Page 16 - CTB n6 - 2014-02

CV SHOW REVIEW
TIA Wheels Promote Speedline Range
Prominent on the TIA Wheels stand at the CV Show was the Speedline range of light alloy truck wheels for trucks and buses. Speedline, which is part of the Ronal Group, say their wheels are unique for a number of reasons. Firstly, all models are TUV approved with some
sizes approved for the truck OEMs.
All the company’s 22.5 x 11.75” wheels have a particularly high 5,000 kg payload and the SLT 3099 wheel in ET0 weighs only 22.3 kg, by far the lightest wheel in its category.
Also on show was Speedline’s range of truck valves designed
specifically for alloy wheels. Their special anti-corrosion construction means that they don’t touch the inside channel of the wheels. They also have a very low torque of only 3-5 Nm, which helps reduce strain at the valve hole.
International Tyres Take on Riken Brand
International Tyres, the Oldbury, West Midlands based tyre wholesaler, has been appointed as sole UK distributors of the Riken brand of truck and bus tyres. This
Jackson feels Riken will be very important for them in the future. “We see a big opportunity to market Riken through our network of independent dealer customers,”
its own.
International Tyres took in their first shipment of Riken tyres at the end of February and are initially stocking 20 products in 10 different sizes. “It’s early days yet,” says Andy Jackson. “We’re trying to get the name out into the market place but we will eventually be stocking the full range of Riken truck and bus products.”
Manufactured in ISO 14001 (environmental management standard) and ISO/TS 16949 (quality management standard) certified factories in Europe, all Riken commercial vehicle tyres are regroovable and retreadable, offering maximum longevity from each casing. The range includes tyres for
two primary applications – ‘Extengo’ for long and short journeys on all types of sealed road surfaces, and ‘Gripstar’ for combined use on roads in and around worksites and quarries.
The launch of Riken’s commercial vehicle tyre range in the UK coincides with the introduction of new fitments for 2014, available in the most popular steer and drive patterns – 295/80 R 22.5 and 315/80 R 22.5. The drive variants are not only M+S (Mud + Snow) rated, but they also feature the new 3PMSF (Three Peaks Mountain Snowflake) symbol on the sidewall – a further indication of their traction qualities when driving on snow.
was revealed by Paul and Andy Jackson, directors of International Tyres, together with Sharn Samra,
says Jackson. “We are seeing a growth in demand for mid-range tyres from dealers. As exclusive distributors of the brand, we also know that we will be able to develop the brand effectively and with confidence without fear of being undercut.”
Sharn Samra agrees that there is a growing trend towards the mid- range sector and that the impetus for this is coming from both above and below. “The growth has come not just from pressure on the premium sector,” she says. “There has also been a move from customers wanting to trade up from the economy sector.” Although Riken is known within the trade as a Michelin-owned brand, Samra is keen to point out that the aim is for Riken to develop a brand identity of
New Annaite Brand
from RH Claydon
RH Claydon were displaying their full portfolio of tyre brands at the CV Show. Among these was a new economy brand from China called Annaite. The tyre is available in four different patterns suitable for European markets. The 366 pattern is available in a total of 19 different firments for all-position, trailer and front steer fitments. In addition RH Claydon is stocking the 396 trailer pattern and the 755 and 785 drive patterns.
Michelin’s Head of Truck Marketing, during an interview held during April’s Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham.
The Riken brand, which numbers among Michelin’s portfolio of second line brands, is well established in continental Europe in the truck and bus sector and has been marketed in the UK car tyre sector for many years. However, this is the first time that the Riken truck range has been made available in the UK market.
Positioned as a mid-range brand, Riken fills the gap between premium brands and International Tyres’ range of economy lines. As such, Managing Director Paul
16 Commercial Tyre Business