Insa-Turbo has named Micheldever the sole distributor for the UK, building on the long-standing relationship between the two companies. Micheldever has distributed Insa-Turbo tyres – which are retreaded – for more than 10 years and in 2016 saw the brand grow by more than 15 per cent. Now the company is looking forward to future success with the Spanish off-road specialists.
Vacu-Lug, the UK’s leading independent manufacturer of retread tyres and a supplier of both new and retread light truck tyres – as well as new Westlake van tyres – is promoting its range of light truck and van tyres.
While its latest US acquisition gives an indication of Conti’s future fleet strategy, the manufacturer has also been boosted by recent European endorsements. Scottish quarrying and supply company, Tillicoultry Quarries, implemented a Continental construction tyres only policy following several months of practical on-the-job testing. Speaking from its company’s Kincardine site in Fife, Craig Wilson, site & transport manager, said: “For a long time we had run a combination of remoulds and ‘budget’ tyres. We were experiencing significant downtime however, as well as the added costs of driver waiting, mechanic call outs and delayed deliveries, so we implemented a thorough review of our tyre policy. At about that time, our latest batch of Scanias came in with Continental construction tyres fitted, which allowed us to monitor those particularly closely.”
Global retreading supplier Vipal Rubber was one of 500 exhibitors in the truck fleet sector taking part in the Great American Trucking Show between 25 and 27 August in Dallas, Texas, USA. Representing Vipal were Leonardo Oliveira, Vipal Rubber’s technical and sales representative, and Amaramh Velazquez, Vipal’s sales representative in the Western United States. Vipal introduced tyres retreaded by its customer Panhandle Tire & Rubber, from Amarillo TX with its VT170 ECO and VL130 ECO treads, which focus on wet grip and wear resistance respectively.
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.
Vacu-Lug’s stand at the recent Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham provided a summary of the tripartite business of one of the UK’s largest retreaders. Featuring its Vacu-Lug Management System (VMS) for online fleet application; its UK exclusive distribution of ZC Rubber’s (or Hangzhou Zhongce’s) Westlake truck tyre product range. in partnership with global Westlake partner Zenises; and Vacu-Lug’s own retread range – including the latest “premium” Logistik drive LD01 and the Logistik trailer LT01 retreads, and Duramold tyres designed for a cross-section of heavy and light truck operations – the company showed its relatively recent evolution into more rounded service provision. In terms of its retreading activities, estimated by the company to account for just under a fifth of the UK market, the last year saw upgrades to the Lincolnshire business’ manufacturing, with a second 12-segment, high pressure (300psi) press installed, with which its Logistik brand products are produced, alongside further phases of its new conveyor system and other general upgrades designed to improve product flow, utilisation, productivity, efficiency, and housekeeping. Tyres & Accessories spoke with Vacu-Lug fleet sales director, Dave Alsop during the show, who explained how the company has reacted to the contraction of UK retreading and various other challenges in the market.
With the intention of increasing commercial fleets’ trust in retreaded tyres, Bridgestone has introduced ‘The Bandag Contract of Trust’. The guarantee aims to reassure fleets that Bandag retreads are a safe and reliable alternative to a new set of tyres, as well as a solution for reducing fleets’ tyre related costs per kilometre, Bridgestone states. The proposition applies also to retreads made from Bridgestone and Firestone tyre casings. Their retreadability by Bandag is also guaranteed.
The Société de Transport de Montreal (STM) will begin retreading its tyres using Vipal products, following a bidding process and a battery of tests with the retreading material provider’s V167 tread.
European liquid, bulk powder and palletised road transport specialist Abbey Logistics has signed up its 730 commercial vehicle assets to Effitires by Michelin solutions, describing the tyre management package as “a perfect fit for our operations.”
Marangoni Retreading Systems has announced a new partnership with Spanish retreading partner, Louzán SL. The Galicia-based company, which was formed in the 1940s, offers a range of services for fleets, including retreading, with ten sales outlets for extensive territorial coverage. Marangoni said the partnership reflects the “major changes” taking place in the retreading industry. While the future of the retread manufacturer’s Rovereto remains uncertain, Marangoni has moved to increase its global partnerships in various markets around the world. The company characterises its latest Spanish partnership as an “expansion” of its activities in the country.
A settlement has been reached between Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and Houston-based TreadWright and TreadWright Tires regarding the alleged infringement of Bridgestone’s licensed design patent rights.
Marangoni Retreading Systems appointed Nejat Dagdemir as general manager of its Marangoni Kaucuk Ticaret, Turkish sales subsidiary, which is located in Izmir.
With 400,000 retreads a year and around 80 retreaders, Turkey is the sixth biggest European market in terms of the total number of retreads, and second only to Germany regarding cold retreading technology. This means that, with the Marangoni Ringtread and Unitread lines, Marangoni Kaucuk Ticaret has a 20 per cent share of the domestic market – that’s according to company representatives who characterize this as a good level, although less than in other European countries.
The good news is that with demand up and with the company selling as big a proportion of retreads as ever, Bridgestone’s UK truck tyre business remains a key player in the UK truck tyre market. In the Republic of Ireland things are even better. However, premium manufacturers like Bridgestone have also seen the rise in the prominence of lower cost alternatives in recent years. While companies like Bridgestone continue to occupy leading positions when it comes to blue-chip and other national fleets, the wider context brings new challenges with it, especially when it comes to countering volume versus value strategies. Tyres & Accessories spoke with Bridgestone UK commercial director Greg Ward in order to find out more.
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