Congratulations! to our previous competition winner - SA TREADS

BRIDGESTONE TYRE CHECK
REVEALS GROWING TYRE
AWARENESS IN GAUTENG
Hot on the heels of June’s Kimberley round of Bridgestone SA’s ongoing
tyre safety survey, the tyre maker has released data from its second tyre
check event of 2011, held in Gauteng, on July 23rd in the parking lot of
Pick ‘n Pay’s Lambton Square Center in Germiston. And by all accounts,
Gauteng residents are taking tyre safety very seriously.
Around 87 percent of the tyres surveyed were found to be in good
condition and correctly inflated, an improvement of one percent over last
year’s national figure of 86 percent.
Bridgestone Public Relations Manager, Mandy Lovell says: “1700 tyres
on 425 vehicles were checked during the Germiston survey, and not
only were the results of the survey more encouraging than those recently
obtained in Kimberley, but the survey team also far exceeded the survey
goal of checking the tyres of at least 100 vehicles.”
Following the usual procedure, the pressure and tread depth of each tyre
was checked and its size and any defects found were noted on the data
form. An information leaflet was left on the windscreen of each vehicle
checked, with comments on the pressure and condition of the vehicle’s
tyres.
OBITUARY
Chris Elliott has passed away
after a long illness. Chris had
a long and illustrious career
in the tyre industry. He was
born in Cathcart in the Eastern
Cape and attended St. Andrews
College in Grahams Town.
Chris joined Dunlop Tyres
in 1971 as an order clerk,
working his way up to national
sales manager. 28 years later, he left Dunlop for the retail sector
when he bought into Blue Route Tyres (this later became a Supa
Quick franchise) in partnership with Gavin and Mike Gehardi.
Our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
M a n u f a c t u r i n g • 2 5
APOLLO - NEW
MARKETING HEAD TO TAKE
APOLLO TYRES SOUTH
AFRICA FORWARD
Gareth Passmore has been
appointed as Head: Marketing
for Apollo Tyres South Africa
(Pty) Ltd manufacturers of
the Dunlop brand. The rapid
expansion of Apollo Tyres
internationally, with the
acquisition of the European
tyre manufacturer Vredestein
Banden being the latest
example, has necessitated the
restructure and realignment of
key positions and departments within the Apollo Tyres Group and the
appointment of new personnel in order to achieve the company vision
of dynamic growth into new markets.
Gareth is based at the Apollo Tyres South Africa’s Head Office in
Durban. He will lead the international brand marketing efforts of the
company’s key product brands such as the premium Dunlop & Apollo
brands for Africa (across 32 territories) and the Apollo brand into the
Latin American markets.
Gareth has over 18 years international experience working in the
tyre industry, covering a number of functions including commercial
management, sales and marketing. He spent a number of years
with Continental Tyres occupying senior roles such as Head of the
Middle East and Near East and North Africa regions; Regional Director
responsible for the company’s interests in India and Pakistan; as well
as Marketing Manager for the brand in South Africa.
Gareth comments, “The coming years are going to be challenging, yet
exciting ones for the tyre industry and the Apollo Tyres Group as a
whole. I am delighted to be able to play a role in charting Apollo’s
path to the future and helping to bring the bold vision for the Group
to fruition.”
Gareth and his team will be bringing in the integration across locations
and will focus on augmenting each product brand’s position both with
vehicle manufacturers and in the replacement market.