New MICHELIN tire technology helped make London’s public bus system safer

Michelin, the pioneering brand in electronic tire development, made London’s public bus transits safe and ready for the summer Olympics crowd, with tires equipped with Michelin’s latest innovation in tire technology. Called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chips, the new technology allows for quick, safe and efficient evaluation of tire conditions.

The new “communicating” tires provide a breakthrough solution to improving road safety. Combining the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and RFID chips installed in the tire, the device helps check the tire pressure and conditions and link to a data processing system. After seven years of thorough testing and research plus thousands of manufactured chips that validate test phases, the technology was introduced to 85% of London’s city buses in time for the 30^th Olympic Games.

The small RFID chips require no batteries and instead are activated by the radio waves it receives during scanning. The users may input their own data and update them as well. It can last longer than the tire itself, shave time in vehicle maintenance and provide cost-efficient vehicle operations.

With Michelin’s “communicating” tires, the transit operators only need to use an electronic reader that automatically gathers information about the tire’s condition and history. Now, instead of physical check-ups that may be dangerous to the operators, a more reliable system of monitoring tire conditions guarantee that the passenger vehicle tires will last longer, be more accurately traceable, reduce fuel consumption and avoid the need for frequent and costly replacements.

The Michelin Group: A major player in the British urban transport system

The figures speak for themselves. With 33,000 buses covered by service contracts (representing 80% of the country’s bus market) and a 100% market share for four of the five largest British bus transport companies and a 50% share for the fifth, Michelin is eminently qualified to provide bus fleets with end-to-end tire management solutions. 

What’s more, 85% of all London buses are fitted with MICHELIN tires. More than just buses, these highly original vehicles – with their bright red color so well-liked by tourists – play both a symbolic and an indispensable role in urban mobility and at the same time are rightly considered to be one of the city’s cultural assets.

                                 

About Michelin (www.michelin.com)

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks and motorcycles. Michelin employs 115,000 people, has sales organizations in more than 170 countries and operates 69 production sites in 18 countries throughout five continents. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases and offers electronic mobility support services, on ViaMichelin.com. Research and innovation development is being taken care of in technology centres in Asia, Europe and North America.

3M Philippines showcases eco-solutions for electronics industry

3M Philippines unveiled a wide array of eco-solutions to enhance safety and efficiency in the semiconductor and electronics industry at the 9^th Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Convention and Exhibition (PSECE) held at the SMX Convention Center last June.

The convention highlighted products and services for electrical power equipment,  communication electronics, consumer electronics, software and semiconductor products. Representatives of over 170 technology companies attended the convention organized by the Semiconductors and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI).

At the convention, SEIPI President Ernesto Santiago said the semiconductor industry will play a major role in addressing the challenge of the looming energy crisis brought about by the rising demand for electricity from buildings and industry. “Semiconductors are key in reducing global power consumption. 30% reduction of that consumption is now possible with efficient brushless motors and smart sensor systems that help reduce water and energy consumption. We are now gearing towards carbon neutrality.”

Elsa Enriquez, Marketing Manager for 3M Electronics Solutions Division said that 3M is aware of the worldwide green trend, which is why it has introduced its Static Management Program composed of product, software and service solutions that allow companies to monitor their production processes from end to end and in real time. The program directly helps the electronics industry  by continually developing solutions to address current demand.

Elsa Enriquez, Marketing Manager for 3M Electronics Solutions Division said that 3M is aware of the worldwide green trend, which is why it has introduced its Static Management Program composed of product, software and service solutions that allow companies to monitor their production processes from end to end and in real time, thereby increasing their output and reducing waste. The program directly helps the electronics industry  by providing  advanced solutions to address current demand.

Enriquez also said 3M has products for the semiconductor industry that highlight the science of precise, safe and sustainable solutions for today’s demanding electronics needs. “The result is savings in processes, quality improvements and higher yields. These in turn result in more dependable products, fewer end-user complaints and reduced manual testing time for manufacturers,” Enriquez concluded.

Meanwhile, Jun Chua, Division Manager for Electronics Markets Materials also showcased his division’s broad range of specialized solutions for the electronics industry at the PSECE 2012. This consisted of adhesives, tapes, abrasives and coatings as well as green technologies that help reduce waste production, power consumption and total cost of ownership.

