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TREADS
Oliver Rubber Retread for Severe Off-Road Use
Kian Hon Launches mRED New Retread Rubber Production Line
Oliver Rubber Co. has launched its XS-T, a drive position precure retread for severe on/off road applications. XS-T is designed for single axle and tandem axle off-road applications such as logging and mining.
“XS-T is our latest specialty retread and is designed for 70 per cent or more off-road conditions,” says Philip Boarts, Oliver product category manager. “The retread provides excellent traction due to its raised block sculpture.”
The XS-T accepts chains and can be used with many casing types and it has a self-cleaning tread design. It is currently available in 230 mm and 240 mm sizes; a 220 mm size will come in the third quarter of 2013.
The XS-T includes Oliver’s exclusive VDI plus tread feature that acts as a visual depth indicator, plus it resists the retention of road debris and helps in the enforcement of pull points.
Thanks to Maxxis, Kian Hon has been able to launch the mRED retread to enhance the whole life expectations of the Maxxis truck tyre range
PROTREAD: New Pre-Cure Tread
Product Line For Price Sensitive
Kian Hon has recently announced the official launch of mRED, a new retread rubber production line. The announcement was made in conjunction with the Maxxis Asian and African Distribution Conference 2013.
mRED stands for maximum Resistance, Eco-friendliness and Durability, and will be marketed with the tagline Love Our Colour, Save the World. Not only is the mRED tread design engineered to be identical to that of a new Maxxis tyre, its advanced tread pattern compound is 100 per cent formulated and supplied by Maxxis International.
Coupled with strong technical support from the Maxxis Global R &D Centre, the mRED tread compound is specially tailored for greater fuel efficiency, superior durability, and excellent tear resistance, not foregoing safety, being the paramount factor.
“Maxxis is the only new tyre manufacturer in the world that sells masterbatch to a retreader, and we are so honoured to have such a good business partner,” said Kian Hon Tyres Sdn Bhd Chairman Tan Yang Nam at the press conference.
Trust is the foundation for any successful partnership. However, it is easier said than done. Tan said he has learned how to trust from Cheng Shin Rubber President Dr. Wally Chen.
“Dr. Chen always stresses the benefits of his Triple 3 concept, which is the cornerstone of the Maxxis business strategy that sets out the approach required to deliver 100% Quality, 100% Service and 100% Trust. The Triple 3 concept will only remain a concept unless it is put into practice. Dr. Chen has shown us the real meaning of the 100% trust with the 100% support and commitment to the partnership by going the extra mile with us in precured tread rubber production through supplying us the masterbach,” said Tan.
According to his estimation, Maxxis truck tyres take up about 6 per cent of the market in Malaysia, which currently stands at around 60,000 tyres per month, including 3,000 tyres from Kian Hon Tyres.
The initial full capacity for retreaded tyres, Tan said, is 6-9,000 pcs per month, and Tan has a plan to gradually expand capacity according to the demand.
As for the tread liner, Kian Hon has already started production.
According to Tan, the company is targeting about 12,000 pcs per month to sell to Maxxis family members who are interested in retreading from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, etc.
“mRED tread liner is a premium liner, and will be applied solely on Maxxis quality casings. Retreading is our core business, but it is a value added service that we provide for our Maxxis customers to extend their tyre’s lifespan, helping them to reduce costs as well as protect the environment,” stressed Tan.
To start off, added Kian Hon Tyres Sdn Bhd Managing Director Sydney Tan, the mRED tread liners will be available in two designs – UR 288 and 387 and UL 387.
Kian Hon also shared their retread expertise and experience through a guided tour of their retreading plant during the 2013 Maxxis Asian & African Distributor Conference in Penang, Malaysia.
“Our full-fledged retreading plant has been operating for over 30 years, and is well received by our clients. We will be playing an active role in technology transfer, helping our Maxxis family members in neighbouring countries to set up their retreading plant,” said Sydney.
Customers
Bandag, the world’s most widespread retread franchise system, has launched “Protread by Bandag”. This new pre-cure tread product brand will be exclusively available to Bandag dealers, enhancing their product portfolio with a solution for price sensitive customers, low-mileage vehicles and successive retread lives.
The “Protread by Bandag” product line up consists of a selected number of easy-to-sell, versatile patterns with proven quality. It features old Bandag designs as well as some new developments, such as the PRO-DR1 and PRO-TR2L, based respectively on the popular Firestone FD600 and TSP3000 design.