December 21, 2009
20 hot stories from the SEMA Show
2009 event exceeded expectations
By: Mike Manges and Bob Ulrich
Vredestein discusses life under Apollo
After several years under the ownership of Russian tiremaker Amtel, Vredestein is happy to now march under the banner of India’s Apollo Tyres Ltd., says Vredestein CEO Rob Oudshoorn.
Apollo’s acquisition of Vredestein Banden B.V., which took place this past May, will lead to various synergies, he said, including the sharing of technology and the coordination of sales and marketing efforts.
“We are moving to a global approach within the Apollo group.
“Apollo will become a global brand,” which may entail Apollo tires being sold in the U.S. some day.
“The questions are ‘When will Apollo have the production range for the U.S. and when will it have the production capacity?” says Marc Luyten, director of corporate marketing and sales for Vredestein.
In the meantime, Vredestein plans to continue on its present course in North America. (The company ships nearly 100,000 units from its factory in the Netherlands to the U.S. each year.)
“We’re not going for big volumes of the Vredestein brand,” says Oudshoorn. “We’re interested in the mix.
“We are aiming for the top spot in quality and price. We are more concerned with the positioning of the tire and sell-in vs. sell-out than volume. We’re not interested in competing with the mainstream.” - M.M.
SEMA Show gives torquing its due
A vehicle’s performance often comes down to proper wheel torque. Without it, the tire and wheel package is in danger of coming apart.
Torque was a hot topic at the SEMA Show. The latest issue of TIA’s house publication, which was distributed at the event, even featured “A Discussion about Torque.”
Team Torque Inc., a first-time exhibitor, promoted its torque tool calibration and repair service. It provides service options for torque wrenches, screwdrivers, power and pulse tools, testers, transducers and multipliers.
In addition, a new 1/2-inch torque wrench tester was introduced at the show by AME International LLC. According to AME President Keith Jarman, the TorqCheck does not need calibration. It also was designed to mount easily on a wall in the service area.
“It’s cost-effective for a tire dealer to literally check the accuracy of torque wrenches on a daily basis.”
The tool measures torque up to 180 foot-pounds within plus or minus 2% accuracy. “It works on a needle-gauge principle, so it’s easy to use,” says Jarman. “As long as the needle ends up at zero, you know (the torque wrench) is accurate.”
AME has exclusive, worldwide marketing rights to the TorqCheck, which is manufactured offshore. - B.U.
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