Retreading
All-season tyre prices continue to grow, winter prices flatten
Earlier research based on point of sales system-based sell-out data shows that mid-range all-season tyres are leading market growth, followed by premium tyres (see “Mid-range all-season tyres lead market growth” for more on this). At the same time 4x4 and SUV tyres specifically appear to be driving growth. Both facts point to the hypothesis that market growth is being driven by high-value products, which makes both all-season tyres in general and SUV/4x4 all-season tyres in particular attractive parts of the tyre business to engage in. But what evidence is there that this thesis is supported by sell-out pricing?
Zenises buys Vacu-Lug
Zenises has bought Grantham-based Vacu-Lug. The acquisition means Vacu-Lug remains the only significantly sized independent retreader in the UK. With an annual truck tyre retread capacity of 120,000, Zenises representatives described the firm as the largest independent retreader in Europe.
“My product can do even more”
Many retreaders face an uphill battle just to maintain their position in European retreading markets. For those that do, a key factor in their success is – as we’ve previously commented in these pages – possession of a stable customer base. Yet loyalty is only earned through unflagging effort; maintaining close relations with customers is important, as is product quality and price in comparison with new tyres and the competition’s retreads. A fine example of how this works on a small, regional scale can be seen at W.H.H. Reifenerneuerung, a Hamburg, Germany-based retreader that’s been in the business for almost 40 years.
The increasing connection between new tyres, retreads and technology
When news of Chinese truck tyre import tariffs breaking around us, Tyres & Accessories wanted to gauge the response of a leading premium tyremaker and retreader. With Goodyear having been amongst the few to officially comment on the matter since the announcement of tariffs at the start of May, we asked Gregory Boucharlat, director Fleet and Retread Commercial EU to bring us to speed on this as well as wider ongoing retreading trends.
Bridgestone lifts Bulldog production, invests in UK retreading as duties drive demand
It’s now more than two months since the European Union applied anti-dumping duties on a range of truck and bus tyres manufactured in China, and during this time Bridgestone has observed a “strong uplift in demand” within the UK retreading industry. With the market “showing signs of a significant upturn in fortunes,” the company behind the Bandag retreading brand believes a “continued investment in its range of products is beginning to reap dividends.”
Tariffs support retread revival bid
The rise of low-cost Chinese truck tyre imports in Europe has been well documented in the pages of various issues of our ongoing series of Retreading Special supplements. The resultant risks affecting the industry have led to pan-European awareness-raising and lobbying efforts at a European level. This in turn resulted in a European Commission (EC) investigating and on the impact of Chinese truck tyre imports on European retread sales, which began late last year. Then product registration began in February 2018. The latest news marks something of a victory for retreaders in their bid to revive the business as now we know that tariffs of between 52.85 euros and 82.17 euros per tyre are being applied to all truck and bus radials imported into Europe from China.
Cima Impianti: “The market is in turmoil”
For Cima Impianti, last year ended with as many challenges as it began. “The market is in turmoil,” comments the Italian supplier of equipment for the retreading industry. Anti-dumping duties against imports of truck and bus tyres from China have been discussed and – at least on a preliminary basis – levied for a six-month period; a new regulation covering the 3PMSF symbol and its use on new and retreaded tyres has also come into force.
UK’s RMA and BTMA amalgamate to strengthen retreading representation
Considering the evolution of the retreading market in the UK to fewer and larger players, the Retread Manufacturers’ Association (RMA) has been faced with somewhat dwindling numbers of members. Consolidation has meant fewer distinct companies, which has in turn made for a reduced membership base. However, this does not necessarily equate to the reduced vitality of retreading in the UK – while certainly facing many challenges from the availability of lower-cost new tyres imported from the Far East, retreading has continued to prove relevant to a greater or lesser degree depending on prevailing macroeconomic winds.
Vipal celebrates the results of first Tire Cologne
Between 29 May and 1 June Vipal Rubber attended The Tire Cologne, in Germany. On the trade show's first day, Vipal Rubber representatives were among the featured speakers at the "Global Retreading Conference". Specifically, Vipal Rubber's Head of International Business, Leandro Rigon, was invited to talk about the tyre retreading situation in Latin America, also representing ALARNEU (Latin American Association of Tire Retread).
TRM targeting South America
TRM, the Tyre Retreading Machinery division of Marangoni, is aiming to grow its business in South America, specifically the Brazilian market, the company said.
Vacu-Lug becomes Hankook Alphatread UK retread partner
Vacu-Lug has become the new retread manufacturing partner for Hankook in the UK. The company signalled its new status by including the manufacturer’s Alphatread retreading brand on its stand at the Commercial Vehicle Show (24-26 April, Birmingham NEC), coinciding with the beginning of production of the Alphatread bead-to-bead retread truck tyre range at the Vacu-Lug factory in Grantham.
Vacu-Lug begins manufacturing Hankook’s Alphatread range
Vacu-Lug has begun production of Hankook’s Alphatread truck tyre range at its factory in Grantham, Lincolnshire. The bead-to-bead retread tyre range is designed for medium haul fleets, and consists of four sizes. For drive axles, the R-DH05 is available in 295/80R22.5, 315/80R22.5 and 315/70R22.5 and for trailer axles, the R-TH22 is available in 385/65R22.5.
Directa Plus collaboration: graphene to boost Marangoni retreading performance
The performance of Marangoni retreading products is expected to benefit from a new strategic collaboration between Marangoni and Directa Plus plc, a leading producer and supplier of graphene-based products for use in consumer and industrial markets. Under the terms of the agreement, both Marangoni and Directa plus will work together to develop a bespoke version of the Directa’s Graphene Plus (G+) for use in Marangoni truck and bus tyre retreading compounds.
Lukatec launches ROI-Tread HS 6011 cushion gum extruder
Brazilian retreading machinery manufacturer Lukatec has launched its latest cushion gum extruder, the ROI-Tread HS 6011 and has also introduced two further models, the Compact 6007 and 6005. These new products join the ROI-Tread M, 100M, 200M and 300M in the Lukatec range.
Truck tyre tariffs to end Chinese import tsunami
The EU’s decision to implement import tariffs on Chinese-produced truck tyres marks a sea-change in both the truck tyre market in general and European governments’ approach to the subject in particular. As of the 8 May 2018, truck tyres produced in China and imported into the UK have become between 52.85 euros and 82.17 euros per tyre more expensive than before. And what’s more, with product registration having begun back in February 2018, such charges look likely to be backdated to February on tyres already sold. This cannot fail to have an enormous impact, but what exactly will it mean for the truck tyre sector?
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