Chua stressed that 3M chemicals used by the electrical and electronic equipment industry are free from hazardous substances. “3M strictly conforms to environmental standards to safeguard operating procedures and processes,” he said.

As example, Chua cited 3M Novec™ Engineered Fluids, one of the products under his division that have zero ozone depletion and low global warming potential. It has an outstanding environmental and safety profile, is nonflammable and is used in an increasing number of critical electronics applications.

3M Philippines participated in PSECE 2012 as an exhibitor showcasing not only their electronics portfolio but also their products from industrial adhesives and tapes, occupational health and environmental safety; and purification divisions.

Keep clothes clean and dry in the rain

Don’t let the gloomy weather get to you. The rainy season, which is in full swing, often brings a lot of worries along with thunder and storms.  Rain has a way of affecting everything in our lives, including the clothes we wear.

Not letting damp laundry dry completely make garments smell foul and musty. Worse, the moisture in the clothes can be breeding places for bacteria, which can cause allergies and other ailments.

Luckily, Stanhome World, the No. 1 Direct-Selling company in the European Union, is committed to finding simple solutions to save everyday problems like rainy season laundry. Here are some easy tips that will ensure your laundry smells fresh and clean no matter what the weather.

1.     Make sure you use clean water to wash your clothes.

2.     Always apply soap or detergent evenly on the fabric.

3.     Rinse clothes thoroughly, until soap bubbles are no longer visible.

4.     Use fabric conditioner to make sure your clothes stay soft and sweet-smelling.

5.     Hang laundry indoors to make sure the clothes don’t get rained on.

6.     Iron clothes as soon as you can. Don’t bundle them up for a long time or they might lose the freshness of their just washed scent.

To really make sure your clothes are safe for rainy days, try PRIME-WASH Fresh Bloom and SANI-SOFT, Stanhome World’s new laundry offerings that will work to keep your garments clean and fresh no matter what the weather.

PRIME-WASH Fresh Bloom is a new variant of Stanhome’s laundry detergent, PRIME-WASH Classic. Along with having PRIME-WASH’s ability to keep clothes clean and germ-free, Fresh Bloom has a sweet floral scent that can be a breath of fresh air during rainy days.

SANI-SOFT Antibacterial Fabric Conditioner softens fabrics and helps reduce wrinkles better than regular detergents. It’s specially formulated to be safe for your family, with antibacterial ingredients that fight germs and a fragrance that minimizes risk of allergies. Plus, SANI-SOFT retains freshness even when laundry is dried indoors, making it perfect for the rainy season.

For more information about PRIME-WASH Fresh Bloom and SANI-SOFT, visit the Stanhome World Philippines Facebook Fan Page, email feedback@stanhomeworldph.com or contact 091-STANHOME (0917-8264663). Both new products are now available through the Stanhome World Independent Supervisors (SIS) or at Stanhome World Service Centers in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Batangas, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Zamboanga, Butuan City and Kidapawan.

Urban Bazaar 2012 rocks Power Plant Mall August 17-19

Fashion bloggers bring style and glam to the metro

Fashion-savvy urbanites, rejoice! The long-awaited Urban Bazaar 2012 is back with exciting offerings of chic trends styled by the coolest fashion bloggers in town.

The popular Power Plant Mall event will make the Rockwell Tent come alive on the weekend of August 17-19 when blogger superstars Laureen Uy of breakmystyle.com, Camille Co of itscamille.com, Dominique Tiu of konichiwear.com, Vern Enciso of vernenciso.com, Cheyser Pedregosa of thewalkingrecessionista.com and Ava Te of artsyfartsyava.blogspot.com walk their talk, fashion-wise.

Here’s the deal. These fashion-forward femmes will each create their distinct fashion styles from the merchandise sold at the Urban Bazaar on August 17. The stylized outfits will then be displayed onsite throughout the Blogger Weekend. Shoppers get the chance to win their favourite look via a raffle.

The entrance fee entitles each shopper to one raffle stub which they can drop in a bin intended for the different fashion looks. If their name gets picked from the bin where they dropped their stub, they win the total fashion package. Students get a 50% discount on the entrance fee just by showing their school ID.

Among the bazaar participants asre popular shoe lines CMG and So!Fab, e-boutique CoExist (by Camille Co) and Stylebreak (by Laureen Uy). Race car driver and designer extraordinaire Mark Bumgarner will also showcase the latest fashion from his fashion line, Cocobum.

