Apollo increases retreading focus in India

20 new branded retread outlets to be opened this financial year

Apollo Tyres inaugurated its third Apollo Retread Zone (ARZ) in Mumbai, in the western part of India. Rajesh Dahiya, Group Head, Sales-APMEA (Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa), Apollo Tyres Ltd inaugurated the outlet in Turbhe, Navi Mumbai. With the objective of providing quality retreading service to truck-bus customers and fleet owners, these branded outlets are equipped with most advanced retreading machines, high quality tread material and trained workers. The move demonstrates Apollo’s increasing focus on retreading and forms part of the firm’s plans to open 20 new branded retread outlets this financial year.

Commenting on the network expansion, Satish Sharma, president, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Apollo Tyres Ltd said: “As a dominant player in the commercial vehicle segment, especially in India, we are committed to providing 360 degree solution to our customers, which very much includes retreading as well, to enhance the tyre life of the end-user. The increase in usage of radial tyres in the truck-bus segment, has increased the potential for retreading, and thereby the need for more such quality retreading outlets to service our customers.”

In addition to providing infrastructural support for these retreading outlets, Apollo Tyres also trains the employees of ARZ at its Retread Research and Training Centre in Chennai.

All truck-bus radials are capable of multiple retreads due to the strong carcass, and each retread costs only 25 – 27 per cent of the cost of a new tyre, while providing nearly 90 per cent of the mileage of a new tyre. The Retreading Industry in India is gradually getting more and more organised as customers are opting for multiple retreads on their tyres, and prefer the same to be done by the tyre manufacturers, instead of unorganised players.

Apollo Tyres started out with Apollo Retread Zones in 2014, with the first two outlets opening in Jaipur and Chennai. However, the firm began operating in the retread arena at least seven years earlier in 2007.