CONTINENTAL. '' THE WORLD AT THEIR FEET ''

With the successful conclusion  of Euro 2012 this year it seems right and fitting that Continental Tyre Group continues it's growing relationship with the beautiful game. They have successfully signed a contract as sponsor and official tyre for Brazil 2014. Not only has the partnership been a success for both parties to date but some of the associated ad campaigns have been awarded for their inventiveness also. The ''Don't miss the Big Game''campaign for South Africa 2010 was well recognised for it's contribution to the tournament and included a competition to find Britain's best football fan as well as a generous donation to the Black Rhino Conservation Fund. In general, Continental have proved an excellent ''fit'' as a football sponsor. No controversies or health contradictions. Just a strong corporate brand with a great product and a commitment to energy conservation.

This successful partnership for Brazil 2014 will cap off what has been a very successful year for the German manufacturer. From September Continental AG has been listed in the top Deutshe Borse segment again, having returned to the category of most valuable companies in Germany after four dynamic years of growth and capital investment. The company is now turning over in excess of €30 billion and employs over 170,000 people worldwide. These figures represent a massive turnaround for the company given the scepticism surrounding their takeover by AG Schaeffler at the start of the financial crisis in 2008.
Excellent product innovations in recent years backed by creative product releases and marketing strategies would suggest that Continental has many more good years ahead. Their R&D is the amongst the best in the industry and new technologies around energy saving such as ''Black Chilli'' technology have enhanced the company's environmental reputation.

On a local level, We at Heffernan Tyres have had an excellent year with Continental Tyre Group.

In May 2012 ,our MD, Thomas Heffernan attended the official launch of the new Conti Premium Contact 5 in Barcelona. The presentation at the launch has been dubbed ''the best tyre presentation ever'' by the automotive media.

Continental sponsored several Irish initiatives in 2012 including Irish Car of the year 2013 and Irish tyre retailer of the year. We expect further initiatives in the coming years. 

Our Continental team consisting of Lucy Edwards, Georgina Twohig and Darren Meikle have worked closely with us in 2012 and we look forward to growing our business with them in 2013.

In retail, being the best requires having the best merchandise available for your customers. And at the moment Continental tyres are ticking all the boxes that we require at Heffernan Tyres.



LICENCE TO...................................FIT!

No! This post has nothing to do with 007 and his Licence to kill. The Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA), of which Heffernan Tyres is a member, is about to embark on a campaign for the  licencing and regulation of the Irish tyre industry. The objective would be to provide legislation to close depots that didn't meet a benchmark of compliance or were operating outside of the law with regard to VAT,Insurance, Environment, etc.
At a recent social event, I was having a conversation with a major identity of the Irish car market. The conversation inevitably turned to business and the current conditions in the Irish Automotive industry. I raised the issue of part worn tyres as a scourge to the legitimate tyre trade at the moment. To my surprise my companion then gave me an anecdote about a friend of his with a BMW 5 Series who had purchased a pair of part worn Runflats for his car at €90 cash. ''They're €200 each new, You cant blame people! You'd do the same yourself'' Well no! I wouldn't. The European driver who parted with his part worn tyre did so for a reason. He may have driven it flat for 100km or more at 100KPH or more. The tyre was then repaired (contrary to manufacturers recommendations) here by a part worn cowboy and fitted by an uninsured person. Aside from that they're great value!.
My point here is that if senior identities within the Irish Automotive Industry think like this, we will never succeed in educating the public to the dangers of part worn tyres. We need a different approach.

ITIA CAMPAIGN

Black and grey market operations are thriving in Ireland the moment. Cash transactions with no VAT are the order of the day in the shed type tyre shops which have popped up everywhere. Part worns and sometimes stolen tyres are what is on offer. There is no enforced regulation or legal criteria required to set up one of these businesses. A premises and a tyre machine are all that is required to commence trade in the tyre business as it stands.
We need criteria such as training, insurance and health and safety standards put in place as standards necessary for a licence to fit tyres. The dividend for government would be a greater tax take, better safety standards and a reduction of black/grey market activity.

