Ambassadors for Tyre Safety Recognised by TIC
AA to Close Service Centres
UK Team Selected for Arctic Challenge
Michelin Confirms Global No.1 Status
Safe Winter Driving with Retreaded Winter Tyres
Model Tyre Retailer Wanted for The Aftermarket Show
'Matador's Aim to Tame the Bulldog'
First Stop Outlets Achieve Five Star Status
Michelin Claims Triple World Championship Success

Ambassadors for Tyre Safety Recognised by TIC

Entyrety, as sole sponsor of the Tyre Industry Council's (TIC) Awards, was delighted to announce this year's winners at the Rubber Industry Dinner, held this year at the Hanover International Hotel in Hinckley on 8th October. These increasingly coveted annual awards recognise and reward outstanding contributions to the work of the TIC in the areas of tyre safety and awareness.

Derbyshire Constabulary was awarded the TIC Tyre Safety Professionals Award for their consistent support of the TIC tyre safety initiatives over the past eight years. Brian Smith, chairman of the TIC, commented, "The Derbyshire Constabulary annual vehicle condition check has always majored on tyres and their support for the TIC tyre safety initiative has always been from the highest levels within the force." Runners-up for the award were Tesco plc for their consistent high-level support for the tyre safety clinics and Leicestershire County Council Road Safety Team for their expanded involvement in promoting tyre safety.

National Tyres and Autocare won the TIC Tyre Safety Industry Award for pioneering the development of the tyre safety clinic programme at major supermarkets.Brian Smith added, "Alongside developing and producing specific tyre safety material to support the clinics, National Tyres and Autocare has also worked closely with supermarkets to maximize the effectiveness for customers." Runners-up for the award were North Eastern Tyres for their support of the hugely successful North East England Tyre Safety Campaign and Craighill Tyres of Irvine for their consistent and loyal support of the TIC over many years.

Roy Yeomans of Entyrety said: "We would like to congratulate all the winners on their success and we are delighted to be part of such a worthwhile event."

AA to Close Service Centres

The AA has announced that it is to close its 122 Service Centres and form a new business relationship with Nationwide Autocentres, the UK's largest independent car servicing and MoT provider. Nationwide plans to take ownership of 50 AA centres, bringing their total to 225. All of these centres would become AA-Approved service providers for AA members and customers, audited by the AA.

Tim Parker, the AA's chief executive, says: "We believe this will provide a better service to our members and customers. Currently, with our 122 service centres, we are unable to provide a comprehensive service across the UK. Through this new partnership, more of our members will have closer access to nearly double the number of sites and a service that is audited to AA standards. "The AA centres have not been profitable and we believe that the arrangement we are proposing is the best long-term solution for our members and customers."

At the same time, the AA has announced that it intends to close AA Tyre Fit, which currently provides national coverage of mobile tyre fitting through a fleet of 130 vehicles; and its Vehicle Inspections business, currently offering inspections on used cars for consumers. Both businesses are operating at a loss.

UK Team Selected for Arctic Challenge

The 2005 Fulda Challenge UK team has been selected following a gruelling final elimination event held in Sulden/South Tyrol in Italy. The ultimate two-person team - Richard Jackson, an Offshore Engineer from Newcastle and Emmie Gribble, a Marketing Manager (and former BBC SAS Desert Are You Tough Enough? competitor) from London - will now face the arctic adventure of a lifetime when they represent the UK in the fifth Fulda Challenge. Runners-up Greame Hobson and Claire Blewden narrowly missed team selection but will maintain their fitness and remain on stand-by.

The Fulda Challenge, one of the world's toughest adventures will take place in the Yukon Territory from 29 January to 8 February 2005. The Yukon is situated in the Canadian Cordillera - a mountainous belt with a sub-zero climate. As well as experiencing the magnificent scenery, the team will undertake a series of demanding activities including ice climbing, cross country skiing, mountain bike racing, chasm crossing, snowshoe trekking and much more. The two-person team was picked following a national selection event held in Italy between 30 September and 3 October.

Michelin Confirms Global No.1 Status

In 2003, Michelin confirmed its position as the world's leading tyre manufacturer for the third consecutive year, with a 20.1% share of the global tyre market, according to Tire Business, a leading US monthly trade magazine. The figures were published in Tire Business's "Global Tire Report", which ranks the world's 75 tyre manufacturers according to tyre specific sales.

Safe Winter Driving with Retreaded Winter Tyres

With the winter months rapidly approaching, the Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA) is advising motorists to check the condition and tread depth of their tyres in order to make sure they are equipped to face the rigours of winter driving conditions. At the same time, the Association is promoting the safety benefits of switching over to retreaded winter tyres in order to deal with the cold and wet conditions typically experienced during the British winter.

Sheila Ikin, Director of the Retread Manufacturers Association explained: "In many European countries it is considered normal for drivers to fit winter tyres to their vehicles during the Autumn and to switch back to summer tyres during the Spring. This has traditionally not been the case in the UK because there is a popular misconception that winter tyres only provide a benefit in snow and ice. In fact, research has shown that modern winter tyres also provide significant safety advantages in cold and damp weather conditions".

