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.