South Wales-based retreader Tuf Treads has made a return to retread manufacturing barely two years after exiting the manufacturing sector, with a significant investment in a new, state-of-the art Ringtread facility in Cross Hands, near Llanelli.
Truck Tyre Retreading Returns to South Wales
A Marangoni Ringtread dealer since 1983, Tuf Treads has a reputation as being one of the best small to medium independent retreaders in the UK, so it was a shock and a disappointment when the company decided to exit retread manufacturing in late 2022. However, now, barely two years later, the company is back with a brand new, 22,000 square foot facility, equipped with the very latest in retreading technology, optimised workflows and a strong emphasis on sustainability.
The new facility has been built on land close to their old factory which closed at the end of 2022 and to the company’s existing tyre servicing facility. The new factory consists almost entirely of brand new equipment including some technologies that were not present in the old production facility. These additions include a brand new SDS shearography machine, an Eagle Truck 2500 buffer from TRM and a state-of-the-art Ringer 2500 building machine with a built-in extruder.
The new factory also includes a 24-tyre autoclave from TRM which will give the plant a capacity of around 1,000 tyres a month. However, the company is planning to build up to these levels gradually as it trains a new team of technicians and avails itself of a raft of support services from Business Wales, who have supported the project from the start, both practically and financially.
Tuf Treads has been a Marangoni Ringtread dealer since 1984 – over 40 years, so it is fitting that Marangoni CEO Vittorio Marangoni was on hand to officially open the new plant last Friday with company founder Mike Rees. Retreading Business Publisher David Wilson was also on hand to make a special presentation to Mike Rees in recognition of a lifetime’s service to the UK retreading industry.
Image: Left to Right: Phil Robinson (Country Manager, Marangoni), Dame Nia Griffith, MP, Dan Rees, Mike Rees (both Tuf Treads)
