Page 4 - CTB N12 - 2015-04

NEWS
Continental Look to Increase Production at German Plant
valuable point of contact with the users of our products and explains to them how important truck tyres, tyre management and tyre choice are. During the MAN ProfiDrive training across Europe, the truck drivers will not only learn this theoretically but also, and even more importantly, practically.”
"Goodyear is an excellent partner for us and we can look back on the long and successful history our companies have enjoyed together," said Andreas Griem, Head of MAN ProfiDrive. "Our world-class professional and practical training is clearly profiting from the cooperation with Goodyear. The combination of premium Goodyear truck tyres and the dedicated training of our
ProfiDrive trainers in truck tyre related topics is of real value.” MAN ProfiDrive provides professional drivers with a qualified training system that puts the needs of the driver in the centre - and at the same time takes into account the needs of fleet operators. On one hand, the range of courses covers theoretical professional driver qualification requirements as well as professional and practical training to make every day driving safer and more economical. On the other hand, all participants will benefit from more than 30 years’ experience in the teaching of theoretical and practical knowledge about safety and efficiency in road transport.
Continental’s truck tyre retreading plant in Hannover is expected to produce 100,000 retreads this year. By 2018 the figure is expected to rise to 180,000 units. 80% of current production is hot cure, whilst the remaining 20% is pre-cure, using the company’s Contitread patterns. The majority of the retreads at the plant are manufactured using Continental Group casings, although a small amount of pre-cure retreads are made with Michelin and Pirelli casings. Continental are marketing their pre-cure range as a second line product, with Conti-re as the top line retread
The projected production figures for the plant were revealed during a recent press event held in Hannover, where the company took the opportunity to show
some of the latest additions to the plant, as well as explain their quality strategy.
Of key importance was the emphasis given by the company to promoting the company’s range of retreads as absolute premium products. For instance, the company’s retreads come with a five-year warranty, the same as new tyres. To achieve this, the company says in employs much more stringent selection procedures with regards to casings as well as during the inspection process. For instance, it was explained that all tyres tested in the shearography machine are scanned at an angle of 45 degrees for greater accuracy.
To store all the casings required for this, Continental has invested in a huge palletised warehouse, capable of holding 16,000 truck casings.
Rema Tip Top Win NTDA Award
Rema Tip Top Automotive UK Ltd were announced winners of the 2015 NTDA TIA - Tyre and Aftermarket Supplier of the Year at the 86th NTDA Annual Dinner on 1 October 2015. The company received the award for the second consecutive year having secured the vote by an independent industry panel in the NTDA’s new voting format. Managing Director Cliff Jones shared his delight with the team after the ceremony stating “It once again reflects the hard work and investment by the team at Rema Tip Top to facilitate further product and service innovation, business development and improvements within the business during another
successful and challenging year for the industry.
Mark Insley, Chief Executive, praised the team on maintaining the high standards set over the past few years and highlighted the importance of good communication with its customers and their feedback on a whole range of factors, not least with respect to their demand for quality, value, reliability and service. He added “The challenge is there to win the award for an unprecedented three consecutive years, by serving the industry over the forthcoming year in the only way we know how – to listen, to act – to deliver!”
MAN and Goodyear Expand Cooperation
Goodyear has become MAN’s exclusive tyre partner for its MAN ProfiDrive driver training initiative across Europe. The partnership includes equipping all 25 tractors and trailers used by MAN ProfiDrive with the latest Goodyear premium tyres. These comprise the fuel-efficient FUELMAX, the dedicated mileage line KMAX and the mixed service Omnitrac II for use both on and off road. Goodyear will maintain the tyres, which includes taking over the tyre repair shop. The partnership further involves Goodyear training the MAN
trainers in tyre matters. This builds on Goodyear’s and MAN’s long-term close collaboration related to original truck equipment. The two companies have worked together for some time with events such as the MAN Trucknology Days.
"We are very pleased to expand our existing partnership with MAN by exclusively equipping the MAN ProfiDrive vehicles with our premium Goodyear truck tyres," explained Peter Platje, Director OE Sales Truck Tyres Goodyear Europe, Middle East and Africa.
"MAN ProfiDrive gives us another
Gerhard Beck, Manager OE Sales Truck (representing Peter Platje, Director OE Sales Truck Tires Goodyear Dunlop EMEA) (left), marking the collaboration between Goodyear and MAN ProfiDrive® with Michael Wanitschek, head of MAN Solutions.
4 Commercial Tyre Business