BASys control system, Bandag extruder installed at Bridgestone’s Bulldog plant
Bridgestone’s largest Bandag franchise, Bulldog in Bourne, Lincolnshire is a central pillar in Bridgestone’s UK Total Tyre Care truck and bus tyre strategy, and as such has been a target for ongoing investment. Most recently, Bridgestone has installed the BASys casing and production control system, digitally linking the tripartite facility and tracking the journey of retreads through the manufacturing process. This joins the latest piece of retread production equipment, the latest generation Bandag extruder builder the 9110ES, which was installed in 2016, and is now fully operational. Tyres & Accessories visited the Bulldog site to see the latest upgrades in action, and how Bulldog intends to capitalise on the current moment of what Bridgestone retread development manager for the North region (UK, Ireland, and the Nordic region) Terry Salter terms a “golden period” for retreading.
Giti Tire refreshes retread programme with new name, partner
Giti Tire has renamed its UK retread programme Giti Genesis as part of its European truck and bus rebranding project. Originally known as GT REE-Tread when it was launched at the CV Show 2012, the next generation products show strong continuity in most aspects – it will remain a hot cure bead-to-bead retread manufactured using Giti casings, though there have been some changes, the biggest of which is the identity of the retreader. The Giti Genesis is available in two patterns: the GDR690 regional drive axle tyre is available in 295/80R22.5, 315/70R22.5 and 315/80R22.5; the GTR990 regional trailer tyre is offered in size 385/65R22.5.
Vacu-Lug seeks to capitalise on advantages of independence
With Continental’s acquisition and subsequent integration of Bandvulc, the UK retreading market was left with one remaining large independent operation in Lincolnshire-based Vacu-Lug. There were obvious comparisons between the firms – both private, family-owned businesses before Conti’s takeover; both in possession of a large chunk of UK retread market share; both offering the sorts of fleet management service options – but the change of ownership of one gives a new dimension to commercial vehicle tyre manufacturers’ decision of which firm to partner in the production of retreads for the UK.
With more than 100 machines in operation, Lukatec, felt the time was right to launch a new exclusive robotic buffer website. According to the company, the firm’s reputation as an innovation leader can be directly attributed to Lukatec’s development and launch in 2012 of a Dual Tire Robotic Buffer.
Bandvulc has announced that Faccenda Foods Ltd have extended its contract with Bandvulc’s fleet management division, BVPlus+, to March 2019. The company first became a client in 2008 and the two firms report that they enjoy “a robust business relationship which has gone from strength to strength over that time”.
Brazilian retreaders União and Toro have installed a Vipal Rubber-developed casing buffing system. The VR01 Smart DUO, a dual position buffer, was installed at União Tire Retreading in São Paulo retreader in April. Soon after, another partner of the Vipal Authorized Network Deatler had installed a single position variant at its Toro Recauchutagem operation in Rio de Janeiro.
Bandvulc has awarded Kerr’s Tyres & Auto exclusivity for its product range in Northern Ireland. This follows on from Kerr’s appointment at the beginning of 2017 as the sole supplier of Uniroyal TBR (truck tyres) for this region.
Having appointed Alessandro Bottesini as sales manager in March, Kraiburg Austria now offers extended technical support for its proven, high quality products. The company reports that in it is experience such a move is important for market growth. Furthermore it is of crucial importance for the fleets to under-stand how to fit retreaded tyres with a perfectly matched combination of pattern design and compound for the relevant application.
The Superdoll OTR tyre retreading and repair plant, purportedly the largest OTR retreading plant in the world and located in Ndola Copperbelt was recently awarded the Certificate in Quality Management System based on ISO 9001-2015.
The Certification audit was conducted by the Zambian Bureau of Standards (ZABS) from 4 to 5 April 2017. The ZABS Certification Decision Committee, met and approved the award of Certificate of Quality Management System.
Bridgestone Bandag introduces new trailer tyre treads
Bandag has brought a trio of new pre-cure treads to market. The first of these is the M-Trailer 001, and in a statement the Bridgestone subsidiary reports this tread was developed with on-/off-road conditions in mind. “Combining robust performance with a high resistance to cuts, chips and punctures, this advanced retread is ideal for use […]
Marangoni signs Finland Ringtread partnership with Lujakumi Oy
The Marangoni Ringtread system is entering “new territory” with the signing of Finnish retreader and Point S member Lujakumi Oy has signed up as a Marangoni partner. Based in Pori on the country’s west coast, Lujakumi Oy has been in the retreading business for more than 60 years, and look forward to the new partnership agreement.
Vipal Europe is aiming to strengthen and spread its reach in the European tyre retreading market, with product tips and a full catalogue of certified tread designs specifically designed for the European market.
Not too long ago, Harvey Brodsky shared that he was cutting back his engagements with the Retread Tire Association for health reasons. The US-based association now reports that Brodsky’s cancer has advanced further, and it has launched a personal GoFundMe Campaign to help with the significant medical expenses involved.
7 Vipal treads verified for German government incentive programme
Seven treads in Vipal Rubber’s portfolio have been made eligible for use in the German De-minimis programme. The VT220, VT160, VDA4 (all drive axle), VL150A, VZAB, VAP1 and VT550A (trailer) designs have all been verified, and meet the programme’s needs. Promoted by the German government, De-minimis reimburses a significant part of fleet operators’ costs in acquiring tyres retreaded to certain specifications.
Bridgestone Aircraft Tire USA, which operates a 160,000-square-foot aircraft tyre retreading facility in Rockingham County, North Carolina, is expanding with a new warehouse in nearby Madison.
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