Boys will have fun at Urban Bazaar as much as the girls. There’s a men’s lounge featuring Toys for the Boys where the gents can play games on Playstation 3 and Xbox for free, courtesy of Datablitz.

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/PowerPlantMall. Or call 898-1702.

Anti-Aging Car Care Tips for your Car

 A car is the second most valuable investment next to homes. Its purchase and maintenance cost can be quite overwhelming, that’s why it’s important to be knowledgeable and innovative in making the car efficient and in good condition over the long haul.

 3M Car Care offers tips to make your car look and run smoothly for as long as possible:

1.   During the break-in period (the first 1,600 km), keep your speed under 88 kph or to the speed recommended by the manufacturer.

2.   Do not race your car’s engine during start-up as it will wear out your engine; accelerate slowly when you drive. Shift to neutral at red lights.

3.   Keep an auto log where you can record your gas fill-ups and mileage. If you notice your gas mileage changing for the worse, have your car checked. It may be an early warning sign that something is wrong with it.

4.   Check tire pressure. Improperly inflated tires can greatly reduce fuel economy and lead to excessive tire wear. The correct tire pressure also will guard against tire blowouts and provide a safer ride.

5.   Check the oil. Oil keeps the engine lubricated, reduces friction and makes everything run efficiently. Change the oil every 3000 miles or three months for maximum performance and extended engine life.

6.   Maintain your car’s fluid levels. It can add thousands of miles to the life of the car. Locate the washer fluid and coolant containers under the hood and check their levels. Make sure they’re OK, especially if you regularly travel long distances or are planning a road-trip.

7.   Always park in the shade when you can. If you can’t, use a car shade to protect your car’s interiors. The sun’s rays are harmful to leather fittings, some upholstery and other gizmos inside your car. They also break down your car’s paint and cause it to fade.

8.   Vacuum and sponge car interiors when you wash your car. Get rid of abrasive dirt particles and soda spills which can be corrosive. Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe dust off the dashboard, door interiors and dash gauges.

9.   Rust-proof and protect your car’s under-chassis from floods and other causes that create rust. Invest in some matching touch-up paint or bring your car to a detailer so you can touch up minor nicks before rust has a chance to form.

10.  Do the work. Give your car a good bath with 3M™ Car Care Auto Shampoo and remove dirt and grime without removing wax protection.  Wash & dry vehicle with 3M™ PN1052 Super Absorbent Car Wipe to protect its surface.

11.  Clean wheels and tires with 3M™ Wheel & Tire Cleaner to remove brake dust and highway grime.

12.   Restore black plastic bumpers, door handles and tires to brand new finish with 3M™ Tire Restorer. Just spray on and wipe off for a deep black luster.

13.   Remove surface scratches with 3M™ Swirl Mark Remover in sachet. This new product reduces swirl marks and scuffs in the paint like magic.  For deeper scratches use 3M™ Scratch Remover in 8 oz bottle. It actually removes surface scratches quickly and easily and doesn’t just fill them in with wax. 

14.  Give the car a good protective coat of 3M™ Performance Finish Synthetic Wax.  This innovative synthetic wax, which chemically bonds with clear coat finishes, keeps the car’s finish looking good through up to 15 to 20 washes. It’s simple to apply and doesn’t haze. Just wipe on and wipe off in minutes with 3M™ Microfiber Detail Cloth (PN 39016) and don’t worry; it won’t leave a residue left in the cracks and crevices.

15.  Get the glass clean inside and out with 3M™ Glass Cleaner. It has a unique vertical cling that prevents drips and is safe to use on glass, plastic, chrome, metal and painted surfaces.

16   Protect the upholstery with 3M™ Leather and Vinyl Restorer, which revives the natural sheen and soft feel of the factory finish.

17.   For quick detailing or touch up of exterior surfaces, use 3M™ Quick Wax which can treat an entire vehicle in a just a few minutes.  This can be applied wet (after washing vehicle with 3M™ Car Care Auto Shampoo) or dry.  Spray on wax and wipe dry with 3M™ Microfiber Detail Cloth (PN 39016).

With these simple do-it-yourself maintenance projects and just a few hours’ investment, you can make your car look years younger, use it longer, and improve its value.