new idea.

As the market for new truck tyres was dropping significantly, and fleet managers throughout the Americas were desperately looking for ways to keep operating despite less freight and higher fuel prices, Continental’s vice president of commercial vehicle tyres in the Americas, Paul Williams, was thinking bigger.

Williams was looking to outmaneuver other major tyre manufacturers and do something they had never tried before. To take the leap and start a retread business across two continents was something people in the tyre industry were calling crazy when they caught wind of it. Looking toward the company’s future, and with only a year at the helm of the business, Williams did it anyway.

Today, Continental has a solid retreading footprint in North and Central America, and has already made moves to control its supply chain and expand into South America.

Looking back to the beginning The market was eventually going to rebound. Williams and his team, knew it – even when times were looking scary in 2008. They were right. An estimated 14.3 million retreaded medium and heavy truck tyres were produced in the U.S. in 2010. Likewise, OE and replacement tyre shipments

increased 28.5% and 19.7% respectively. But, Williams said, just because the tyre maker knew that demand would eventually come back didn’t mean that Continental was going to just continue with the status quo.

“We could stay without a lifecycle solution, and just keep selling new tyres, with no real way to compete against the controlled distribution and factory stores of our competitors,” Williams recalled. “And our economists told us we’d all be updating our resumes in a few years.”

That just wasn’t acceptable.

Williams and his team knew that Continental dealers were getting increased pressure from other manufacturers, who continued to fight for the tier one designation.

Likewise, price increases, due to rising natural rubber costs, were just not going to be taken lightly by either those dealers or their fleets – without an alternative, which was a total tyre solution.

“All trucking operations are taking a look at new ways that they can reduce costs and maximize the assets they already have. But as the prices of new tyres are going up, the fleets are now looking at retreading when they haven’t before. We had to respond, with a product that our dealers would be confident in and the customers would appreciate, price-wise,” he said.

A lifecycle business, then, Williams decided was the only solution. And the only way to do it is the only way he knows how – full speed ahead.

“From the moment Paul walked into our business unit,” recalled Clif Armstrong, Continental’s director of marketing, “he’s made us look at the entire business in a new way. So when we decided that not only was Continental going to enter the retread business, but that we were going to be offering a lifecycle product across two hemispheres in under two years,

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everyone on the team knew that we were going to rethink everything.”

A different approach The first item on Williams’ rethinking agenda was to recognize that retreading itself is not the answer.

“Taking a holistic look at a tyre, from its first purchase all the way to the time that it is scrapped, you can see that a truck tyre has a very long lifetime. To provide the best solution, we see a tyre as having a full lifecycle. This is why we’ve dubbed our activities ‘ContiLifeCycle’ instead of some name involving just retreading. We want to help our customers see that retreading is just one part of the puzzle,” Williams said.

efficient compounding. Why would we ever consider selling them short with a retread that didn’t perform the same?”

“From the get-go, we decided there was no reason to engineer a retread product that was different. So you won’t find any ContiLifeCycle products that aren’t exact matches to the new tyres. Put a Continental retread on – whether it’s flat or has Ring technology – and you will have the same tread design and compound performance that you bought with your new truck tyre,” Williams said.

Extending this idea, Continental engineers proposed an idea that Williams is confident Continentals has never been tried by Paul Williams a major tyre manufacturer.

Instead of selling retread products that are completely different from new tyres, Continental would be the first to offer only retreads with no discernible differences from the new tyres.

As other manufacturers slowly began developing their companion retread tread designs in 2009, Continental was already well on its way to a complete long-term solution in the truck tyre landscape.

With tread designs that had already been proven and compounds already tested for fuel efficiency, Williams was confident in the ContiLifeCycle solution that they would bring to the market.

“It just made no sense to us. Customers love our tread patterns. They count on us for advanced technologies and fuel-

The next step was to build the customer base – and the business, across the Americas.

You won’t find any ContiLifeCycle products that aren’t exact matches to the new tyres – whether it’s flat or has Ring technology, you’ll have the same tread design and compound performance.”

Reponding to markets needs At the recent Continental Tire the Americas’ (CTA) annual truck dealer meeting, Williams announced plans for a ‘multi-million dollar’ investment in the ContiLifeCycle tread rubber plant in central Mexico. This investment will double plant space to more than 4,000 square metres and include the addition of extra curing and finishing lines.

“We first opened the ContiLifeCycle tread rubber manufacturing plant in May 2011 with the intent of supplying our ContiLifeCycle retread licensees and company-owned plants throughout our current footprint of the US, Mexico and the Andean region, and continued next page

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INDUSTRY NEWS expanding in the near future to include the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay),” Williams said.

The executive vice president said that due to overwhelming demand, he was happy to announce a multi-million dollar investment at this central location,.

He said the investment allows Continental to accommodate the growing need for retreaded truck tyres in their current markets and to comfortably expand as they reach even further across the Americas. When the expansion work is complete in July this year, Continental will have the ability to retread more than 1.2 million truck tyres per annum with its ContiTreads. Williams said that a further expansion involving the installation of “yet another curing and finishing line” has already been planned for 2014.

He attributes the growth of the ContiLifeCycle business to the need for fleets in the Americas to have an economical lifetime truck tyre solution plus the high level of interest shown by dealers in each country CTA represents.

“It’s been phenomenal how many dealers have approached us wanting to be a part of this new business for Continental,” he said.

“We know that the ContiLifeCycle has a lot to offer as far as independence for retreaders, excellent products and great support.

“Since we’re already expanding, dealers can be confident that we will be able to meet their needs with a reliable supply of tread rubber and related materials.

“These things put together are a very attractive combination that we know many dealers are interested in adopting,” Williams added.

According to 8

ContiLifeCycle manager John Barnes, Continental currently offers 14 ContiTread tread patterns in various widths and depths, and the portfolio continues to expand.

Capitalising on market demand

“The new truck tyres we are releasing beginning this year will be evaluated for production as ContiTreads,” he said.

Coats, Ammco and Bada branded products will be increasingly marketed throughout Asia and the Pacific Rim.

“The majority of these product launches will immediately include a retread component with the same pattern as the new tyre, and performance just like it as well.

“So this year marks the beginning of our seamless transition from new products just available to the market to ContiTreads as well, making even greater availability of a true lifetime product,” Barnes added.

“From our investment in the ContiLifeCycle plant to the products and strategies seen here at this most recent meeting, Continental is going to be the truck tyre company to watch in 2012,” Williams concluded.

