Page 20 - CTB N15 - 2016-03

RETREADING
Bridgestone Introduces ‘Bandag Contract of Trust’
Marangoni Continues to Extend Blackline Range
Bridgestone has developed ‘The Bandag Contract of Trust’ as an attempt to deliver an added layer of reassurance and trust for commercial fleets. The idea has an aim of reassuring fleets that Bandag retreaded tyres are not only a safe and reliable alternative to a new set
of fewer natural resources and less energy in comparison to the production of new tyres. This contributes a more sustainable mobility – a mission shared by both Bridgestone and Bandag.
“The Bandag Contract of Trust” has
Two years after its introduction to the market and with a 30% share of all Marangoni Ringtread sales, the Italian tread manufacturer’s Blackline series has already proved itself to be a success with an increasing sales trend.
The range currently consists of 13 tread patterns, with two new ones to be added shortly: the RTL FE trailer, and the RDL FE drive, intended for long continental routes and both characterised by excellent rolling resistance and durability.
In the meantime, three other new Blackline-patterns have been successfully launched: RDR HM3, ICE100 and WSS.
The RDR HM3 pattern is intended
and an open shoulder row, designed to cut into the ice and provide excellent traction with, or without the use of spikes under exteme winter-conditions
WSS, the new Blackline ring line for supersingles launched in 2015, has a linear design for non-driving axles and features the 3PMSF marking to indicate that it meets the demands of a market requiring greater safety, especially in winter conditions. The "twisterlock" technology siping, the square profile to maximise the footprint on the ground, transverse grooves on the shoulders, and ultra high-performance compounds for all conditions of use, provide excellent overall performance.
The Blackline range is currently available only from selected retreaders, able to guarantee process and control standards at the highest levels. In the short-term, Marangoni says it plans to increase the market availability of this
premium line, thanks to a training programme for a wider portion of retreaders
in the
Marangoni
network.
Blackline is
Marangoni's
response to
the
evolution
the market
has undergone
in recent years, WSS where fleets in
particular have been
demanding retreaded tyres with reliable performance, improved durability and rolling resistance which is comparable or superior to quality new tyres in order to guarantee savings.
The ambitious objectives of the Marangoni Group’s Advanced Research Division during the development of the Blackline range of products, was to achieve at least a 15% increased mileage, a 10% reduction in rolling resistance, a 3% reduction in consumption, as well as a 10% increase in adhesion and, for the on-off road tread, a 20% increase in mechanical wear-resistance. Those goals were actually exceeded through the use of new materials, increased natural rubber content, a new generation carbon black perfectly incorporated in the compound through a revolutionary mixing process, and a new generation of moulds.
CommercialTyre
Management
and Fleet Business
of tyres, but a further solution for reducing fleets’ tyre related costs per kilometre. The proposition extends to retreads made from Bridgestone and Firestone tyre casings, where the retreadability by Bandag is completely guaranteed. The “Bandag Contract of Trust” is due to be signed between Bandag dealers and fleet operators. The Contract of Trust was revealed for the first time at the Reifen Essen trade fair in Germany, with it due to be progressively rolled out across Europe.
The “Bandag Contract of Trust” provides fleets with three specific guarantees under applicable conditions. The first is a Bandag retread warranty that provides trouble-free performance as you expect from premium new tyres. The second guarantees a lower tyre cost per km with Bandag retreads than the fleet’s fitted tyres, with the third delivering 100% retread suitability of Bridgestone and Firestone tyre casings.
Bridgestone has been trying to stress the green solutions that retreading provides by emphasising retread production’s lower ecological footprint through its use
Bridgestone’s Total Tyre Life concept at its heart. This concept suggests that the combination of new premium tyres, manufactured with fully-retreadable casings, before being followed up by quality retreads, can assist fleets in a reduction in their operating costs through a lower cost per km over the whole tyre life.
With some fleet operators being slow to accept retreads in their tyre programme, the Senior Manager Truck & Bus Tyres Categor y Management at Bridgestone Europe, Harald Van Ooteghem explained the idea behind “The Bandag Contract of Trust” saying that, “we aim to convince them (fleet operators) that Bandag retreads, backed by Bridgestone, play a vital role in tyre management and operating efficiency.”
“Our fleet customers who regularly use retreads in their tyre programme see the benefits clearly; they acknowledge that mounting retreads gives them a better return on investment and brings down the cost per kilometre” adds Harald.
durability. Testing has shown that the new RDR HM3, in comparison with tyres featuring the same pattern and intended use, produced outstanding results with up to +20% of increased mileage. The tread-width has been increased by 10% compared to previous generation products and the high "material/void" ratio ensures high
mileage and excellent
traction. This performance
allows the Blackline RDR HM3 to be a direct competitor to even the best new tyres on the market
today.
The ICE100
line is the new studdable design for drive axles,
developed according to the higher Blackline
standards. It is a product developed for use in extreme winter conditions, especially on icy roads, and mainly for vehicles operating in long distance application. The pattern is characterised by heavily siped blocks
Ice 100
for the drive axle of high-
power and torque
vehicles, primarily operating on domestic and regional routes, especially in harsh
conditions. It has
provided impressive results with regards to
20 Commercial Tyre Business
RDR HM3