Conti and Reifen Ihle Invest in ‘Strategic Components’
While in bygone years retreads were burdened with a reputation for inferiority in comparison to new tyres, over time this attitude has markedly changed. This is not only because the European ECE Regulations 108 and 109 have led to retreaders significantly increasing their focus on quality; haulage companies have also felt increasing environmental and economic pressure and this has made retreading products seem an increasingly attractive solution to operational problems. And demand typically creates a supply – one that ever more often comes from new tyre manufacturers. During a recent factory tour, Continental AG and German retreader Reifen Ihle GmbH revealed how supposed competitors can become harmonious partners.
Continue ReadingB&J Rocket Sales Sharpen Up
Retreading tool and rasp manufacturer B&J Rocket Sales AG has reported that its sales are back on the up after the recession. Speaking to Tyres & Accessories, managing director Andreas Mueller explained that during the first 7 months of 2010 sales showed “a strong upward movement” compared to the previous year. This probably isn’t too surprising considering the fact that like other players in the sector sales plummeted due to the economic recession. But in B&J Rocket’s case the effects of the recession were amplified by the fact that 2008, says Mueller, was the exact opposite of 2009 – it was a record year.
Continue ReadingInterview: Retreading Key to Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Global Expansion
In its centenary year, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres is part of the way through an expansion plan designed to double the size of the company in terms of new tyres made. With a view to achieving this, the company has set up a joint venture in China with the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company, named Dunlop Taikoo. Before the recession hit the world’s economies, Dunlop AT had planned to set up a similar facility to cater to the North American market; plans that are still very much at the forefront of the current expansion strategy. It has also recently purchased tyre-making and testing equipment from Yokohama Rubber following the Japanese manufacturer’s decision to withdraw from aircraft tyre production at the end of March 2009. The purchase and installation of the equipment at Dunlop’s Fort Dunlop plant has enabled the Birmingham-based company almost immediate access to the Boeing 777 market for example, an aircraft used heavily in domestic flights.
Continue ReadingVipal Raises European Retread and Repair Prices 10%
Brazilian based retreading and repair material manufacturer Vipal has announced that it is to increase its prices by 10 per cent across the board. The price increase is scheduled to take affect on 1 October 2010. The company says it will make every effort to attend to orders placed before this date, respecting the requirements of all our customers while stocks last.
Continue ReadingBandvulc Employee Best in the UK for Second Year
A Bandvulc employee has gained the highest “City & Guilds Part 1 Retread Process Workshop Practice” mark in UK, the second year in a row that a Bandvulc entrant has laid claim to this award. Every year a number of the company’s employees embark on the City & Guilds course where they have a 12 section syllabus to complete via in-house tuition and no small measure of homework. The course runs from September to April each year and covers all aspects of tyre retreading.
Continue ReadingBandvulc Tyre Contracts Celebrates 10th Anniversary, 1 Millionth Order
Bandvulc Tyre Contracts (BTC), the well-known independent retreader’s tyre management arm, has celebrated the authorisation of its 1 millionth order number. The firm celebrated the significant milestone alongside BTC’s 10th anniversary in July. “BTC’s success bears testimony to the commitment and hard work of the in-house team and also our service providers. We would like to express our thanks for their continued support and collaboration. At the rate we’re going we should reach our 2 millionth order number in half the time – somewhere in 2015,” Kevin McPherson, BTC Manager, commented.
Continue ReadingMichelin Aircraft to Close Kansas City Retread Facility
Michelin Aircraft Tire has filed notice of closure for its Kansas City retreading plant with the state of Missouri. The Kansas City Business Journal reports the notice was filed in late July and that 75 workers will be affected when the N.W. 97th Terrace facility closes.