The ITIA initiated a training programme for tyre technicians last year. It has been well received and our manager, Nigel, was very enthusiastic about the standard when he attended. It is the aim the ITIA to have at least one ATA accredited technician in every member depot. He or She can then train their colleagues and contribute to raising standards overall. We can view this accreditation as a ''licence to fit''.
It will set businesses like Heffernan Tyres apart from the cowboys and provide a benchmark for legislation for licencing. This fight for legislation and regulation will be difficult. But the end result will mean jobs, revenue for government and safety for the motorist. And that's worth fighting for.

WINTER TYRES AND BLACK ICE.

This year has been slow for us in terms of winter tyre sales in Ireland. The bad winter of two years ago created a spike in demand last year. People thought that bad winters were going to be an annual occurrence rather than the one in fifty year weather event that it was. The mild winter we had last year brought people back to reality. This is a mild country.
We do get asked by our regular customers if it is a good idea to change to winter tyres or not.
Naturally we would love if tyres were a seasonal item in Ireland as they are in Europe. If people were legally obliged  to change their tyres at the start of winter it would boost our sales considerably. Come Spring we would have the same boost. So we should be shouting their virtues from the rooftops.
In truth, most years, winter tyres are a useful safety addition for the motorist in Ireland but not really an essential item except for the odd snowy day. Last year we had probably two days of snow in Kildare so for most motorists mobility was not a problem.
Even in snow, most premium tyres will get you moving but will never perform as well winter tyres.
Winter tyres have a greater number of "sipes" compared to their summer counterparts. These sipes make the tyre behave like a squidgy and give grip in the iciest of conditions. Compounds are also different in winter tyres. Summer tyres become hard and rigid in cold weather and this reduces grip further whilst winter tyres remain malleable in all conditions.
A notable exception to the advice above would be in the case of rear wheel drive vehicles such as BMWs and Mercedes. This type of vehicle struggles in snowy conditions and can have real difficulty gaining traction and getting mobile in even light snow. We strongly recommend winter tyres for these cars. Or at least on the drive axle.

Continental Winter tyre showing extra grip sipes typical of premium winter tyres.

The last few days have seen a cold blast across Ireland with the mercury plunging to -4C and below.

The lack of drying during the day creates rivulets on the road surface. This water freezes at night as transparent ice. The asphalt can then be seen through it and so the name ''Black ice'' has been given to this sort of phenomena. Black ice is invisible to the driver and is very dangerous. Summer tyres have  little or no traction on black ice so it is responsible for many accidents in Ireland every year. A change in regular road noise whilst driving is a sign of it's presence and that you may be driving on it. In such instances it is important not to panic or hit the brakes. Slow down by deceleration, find traction and proceed with caution.

BLACK ICE

Black ice conditions are where winter tyres prove their worth. Tests conducted have shown differences of stopping distances at moderate speeds of up to 15 metres. Those are life and death distances.
So a number of points in summary. Winter tyres are a great addition to your safety as a motorist.
The Irish market is totally reactive rather than planned or proactive. You will need to decide well in advance for many sizes as they will be scarce when the snow is actually falling.
If you plan your journey route, time  and speed around the conditions, you can save yourself having to buy winter tyres.
Well most years anyway.

TWO IRELANDS. LILY MAE'S SONG

Listening to Newstalk's Tom Dunne this morning, you could not but have been moved by the interview with Lily Mae Morrison's Mum. Lily Mae is battling Neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer, and a version of Elton John's  "Tiny Dancer" has been released to raise funds for her. The response has been astounding. The song has gone viral and is selling in huge volumes. The story has gone global and even Elton himself has lent his support.

Amidst the other news on the radio, you couldn't help but think that there are two Irelands out there.
Yesterday, our arguably most odious politician, Michael Noonan, assured us that ''we would be getting a fair budget, with those who could afford it being affected the most''. You wouldn't have to be Nostradamus to figure out who Michael is talking about.  He means employers and small businesses and because of his detachment, does not realise the damage that he will do. Now don't get me wrong, it's not a Fine Gael thing. We've been governed by a combination of five parties over the last five years and all have proved their rottenness and detachment from those of us who live in the real world. Higher taxes for employers and small business will mean job losses, resulting lower PAYE tax take and increased welfare payments. Thus perpetuating Ireland's problems. Mr. Noonan showed his odious detachment from ordinary people during his time as Minister for Health some years ago and his recent comments on Greeces' economic problems would indicate that he has not changed. This is the one Ireland which Irish people do not deserve.

