Tyrexpo Europe 2001 Preview

It is exhibition time once again in the UK, with Tyrexpo Europe 2001 being held in the Grand Hall at Olympia from March 14th to 16th. In terms of space, this is the largest-ever show in the event’s 23-year history. The exhibitor list underlines the show’s growing internationalisation over recent years, with companies coming from (naturally, given the name of the show) western and eastern Europe, the USA and Canada and the Far East.

Manufacturing tyres has become an increasingly global business, and so has wholesaling, with companies searching the globe for new sources of products and also for customers. Wholesalers are well represented at Tyrexpo. An industry not enjoying good times at the moment is that of retreading, especially for passenger car tyres.

It is no surprise, therefore, that the number of retreaders taking space at the show is below that of previous events. However, the industry is not totally unrepresented, with machinery manufacturers and suppliers of consumables taking space. Two areas which are becoming more prominent are those of tyre recycling and internet trading.

Legal moves such as the banning of tyres for landfill and the End of Life Vehicle Directive are concentrating industry minds on recycling, and there are tyre collectors and disposers among the exhibitors. Few doubt that the internet will have a growing effect on the tyre – and every other – business, and Tyrexpo Europe provides the opportunity for some of the companies offering internet trading to show what they can offer. Our preview gives a flavour of the variety of exhibitors by giving details of some of what is on show.