In fact, road traffic statistics show that the most dangerous driving conditions are in wet conditions between 1 and 7 degrees C, typical conditions experienced during a British winter. This is partly because drivers tend to alter their driving styles when faced with snow or ice but do not drive significantly differently in the wet. Another factor, though, is that summer tyres lose some of their efficiency at lower temperatures. Winter tyres, however, are manufactured using rubber compounds specifically designed for the cold weather, offering distinct safety advantages in the months between October and April. Furthermore, on the occasions when snow and ice are on the ground, winter tyres have the tread patterns to cope, thereby significantly reducing the possibility of getting stranded in adverse weather conditions.

Tread depth also becomes increasingly important in the cold and the wet and research shows that driving safety decreases substantially on wet surfaces when tread depth gets below 3mm. Roadside tyre checks carried out by the tyre industry have shown that many drivers will prefer to drive until their tyres reach the legal limit of 1.6mm. However, the RMA argues that this could be putting yourself at serious risk of an accident, particularly in the winter.

Says Sheila Ikin: "We understand the cost considerations that people apply when purchasing tyres but would argue that driving in winter conditions on worn tyres is a false economy as well as being highly dangerous. However, it is not necessary to pay extra for safety. Quality British-manufactured retreaded winter tyres offer significant cost savings when compared with new winter tyres. "The money saved in purchasing a set of retreaded winter tyres will more than compensate for replacing your tyres before they are worn completely down to the legal limit and will assure that you drive safely during the winter months".

To find out where to buy retreaded winter tyres and to find out more about high-quality, environmentally-friendly retreaded tyres, visit the RMA's website at www.greentyres.com or contact the Association direct on 01782 417777.

Model Tyre Retailer Wanted for The Aftermarket Show

The organisers of The Aftermarket Show at the NEC next January are searching for a company from the tyre and fast fit industry to work with them in creating a 'model retailer' exhibit. The concept is to create a display that will showcase the latest and best in tyre bay equipment, parts, accessories, products and consumables. With thousands of registered trade visitors expected at the NEC for the twin attractions of the Aftermarket Show and Autosport International in 2005, the display is sure to make an impact.

"In essence, this is a low cost, high profile product placement opportunity for top tyre and fast fit suppliers to profile their latest and best products to trade buyers and influencers," confirmed Giles Brown, group sales manager for The Aftermarket Show at Haymarket Exhibitions. By mid October The Aftermarket Show was already 70 % sold out, with more than three months still to go before the exhibition opens its doors.

Well-known industry names such as tyre manufacturer Vredestein, wholesaler Nordisk, exhaust companies Rage and Eurosport, and equipment suppliers Supertracker and Mace Industries are among those to have confirmed their presence for 2005. The TIC is sponsoring the tyre element of the show while the NTDA will be making a second successive appearance.

'Matador's Aim to Tame the Bulldog'

Leading motorsport tyre manufacturer MATADOR will have a strong presence on the forthcoming Bulldog Rally, as they field a three car team on the final round of the ANCRO British National Rally Championship. The three car assault will be headed up by fast rising British National rally star Craig Middleton, of Llandrindod Wells. Along with his Royston based co-driver Robin Hernaman, Craig will be aiming for nothing less than victory on the event in order to cement 2nd position in the Championship.

The Mutiny National Rally winners will be using their Matador shod Hyundai Accent WRC on the Shrewsbury based rally, and will look to improve on their recent 3rd overall on the Park Systems Stages. The combative duo will once again be demonstrating the winning qualities of the Matador SM-3 range of gravel tyres, widely tested by both Craig and father Graham Middleton in 2004.

First Stop Outlets Achieve Five Star Status

The number of UK First Stop dealerships reaching the network's highest customer service standard has doubled in the past 12 months, with six outlets now achieving the acclaimed five star status. The results of the annual First Stop Stars programme also show that the whole network is making headway in customer service, with a 25 per cent increase in those reaching the three star standard and a huge 75 per cent increase in dealerships attaining the four star rating.

Using independent assessors, the annual awards programme tests dealerships in the network on a range of criteria including tyre sales, telephone technique, staff training, and marketing. It was introduced as a means of establishing the standard of customer care required within the network, rewarding those dealerships that met the criteria, and improving the overall standard of First Stop outlets. A total of 42 dealerships were awarded a four star award, with six outlets achieving the highest possible rating of five stars including Flintstone Tyre Services of Fareham, pictured here.

Michelin Claims Triple World Championship Success

October 17th 2004 will go down in history as the day Michelin scored an amazing triple world championship. On two wheels, Valentino Rossi (Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team YZR-M1-Michelin) secured the 2004 MotoGP World Championship in brilliant race-winning style at Phillip Island, while on four wheels Sébastien Loeb and Citroën secured the Drivers' and Manufacturers' World Rally Championships with two rounds remaining. Michelin's Director of Competition, Pierre Dupasquier said: "This is a momentous day for Michelin. Winning any world title is special so taking three on the same day is remarkable. I just want to congratulate Valentino, Sébastien and Citroën. They have all shown brilliant form this year."