In an industry characterised by high operating costs, poor road infrastructure, and exchange-rate fluctuations, tyre management plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of commercial fleet operations in Zimbabwe. Dynamic Tyre Solutions, a company specialising in extending tyre life while minimising vehicle downtime through quality products, service, and expert advice, has carved out a niche for itself by supporting transporters, fleet owners, and logistics operators nationwide.
Retreading Growth
What began as a small family enterprise with just two employees has grown into a multi-branch tyre service provider that prides itself on customer relationships, technical expertise, and a hands-on approach to tyre lifecycle management.
Founded by entrepreneur Aaron Makuvaza in 2009, Dynamic Tyre Solutions began as a small enterprise employing two people and operating locally in Harare, catering primarily to passenger vehicles. At this stage, it offered passenger tyres and basic tyre-related services.
With growing interest from larger corporate clients, the need to formalise the business became clear. In 2012, Dynamic Tyre Solutions completed its registration process, providing the legal structure required to obtain tax clearance and compliance certifications, and to bid for larger commercial contracts.
“We had quite a few companies knocking on our door saying, ‘We want you as a supplier,’ but there were things we couldn’t do because we needed the correct documentation,” said Admire Makuvaza, who joined the firm after completing his education before taking on a leadership position in 2016.
“Once you’re registered and properly documented, you start competing in other areas. Instead of your clientele being limited to the smaller space, you’re suddenly able to go after fleet business.”
Today, Dynamic Tyre Solutions operates three branches across the country, including two in Harare, as well as a service facility in Chirundu, one of Southern Africa’s most important border crossings.
Unlike many businesses that expand based on internal growth targets, Dynamic Tyre Solutions opened its Chirundu branch directly in response to customer requests.
At the time, fleet operators travelling along the Zimbabwe-Zambia border corridor regularly experienced tyre failures and subsequent mechanical issues due to poor road conditions and long journeys. They began asking the business to provide roadside support and tyres locally.
The result was a dedicated, recovery-focused branch that has grown to serve not only the original customers but also others who use cross-border transport to move goods across the region.
“This strategy was based on a fundamental belief that underpinned our company’s evolution over more than a decade, that we could succeed simply by listening to our customers’ needs and solving their problems,” said Makuvaza. “It’s been this philosophy that has helped us weather the storms associated with doing business in an environment as volatile and unpredictable as the African continent.”
Commercial Tyre Focus
Makuvaza says the company’s business is now centred on commercial tyres. “Though we’re synonymous with retreaded tyres, our core business areas include everything from commercial tyre sales to tyre repairs and wheel refurbishment.”
Its customer base includes long-haul transport fleets, logistics operators, fleet management companies, mining contractors, industrial customers, and individual vehicle owners.
While supplying a full range of truck and commercial tyre sizes, as well as repair services to maximise tyre life, Makuvaza noted that “tyre retreading is becoming more prominent within our business model”.
“We work closely with specialist manufacturers in this field, from sourcing casings and coordinating the retreading process through to supplying the completed retreaded product.”
The company also proactively purchases quality casings on the open market, with dedicated staff identifying tyres suitable for retreading before returning them to the supply chain.
“We have seen a huge increase over the past five years, especially with tyre retreading. While we don’t have all the numbers yet, our experience shows people are talking about retreading everywhere. Many people who didn’t know what retreading was previously are starting to appreciate the value of retreaded products and asking us for them,” Makuvaza said.
Several factors have contributed to this shift, perhaps most significantly cost.
Premium-brand commercial tyres from companies including Dunlop and Pirelli can cost between $450 and $480 for a typical 315/80R22.5 truck tyre, whereas lower-cost imported alternatives can retail for around $230.
While cheaper tyres might look appealing at first glance, Makuvaza said many fleets overlook their total lifecycle cost. “The quality of an original premium tyre provides superior casing integrity, extended mileage, and allows for regrooving and retreading multiple times,” he noted. “However, many of these cheap, low-cost imported tyres are unable to provide the casing durability required for retreading.”
Retreading provides one of the most effective cost-saving mechanisms available to fleet operators already facing rising fuel prices, border fees, and operating costs.
Relationships Driving Success
The largest market for retreaded tyres is Zimbabwe’s long-haul trucking sector. Transport operators carrying goods between ports, border crossings, and inland destinations rely on good tyre performance at manageable costs, with retreading offering a practical solution.
“There appears to be particular interest from haulage operations running regional routes between South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and the DRC,” Makuvaza said. “The mining, agricultural, and passenger transport sectors do seem to be much less active users of retreads within our customer base.”
Makuvaza noted that repairs are far more common in the mining sector, while bus operators tend to favour new tyres due to safety concerns.
Dynamic Tyre Solutions works with established players such as Maxipriest Tyres. “We have also partnered with a younger, Chinese-owned retreading operation that recently entered the Zimbabwean market,” Makuvaza said. “One thing that impressed me about them was their focus on quality assurance.”
In a market where new tyre businesses appear regularly, and many disappear just as quickly, Dynamic Tyre Solutions attributes much of its success to customer relationships.
The company has developed strong relationships with clients, which it believes have been key to its success. In particular, it works closely with customers to understand their operations while offering flexible credit arrangements that help them manage longer-than-normal payment terms, especially when government contracts can take several months to pay.
The company frequently offers extended assistance based on trust and longstanding business relationships. “We understand their businesses,” said Makuvaza, referring to cases where customers may be allowed to delay payment by two or three months.
It is a business model that has paid off for Dynamic Tyre Solutions.
However, the industry continues to face challenges, including poor road infrastructure that leads to high levels of tyre damage, difficulties with casing recovery, and a large influx of cheap imported tyres, many of which do not provide suitable retreadable casings.
Economic volatility and foreign currency issues have also affected industry operations, while increasing import costs continue to pose challenges. “The government has been levying increased tax and duty rates, as well as border charges, which are impacting our operating expenditure,” Makuvaza said.
“There are still quite a few transport companies without a structured tyre management programme that tracks performance, mileage, casing recoveries, and retread returns. Without accurate data, they simply do not understand the financial advantages of retreading.”
“Companies need these systems in place because, without them, you cannot measure tyre performance correctly and therefore fail to see the benefits of retreading,” Makuvaza concluded.
