Bridgestone Wins Fiat Qualitas Award
GP Appointed UK Distributor for Gabriel
"Back Off", Warns Kwik-Fit
Halesowen Dealership Joins First Stop Network
Cooper Confirmed as Western Power Supplier
Michelin Intros Temperature Sensitive Advertising on YAHOO!
Hankook signs up David Higgins for China Rally and Wales Rally GB
Scottish Campaign Receives Wide Coverage
Depot Facelift adds to Bright Outlook for Sheffield dealership

Bridgestone Wins Fiat Qualitas Award

Bridgestone was honoured with the Qualitas Award at the Fiat Suppliers' Convention 2006 recently. In a ceremony at the Lingotto location in Turin, Bridgestone was cited for its constant pro-activity and support in the development of tyres for Fiat Group car models.

The convention is an annual event at which Fiat informs suppliers of current status and future programmes, as well as acknowledging partners who have distinguished themselves through high-quality performance during the previous year. Among the prominent figures present for the Fiat group were Mr. Coda, Vice President Purchasing; Mr. Marchionne, Managing Director Fiat Group and Fiat Auto; Mr. Schwarzwald, Vice President Quality Dept.; and Mr. Ketter, Vice President Manufacturing.

An audience of around 950 saw the award received by Mr Carlo Stella, General Manager Original Equipment Bridgestone Italy, who thanked Fiat for their recognition and appreciation of Bridgestone's demanding and pro-active work.

This is the third time that Bridgestone has received the Fiat Qualitas Award since 1998. On this occasion, Bridgestone was one of only 37 suppliers from a total of 500 to share the limelight.

GP Appointed UK Distributor for Gabriel

GP Automotive has reached an agreement with ArvinMeritor to be a UK wide distributor for the Gabriel brand of shock absorbers. GP Automotive will distribute the complete Gabriel range of shock absorbers, protection kits and strut mounting kits, which currently comprises 1800 part numbers covering more than 6300 passenger car and LCV applications.

GP is signalling the launch of the Gabriel brand with a customer promotion, customer conversion package and salesforce incentives and will be working closely with the ArvinMeritor sales team to develop the brand within the UK market.

Graham Trevitt, Managing Director, said: "The addition of the Gabriel brand to our existing portfolio is a major step forward for GP Automotive. Gabriel is an OE quality brand and highly regarded in the global automotive industry for its extensive research and development in producing products of exceptional quality. This, coupled with GP's investment in stock, technical support and availability will ensure customers have everything required to profit from the Gabriel brand and play a key role in establishing it as a market leader in shock absorbers."

Following the announcement of GP's partnership with ArvinMeritor, the warehouse distributor will no longer be selling Sachs shock absorbers.

"Back Off", Warns Kwik-Fit

Kwik-Fit has issued a warning to Britain's motorists to 'back-off' after its research found that over half (56%) of UK motorists admit to driving too close to the vehicle in front - a contributory factor in 7% of road accidents in Britain last year.

The Highway Code provides clear rules on the distance that drivers should leave between themselves and the vehicle in front yet when tested, 90% of motorists underestimated the distance required to stop a car at 30, 50 and 70mph. The biggest underestimation was at 70mph where the correct figure is 96 metres. On average, motorists believed the stopping distance to be 61 metres, almost nine car lengths too shortKwik-Fit's safety concerns deepen by the fact that one car in ten has a tread depth below the legal 1.6mm threshold.

David White, customer service director at Kwik-Fit commented: The technology and stopping power of today's cars can lull you into a false sense of security and any motorists who think they've forgotten recommended stopping distances should revisit the Highway Code to refresh their memory. But it's also vital that they check the condition of their tyres. No matter how powerful your brakes or how sharp your reactions, if you're driving on tyres that should really be in retirement it will take you longer to stop, particularly in wet and wintry conditions.

Motorists who are concerned about the condition of their tyres and are unsure how to measure their tyre tread depth should take advantage of a free tyre check-up at any of Kwik-Fit's centres across the UK.

Halesowen Dealership Joins First Stop Network

Employees at a Halesowen tyre dealership are toasting the dawn of a new era after joining forces with Bridgestone. Fast Fit Plus, on Bromsgrove Road, has joined the company's First Stop network of tyre dealerships, a move that will enable the business to retain its independent status while benefiting from the kudos and support of a direct association with the world's largest tyre manufacturer.

"Joining the First Stop network offers the best of both worlds for Fast Fit Plus, " explained Jason Thoms, who runs the dealership with fellow director Colin Anderson. "We have the freedom to run the business as we choose on a day-to-day basis, safe in the knowledge that there is a network of support available in terms of training, merchandising, customer relations and promotions should we need it. It's a great position to be in, and the move provides the perfect foundation for us to take the business forward."

Jason and Colin opened Fast Fit Plus in September 2004, calling on more than 45 years collective tyre trade experience with large tyre retailers. They employ two further technicians at the depot, working as a team to provide a comprehensive range of services for motorists, including specialist wheel alignment and run-flat tyre replacement.