And then there is the other Ireland. The Ireland of leaders like Lily Mae's Mum. People who want to make a difference and are supported by the warmth of a people who genuinely care for each other.
When Irish people put their minds and hearts into something we are capable of doing brilliant things. That is the Ireland we can all be proud of and which will continue to survive despite the terrible conditions created by those we pay to govern us.We all hope and pray that Lily Mae will get the treatment she needs and deserves and that she will celebrate many Christmases to come with her family.
Oh! and its a nice song too. Buy it!

CONTINENTAL CAR OF THE YEAR 2013 AND RUNFLAT TYRES.

CONTINENTAL IRISH CAR OF THE YEAR 2013.

After many weeks and months of test driving and evaluation,the BMW 3 Series was chosen by the Irish Motoring Writers Association as Continental Car of The Year 2013.

I have read one criticism on the choice, based on the rationale that "it is beyond the affordability of most people". Right so on that rationale many people can't afford a new car so a Fiat Punto is out of the question for everyone else?
Of course there is hardship in Ireland. Many people are out of work and struggling. However nearly two million people are working and these are the people who are buying new cars. They don't need to be reminded constantly how terrible things are. In truth some couples I know spend more on wining and dining per month than the price of some the deals available on 3 series for 2013. The 3 series is a lifestyle choice for some and in terms of value for money, style, environmental friendliness and fuel economy; this car is a great choice. Driving it is an absolute pleasure. For these reasons the 3 series is a worthy winner of Irish Car of the year.

The 3 Series is the first winner of this esteemed title that comes on Runflat tyres as standard.
So what are Runflats? And what are the advantages or disadvantages of same?

Continentals' SSR stands for Self Supporting Runflat Tyre, which pretty much says it all. The sidewall of  Runflats have been reinforced to take the weight of the vehicle in the event of air loss/puncture.

The vehicle can then be driven for up to 100km at a restricted speed 80 KPH in order to get the motorist to a safe place for repair or replacement. All of the other major tyre manufacturers also produce a runflat option and as a standard technology in tyres, they are very much a growth segment. This video gives a very persuasive argument for the use of runflats and demonstrates very clearly what the safety benefits are.

In summary the benefits are,

• Safety. Handling of vehicle is controlled in the event of a sudden catastrophic tyre failure.
• Safety. The motorist does not endanger him/herself on the roadside changing the wheel. Fewer lives have been lost on UK motorway sidings in recent years.
• Mobility. In most case the driver's journey/trip can continue.
• Space. There is no spare so space is maximised.
• Weight is reduced with no spare. Resulting in better fuel economy.

However it would be unbalanced to give a totally one sided argument to the use of runflats. There are some disadvantages. Such as.

• Cost. Runflats are generally more expensive to replace the standard pneumatic. Although the gap is gradually closing.
• Availability. Not all tyre shops will carry as large a range as they are a minority fitment.
• Repairabilty. Is a grey area. Most tyre shops do not repair runflats and repairs are "not recommended" by tyre manufacturers. Resulting in extra cost and waste.
• Breakdown. In the event of a tyre being shredded or seriously damaged in an impact, the driver will need a tow or callout.
• Pneumatic or standard tyres arguably gives the driver a smoother better ride.

Ultimately it is you the motorist who makes the decision for or against and in truth we get mixed reports from our customers. We stock a full range of sizes and brands at Heffernan Tyres and it is our view that runflat technology is with us to stay and that more and more vehicles will be coming fitted with them as standard. 

For now, BMW are leading the way. And according to the IMWA, in more ways than one. And I for one, agree with them.

KILDARE VILLAGE, PIRELLI AND US. WE'RE ALL STYLE!

Well we like to think so anyway! You can be the judge when you come and visit our town.
In truth, we are hugely proud of our fine shopping centre and to celebrate it we have designed a Pirelli Voucher giveaway for Christmas. We will give all our customers a €40 Kildare Village gift voucher for every four Pirelli tyres purchased and fitted from November22nd to December 24th.

