AMEX suspends GreenMan stock
LYNNFIELD, Mass.-The American Stock Exchange (AMEX) suspended trading of GreenMan Technologies Inc.'s common stock after the market closed June 14.
To be listed on AMEX, a company must maintain stockholders' equity in excess of $4 million if it has sustained losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three of its four most recent fiscal years. AMEX said it will file an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission to delist GreenMan's common stock.
GreenMan said its common stock is eligible for quotation on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board subject to a market maker sponsoring the company's stock quote.
BFS recalls 10 Destination tires
WASHINGTON-Bridgestone/Firestone is recalling 10 Firestone Destination A/T passenger tires, size P265/75R16, because of a possible defect.
The tires-manufactured between Jan. 29 and Feb. 4-were made with an improper machine setup, causing a possible damaged inner liner which could result in a small area on the inside of the tires without inner liner coverage. This in turn could lead to tread separation, according to BFS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Michelin offers mining contest
GREENVILLE, S.C.-Michelin North America Inc.'s Earthmover Tires unit is accepting applications for its second Michelin Mining Essay Contest, the tire maker said.
First held in 2005, the essay contest is open to all full-time students pursuing a degree in a mining-specific field at an accredited university.
Twenty-three students sent applications in last year's contest. Winners were Angela Noon of the University of Arizona and Joshua Hoffman of the University of Missouri-Rolla.
This year students will answer the following questions: How competitive is the North American mining industry? What advantages and disadvantages does our industry have over other geographic areas such as South America and Australia?
Essays must be received by Oct. 31. Two winners will be announced in December, and each will receive $3,000.
TRIB eliminates Kolman's position
PACIFIC GROVE, Calif.-The Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB) has eliminated the job of Associate Director David Kolman and closed its East Coast office in suburban Baltimore.
TRIB's board of directors eliminated the position in a unanimous, policy-related decision at a recent board meeting. Mr. Kolman, a former trucker and founder of the Used Truck Association and hired by TRIB two years ago, no longer will be involved with the retread information bureau.
``The board felt if there was to be someone who potentially was going to be my successor, that individual needed to be in the head office,'' said Harvey Brodsky, TRIB managing director.
Mr. Brodsky said Mr. Kolman ``contributed powerfully'' to TRIB and said TRIB may still seek Mr. Kolman's services in the future on a project-by-project basis.
Kumho to raise prices July 1
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.-Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc. will raise prices on its passenger, light truck and commercial truck tires by up to 7 percent, effective July 1.
The firm, a subsidiary of South Korea's Kumho Tire Co. Inc., cited continuing price increases for raw materials and rising transportation costs as the reasons for the price changes, according to David Hudrlik, vice president and director of sales.
This is the fourth price increase Kumho has announced in the past 12 months. Kumho last raised prices Feb. 1, by up to 6 percent across the board.
Michelin debuts Hypersipe retread
GREENVILLE, S.C. -Michelin Retread Technologies Inc. has introduced a retreaded tire design that it said can ``regenerate'' its tread as it wears.
The Michelin XDA Hypersipe retread has molded tread features on both the top and bottom of a precure tread band.
Sipes molded in the bottom of the tread appear as the tire wears, giving improved worn traction over the life of the retread.
The bottom sipes appear at about half-tread depth and last to the remaining useable 32nd-inch of tread depth, Michelin said.
Research for the tread began in 2004, and it is now ready for production at Michelin's Covington, Ga., factory after its expansion is completed in July. The plant's capacity will be doubled and will include the technology needed for the Hypersipe tire.
EPA, Illinois issue tire cleanup guide
CHICAGO-Region 5 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has joined with the state of Illinois to create a Scrap Tire Cleanup Guidebook as a resource for solid waste managers across the U.S.
The 44-page guidebook is now available free online at www.epa. gov/reg5rcra/wptdiv/solidwaste/tires/guidance.
According to the EPA, the book is designed to help tire manufacturers, state and local government regulators, auto recyclers and auto collectors alike.
It contains sections on scrap tire cleanup programs, legal considerations, property issues, cost recovery, local and regional scrap tire markets, cleanup planning, contractor selection and project management.
GPX secures $160M senior credit facility
BOSTON-Citizens Bank of Massachusetts and RBS Securities Corp. are providing a $160 million senior credit facility for specialty tire maker and distributor GPX International Tire Corp.
Malden, Mass.-based GPX is a longstanding customer of Citizens Bank, and is using the new credit facility to finance acquisitions and capital expenditures and to provide working capital for continued expansion, Citizens Bank said.
Citizens Bank is the administrative agent and RBS is the sole lead arranger and bookrunner, according to a press statement.
``We are pleased to continue our work with Citizens and RBS Securities Corp. as they together help us grow our business,'' said Bryan Ganz, GPX co-CEO and president. ``They displayed financial flexibility and deep understanding of our business to help us achieve our goals.''
GPX was formed in 2005 when Galaxy Tire & Wheel Inc. of Boston merged with Dynamic Tire Corp. of Toronto.
Citizens is the eighth-largest commercial banking company in the U.S., based on deposits as of last September. The bank is owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group P.L.C.
Humanitarian Award deadline July 31
AKRON-The deadline to submit nominations for the 2006 Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award, sponsored by Tire Business, is July 31.
The annual award, now in its 13th year, recognizes a dealer or retreader who has made significant contributions to the betterment of his or her community through charitable or community service work. It will be presented at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show, Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Las Vegas, during the Tire Industry Association's Breakfast with the President.
The winner will receive a medal and a $1,000 donation to the charity of his or her choice. To submit a nomination, contact Tire Business at (330) 865-6121. Nominations also can be submitted online at www.tirebusiness.com.
Detailed support material outlining the breadth and depth of the nominee's charitable and/or public service activities is important and should be included in the nomination packet.