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yre changer, wheel balancer and lift manufacturer, Hennessy Industries has formed a partnership with Hockman-Lewis Ltd., an international export management company, to handle sales and marketing of its Coats, Ammco and Bada branded products throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim. The new partnership represents a commitment to capitalising on the increasing demand for automotive service equipment in those markets, said Hennessy.

“Hockman-Lewis is dedicated to the global promotion of US and international automotive service equipment,” said Howard Hagan, Hennessy’s vice-president of international sales.

“This new arrangement offers Hennessy’s Asian customers continued world-class service and a complete range of high-quality products,” he added.

Hennessy recently opened its newest manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China, and the company expects the partnership with HockmanLewis to facilitate the development of its sales and market share in the Asian automotive service equipment and tools markets.

“Partnering with Hennessy for the sales and marketing of its well-known brands fits perfectly into our company’s philosophy and continued page 10

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INDUSTRY NEWS portfolio,” said Greg Hockman, president of Hockman-Lewis.

“With our recent addition of experienced international sales professionals focusing on the Asian markets, we anticipate a growing presence throughout this part of the world,” he concluded.

Nexen wins acclaimed design award Nexen was the only tyre manufacturer to win a prestigious ‘Good Design Award’, an annual awards program administered by two world leading design and architecture organisations.

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exen Tyre Corporation recently won the ‘Good Design 2011’ award for its Winguard Sport, UHP winter tyre. The latest triumph follows winning the International Forum Design Award 2010 and Good Design award from Design Korea 2011.

The Good Design Award is

conferred annually by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design together with The European Centre of Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. It honours the yearly achievements of the best industrial and graphic designers and world manufactures for their pursuit of extraordinary design excellence in 25 categories including electronics, transportation, furniture, industrial machinery, architecture and so on. Founded in 1950, and now in its 62nd year, Good Design is purportedly the world’s oldest award of its kind. Submissions to the program are judged by juries on criteria for the highest aesthetic in terms of innovative design, new technologies, form, materials, construction, concept, function, utility, and energy efficiency, and sensitivity to the environment.

Five hundred designs from 48 nations were submitted. For the category of transportation, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia won awards as car manufacturers. Nexen Tyre was sole winner among tyre manufacturers.

In response to the news, Nexen representatives pointed out that the Winguard Sport has been praised for its innovative design that

resembles a glacier and a design that is created from snowflake motif. The product is developed to enhance driving stability in winter with asymmetric tread design upgrading drainage and anti-hydroplaning and improving traction and cornering performance in both wet and snowy roads.

“We are extremely proud to receive the Good Design award followed by IF Design Award in 2011, which shows Nexen Tyre’s design competitiveness on the global stage,” said Lee Hyun Bong, CEO of Nexen Tyre.

“Nexen Tyre will continuously increase brand awareness in the global market by enhancing its design capabilities,” he added.

Tyre labelling to educate consumers The European tyre labelling regulations are set to be enacted later this year; Continental Tyres recently took the time to explain what can be expected once the legislation is in place.

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t a recent press conference in London, Continental Tyres gave an explanation of the forthcoming European tyre labelling regulations that start later this year.

As far as the wet braking category is concerned, vehicles with tyres in ‘Class A’ are set to stop in the shortest distance from 80 km/hour, whilst vehicles with tyres from ‘Class B’ will take 3-6 metres longer. This trend continues for the subsequent values and results in a braking difference of over 18 metres from a vehicle in ‘Class A’ to ‘Class F’.

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needs. For a more complete picture of how their tyres will perform out on the road, consumers can also refer to published independent tyre tests that also take into account criteria such as aquaplaning, wet handling and performance on dry roads.

The truck and bus tyre label Tyre labelling will also provide commercial end users with tangible information on each commercial vehicle tyre, making it easier to compare different brands. For example in terms of rolling resistance a tyre graded ‘Class C’ could use up to 10 per cent more fuel than a tyre graded ‘Class A’.

Tyre manufacturers will be obliged to provide a sticker on or with all tyres, which retailers must display in a clearly visible position to the end user.

The rolling resistance part of the label also operates on a letter-based scale.

For example, a tyre from ‘Class C’ will use 1 litre more fuel than that of a tyre from ‘Class B’ over a journey of 1,006 kilometres. Such values are intended to aid consumers in purchasing tyres for their individual requirements. Another environmental factor, noise level, will also be highlighted on the label with a numerical value of decibels produced.

Continental said it plans to begin labelling

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its products in June, almost as soon as the legislation permits. It is likely that other premium tyre firms we follow suit.

As far as the practical side of labelling is concerned, Conti has opted to invest in new machinery that allows it to apply two neatly aligned labels on its tyres when they come off the production line. Due to the fact that Continental wants to add its colour scheme, marketing messages and consumer information (and because what is allowed on the EU label is tightly controlled by the legislation), this can only be done with two separate labels. Again, it is not likely that other tyre manufacturers will consider a similar approach.

Tyre manufacturers will be obliged to provide a sticker on or with all tyres, which retailers must display in a clearly visible position to the end user. The vehicle manufacturer must also provide label values to consumers in case a choice of different tyres can be made on a new vehicle.

The regulation is intended to help consumers make better decisions when buying tyres but it still only covers three of the performance criteria that a tyre

“This can have a huge impact on an operator’s annual fuel bill,” said Tracey Hyem, marketing manager commercial tyres at Continental UK. “Assuming the latest pump price of approximately AUD $2.02 per litre, let’s consider a truck fitted with ‘Class A’ tyres that does 30 kms per litre averages 160,000 kms per annum.

“If this same vehicle was fitted with ‘Class C’ tyres, the increase in fuel costs could be as much as $2,234.

“This will clearly demonstrate to potential buyers that inexpensive budget brand tyres aren’t always the best solution to drive down costs,” she said.

Noise, which is particularly important to coach operators, will be shown in decibels as well as with a bar rating. Three bars shows the tyre meets the current minimum noise legislation, two bars shows that the tyre is up to three decibels quieter than the minimum and a tyre a with one bar is more than three decibels quieter.

Like rolling resistance, wet grip will be graded on a scale from A to G, and can be expressed in terms of braking distance.

The values behind the wet grip label classes are currently being finalised.

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INDUSTRY NEWS Rubber leaders to meet in Singapore in May An upcoming global meeting of rubber industry leaders will cover several aspects of the trade that are being affected by the changing world economy.

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ore than 25 CEOs and business leaders from the rubber and associated sectors are expected to speak at this year’s World Rubber Summit, including representatives from Bridgestone, Goodyear, Lanxess and Michelin.

