Brits out at Brityrex show
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/ The Brityrex show at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, attracted the largest number of exhibitors — 70 — including some from abroad, in its 10-year history, but not one British tyre manufacturer.
The show's sponsor, Tyres & Accessories, commented: "It is unfortunate that our overseas guests will not see a British tyre manufacturer, for they appear to want to hand the tyre business on a plate to their competitors abroad."
At a recent press briefing, it reported, however, that Uniroyal expects overall demand in Britain for truck tyres to decrease (with the 16in dying a natural death while demand for the 17in expands), but retreads to take an increasing share of the market.
Uniroyal believes that tyre manufacturers' outlets — the equities — will take a greater section of truck tyre sales in the replacement market.
In 1985 the number of replacement outlets was 5,790; by 1990, estimates a Uniroyal spokesman, this number will go down to 5,550. He foresees the number of retailers increasing from 300 to 900 and "minor outlets" dropping from 1,500 to 1,000.
Brityrex itself was a nicely laid out, well attended threeday show; even cigarettes and sweets were brought round, rather like "the pictures" of years ago. Wheelbase Nelson Ltd, based at 271 Northfield Avenue, London W5, used the show for the launch of its aluminium wheel — "the only aluminium commercial wheel manufactured in the United Kingdom".
• More about this and other products in this field will appear in the next issue of Workshop.