The Kildare Village Chic Outlet Centre has been such a success for our town that on Sunday last a traffic warning was in operation for the N7 at Kildare. Don't let that put you off though as there is plenty of parking and overflow parks nearby.
There is no doubting that clever marketing and a great product is what has been the driving force behind the success of the centre. The atmosphere is always relaxed and the streets of the village are always spotless. It's a lovely place to shop.
The great news is that the centre is soon to be extended, resulting in more jobs for Kildare and hopefully even more success for the Village.

Anyone watching F1 racing these past few years will be in no doubt which tyre company is responsible for the racing car tyres. Pirelli have made F1 racing their own since becoming the exclusive tyre sponsor three years ago. As a brand they've marketed and promoted successfully over the years and have a enviable reputation for quality and style. Everything from their annual calendar to their signage and hospitality at F1 events exudes class and style. Heffernan Tyres are proud to be a Pirelli "Driver" accredited centre.

And so we have decided to run this stylish promotion between now and Christmas. It has multiple value added advantages to anyone needing to get their tyres changed for winter and visit the outlet centre at the same time.
Firstly, we can advise you how to avoid the traffic by taking an earlier exit and leaving your car with us. We will give you a lift to the back entrance of the centre and pick you up when your car is ready.
Secondly we will give you a €40 voucher to spend at the centre or €10 per tyre to a minimum of two.
Thirdly you will be buying a stylish, Premium brand of tyre at a great price that will give you excellent grip and wear this winter. Call us now on 045521253 or log on to our website.
We look forward to welcoming you in style this festive season.

"NO WE DON'T DO CHIPS HERE! GET OUT!"

Or so went an urban myth in Dublin five years ago. The story ran at first that a diner had asked for a portion of chips at Kevin Thorton's double Michelin starred restaurant in Dublin only to be forcibly ejected by the celebrated chef.
Like many such myths there was some truth in it. Apparently when the chips were served the diner sent them back and a row ensued with the chef which resulted in the diner and his companions being asked to leave.
Kevin Thornton later explained that whilst chips were not on his menu, he often cooks them on special request for children, but on this occasion had been ''aggravated by this particular customer''. The customers were also called  ''wankers and a bunch of dickheads'' on their way out.

There is an old saying ''There's no such thing as bad publicity". In this case it's probably true.
The story spread like wildfire in Ireland and people retold it in various forms. In some versions Thornton was made to look like a food snob. However most people were sympathetic to him and saw him as an uncompromising perfectionist. He did what he did with style and had his business set up in such a way that asking him for a bowl of chips or a pizza was like asking for a Lobster Thermidor at the Tallaght Borza.

Not that there's anything wrong with the Tallaght Borza!
They've been serving fish and chips to the people of Tallaght for nearly fifty years and even had an RTE documentary made about their family some years ago. They do what they do and Thornton's do something totally different.

So what have Thornton and Borza got to do with Heffernan Tyres?
The answer to the question is simple. It's Quality.
Tyres can be bought from many sources at a wide range of prices. But for the most part, you get what you pay for. When customers ask us for the cheapest option in tyres, our staff will always point out that cheap is not necessarily cheaper in the medium to long term. Budget tyres are likely to wear out sooner than premium. Fact!
There is no substitute for the amount of R&D that goes into Premium tyres like Continental. Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone or Goodyear. Research and development on compounds, treads, braking distances and grip. Research that makes tyres that save you money on fuel and research that makes tyres that save lives. Budget tyres never get favourable results in independent safety checks where tested against premium. Fact!

At Heffernan Tyres we focus our buying on Premium brands. We buy in bulk to keep the price down for our customers and we have one of the largest stock holdings of Premium brand tyres in Ireland. We realise that sometimes our refusal to buy bulk in Budget tyres means that we may be a little dearer than the cheap tyre merchants. We know, because customers often return to us with tyres which did not last or on some occasions with non E marked tyres or remoulds which failed have NCT tests.