Event organiser, the International Rubber Study Group, has announced that the summit will take place in Singapore on 22 to 24 May 2012 and be accompanied

by World Rubber Week activities.

The theme for the summit is “How rubber will BOUNCE in a volatile world” and the focus will be on examining how world leaders and global CEOs are adjusting to the rapidly changing world economy and new paradigm occurring globally that may impact the rubber industry. During the conference, panel sessions will feature discussions on how best in a volatile macroeconomic environment to strategise and harness opportunities in sectors such as automobiles, tyres, smallholder sustainability, natural and synthetic rubber innovations, commodities and pricing volatility, Development Aid plus China and India growth engines.

“We are really delighted by the strong interest and support from the Member Governments to host the World Rubber Summit 2012 in Singapore,” said Dr Stephen V. Evans, secretarygeneral of the International Rubber Study Group.

Charitable act aids in patient transport The Victorian branch of the Leukaemia Foundation recently received two Holden Commodores compliments of Bridgestone

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he Leukaemia Foundation has just received two brand new Holden Commodores – a significant resource to help the organisation provide greater support services for families affected by blood cancers.

With more than 2,500 Victorians likely to be diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders every year, access to support services for affected families is becoming increasingly important.

The Bridgestone network across Victoria is supporting the Leukaemia Foundation in its efforts to provide such services, handing over the keys to the two new vehicles that will be used to transport blood cancer patients to and from hospital.

“Bridgestone is a proud supporter of the Leukaemia Foundation and has been for 25 years,” said Ian Dougherty, Bridgestone’s Regional Retail Manager for Victoria and Tasmania.

“The Leukaemia Foundation is our sole charity; it’s a partnership that represents a commitment from all our employees and our continued page 14

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“We are continuing to grow our fleet of Leukaemia Foundation patient transport vehicles. We know this alleviates at least one of the many burdens that blood cancer patients and their families encounter.

“We’re thrilled to be handing over two new vehicles to be used across Melbourne and we’re certainly very proud that our Victorian network is able to make this contribution which is all about helping families at a time when they need it most.”

Stephanie Hechenberger, the Leukaemia Foundation’s General Manager for Victoria and Tasmania, said the organisation was delighted to receive the two new Commodores.

“They will be placed in the Leukaemia Foundation Patient Transport Program in Melbourne. Transport to and from treatment is an area of vital need for our patients and one of our most important services,” she said.

“Low immunity from treatment often means patients need a specialised transport service. We need these new Commodores to help more patients arrive at treatment safely and, excitingly, these vehicles will enable us to expand our services to southeast Melbourne.

“We are extremely grateful to Bridgestone for their ongoing support and commitment to the Leukaemia Foundation. The Foundation receives no ongoing government funding and relies on the support of organisations like Bridgestone to help improve the quality of life for people with blood cancer and their families.”Ms. Hechenberger concluded The Leukaemia Foundation is the only national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders.

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View online, shop in store Consumer think tank agency finds consumers are educating themselves more than ever by increasingly utilizing the Internet before they visit a tyre shop.

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he Japanese are changing the way they change their tyres, according to J.D. Power Asia Pacific.

The results of the company’s 2011 Japan Replacement Tyre Customer Satisfaction Index Study were released in mid January, and J.D. Power believes they show “replacement tyre shopping behaviour among vehicle owners in Japan is undergoing considerable change.” This change is said to be particularly occurring due to steadily increasing usage of the Internet during the shopping process.

The study, now in its third year,

measures customer satisfaction with replacement market summer tyres in four segments: mini-car/compact car, passenger car, mini van, and SUV. Overall customer satisfaction is based on four factors: appearance, durability/reliability, handling/ traction, and ride/quietness.

According to this year’s study, the percentage of owners who rely on the Internet when selecting tyres has increased by ten percentage points during the past three years to an average of 38 per cent in 2011. During the same period, the percentage of owners relying upon a salesperson’s recommendations has decreased by 11 percentage points to 39 per cent. Most Internet research took the form of visiting the official tyre brand websites. On average, customers visit 3.5 tyre brand websites when preparing for a purchase, and the time spent on a website during the shopping process is 15 per cent higher than the industry average.

“Vehicle owners are actively seeking information online regarding tyre performance and to compare products before visiting tyre

Floods result in tyre shortage The 2011 Thailand floods reaped havoc on many industries, and tyre manufacturers were no exception.

Goodyear has already warned of potential aviation tyre shortages due to last year’s flooding in Thailand that knocked its plant there out of action; it appears Goodyear is not the only tyre maker suffering as a result of the flooding. The Bangkok Post reported that Michelin dealers in flood-affected areas – 12 per cent of the more than 400 dealers nationwide – had ceased operating, and this was expected to be seen in the tyre maker’s Thailand sales figures for 2011.

“We’re not sure whether these dealers will reopen after the floodwater has subsided,” Segsarn Trai-Ukos, country director for the Michelin Siam Group, told the Bangkok Post.

Mr. Segsarn said the sales network closures would bring down domestic tyre sales figures, which account for 40 per cent of Michelin’s Thailand production. He said that to counter this, the company intends to increase exports.

in the mini-car/compact car segment, Michelin topped the passenger car segment (for the third consecutive year), while Bridgestone ranked highest in the mini van segment. J.D. Power didn’t include results for the SUV segment in the information. The study found that providing high levels of satisfaction has a strong positive effect on customer loyalty.

While 19 per cent of highly satisfied passenger car owners (scores averaging 710 or higher on a 1,000-point scale) indicate that they “definitely would” repurchase the same brand for their next set of replacement tyres, only four per cent of less-satisfied owners say the same.

The 2011 Japan Replacement Tyre Customer Satisfaction Index Study is based on responses from 6,835 vehicle owners within the first four to 15 months of ownership, who purchased their replacement tyres between June 2010 and May 2011. The study was fielded in September 2011.

Australian Carbon Black facility closure The last remaining carbon black facility in Australia is closing it doors and will remain in business until approximately the end of February, filling back orders.

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S-based company Koppers Holdings Inc. has announced the end of manufacturing at its Continental Carbon Australia plant in Kurnell, just south of Sydney.

The carbon black facility ended operations before Christmas and preparations for closing the plant are being made over the coming months whilst existing orders are being filled. continued next page

shops,” said Tetsushi Furuya, project manager at J.D. Power Asia Pacific. “This suggests that owners are increasingly forming judgments about which tyres to purchase before even setting foot in a shop or speaking to a salesperson.”

