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AUTOPROMOTEC
element of developing quality today.”
Niels Arnth Jensen was assisting SDS as the agent for Scandinavia and the representative of
ReSolutions measuring equipment that can be utilised to help ascertain the depth of tread or rubber available to buff without damaging the steel belting in a tyre.
Of course, not having access to the full details of the ReTyre project we could only surmise the possible future. What we did know, at the time of the show, was that the research had been completed and BIPAVER were awaiting the approval of the European Commission before going any further.
Retreading Business explained that our reading was that the future was not as black as it was painted. The key was that Micheling, Goodyear and Continental had all invested in retreading, Pirelli, Hankook, GiTi and others were also offering retread options with independent retreaders. Not forgetting Bridgestone’s huge investment in Bandag. So the big players could see a future in retreading so it must be possible to
make retread tyres that will meet labelling requirements. It would be highly unlikely that the independent sector would close down on the back of having to provide labels. Worst case scenario would be that they all fell under some tyre manufacturer umbrella system. Best case scenario they would meet the requirements through the ReTyre programme and label their tyres and continue in business.
However, Paulose Varughese remained unsettled and the only thing that will put him, and many others at ease, will be the release of the ReTyre results and the development of the tyre labelling system for retreads. The retread sector has been here before, with 108e and 109e, and it largely survived.
New Buffer from SD Meccanica
OBO Enters New Tyre Manufacturing Sector
Italian engineering company SD Meccanica had a compact but impressive stand at Bologna. As well as the automatic skiver/ cutter equipment in use by Gomma Piave, SD Meccannica were presenting a new automatic buffing pod. This compact machine offered a fully automated buffing operation in an enclosed cabinet. The operator simply loads the tyre and the buffer does the rest.
The novelty with this buffer is in the way it operates. A single, low power
motor drives a single head with that buffs first one half of the casing and then rotates 180 degrees and buffs the other side. This low power consumption motor specially designed for this machine reduces power consumption and energy costs whilst processing tyres quickly and efficiently.
The closed cabin reduces noise and increases safety. The floor of the cabin is, in fact, a hopper with both air duct and Archimedes screw extraction of debris.
Dutch OTR retreader OBO has entered the new tyre manufacture sector, almost.
One of the key topics when talking to retreaders anywhere is the challenge they face from cheap imported tyres from China. This is not just true of retreaders in the USA or Europe, the same story is told from Tierra del Fuego to Anchorage. Vietnam to Portugal, Chinese products are “undermining” the markets in every country in the world. Retreading Business has even had reports from retreaders in China complaining about cheap low quality Chinese tyres damaging their business. So, the topic comes up in almost every discussion as retreaders and their suppliers cry in their beer about cheap Chinese products.
OBO could see the impact of Chinese imports, not just poor quality ones, but better quality products, not only in the impact upon their market, but also because their factory is almost surrounded by Aeolus warehousing. So, OBO decided to embrace the Chinese products, and, whilst they now import and sell Tech King branded tyres, they also decided that one option available to them to combat the predations of the Chinese would be to join them. OBO’s Eef Brinks explained, “Techking don’t
manufacture tyres, they look around the producers and they have the best producers produce batches of tyres for them as they need them. So, we decided that we could play that game too, except we needed casings rather than whole tyres. So, we approached suitable OTR tyre manufacturers and asked them to produce a casing for us. Not a green tyre, because that couldn’t be transported, but a cured casing.
“We ship the casings to the Netherlands and we give them a light buffing then we add tread by building the tyre and then hot curing in the same moulds that we use for retreading. So, we have a “new” tyre offer that is manufactured, in part, in the Netherlands to the highest standards possible. The casings come with a standard 7mm of undertread plus 4mm on the casing, so are suitable for retreading later in life. The tyres are available for roadwork and agricultural sectors.
“Of course, we like to sell retreads first, but if the client asks for Techking, or one of our “new” tyres, then we can oblige. “Chinese tyres are here to stay. So we can complain or we can accept them as part of our industry and sell them as part of our offer to the market.”
Midas Analyses European Developments
Orbitread Italia Benefits from Car Tyre Retread Boost
Paulose Varughese from Midas is a familiar sight at tyre conferences around the world. He is one of those professionals who presents a positive face in all adversities. However, the Indian tread manufacturer was concerned about the future of the European market. The discussion
with Varughese flowed to what became a familiar pattern at tread manufacturer booths at Auropromotec. “What is happening with the tyre labelling of retreads? Will it shut things down? How will retreaders cope? Will there be a market?”
Retreading Business was not going to comment about Orbitread Italia as when we approached the company they told us that they had so much work that they could not
handle any more. Which is a fantastic position for any company to find itself in.
However, that in itself is worth comment, for one of the items the
26 Retreading Business