Like Kevin Thornton, we have found our niche in the marketplace. We realise what we are good at. We provide a quality, value product rather than a cheap compromise. We will never compromise on our service and our commitment to our customers and we design and tailor our complete offer to them. We look forward to welcoming you to our business.

PROGRESS ON PART WORN TYRES.

PROGRESS ON PART WORN TYRES CAMPAIGN.

As previously stated on this blog, We at Heffernan Tyres are totally committed to the campaign against the sale of Part Worn tyres. We covered the subject in our previous posts; PROGRESS AT LAST , A TERRIBLE PRICE TO PAY and PART SAFE TYRES FROM €20 .

Well things are moving slowly along and whilst we are by no means able to reassure you that the bloke who just overtook you at 160KPH on a country road is on legal tyres; there has been some progress.

In October we received a draft of a Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA)  letter which was designed to lobby our local TDs and County Council.
We wrote to our local members and Council and to their credit we got a good level of response.
Notably, Sean O Fearghail (Fianna Fail) asked the following question to the Minister for Finance during Dail question time.
'To ask the Minister his views on concerns raised in correspondence; if he will consider the plights of persons operating in the tyre industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter'

The Minister for Finance, Mr. Michael Noonan, responded at lenght, that audits were underway and had already yielded €330,000 in 2012 from the motor industry "of which tyres are a part".
He outlined methodologies used to catch revenue dodgers including surveillance, cold calls,etc.
We have not heard of any instances with regard to tyre businesses, however it is encouraging that Mr. Noonan is aware of and discussing the issue. Realistically, it is this route that will probably be the most effective way of tackling the problem. There is nothing the government cares more about than lost revenue.

Our FG member, Mr Martin Heydon TD, went the route of writing to the Minister for Social Protection, Ms Joan Burton. This route focused on black economy and individuals who trade in cash. It could result in 'raids' of corner shop tyre operators but as yet we've not heard of any.

And then there's that old chestnut, Environment. Our County Councils are responsible for the implementation of regulation where tyre waste is concerned. It would be ludicrous to assume that there is compliance to environmental law in businesses where the turnover of revenue is not declared. In other words if a tyre shop declared that he had disposed of 1,000 tyres it would be fair to assume that he had sold the same amount. Therefore he is not likely to declare either. The result, illegal dumping.
We wrote to our council of our concerns and got a reply. The main point in the letter of response was " If you have any information in relation to the names, addresses and location of traders who are selling second hand tyres please forward them to us". This could be interpreted as; Please do our job for us! Something to bear in mind when we receive begging letters at home for Household Charges.
We know from our experience that the Council is very happy to go through respectable businesses like our with a fine tooth comb( and find nothing) but have it from a reliable source that when they went to another Kildare operator they were told to " F**k Right  Off "! That was a year ago. And you guessed it;  No charges or prosecution. We are disappointed in the performance of the council in this regard. We deserve and pay for better.

The ITIA have been very proactive on highlighting the dangers of Part Worn Tyres and took the excellent initiative of purchasing 130 tyres from a number of Par Worn dealers in Ireland. The tyres were then inspected by a tyre technician and the results published. Over half were found to be totally unsafe. Faults included nails, screws, worn out and perished. One tyre was over twenty years old. The report made TV3 news and was covered in detail. You can view the story here .

In summary, we are making progress, albeit, painfully slow progress. Our campaign is about safety, jobs, tax compliance and environment. The campaign is being driven by the Irish Tyre Industry and  not the people we elect and pay for. That is hugely disappointing!

AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

The 1997 Oscar winning film deals with the psychological condition  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD. So what has that got to do with us? Are we OCD about tyres? No not really!

We can however be on the obsessive side when it comes to getting things right. I'll give you an example.

OUR WEBSITE www.heffernantyres.com

In a recent independent review of our website and social media package we scored 29/30 and topped the table of other retailers North and South of Ireland.

After a brief moment of  'Great stuff and well done' we quickly moved on and in truth have had more discussion about the one point we dropped than the twenty nine we gained.

Now don't get me wrong here. There are no killjoys in the business. There is nothing negative about our self analysis. It's just in the culture of the place.

Unlike many businesses we never obsess about what our opposition are doing. We pay very little attention to them at all. They do their thing and we do ours.