According to Furuya, as owners who actively seek information online prior to visiting a tyre dealer are more likely to select pricier, higher-performance tyres, it is important for tyre manufacturers to use various media that are suited to consumer needs when providing product information.

As for satisfaction and where it was found, Yokohama ranked the highest

FREECALL ORDER HOTLINE

1800 722 822 plus many more brands including Continental 15

INDUSTRY NEWS Koppers says the decision, which will affect approximately 65 employees, was taken as a result of an analysis of its manufacturing facilities; this highlighted a number of negative factors working against the Continental Carbon Australia plant, including the strong Australian dollar and raw material availability and cost.

The plant, which entered service in 1966, was formerly a major supplier of oil furnace grade carbon blacks to the Australian automotive, tyre and rubber industries. During its 45 years of operation the facility witnessed the decline and eventual end of tyre manufacturing in Australia; the country’s last factory producing new tyres, Bridgestone’s Salisbury plant in South Australia, ended operations in April 2010.

Factors aplenty with customer loyalty A UK survey reveals that whilst motorists maintain a fair amount of loyalty to where they get their cars serviced, when it comes to tyres, consumers are much more likely to shop around.

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survey commissioned by the UK’s largest fast-fitter suggests the country’s motorists are more likely to return to a garage they trust than to shop around for a lower-priced deal.

Kwik-Fit’s survey also suggests that only one in five views convenience as the most influential factor in selecting the garage they want to maintain their car. Over three quarters (78 per cent) of those asked will stay with one garage where possible, and one in three 16

(30 per cent) said they wouldn’t switch at any price. ICM Research conducted the survey amongst a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults.

45 per cent of all motorists said the most important reason for returning to the same garage they’ve used previously is because they trust it will do a good job; almost twice the number most influenced by price (24 per cent).

But how long does it take a garage to gain this valuable trust? Up to three “successful visits” for 74 per cent, according to the survey, while three per cent say it would take seven visits or more to a garage to have fully earned their confidence.

Only one in ten motorists says they don’t generally trust garages; a figure that one might have expected to be higher following a similar survey of drivers last year that suggested almost twothirds of men had experiences at garages and dealerships that were neither honest nor trustworthy.

Perhaps this contrast provides a clue as to why trustworthiness is prized above low prices.

Motorists in Wales show the most loyalty to their garage, with 44

per cent saying they wouldn’t change garages under any circumstances. Londoners are the most price-sensitive with more than four out of five (82 per cent) admitting they would switch to another garage if it were cheaper.

Shopping around more common for tyres While servicing yielded results that suggest loyalty is the most important consideration, hunting for cheaper prices on tyres was much more common. Only one in 12 drivers will try a new garage for a service or the required roadworthy test for vehicles more than 3 years old, but when it comes to tyres motorists are more willing to put loyalties to one side – over a quarter (26 per cent) say they would be prepared to go elsewhere.

Responding to the survey’s results, Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said that it is encouraging to see that even in times of financial hardship, motorists are not abandoning their loyalty to a decent garage.

“And it’s a credit to the industry that the majority of drivers who keep going to the same place do so because they have faith in its ability to get

the job done properly,” he said.

Sustainability, according to Pirelli is “an indispensable condition for a company’s future which, thanks to avant garde technologies, is able to develop more sustainable and efficient models of growth”.

“Price is also important and does factor in the average motorist’s decision of where to get their car maintained.

“That said, drivers are more willing to sacrifice loyalty for some services over others; for example, tyres seem to be the most sensitive to price changes and more motorists would be prepared to shop elsewhere for them than for any other garage service.

“To be successful over the long term it’s important for garages to score well across the board and that’s why we work especially hard to earn motorists’ trust by offering high quality service and competitive prices.

“Plus our network of over 600 centres means we’re conveniently located for the majority of motorists,” he concluded.

Sustainability conference focuses on safety Coupled with its goals of becoming the number one tyre manufacturer in the world in terms of sales, Pirelli is positioning itself as a key player at the forefront of sustainability.

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irelli hosted an international conference on safety and the environment at its Milan headquarters on 23 January, during which the company’s chairman, Marco Tronchetti Provera signed a voluntary agreement with the Ministry for the Environment and Land and Sea Protection to reduce the climate

impact deriving from activities related to the production and use of its tyres.

The conference was entitled “Driving Sustainability: a safe road to the future” and marked Pirelli’s own Sustainability Day. Pirelli says the agreement underscores its commitment to develop production systems and products that reduce environmental impact, while Marco increasing quality Tronchetti and consumer safety.

Provera Pirelli says these ideas will also help to increase its efficiency, with significant economic benefits and “an additional competitive lever on international markets, above all in those where these features are called for by law and appreciated by the consumer”.

“To speak of sustainability today,” said Provera, “means first of all to speak of

technologies which permit the constant improvement of our quality of life.

The ‘old’ Europe cannot compete with emerging countries from the point of view of production costs and internal demand, but something that can ensure our future, without doubt, is being more advanced in our search for sustainable models of industrial growth.

In this sense, Italy and Europe have developed points of excellence which they export to the rest of the world.”

The conference addressed the theme of sustainability; understood, according to Pirelli, as “an indispensable condition for a company’s future which, thanks to avant garde technologies, is able to develop more sustainable and efficient models of growth”. The company said the debate also encompassed the theme of the consumer’s role within an economic system, which in recent decades has seen profound changes in the models of development and market dynamics.

For the economist Jeremy Rifkin, the “prosumer” (the new producer-consumer), is the figure who will become ever more prevalent thanks to “distributed” capitalism, a complex figure who incarnates different and apparently conflicting interests with which companies must more frequently engage. Reconciling these interests will be a stimulus for companies to identify new models of more sustainable growth.

For Pirelli, growth also means responsibility towards the consumer, both through the protection of the environment and the development of ever-safer products.

ORDER TYRES ON-LINE 24HRS/7 DAYS

www.tyres4u.com.au plus many more brands including Continental 17

Tyres4U expands its facilities in its country wide network and adds Pirelli truck and bus tyres in its Australian distributorship network, which includes a range of brands suited for a wide variety of applications, all supported by the company’s successful national tyre emergency network.

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yres4U is expanding at a rapid pace, especially in the OE sector, but also in the wholesale market.

For example, the company’s new Victorian head office in Melbourne has nearly doubled in size due to the rapid growth of the business, and according to National OE Sales Manager, Shane Tennant, the new premises only represents the tip of the iceberg.

The new facility is one of 18 that the company retains throughout Australia, New Zealand and PNG, with thousands of tyres and wheels, as well as Original Equipment fitting and balancing and solid tyre presses used by Tyres4U’s Solid Plus Forklift Tyre Service.

