Michelin investing in Canadian plants
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia-Michelin North America Inc. will spend about $31 million to upgrade its tire plants in Bridgewater and Waterville, Nova Scotia, according to the Nova Scotia Economic Development Ministry, which is providing $3 million in assistance for the projects.
Michelin will spend $19 million at its 21-year-old Bridgewater plant to enhance flexibility and expand capacity for larger dimension light truck tires, the ministry said. The plant, which makes passenger and light truck tires, employs 1,100.
The company has budgeted $12 million to enhance capacity for large industrial and construction tires at the 22-year-old Waterville plant, the ministry said. Employment stands at 982.
Goodyear hires marketing firm
AKRON-Goodyear has appointed New York-based Media Planning Group (MPG) to work with its marketing team on strategy, planning and purchase of media for the Goodyear brand.
The move follows the recent consolidation of creative and image advertising and marketing through Goodyear's appointment of Boston-based Arnold Worldwide as its managing agency for its North American Tire unit. MPG and Arnold Worldwide, both units of Havas, a marketing communications firm, will work together on all communications planning and buying for Goodyear beginning with 2005 media work.
Arnold Worldwide will create ongoing Goodyear product advertising while Akron-based Hitchcock Fleming & Associates continues to provide Goodyear with product, promotional and retail advertising support.
Brochure covers tires, fuel economy
NASHVILLE, Tenn.-Bridgestone/Firestone has developed a 56-page brochure discussing how tires affect fuel economy, plus other topics of interest to fleet managers.
The tire maker also has produced a nine-minute video, ``What Drivers Can Do to Save Fuel,'' featuring truck driver and owner-operator Jim Booth. The brochure, ``Guide to Large Truck Fuel Economy for a New Millennium,'' is fully indexed and includes references to the Technology & Maintenance Council's publication, ``The Fleet Manager's Guide to Fuel Economy.''
For more information, call (800) 860-0059 or visit the Web site www.trucktires.com.
Yokohama sponsors SCCA worker award
TOPEKA, Kan.-Yokohama Tire Corp. has signed on to sponsor the Sports Car Club of America's (SCCA) Club Racing Worker of the Year award.
The tire company will present all 13 winners of the award with a free set of Yokohama tires. One winner and a guest also will travel to the 24 hours of Le Mans race next year.
The SCCA's award recognizes individuals in 13 race specialties, including course marshal, emergency service, flagging and communications, grid, paddock, pit, race chair, radio tech, registration, scrutineer, sound, starter and timing and scoring.
Goodyear reaches Greenball milestone
AKRON-Goodyear recently produced and delivered the one millionth Towmaster Radial ST tire for Greenball Corp., a marketer of specialty tires.
The two companies have had a relationship since December 1996. Goodyear produces six sizes of the Towmaster line of trailer tires in Canada and New Zealand.
Greenball, which began operations in 1976, now has seven distribution centers and an expanded product line that includes other specialty tires plus trailer wheels.