Continue ReadingRösler Setting Up Schelkmann Retreading in Canada
Over the last few years the Rösler Group has focused intensely upon marketing its licensed Schelkmann retreading system internationally. Currently the sixth facility to utilise the system is being set up in the east Canadian province of New Brunswick. As company managing director Martin Rösler explained to Tyres & Accessories, construction work in Canada is progressing rapidly. Truck tyre retreader Pneu ABC Tires Inc. will commence the precure retreading of OTR tyres there by the middle of next year, with the bulk of output being delivered to Swiss mining company Xstrata, who extensively quarries resources in eastern Canada and is an existing ABC Pneu Tires customer. The project is being implemented through a 2.5 to three million euro investment.
Continue ReadingMarangoni Announces up to 12% Price Increase
Marangoni Retreading Systems has announced that it will implement its third price increase this year on the tread rubber tyre retreading materials (and related products) it sell to the tyre retreading industry. According to an official statement published on 3 August, the prices will be increased by up to 12 per cent with immediate effect in Europe. Marangoni’s management said the increase is due to “sharp rises in the prices of raw materials.”
Continue ReadingBridgestone & Towell Open Oman Bandag Retreading Plant
Bridgestone and its exclusive distributor in Oman, Towell Auto Centre LLC, have jointly opened a Bandag retreading facility near the capital city Muscat. The plant, located in Mabella, has the capacity to retread 26,000 tyres per annum. Bridgestone Middle East & Africa FZE president Shoichi Sakuma indicates that approximately $1.5 million has been invested in the facility. “This is our fifth retread facility in the region,” Sakuma commented. Bandag also operates plants in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The new factory will, in accordance with local regulations, restrict its retreading activities to commercial vehicle tyres for 20-inch and larger rim sizes.
Continue ReadingNew Bandag Drive Tread Released
In the US, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions has introduced a new Bandag-brand BDR-HG tread specially designed for regional and over-the-road fleets operating tandem-axle tractors. When used in the drive axle position, the new BDR-HG (Bandag Drive Regional – High Grip) tread is said to promote best-in-class traction both when new and as the tread wears.
Continue ReadingBIPAVER Appoints New President, Presidium
At its annual general assembly in June, members of the European retreading association BIPAVER elected a new presidium. Taking over the reins as president is former vice-president Jan Driessen, from VACO in the Netherlands. Former president, Italy’s Brenno Benaglia (AIRP) now serves in the capacity of vice-president, and Portugal’s José Silva Gomes, from the ANIRP, has been appointed second vice-president. The BIPAVER offices remain, as before, in the premises of the Dutch tyre organisation VACO.
Continue ReadingB&J Rocket Releases Alu I-Beam
Switzerland’s B&J Rocket Sales AG says its I-Beam spacers have gained a remarkable reputation for durability and reliability in the industry and thus over the years have become a top seller. Thus it comes as no surprise that B&J Rocket has developed the concept further; the company has now introduced the next generation I-Beam spacer, the Alu I-Beam Air spacer. B&J Rocket says this new product provides more cooling and a longer lifetime.
Continue ReadingUS Senator “Owes Retreading Industry an Apology”
Although most likely uttered out of ignorance rather than malice, comments made by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin have the potential to tarnish the reputation of retreaders throughout the US. During a speech at the Iowa Democratic Party’s state convention on June 12, Harking referred to a Republican party candidate as a ‘retread’ – an insult that, you may be amazed to learn, has gained a measure of popularity on the other side of the Atlantic – and then continued by saying “and the problem with retreads is that they have a tendency to blow out and cause a lot of wrecks.”
Continue ReadingMarangoni Partners With Leader Tread in South Africa
Marangoni Retreading Systems is venturing into new commercial ground after establishing a cooperation agreement with Marathon, part of the Leader Rubber group in South Africa. According to the retreading systems manufacturer, partnering with Marathon opens the door to two million unit-strong South African new tyre/retread market. Marangoni Retreading Systems and Marathon expect to complete South African market penetration by the end of 2011. The agreement see Marathon provide the distribution platform and sales support to partners producing retreads with the Ringtread system, which is seen as a quality and cost saving response to the price-based market made up largely of Far Eastern products.
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