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.