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COMPANY NEWS
Shamrock Emphasises High Quality Akar Range – Outlines Growth Plans
In the last issue of Retreading Business we reported on the opening of Shamrock Marketing’s brand new retread plant demonstration facility located at the company’s headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. Shamrock is the
that are simply incorrect. Akar’s manufacturing capabilities, engineering, and business conduct is world class.”
In Latin America, the range is also being well accepted. “Buyers are looking for an alternative,” explained Conley. “We offer an
established business in practically every State in the U.S. and the company says it will be aiming to expand its reach both in North America and in other target markets. Shamrock is actively seeking new distribution partners in the Western U.S., in
Canada, Mexico, Columbia, and Peru. Last year the company opened a small sales office in Costa Rica.
“We will be announcing new distribution partnerships and alliances in the coming months,” said Conley. “I would encourage anyone interested in working with us to contact our office in Louisville.”
Founded in 1992, the family owned company started the
business with rubber accessory products for the retreading industry. “We started with curing envelopes, and our Bulldog envelopes are known for quality and performance throughout the industry today,” added Conley. Most recently, Shamrock has launched Bulldog repair rope in traditional and tear-strip style following its presence at the North American Tire & Retread Expo. Both styles are now available in the RMA Cure Class 10A/15C and RMA Cure Class 25A/35C. The repair ropes can be easily peeled off, pre-cut in 24” length and take less space in repair and extruder areas.
Other new products Shamrock has launched this year includes the SMI QR Tracking System, which engraves a QR code directly on the curing envelope in order to capture tyre cure data as well as envelope service life. Shamrock has expanded its offering of the Bulldog Evolution Wickless Envelope System to also work with the double envelope curing system.
To help complete its offering Shamrock now also offers major brand tyre repair materials, carbide tools, pneumatic extruder guns, nail hole
extruders, hand-held buffers, and much more.
The marketing firm also represents Michigan based Raven Engineering and promotes the DVS1220 Differometry inspection system for light truck and medium truck tyre retreading facilities. “The DVS1220 analyses casings in under 90 seconds. It is a non- destructive laser testing system that uses differometry technology to identify defect anomalies in tyres,” explained Conley. Meanwhile, the company is gearing up to launch the Akarmak Extruder in 2016. “Our new offering from Akar Makina in 2016 will be the AKR 550 cushion gum extruder with optional builder,” informed Conley. With regards to further expanding the Akar Makina product range, the company has recently started field trials of expandable rim assemblies and rim belts.
Also worth mentioning is the fact that Shamrock is active in the used and refurbished equipment business, an area which it entered in 2010. “Refurbished equipment is a growing segment of our business and contributes to our total business growth,” said Conley. “Much of the used and refurbished equipment goes to markets outside of the US,” he added.
“We have an extensive inventory of used & refurbished equipment that is continually changing. This includes chambers, buffers, builders, extruders, NDT machines, tire spreaders, envelope spreaders, monorail switches, and much more. Our used equipment webpage is updated at the beginning of each month. We also send out an email news page at the beginning of each month that includes used & refurbished equipment pictures and details. Retreaders can sign up for this monthly email online at our website or by dropping a line to us at info@shamrockmarketinginc.com”
Doug Conley Jr., Vice President and General Manager, Shamrock Marketing Inc
authorised representative of Turkish equipment maker Akar Makina in the North and South American markets, and the demonstration facility showcases the complete range of equipment including CNC buffers, fast cure chambers and casing analysers in addition to refurbished machinery.
Following the North America Tire & Retread Show in New Orleans, we took the opportunity to travel to Louisville to talk to Doug Conley Jr, the Vice President and General Manager of Shamrock Marketing about the strides forward his company have made in recent years and his ambitions for the future.
The first question we asked related to how the Akarmak range of equipment had been accepted into the North American and Latin American markets in which Shamrock operates. According to Conley, feedback from visitors at the Open House and from visitors in general had been very encouraging. “Generally people are surprised by how good the Akar equipment is,” he explained. “There are some misconceptions and preconceived ideas about Turkey
excellent package that can be catered to each buyer’s requirements, all backed with the full support from our multilingual technicians. In the U.S. we have sold various equipment such as tire spreaders and envelope flip tables, but most recently we sold a 24 tire curing chamber to a major franchisor player. In Latin America we recently sold an entire turn-key retread plant with all Akar equipment, design, layout and installation. Our team will be conducting the final process training late Q3 or early Q4 this year.”
“We offer a very strong team,” he added. “This stretches from equipment manufacturing through to after installation support. The reality is that retread equipment buyers today have very few options when it comes to new modern equipment. They have even fewer options if they place value on local support and a local source for parts and service. This is where our offering of Akar’s World-Class equipment combined with Shamrock’s First- Class support provides a complete solution for retreaders.” Shamrock operates a well-
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