“Due to growing demand we left the old 6,700m2 site behind and upgraded to 11,500m2,” said Mr. Tennant, a dedicated advocate of Australia’s commercial road transport industry.

“In fact, it is the driving force behind today’s just-in-time, low-inventory supply chain; moving almost everything that can be found in the local grocery store.

“Commercial road transport is often an overlooked national resource,” he said.

“And so it is no surprise that this

vast industry is demanding more than just a quality tyre.

“If you fit a tyre, you also want to make sure that the investment will pay off,” he added.

Tyres4U is an Australian-owned and operated wholesale organisation, specialising in the import and distribution of tyres for: • Passenger Cars • Light Truck and 4WD • Truck for Steer, Drive, Trailer and All Purpose • Agricultural/Industrial, including Earthmoving & Off the Road Special Purpose With over 30 years of operation in Australia, Tyres4U remains a truly independent organisation, providing tyres and associated services throughout Australia along with branches in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Tyres4U is quality accredited to ISO9001, ensuring that the company operates at

Tyres4U keeps custo

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best practice and to high quality standards in warehousing and distribution of truck & bus tyres throughout Australia.

Tyres4U is a member of ATIC (Australian Tyre Industry Council), AFMA (Australian Fleet Managers Association) and is a regular exhibitor at major truck and bus shows in Australia.

Tyres4U is a principal, but non-exclusive provider to Tyreright and is “proud to partner with an organisation dedicated to empowering their customers by helping them shop with the confidence that they will find the right tyre at the right price with the right advice, every time”.

Tyres4U works closely with customers to build their businesses and is well placed to assist in selecting the right tyres to satisfy specialised needs, because they have some of the most highly respected expert technical people in the Australian tyre industry.

This relationship feature is necessary in today’s fast-moving modern world because not only is tyre technology rapidly

omers

changing; there is also an unprecedented availability of superior quality tyres as alternatives to the traditional brands.

Recently, Formula One tyre supplier Pirelli appointed Tyres4U as the new Pirelli truck & bus tyre distributor in Australia. The arrangement went in

to effect on January 1st this year.

This forms part of the strategy that Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera said is to fast forward Pirelli’s goal to become the world’s leading premium tyre maker, with capital investment over the next 4 years of nearly $3 billion. The Pirelli brand

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has drawn enormous global attention and has dramatically increased its stature with its sponsorship of F1. For example, an Auto Pacific customer satisfaction study of 15,000 American car owners rated Pirelli as one of the top two overall tyre brands, but voted Pirelli as the number one ‘high performance’ tyre on the market.

Pirelli – headquartered in Milan, Italy - has manufactured truck tyres for 100 years and has developed a wide portfolio of truck tyres segmented on the concept of severity, as the normal division between “on/off road” truck tyres is sub-classified according to the severity of the driving surface.

The combination of severity and vehicle type provides the optimal tyre specification for steer, drive and trailer axles of Australia’s trucks and buses.

Radial or Pirelli tyres, because it is our goal to get you back on the road as soon as possible following a tyre related emergency.

Tyre4U’s corporate motto is We keep you moving – and the aspiring company takes the statement very seriously. The Ten-24 network alone can draw back on 200 locations strategically located along the major highway routes throughout the country to ensure that any truck or trailer related emergency is promptly attended to.

“Service agents are on call any time of the day, any day of the year, with the aim of getting the problem fixed within three hours of receiving the phone call,” Mr. Tennant explained.

Pirelli’s truck tyres are designed and manufactured to remain durable over extended periods of time, underpinned by a strong philosophy of safety that is supported by the company’s slogan, Power is nothing without control.

In Australia, both Pirelli and Tyres4U aim to satisfy the needs of transport fleets and owner-drivers with innovative solutions to improve safety, fuel economy, performance and productivity.

Pirelli has utilised its exclusive ‘Spiral Advanced Technology’ to launch ecofriendly truck tyres that offer fuel-saving low rolling resistance, maintain resistance to road wear and provide excellent grip for safe driving on wet and dry roads.

The brand new Series:01 Pirelli truck tyres are the first of a new generation designed to provide customer cost efficiency and compliance with the most stringent environmental impact regulations. These tyres feature ‘ECOIMPACT’ symbols such as high mileage, high retreadability, energy efficiency and low noise levels for driver comfort, safety and reduced environmental impacts, which fulfil the 2012 European Union legislated directives.

“We don’t just sell a tyre, but we commit to our product,” said Tyres4U’s Mr. Tennant.

That’s why Tyres4U invented Ten-24, an Australia wide emergency tyre service.

“We offer a free Ten-24 membership for the first year to those who purchase a new truck or trailer with Double Coin, GT 20

“In fact, Australia is the ultimate proving ground for every product, so the technology we have access to is literally up-to-the-minute.

“We want to forge ahead as there is always space to grow, and we can see huge growth potential in the Australian marketplace.

“Australia can only profit from the international know-how we have gained so far, and we can only recommend choosing a reliable partner when choosing a tyre.” he said.

According to Mr. Tennant, tyre choice and management is still treated as an orphan in modern truck maintenance.

“Although often neglected, correct tyre choice, carefully maintained tyre pressure and regular wheel alignment have a well-proven effect on fuel consumption,” he said.

“I know that tyre management is an unglamorous part of the job, and the many variables involved in tyre usage mean a proactive management regime is needed to ensure both tyre and fuel use are optimised.

“When a tyre emergency strikes, members can simply call the TEN-24 central control room which will arrange the service and provide an estimated time of arrival.

“It is such add-on value as this that has made Tyres4U grow into the strong, national corporation it is today.

“After the first year, members can renew for a nominal charge of only $60, which is reasonable in comparison to the cost of a single emergency call-out.

“Our clientele is spoilt for choice - they can choose between Asia’s leading forces in tyre technology and Italy’s finest tyre brand.

“But, our dedicated service team is happy to assist in choosing the right model for the right application,” he added.

Tyres4U is constantly exchanging information with the tyre companies they represent.

“We give regular feedback to the most advanced R&D departments in the world to ensure every product is well suited for Australia’s harsh environment,” Mr. Tennant continued.

“There is a lot of work involved in simply keeping the correct tyre on the correct wheel, at the correct pressure and correctly aligned.

“But, operators who run an efficient and well-managed tyre management system can also expect a substantial reduction in tyre wear, getting many more kilometres out of each individual tyre casing.

“Therefore, good management can result in a substantial reduction in overall cost and carbon emission,” he said.