What we do obsess about is our customer. We are constantly asking ourselves what it is that our customer expects from us. What our customers like to see on a website, facebook page or newspaper ad.

We make changes to our offer based on the outcome of discussions we have on a daily basis and we believe  that we are on the right track. Our website and Social Media are tools we use to communicate the real strenghts of our business. Our business in a nutshell, is built on four solid pillars. These are our building, which is purpose built with the motorist in mind. Our facilities, waiting area, hospitality which are designed around maximum comfort for our customers. Our staff, who are the best in the industry and are happy in what they do. And our reputation for quality, honesty and value.

There will always be areas in which we can improve and the constantly changing nature of the marketplace means that we have to stay on our game. We need to keep up with consumer trends, buying behaviour, legislation and social responsibility.

We will always take any criticism seriously and act on it. We do so confident and secure in the knowledge that whilst our business is not perfect, we know, It's As Good As It Gets.

TYRES AND FOOD.

 TYRES AND FOOD.

The 2007 Pixar film Ratatuille is based loosely on the life of French Chef Bernard Loiseau. Loiseau, tragically shot himself in 2003 when a rumour in the French press suggested that he might lose one of his three coveted Michelin Stars.

So how could the opinion of a tyre company evoke such passion and tragedy? What is the connection between tyres and food? And how has that relationship endured?

The founding Fathers of Michelin Tyre Company, Edouard and Andre Michelin, were marketing experts long before the word marketing became an everyday word in business. Like Walt Disney, they had an innate sense of what their end users wanted from a product and how to tap into the lifestyle aspirations of their customers with their brand.
With the development of the motor car and the growth of motoring as a pastime, so arose the the need for maps and guides. In 1900 the first Guide Rouge was released. It included recommendations of Country Inns and restaurants where the motorist could find refreshments.

The 1900 Red Guide

In 1933 Edouard Michelin introduced the Michelin Star as a measure of quality and excellence. With time The 'Bib Gourmand' has been added to award Restaurants and Pubs offering 'good food at moderate prices. One, Two or Three stars are awarded for degrees of excellence.
The guide is now available for over one dozen countries including UK and Ireland.
The celebrity chefs which have become household names in recent years; Ramsey,  Pierre White, Blumenthal,  Bacuse ,Blanc all have the Michelin Star in common. In fact Frances Premier Chef, Paul Bacuse said in the 60's, 'Michelin is the only guide that counts'.
There is no doubt that Michelin still leads the way in this regard. The integrity of the guide is preserved through a strict code of behaviour in Michelin's Maps and Guides department. They go to extraordinary lenghts to preserve the anonymity of their inspectors. Inspectors are advised never to disclose their occupation(even to parents) and never to talk to journalists. And so the integrity of the guide endures.

Nearly 23 years ago John and Sally McKenna bought a cheap car and set off around Ireland and compiled the information to write the first Irish Food Guide. Two years later and the annual edition was sponsored and promoted by Bridgestone Ireland. The book received international acclaim and became the 'go to' book in terms of Irish quality food and artisan food producers. The guide reviews restaurants, shops and businesses of all kinds where food is sold or served. It is an excellent chronological guide of Ireland's emerging food culture in that it charts our development from emerging economy to boom and to where we are now. What it demonstrates is, that despite weak economic times, Ireland's quality food sector is booming and ever expanding. This year the Guide was released minus the Bridgestone sponsorship. We hope that this is a temporary arrangement as this has been a very successful partnership. The Irish Food Guide will continue and prosper regardless.

So do food guides sell tyres? Almost certainly not. What they do is reinforce branding. They help to familiarise the brand and the tyre at the point of purchase. It reinforces the confidence of the customer that in purchasing one of these brands, they are purchasing a familiar and quality recognised product.

Whilst we have no Michelin Starred restaurants in Kildare Town, we do have Mary Kathryn's Deli on Academy Street. A Ballymaloe trained chef, Mary Kathryn Murphy is a well deserved recipient of John and Sally's Bridgestone Plaque for excellence in fine food. If you don't believe us check it out when you're in Kildare. We'll drop you up whilst your car is being serviced.