Page 18 - CTB N18 - 2017-02

RETREADING
Integration of Continental and Bandvulc Steps Up a Gear
Arthur Gregg said “Firstly, I have to thank Patrick and the whole team at Bandvulc who have made me feel welcome here over the last 10
months. They have built up a great business by having a fantastic team of people, which I am privileged to join and now lead.”
The integration of Bandvulc and Continental less than a year ago is already delivering results, according to Managing Director Patrick O’Connell. Bandvulc began as a small independent company in 1971 when the O’Connell family started recycling truck tyres at a Kingsbridge base using rubber imported from Malaysia, before the business grew to produce 4,000 tyres a week and developed into fleet maintenance work which includes 24/7 support for 70% of the supermarket fleets on
other projects within Continental. “I have enjoyed my years steering Bandvulc and growing a highly successful business,” says Patrick. “It is always down to having people who work together to achieve a goal. At Bandvulc we have always had good people with good systems to produce an output without rival in the industry. I look forward to being involved in a future business with the same vision.”
Patrick remains at the Bandvulc site with new responsibilities in retread
New Long Haul Tread Designs from Marangoni
Marangoni Retreading Systems have announced the addition of two new products to the company’s RINGTREAD Blackline range of pre- cured treads. The new RTL FE and RDL FE are fuel efficient designs that deliver the all-around best compromise to over the road fleets in traction, fuel saving and mileage, in long haul application.
Specialist engineers at the company estimate the ranges offer fuel savings of as much as 4% per vehicle per year, if applied on top grade rolling resistance casings: approximately €1,680 (or £1,465) per truck per year.
latest evolution of the successful RINGTREAD ENERGECO range offers a 16.5 mm tread depth, a compact footprint plus a directional pattern designed for greater traction, increased resistance to wear, noise reduction, comfort and 3PMSF approval. This product brings improved mileage replacement rates, features tied-open shoulders, and three central lines of narrow blocks divided by shape optimised sides that specially limit irregular wear caused by torque increases. When retreaded on a low rolling resistance casing, the RDL FE performs to a “C” labelling level, ensuring
Patrick O’Connell is moving on to spend more time on other projects with Continental.
our roads. This success attracted the attention of Continental AG which acquired Bandvulc in July 2016, sustainably strengthening Continental’s position in the UK and Irish market. Bandvulc became the exclusive and sole supplier of the
research & development and innovation & technical advancement, which will offer a better overview of retreading across Europe and worldwide. He will report to Ralf Benack, based at Continental’s head office in
Arthur Gregg
Uniroyal truck tyre brand in January and Managing Director Patrick O’Connell and Business Integration Manager Arthur Gregg have reported positive progress in bringing the two sides of the business closer together to the company’s European Tyre Board.
Patrick is stepping down as MD of the Bandvulc group of companies on 1 May 2017 to spend more time on
Hannover, Germany.
Taking on the role of MD will be Arthur Gregg, who joined Bandvulc from Continental on acquisition. Arthur, who has a wealth of experience in the tyre industry having previously worked for Michelin and Bridgestone, will report to David Smith, Managing Director at Continental Tyre Group UK. Commenting on his appointment
The company’s new RINGTREAD Blackline RTL FE is a brand new innovative Marangoni original design that features 11.5 mm tread, wide shoulders, a solid footprint and utilises a unique wide and small groove combination to deliver minimised high-spec rolling resistance performance. When retreaded on a low rolling resistance casing, it performs to an “A” labelling
level - the maximum fuel saving obtained from any performance tyre. RTL FE is available to fit any 385/55R22.5 or 385/65R22.5 casing. The second new offering from the company comes via another Marangoni original design: the RINGTREAD Blackline RDL FE. The
significant fuel economy savings from a 3PMSF winter condition tyre. RDL FE is available to fit any 315/70R22.5, 295/60R22.5 or 315/60R22.5 casing.
Marangoni Retreading Systems designed both products with a new ‘generation’ compound, able to deliver extra economic benefits to fleet managers. Both patterns were driven by Marangoni’s desire to add
extra value for money to their range of products in light of fuel increases caused by global uncertainty.
18 Commercial Tyre Business