Tyres4U, for instance, offers a nitrogen filling service to reduce the overall tyre temperature and thereby reduce wear. In addition, low-weight aluminium wheels can be used to further improve fuel savings.

“We stock and fit a whole range of aluminium wheels, like our tried and proven Centurion brand and, of course, Alcoa,” said Mr. Tennant, emphasizing that Tyres4U offers a tyre service that can offer more than just tyre fitting.

“At the end of the day, we don’t see ourselves as a simple tyre dealer. We want to know where you use a tyre, how often you use it, and which vehicle you will fit it to. We offer the complete solution,” Mr. Tennant concluded.

National Network

So many good reasons why you should join Tyres & More!

• The significant strength of the Yokohama brand • Large National network of stores • The only Female Friendly accredited stores in Australia • We offer a wide range of profitable Safety Products

The Benefits of Joining • No Entry Cost • No payback for signage and painting • We provide a substantial investment in your business • Effective National Marketing, Advertising and Internet campaigns • Retail Call centre to direct customers straight to you • All the leading brands • Your name on your building • Excellent Support and ongoing training • Preferential Pricing • Flexible Range of Profit Modules • Excellent Rebate Program • National Conferences • Manufacturer Backed

Tyres & More breaks away from the mould of the traditional tyre shops. Our stores offer clean, welcoming, friendly surroundings to improve our customers’ experience and to keep them returning to their local Tyres & More store.

The name Tyres & More was created with specific intentions. The “More” represents the extras, the added value, the range of products and services and the lengths we will go to in order to ensure our customers leave happy and return happy.

Yokohama and Tyres & More are kept geographically exclusive to provide better margins and more customers for your business.

For a confidential chat, contact Grant McGregor on 0411 896 347 Yokohama - Tyres & More National Retail Manager gmcgregor@tyresandmore.com.au www.tyresandmore.com.au

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INNOVATION Exxium unveiled at tyre expo A new tyre technology utilises a design approach that completely rethinks the machine’s purpose.

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t the recent Tyre Technology Expo show in Germany, rubber and tyre machinery supplier the VMI Group introduced its latest car and light commercial vehicle tyrebuilding machine, the Exxium.

The new machine is based on VMI’s patented Maxx technology and can handle 12 to 24-inch rim diameter tyres. VMI says the Exxium combines high production efficiency and tyre quality with the flexibility to handle a wide range of tyre designs, and the unit can produce in both hands-off mode or with the assistance of an operator; an operator is typically required for more complex tyre designs such as those with additional full rubber components, steel and/or fabric chafer strips.

Typical Exxium cycle time with

VMI states the Exxium builds upon and improves the Maxx concept through its employment of a complete ultra high productivity hands-off and eyes-off philosophy, featuring robots and requiring special VMI apexed bead stacking equipment.

The Exxium combines high production efficiency and tyre quality with the flexibility to Conti’s new handle a wide range tyre for electric cars of tyre designs. a regular tyre is 44 seconds.

Maxx technology is described by the Dutch machinery supplier as a design approach that completely rethinks the machine’s purpose. In developing equipment using this technology, VMI says it questioned the conventions that led to prior and current designs, applied new designs and the latest technologies, and simplified wherever possible.

The Exxium is the third VMI line to utilise Maxx technology; other Maxx additions to the VMI product portfolio over the last two years include the Maxx car tyre building machine and the EdgiQ breaker cutter-splicer.

Continental eyes the growing electric car market and has collaboratively developed a tyre for this sector.

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ccording to Continental, an estimated 2.8 million electric vehicles will be registered worldwide and on the road by 2020.

To cater to this currently small, yet fast-growing market, the tyre maker has introduced the Conti.eContact, a new tyre range featuring dimensions specifically aimed at electric vehicles.

Developed in cooperation with unnamed European car manufacturers, the Conti.eContact introduces new tyre dimensions with a larger outer diameter, such as 195/55R20, instead of a traditional 205/55R16. This concept, Continental said, results in substantially reduced rolling resistance. A more flexible tyre sidewall helps result in less energy loss when deflecting or rebounding.

Continental said its tyre engineers

22

were required to start with a new approach to the Conti.eContact whilst still ensuring the tyre excelled at wet braking. The new tyre thus features wide circumferential grooves, optimised tread depth, a flat contour and smooth off-shoulder design. According to Conti, these combine to make “an extremely efficient and durable tyre for the electric vehicle market.”

The tyre will be visually identifiable by the name ‘Blueco’ on its sidewall.

Continental reported that the Conti. eContact will initially be a niche product in the U.K., but a growing charge infrastructure for electric vehicles and government incentives are likely to aid uptake and a move away from traditional petrol and diesel engines. The new tyre will be available in the U.K. from this year in sizes 125/80R13 and 145/40R13.

Linglong’s new bladder improves performance Linglong Tyre develops a new generation curing bladder that reduces tyre cavity shoulder channeling whilst prolonging bladder service life.

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inglong Tyre reports the successful implementation of new generation curing bladders in its production process. The new bladder, type ZB16E, was developed to address the issues of tyre cavity shoulder channeling, exposed cord in the shoulder and bladder longevity during the production of low profile, high performance tyres. Linglong reports the ZB16E bladder differs in shape from traditional bladders and utilises an “adopted S-shape design” that reportedly provides a better connection between bladder and tyre cavity.

The new design is said to improve the expansion ratio of different parts of the bladder, the effect of which is reduced shoulder deformation. During

a three-month test period, the new bladder replaced older designs in the curing of size 215/35R18, 205/40R17, 205/45R17 and 205/45R16 tyres; Linglong reports that the use of the ZB16E bladder reduced tyre cavity shoulder channeling and exposed cord in the shoulder by 80 per cent and prolonged bladder service life by 40 per cent.

of Windows Netbook PC - namely a powerful Intel Atom processor - complete with 2GB RAM memory. In addition, it features a 32 Gb solid-state disk (which therefore has no moving parts) guaranteeing durability, lower power consumption and less overheating.

iPads in the workshop

Equipped with WiFi as standard, the system is able to download all updates via the Internet. In addition there is Bluetooth to enable dialogue with all the TEXA interfaces devoted to individual repairs. On-board equipment features a VGA camera for documenting and saving specific stages of work. This is also said to be handy during the spare parts purchase process and video assistance service. This and the onboard speakers are both fully waterproof.

Workshop technology continues to morph in to previously unimagined heights of multifunctionality.

