Ready for take-off: is Dunlop Aircraft Tyre Ltd (DATL) up for sale?
While the vast majority of the UK’s tyre production and retreading capacity refers to trucks and a relatively small amount of car tyre retreading still takes place as well as some specialist earthmover retreading, one of the nation’s largest retreaders makes aircraft tyres. Dunlop Aircraft Tyre Ltd or DATL as it is known has demonstrated strong growth in recent years and is majority-owned by private equity. Put the two together and it begs the question – is Dunlop Aircraft Tyre Ltd (DATL) up for sale?
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Fred Sherwood Group reports reduced downtime since Vacu-Lug tyre management deal
The Fred Sherwood Group reports significant improvements in vehicle downtime since selecting Vacu-Lug to manage its fleet tyre requirements. Starting from June 2016 the contract covers tyre supply and tyre management for all the transport companies within The Fred Sherwood Group, including Bulk Freight (Midlands), F. Sherwood & Sons (Shepshed), George Varney (Bulk Services) and KJ Transport.
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Vacu-Lug hits 20-year high as Brexit leaves markets ‘wide open’
With Continental’s acquisition of Bandvulc, the voice of independent retreading in the UK has been substantially diminished at a moment of intense market pressure and political uncertainty. Issues surrounding the at times unbelievably cheap new commercial vehicle tyres imported from China have been around for many years now, and have certainly squeezed retread output in this period. The Brexit vote has increased doubt that protectionist European market measures for which independent retreading businesses could lobby the EU to provide would be implemented in a more isolated UK market, though in the short-term the reduced value of sterling has presented opportunities for British-manufactured product. While nothing is currently clear, we will leave our readers to consider the chances of UK market protectionist measures against Chinese imports being implemented while the country redefines its trading relationship with global economic superpowers. It’s not hard to see how the security provided by merger with Conti was attractive to Bandvulc.
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Conti’s Bandvulc purchase results in UK market remoulding
On the 4 July, as the USA began to celebrate its independence day, Continental AG’s UK subsidiary (Continental Tyre Group) announced it had bought Bandvulc (B.V. Environmental Ltd.), one of only two substantially sized independent retreaders left in the UK. Legally, the takeover establishes Bandvulc as a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental UK Group Holdings Limited. T&A understands Bandvulc’s existing management team are to continue to lead the business.
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Kraiburg extends its portfolio in time for winter
European fleets are gearing up for the changeover to winter tyres – and Kraiburg Austria is catering to this by offering its partners a new city bus design, the K702 plus. The drive axle pattern’s design, says Kraiburg, lends itself to outstanding traction and braking characteristics. These qualities are particularly noticeable in extreme climiatic conditions, such as on snow-covered or wet road surfaces. The use of the premium K_plus compound delivers high mileage, even levels of wear and lower operating temperatures. The use of an irregular tread design also ensures that noise development is reduced.
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Vacu-Lug’s Humphries achieves national high in company’s City & Guilds success
Vacu-Lug’s commitment to the retreading sector and the personal development of its team has been illustrated by successes in City & Guilds examination successes. The retread specialist has been entering candidates for the City & Guilds examinations for Part 1 Retread Workshop Practice for many years, and the latest successful entrants for the qualification included ten of its team members. Jason Humphries not only achieved a Distinction pass, but was awarded the highest mark nationwide. Two Credit passes awarded to Dave Alsop and Elaine Dable.
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Vipal Rubber signs retread manufacturing joint venture with Mezcla Caucho
Vipal brand hot retreading products will be manufactured in Spain thanks to a new joint venture started by the South American market leader and Mezclas Caucho. Not only is this a first in Europe; the JV’s production line will be the first anywhere in the world for Vipal outside its domestic Brazilian market. The agreement was officially signed during Reifen 2016, the world’s largest tyre trade show, which was held in May in Essen, Germany. It adds to Vipals increased activities in Europe, marked by sustained expansion over recent years.
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Bandvulc adds RVS fleet
Bandvulc has added Refuse Vehicle Solutions (RVS) to its supply portfolio. RVS handpick all their quality used refuse vehicles and put each one through a rigorous 72-point check to correct all defects, a rigorous approach the two companies say they have in common.
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TRA Recycling Day 2016 pursues professional collective approach
Spokespeople from tyre industry, government agencies, external industry bodies gather to demonstrate broad-base discussions on ‘Meeting the Compliance Agenda’, including fire prevention and part-worn tyres The new president of the Tyre Recovery Association (TRA), John Bramwell opened proceedings at May’s Ardencote Manor hosted Recycling Day 2016 by setting out the “need for strength” within the […]
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Continental buys Bandvulc
Continental Tyre Group has bought Bandvulc (B.V. Environmental Ltd.), one of only two substantially sized independent retreaders in the UK. Not only does the deal change the face of UK tyre retreading, it also has a significant impact on commercial vehicle tyre market shares owing to the fact that Continental can now count Bandvulcs strong fleet management, service provider and independent truck tyre retreader amongst its own. The takeover will establish Bandvulc as a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental UK Group Holdings Limited. T&A understands Bandvulc’s existing management team are to continue to lead the business.
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‘Strong demand’ for new Vacu-Lug Logistik, Duramold retreads following CV Show
Vacu-Lug has reported a strong response to the launch of its two new Logistik tyres. The new 315/80R22.5 Logistik LD01 drive and 385/65R22.5 Logistik Supersingle LT01 trailer tyres were shown alongside a selection of Duramold tyres, including the new 315/70R22.5 T100 drive at the recent CV Show at Birmingham’s NEC.
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Bucking the trend: how UK retreaders like Bandvulc are navigating market storms
In recent months we have heard much about the decline of retread demand and production at the same time that Chinese truck tyre prices have plumbed to new depths. Of course this paints a very negative picture for the retreading business in the UK – where low-costs imports have historically been more popular than the average European state – and also across the European tyre markets. The premium new tyre makers have suggested they will weather the storm by pointing out their uniquely strong position with regard to large fleet customers. Because they also produce their own retreads, these firms pointed out that their businesses will remain relatively sheltered by the low quality, oversupply problems facing other independent retreaders. However, such a reading of recent history relies on two premises: 1) that the market remains in undeniable decline and 2) that premium manufacturers with their own retreading options are best positioned to get over this particular bump in the road.
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