Jason added: "Colin and I spent many, many years working as part of a large organisation, so opening our own business was a big decision to make. However, the time was right to move on, and we knew we had the knowledge, experience and contacts to make the dealership work. "We've enjoyed an excellent relationship with Bridgestone and Firestone over the years, and it's the only manufacturer we'd ever consider being directly associated with."

Neil Cleaver, business development manager for Bridgestone UK, said: "Fast Fit Plus is a professionally-run business that will add further strength in depth to our growing First Stop network. Jason, Colin and the team are steeped in tyre knowledge and expertise, and are hungry for success. We're thrilled to have them on board and look forward to forging a successful partnership together."

Cooper Confirmed as Western Power Supplier

Cooper Tires has been confirmed as the sole supplier of rubber for Western Power Distribution's fleet of Ford Ranger 4x4 vehicles. The fleet of 80 vehicles will be fitted with Cooper's trusted Discoverer ST tyres, helping WPD to service its 2.5 million customers in South West England and Wales. The contract is Cooper's first with a major UK utility company.

The ST will be perfect for WPD's fleet, which operates in some of the most diverse and beautiful terrain in the UK, from the highly-populated cities of Bristol and Cardiff, to rugged coastlines in Cornwall and the Gower peninsula and remote, rural areas like Dartmoor and the Brecon Beacons. Designed with the adventurous pursuits of rock-climbing and mud-eating in mind, the ST offers enhanced durability and increased puncture resistance off the road, whilst retaining outstanding grip and handling characteristics on the road.

Cooper Tire's Senior National Account Manager, Simon Michael, said: "WPD already fits our Avon products to its car and van fleets, and trusting their 4x4s with us is testimony to the quality of our products. WPD's tyre expenditure will be significantly reduced, whilst ensuring the fleet is kept fully mobile 24 hours a day. We will continue to work very closely with ATS Euromaster Ltd to ensure that WPD is serviced to a very high standard."

WPD fleet manager John Brooks said: "We need to be prompt and reliable. The vehicles and equipment WPD operate must be robust and of sufficient quality to meet our customer's needs, and that was the business driver to adopt the Cooper ST, following a successful trial.

Michelin Intros Temperature Sensitive Advertising on YAHOO!

Michelin and Internet search-engine, YAHOO! UK & IRELAND have created a media first by developing the first search-engine campaign that promotes Michelin cold weather tyres only when the requested weather forecast shows that temperatures are likely to fall below 7°C: the temperature below which we should all be switching to cold weather tyres.

Below 7°C, the rubber of normal tyres hardens and grip levels reduce; whereas the rubber in cold weather tyres retains its elasticity in cold weather and grips better, cuts braking distances and lasts as long as summer tyres. This information service, which runs from November, is for YAHOO! users who check the online weather forecast. From the details users input when creating their YAHOO! account, the site identifies whether cold weather tyre information would be appropriate and launches if the criteria fits and the forecast temperature would require cold weather tyres.

Michelin aims to educate British and Irish motorists to switch to cold weather tyres in the winter months, just like 60% of their continental counterparts who fit their cars with cold weather tyres as the temperature drops below 7°C.

Hankook signs up David Higgins for China Rally and Wales Rally GB

Korean Tyre manufacturer Hankook has joined forces with former British Rally Champion David Higgins on the final round of the China Rally Championship and of the World Rally Championship. The Welsh-based Manxman worked with Hankook earlier this year when he drove to an impressive third overall in the Lurgan Park Rally and the parties were delighted to be reunited on these two key events.

Scottish Campaign Receives Wide Coverage

This year's Scottish Tyre Safety Week campaign, arranged by the Tyre Industry Council last month, gained a record level of media coverage including a series of radio interviews conducted by TIC road safety advisor Ken Malcolm. The coverage generated by radio reached over 900,000 listeners throughout Scotland - one fifth of the population - with the major focus on Edinburgh and Glasgow. In all, tyre safety messages enjoyed almost four and a half hours of coverage on 18 Scottish radio stations.

This year's campaign was launched at the Fort Shopping Centre close to Glasgow where motorists were offered free tyre safety checks. Initial results from these checks have revealed that almost 30% of cars on the roads in Scotland required at least one tyre replaced because they were illegal or badly worn.

Depot Facelift adds to Bright Outlook for Sheffield dealership

A Sheffield First Stop tyre dealership is marking its twentieth anniversary in style with an investment in stunning new-look premises. To celebrate the 20-year milestone, the company's flagship depot has been extensively refurbished - a move that will enable the business to expand still further.

"We've come a long, long way over the past 20 years and the refurbishment of our Rutland Road depot is testament to the progress we've made," said Martin Worth, who runs Steadfast with wife Theresa. "The depot looks fantastic with all the work that's taken place, and it shows just how much we've grown and matured as a business. We've always prided ourselves as professional operators committed to providing the highest possible levels of customer care and service - and now we have the facilities to match."

Work at Steadfast has largely focused on modernising the reception area to improve facilities for customers. Storage capacity has also increased, with new racking to accommodate a greater selection of tyres in more sizes. The business collectively employs 20 employees at its two city centre sites, and has won several awards for outstanding customer service in Bridgestone's First Stop Stars awards scheme.