Axone 4 is 100 per cent pass through compatible and capable of carrying out all ECU reprogramming operations/key encoding in accordance with SAE J2534 and ISO 22900, simply connecting to the manufacturer’s servers via the Internet.

ave you seen the adverts where the surgeons, teachers and housewives seem to be able to do virtually any daily task with the aid of their iPad? Well with the launch of the Axone 4 diagnostics tablet, Italian garage technology manufacturer Texa aims to bring this mentality into garages. The Axone 4 features a large 9.7” TFT touch screen, capable of high-resolution graphics (1280 x 1024). All processes take place by keying directly onto the screen (where, when necessary, the software brings up a drop-down keypad), whilst the frame only features an on/off switch and a multifunction button.

In addition, the Axone 4 includes remote assistance. If a mechanic has Wi-Fi connection, he can call up the Texa call centre and, if necessary, the TEXA call centre operator can remote “enter” the Axone 4 and make any changes and checks as may prove necessary. There is even talk of the Axone 4 being fitted with a navigation software module complete with GPS maps, thereby becoming the perfect navigator allowing you to reach the broken-down vehicle directly.

The Chinese tyre maker has applied for a patent for this new design and says it will increasingly use it during the production of low profile tyres – a measure it says will make Linglong tyres more competitive in the market.

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Like most modern consumer products, the Axone 4 has been fitted with an accelerometer that allows for the vertical to horizontal rotation of the image, according to the instrument position, allowing mechanics the preferred option. The system is driven by the power

As you would imagine, the system enjoys all the options linked to the IDC4 operative environment and can therefore access

INNOVATION the “Solved problems” functions, to the TGS2 system, the enormous database of vehicle scheduled maintenance tables, system technical data sheets, system wiring diagrams, new customer management and test archives.

New inks for tyre lettering new tyre printing technology will reduce the weight of the tyre.

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yres have traditionally been round and black, but Bridgestone is set to change this. The Japanese manufacturer announced in mid January that it has developed a new printing technology for tyres – a technology Bridgestone calls revolutionary and says differs from any tyre printing or colouring process presently on the market.

Current technology centres on the application of white rubber to tyre sidewalls to produce white ribbon or white letter tyres. This process, says Bridgestone, requires the use of large

amounts of white rubber to prevent discoloration and to maintain durability. It can also add weight to the tyre. Bridgestone’s tyre printing technology utilises newly developed inks; these are protected against discolouration from the tyre by a protective layer and from external damage on the surface by another protective layer. Through this new technology, Bridgestone says it can “realise the more creative showcase of tyres while also considering environmental concerns such as fuel efficiency.” By this, the tyre maker means the process does not burden tyres with any additional weight.

Bridgestone plans to quickly bring this tyre printing technology to market and states it will “continue to explore the many opportunities associated with this new tyre printing technology.”

An example of this mentioned by Bridgestone is the application of original customer designs or photographs to tyre sidewalls. These would be able to be later changed or removed if and when the customer chooses.

Thoroughly modern tyre recycling A UK company is utilizing a new technology to extract the constituent parts of disused tyres, including carbon black, steel, oil and gas.

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yreco, the company behind the proposed Teesside (UK) tyre pyrolysis plant, has given a series of presentations to potential suppliers.

Richard Tweddle, manager of Pyreco, addressed members of the EEIF (Energy and Environmental Industries Forum) in December to discuss plans for its planned AUD $125 million pyrolysis plant. The plant, which will be the first of its kind in Europe, will be situated in Wilton on Teesside, and will use specialist technology to deconstruct tyres into their constituent parts, including carbon black, steel, oil and gas.

Pyrolysis is the application of heat to chemical compounds in order to cause decomposition.

Richard Tweddle said that this is a new technology with so much potential and the Tyre pyrolysis oil site is the ideal place to have the plant because of the region’s facilities, infrastructure, knowledge base and supply chain.

“Pyrolysis is much more than recycling. It processes used tyres, which are currently buried in landfill, incinerated or illegally dumped, to recover all the valuable components which were used in the initial manufacturing process,” he explained. continued page 27 24

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25

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INNOVATION Carbon black will be sold back to tyre manufacturers for new tyres, while the high-tensile steel will also be sold on.

The retrieved oil and gas will be used to generate electricity at the Wilton site.

“The more people in the industry and the region who know about pyrolysis and the benefits it can bring the better so I am grateful to the EEIF for the chance to spread the word about the plant,” he concluded.

Trials to begin with new Dunlop aircraft tyre A young aircraft tyre scientist is recognised for his work in developing a new compound that reduces heat build up whilst increasing its abrasive resistance.

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scientist at Birminghambased Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has been recognised for his work in developing a new tread compound that could increase the tyre life and reduce operating costs for airlines.

James O’Callaghan, 26, from Erdington received the Sue Panteny Award from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. While developing the new compound, O’Callaghan studied one-day a week for a polymer technology degree at Staffordshire University, which he passed

with first class honours last summer.

The new compound reduces the heat build up of the tyre and increases its abrasive resistance. Following extensive internal testing, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres will initiate controlled trials across various aircraft across Europe before deciding whether to incorporate it into new products.

“I’m delighted that another one of our employees has been recognised for their pioneering work,” said Ian Edmondson, chairman, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres.

“We work in a competitive marketplace and it is through continual innovation that we will remain at the forefront of the aircraft tyre industry.

“Tyre manufacturers face constant pressure to improve performance and reduce aircraft operators’ costs. James’ work shows how we continue to lead the way in this field. I congratulate James on his first class honours degree and on securing this fantastic recognition from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining,” he added.

“We work in a competitive marketplace and it is through continual innovation that we will remain at the forefront of the aircraft tyre industry.”

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SPORTS The rise of drifting Drifting lifts its profile via Top Gear website.

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alken’s 2011 British Drift Champion, Matt Carter and his teammate, Paul Cheshire, have marked British television programme and magazine Top Gear’s ascension to 10 million Facebook fans.

Using a number of Sumitomo brands, Falken’s FK452 tyres, and a stretch of old runway in Oxfordshire and two of its cars, the drift drivers used techniques from the sport to write the number 10 on the tarmac. A video of the stunt, completed in a single take, is available on the Top Gear website.

Falken is building a relationship with the globally popular Top Gear brand through its successful Drifting team, having taught its website writer, Vijay Pattni how to drift – described vividly in an August article at topgear.com. For his part, Cheshire said that the team was interested in promoting drifting: “We just want to get more people interested in the sport,” he told Top Gear. With

Linglong holds a banquet for the Chinese women’s volleyball team

“With Linglong Tyre’s powerful support, Chinese Women Volleyball is making remarkable progress.” tyre brands such as Falken and Maxxis, whose sponsored drifting team, Japspeed recently appeared at Top Gear Live, supporting the growth of drifting, and the focus on tyres it provides, it is clear how this sort of growth in interest can benefit them, too.

