For: ARNCO; 5141 Firestone Place; South Gate, CA 90280

Contact: Michael Isser or Mark Smith (516) 868-6645; FAX: (516) 868-7166; e-mail: info@isserpr.com
For Immediate Release
To Meet Growing Demand for Tires That Never Go Flat:

Bobcat Joins with Arnco in Offering Flat-Proofed Tires

As Option on Bobcat Skid Steer Loaders 

            To meet a growing global demand for flat-free off-road vehicle tires, Bobcat Company and Arnco have signed an agreement to offer Bobcat tires filled with Arnco’s SuperFlex® polyurethane flat-proofing material as optional equipment on all Bobcat Skid Steer Loader models.

            The agreement was announced by Arnco’s Director of Marketing Bob Giasson, who said, “the expanding demand and significance of reducing operator downtime caused by flat tires is certainly underscored with this decision by Bobcat, the world’s largest manufacturer of skid steer loaders.”

             Mr. Giasson added that the air-like ride and other unique features of Arnco’s patented SuperFlex formulation was a deciding factor in Bobcat’s decision. SuperFlex is the ideal flatproofing product to use when ride, footprint and floatation are needed.  It has a “softness” of 8 (durometer), protects both operator and machine from vibration and jolting, increases tire life and performance, adds ballast and maintains proper tire pressure and footprint. SuperFlex is also the only flatproofing product approved by Bobcat Company for use with over-the-tire metal tracks.

            According to Bobcat Company, SuperFlex flatproofing will be offered as an optional item on Bobcat Heavy Duty Tires and Bobcat Severe Duty Tires with the purchase or rental of all Bobcat Skid Steer Loader models. Bobcat dealers and rental outlets can either fill the tires themselves, after becoming an approved and trained Arnco SuperFlex poly-fill dealer through the Bobcat merchandising program; or can purchase SuperFlex-filled wheel assemblies as a factory-installed option on a new machine. Bobcat dealers can also have wheel assemblies filled at an Arnco Certified Dealer.     

            Mr. Giasson also noted that Arnco will be working with Bobcat dealers to ensure they have sufficient material, training and support, and also will be offering dealers re-treading capabilities since SuperFlex is one of the few flat-proofing materials able to withstand the higher heat requirements of re-treading applications.

            Arnco, founded in 1971 and located in South Gate, Calif., is the world’s largest supplier of polyurethane flatproofing fill for tires used in construction, mining, ground support, material handling, and lawn and garden industries.  It also markets several different formulations – including HeviDuty®, RePneu® and RePneu II® – and its ReSeal® liquid tire sealant and rim conditioner to meet the varying needs of equipment applications.  The firm’s sales and technical staff are based in Chattanooga, Tenn., and it has processing facilities in South Gate, California; Cleveland, Ohio; and Manchester England.

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(February 2003)