It’s almost three years since Magna Tyres Group acquired OBO Tyres, the largest retreader in the Netherlands. Since that time, the Obo facility in Hardenberg has been instrumental in Magna’s ‘Made in Holland’ production plans. The site has now been renamed ahead of a further increase in capacity for these products. The Obo business in Germany has also gained a new name.
Magna Tyres has added three sizes to its popular Magna M-Terrain E4 tyre series for off-road dump trucks. The M-Terrain is now available in sizes 750/65R25, 875/65R29 and 800/80R29. The manufacturer states that the range extension is designed to serve more clients globally.
The concept is beautiful in its simplicity – listen to customers and respond quickly to their needs. For many companies, this is easier said than done. Not so for Magna Tyres Group. The Netherlands-based earthmover and off-highway tyre specialist maintains short decision-making paths and prides itself in its flexibility. For Michael de Ruijter, these qualities reflect the Magna Tyres culture of “doing things our own way.”
Magna Tyres Group has introduced a new flotation tyre for agricultural trucks and trailers, the AG24. Produced in the popular size 24R20.5 and based upon the Obo Transport HD on/off road agricultural tyre, Magna Tyres calls its new product “the ultimate all-rounder for agri trucks and trailers.”
A complaint often voiced by European retreaders is that their margins have been squeezed flat by imports of new tyres, especially products from China. But while many players have redirected excess capacity to Europe in the hope of claiming market share from retreaders, one tyre company has embarked upon a different approach. Instead of shipping its entire product range halfway around the world from the Far East to Europe, Magna Tyres Group has begun making some of its tyres within our region – and has teamed up with a retreader to do so.
European manufacture of certain products in the Magna Tyres range began last week at the company’s Obo Tyres plant in the Netherlands. Tyrepress.com was there and will report on the reopening of the Obo site as well as Magna’s plans for the facility, but the headline news is that three Magna Tyres products will now be made in Holland. These are the Magna MA02 in size 29.5R25, Magna M-Terrain in size 26.5R25 and a new tyre line, the Magna AG24 in size 24R20.5.
Production of Magna tyres will soon begin in Europe. In January, the Magna Tyres Group will officially open its own facility in the Netherlands. A factory has been set up at the Hardenberg site operated by Obo Tyres, the retreader acquired by Magna Tyres Group in late 2016. The company states that from January, the Netherlands will host the manufacture certain products in the Magna range.
While spent revellers slept or nursed New Year’s hangovers and the well-meaning scribbled out resolutions they’d struggle to keep for a week, let alone a year, on 1 January Obo Tyres began something more significant. The first day of 2017 was also the Dutch retreader’s first as member of the Magna Tyres Group. The acquisition of Obo was announced shortly before the festive season got under way, and the new arrangement enables Magna, a specialist in the field of new off-highway and truck tyres, to offer its range as a full lifecycle portfolio. The benefit to Obo Tyres is measurable in terms of access to new markets, improved casing supply and the opportunity to develop new and qualitatively superior products.
Netherlands retreader Obo Tyres has appointed Peter Schrijver as its new commercial manager. The company said his appointment would further stimulate the growth of the company. Schrijver starts in his new position at Obo Tyres BV on 1 October, 2016, having worked previously for Apollo Vredestein for 29 years.
At its beach-themed Reifen 2016 stand, Dutch retreader Obo Tyres shared details of a new area it has branched out into. The company has begun retreading drive rollers and rubber agricultural tracks, and displayed a number of these products at the show. The tyre retreader considers the addition of these products to its retreading portfolio a logical step for the company.
OBO Tyres will present a stand designed to promote tyre retreading at Reifen 2016. The company’s 100sqm stand will be situated in the Gallery area that connects Hall 2 and 4, with OBO Tyres giving its booth a summer look, presenting large tyres in a beach environment. The retreader says its intention is to draw attention “to the most environmentally friendly” method of tyre production.
OBO Tyres has marked the fifth anniversary of its retreading brand, Ecotrac, with discounts available on sever Ecotrac models. The manufacturer says its Ecotrac rubber compound, for retreading earthmover, agricultural and transport tyres, was the result of “years of market research,” which have made it “strong, durable and safe”. OBO said it is “proud” of the results, adding that “service and customer satisfaction is of paramount importance.”
Netherlands-based retreader Obo Tyres shares that it has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of Daan Brinks. He joins the firm after completing his communications studies, however is no stranger to Obo Tyres as he carried out the final assignment for his studies with the company. Obo says Brinks’ employment expands its sales and communications reach.
Obo Tyres BV has launched the new 24R20.5 Transport Heavy Duty (HD), which – according to the company – focuses on both performance and durability. 24R20.5 was reportedly selected because of demand in the market and the requirement for both comfort and mobility.
Should Europe’s retreaders play a word association game, most if not all would pair the word ‘casing’ together with ‘shortage’. The dearth of retreadable casings in certain sizes has been an issue for a number of years now, and as yet no end to the situation is in sight. Retreaders not content with idly sitting by and waiting for suitable casings to come their way have needed to be creative and find alternative ways of sourcing them. Obo Tyres is doing just that; the Netherlands-based company has decided to break its reliance upon the open used casing market by entering into a new business area, and recently spoke with Tyres & Accessories about its plans to ensure the ongoing prosperity and growth of its retreading operation.