Going for gold Linglong’s sponsorship of its home country’s women’s volleyball team has aided the squad in qualifying for the London Olympic Games.

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hina’s women’s national volleyball team finished third in a recent 12-team tournament in one of the main qualifying tournaments for the 2012 Olympics, assuring it a berth in London this year.

Team sponsor Linglong Tyres praised the 18 players for showing the “spirit of Chinese women’s volleyball” to the world.

“With Linglong Tyre’s powerful support, Chinese Women Volleyball is making remarkable progress,” the Chinese tyre maker said in a statement. Linglong has sponsored the Chinese women’s volleyball team since March 2011.

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SPORTS F1 tyre alterations for 2012 season Pirelli has optimised the compounds and profiles of its F1 tyres to guarantee better and more stable performance, with deliberate degradation.

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ormula One tyre supplier, Pirelli, presented its 2012 range of tyres for the 63rd FIA World Championship at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. Responding to new aerodynamic regulations regarding blown exhausts, the tyres have been developed with squarer profiles, in addition to previously promised characteristics such as softer, more competitive compounds with consistent degradation. Pirelli says this will make races more entertaining, less predictable; and will make team strategies more important The other change is one of branding – Pirelli has reinstated the Cinturato name from the

1950s. Wet and intermediate tyres will feature Cinturato branding.

The Cinturato made its debut in 1951 on Juan Manuel Fangio’s Alfa 159, taking him to championship victory. The Cinturato competed in Formula One up to the mid1950s, after which it became a road car tyre for sporting and technically advanced cars.

Pirelli introduced its new F1 tyre range at an international press conference on 25 January.

Research and Development director Maurizio Boiocchi said that after the positive experience of last year, the teams asked Pirelli to continue providing tyres with the characteristics that contributed to spectacular races in 2011.

“And this is what we have done, optimising the compounds and profiles in order to guarantee even better and more stable performance, combined with the deliberate degradation that characterised the P Zero range from 2011,” he said.

“We’re expecting unpredictable races, with a wide range of strategies and a number of pit stops: all factors that both competitors and spectators greatly enjoyed last year.

“The development work on the new compounds took place throughout the 2011 season, thanks to the impressive learning curve and reaction times from our engineers, who are ready to continue those evolutions during the season ahead,” he added.

Pirelli’s P Zero slick tyres will feature a new profile, with three (soft, medium and hard) new, softer compounds, which Pirelli said will feature a longer performance peak, though not lifespan.

The full wet – the Cinturato Blue – has a new compound, while the intermediate tyre – the Cinturato Green – is unaltered.

The evolution of the Pirelli tyres for 2012 has also taken into account the regulation changes introduced by the FIA regarding blown exhausts. This new measure, which should result in a reduction of aerodynamic downforce acting on each tyre, requires a wider and more even contact patch; hence the less rounded shoulder on each tyre and softer compounds.

In addition to the tyre developments, Pirelli’s Racing Tyre System platform will help Pirelli’s engineers to record the behaviour and performance of each tyre. This information will be shared with the teams and Formula One Management. After each tyre has been made in the Izmit (Turkey) factory – where all of Pirelli’s competition tyres are produced – the RTS registers the construction data of each tyre as a type of individual passport.

The information on each tyre is built up as it arrives at a circuit and gets fitted onto a car.

From that point on, the tyre’s temperature, pressure and wear rate are all registered and made immediately available to Pirelli’s engineers on the track, using special tablet computers, as well as to Pirelli’s research division in Milan and to all the teams.

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For more information visit www.mtaasuper.com.au Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238 718) is the Trustee of MTAA Superannuation Fund (ABN 74 559 365 913). You should consider whether motor trader queensland 25 or not MTAA Super is appropriate for you. The MTAA Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) can be obtained by calling us on 1300 362 415. You should consider the PDS in making a decision.

SPORTS Fitting 3,500 tyres in one day Dunlop tyre technicians make quick work at the Dubai 24 hour race.

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he battle of the Supercars in the Dunlop Dubai 24 hour race is made possible by the frenetic activities of tyre-fitters in the pit lane, which the tyre supplier calls “the world’s busiest fast fit centre”.

During the 24-hour race in mid January, the Dunlop team fitted over 3500 racing tyres. At peak times, during the opening stages of the race when all the cars were competing, the team was fitting, inflating and balancing a Dunlop tyre every 15 seconds.

“This is probably the biggest and fastest weekend tyre fitting operation in the world. If any tyre dealer or fast-fit centre has fitted more than 3,500 tyres in one day we’d love to hear from them to learn how they did it!” said Jean-Felix Bazelin, general manager, Dunlop Motorsport.

Dunlop set up a tyre fitting production line in a temporary structure in Dubai, staffed by expert tyre fitters from seven different

and efficiency of the Dunlop technicians. Their new record is a victory in the tyre-fitting world championship,” added Bazelin.

“This is probably the biggest and fastest weekend tyre Wanted: F1 fitting operation test car The hunt is on for a in the world. If test vehicle for the 2013 any tyre dealer Formula One season. or fast-fit centre ith the 2012 season here, Formula One’s has fitted more tyre supplier, Pirelli, is looking towards 2013 we’d love to hear to develop its product further; however, developments have hit a how they did it!” roadblock due to the unavailability

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of a suitable testing vehicle. countries. The company designed a process flow that included six fitting and balancing machines, upgrading the motors on the machines to improve fitting speed by 50 per cent.

“When supplying high-profile races, we talk a lot about the technology in our tyres.

However, Paul Hembry none of our success would be possible without the professionalism

Pirelli’s Motorsport director, Paul Hembery said that its hunt for a car is being compromised

by F1 teams’ resistance to the possibility of any team gaining an advantage by donating its car to the tyre supplier.

“There has been a suggestion that we could modify the 2009 Toyota, but it’s not a realistic proposition,” Hembery explained.

He also said that the extended wait for F1 teams to reach a consensus could result in Pirelli approaching a team individually. He also explained that the company was not interested in favouring one team; indeed, the company will share its data openly, while Pirelli will use its own test driver to perform the work.

One other solution that Hembery calls “quite possible” is for every team to be given products and a black box to generate data for the manufacturer itself. However, the director stressed the necessity of performing tests in “a number of sessions” in order to develop its 2013 specification.

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