Page 23 - CTB n6 - 2014-02

RETREADING
Shearography is being invested in by many of the larger and medium-sized retreaders. This machine is at Vacu-Lug’s factory in Grantham
new tyre manufacturers. Direct Tyre Sales is another fast growing retreader, owned by the Direct tyre Management Group, one of the leading fleet management companies.
Of particular importance is the growth in power of the new tyre manufacturers. Michelin, Goodyear and Bridgestone have their own facilities. Continental, until recently, had their retreads produced by Bandvulc but recently opened a major new retread plant in Hannover, Germany to service their UK retread requirements. Pirelli
and Hankook both have retread programmes contracted out to third party retreaders as do Giti. According to Tim Bader of Kings Road Tyres, Aeolus are also taking their brand’s retreadability seriously too, having changed the casing specification of the 295/80 R 22.5 tyre to make it easier to retread using the mould cure retreading system which is prevalent in the UK. According to Bader, the company is currently in the process of developing a retreading programme in conjunction with one of the country’s leading retreaders.
The press line at Continental’s new retread plant in Hannover, Germany
Martin West of Sailun has a similar view; “We are aware that retreadability is important and are talking to a number of retreaders about testing the product,” he says.” To elevate the brand to the next level we will need to make sure that retreading is included in our overall strategy.”
In conclusion, when analysing the prospects for the retreading sector, it is important to draw a distinction between those who are buying as cheap as they can and those who are looking to use retreading as part of a tyre management package. The
former, for sure, are potentially going to affect the retreading sector. However, by the same token, fleet companies and manufacturers are getting more into providing whole life packages for fleets. That being the case it seems as though a future for retreaders will remain, albeit one which is driven largely by fleet service companies and new tyre manufacturers.