Tyre Technocrats extends its tyre management services to 27 locations across the country with its clientele comprising Tata Steel, Hindustan Zinc, Reliance, Gainwell, Larsen & Toubro, Essel Mining, Ultratech and others. The company also serves big players in Andhra Pradesh’s mining sector.

The tyre retreading market in the country has come a long way. From roadside retreaders resorting to conventional processes to major players bringing in imported machinery for more scientific operations, tyre retreading is no more an idea of the past. The glorious journey has been witnessed by a few from its starting days – Tyre Technocrats is one such retreader. The company also acts as a distributor for major tyre OEMs in the country. 

Founded in 1972 by Biman Das Talreja, Tyre Technocrats was initially associated with retreading truck tyres. Speaking about the company’s journey, Director Sahil Talreja said, “Our retreading operations started under the banner of Widget Tyre Retreaders while simultaneously serving as the dealer for CEAT tyres. Following the success in trucks, we forayed into OTR tyre retreading in 1984. Back then, the supply of OTR tyres was limited, and that affected the country’s mining sector. New tyres had to be imported, which was not feasible for many players in the sector.”

“Taking cognizance of the situation, we started retreading all sizes of tyres, striking a balance between supply and demand,” he said, adding, “From 1990, the company started distributing new wheels of Goodyear and continues distribution across the country.”

The company also has MRF, Bridgestone, Apollo and BKG tyres in its distribution portfolio. 

Explaining why the company didn’t take any franchise of retreading company, Talreja said, “Retreading companies in India, who work on the franchise model, are restricted to truck tyres. The companies retread 1020 and 1120 variants of tyres under the franchise model, which is an old concept. But our primary focus has always been OTR tyres with 95 percent of business dependent on this segment.”

Presently, Tyre Technocrats retreads tyres between 20 and 63 inches alongside the 1020 and 1120 models at its plant located in Udaipur. The company resorts to both cold and hot retreading processes to ensure quality and tyre life. 

The company uses both imported and indigenous machinery at its plant. According to the executive, Tyre Technocrats has imported two of its machines from Italy and Turkey. The Italian machine works on computer numerical control and can retread tyres ranging from 25 to 63 inches. The company uses auto clay machines, moulders to ensure quality for its customers. 

Talreja also informed that the company has its own testing lab to produce the tread rubber used in its processes. The company started production of pre-cured tread rubber in 1986. Presently, Tyre Technocrats manufactures 100 tonnes of tread rubber a month and retreads 1,100 rubber wheels. 

Speaking about the testing lab and ensuring the quality of pre-cured tread, the director stated, “The research and development facility, located within our main plant, is responsible for compounding and manufacturing the pre-cured tread rubber according to the requirements of the fleets that serve the mining sector. We have established eight parameters that ensure quality in our pre-cured tread.”

The company has been marketing its treads for the last two years and banks on customer satisfaction. Its manufacturing facility at Madri Industrial Area spans 180,000 square feet and features a state-of-the-art testing lab. 

Speaking on the facility’s eco-friendliness, Talreja explained, “The industry’s pollution footprints are a result of the carbon mixing. To reduce the carbon footprint, we have installed a machine for 100 percent closed manufacturing that emits 0.2 percent waste per 100 kg of rubber. Hence, the wastage is negligible. The plant has solar panels installed, which contributes to 60 percent of the power consumption.  

Commenting on the present scenario in the country’s retreading market, Talreja explained, “Following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, the retreading market is gradually gaining momentum. But due to the inflation in rubber prices and the Russia-Ukraine war, the market is volatile. The prices of raw materials are increasing with each passing month. The price hike is also double of what it was six months ago. Even OEMs are refraining from hiking prices.”

“Again, the availability of raw materials like chemicals and synthetic rubber used in retreading, which was being imported from open markets in Europe and China, has been impacted heavily, creating a dearth. This has mainly been fuelled by a shortage of shipping containers and the exorbitant prices demanded by freight lines,” he added. 

Apart from its extensive business footprint in India, Tyre Technocrats also runs operations in Zambia. Speaking on the same, Talreja pointed out, “We are not into retreading in the East African country but extend tyre management services to KCM mining owned by Vedanta Group.” 

Talking about tyre management services, the executive informed, “We are the pioneer in India when it comes to tyre management services. We started operations in 2003 with Tata Steel in Jamshedpur. Since then, we have continued to successfully extend the service to different companies. The service comprises supplying new tyres to companies, their maintenance and providing manpower at the locations. Under the scheme, we are responsible for removal, fitment, checking inflation levels, check-ups etc. pertaining to tyre life and performance at the sites.”

“The worn-out tyres are brought back to our facility for retreading and again fitted in the dumpers. A team is always present at the client’s site to look after the tyres,” he added. 

The company extends its tyre management services to 27 locations across the country with its clientele comprising Tata Steel, Hindustan Zinc, Reliance, Gainwell, Larsen & Toubro, Essel Mining, Ultratech and others. The company also serves big players in Andhra Pradesh’s mining sector. The company has a vast presence in the Indian mining sector . 

“We have recently forayed into haul road maintenance wherein we develop tyres for underground mining operations. We have our own loaders, compactors, graders used in the operations and also supply tyres on a cost-per-hour basis. We also manufacture patches for cut repairs,” Talreja informed. 

Speaking on the company’s future plans, Talreja informed, “We are entering into manufacturing of solid tyres. We have installed the machinery and the production unit is also nearing completion. We will start operations post-July.”  

Tyre Technocrats has an employee base of 1,200. 

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Maxxis has unveiled the next iteration of its MaxxTerra rubber compound, engineered to substantially enhance both durability and traction for mountain bike tyres. The updated formulation maintains the low rolling resistance that characterises the brand’s performance range, addressing rider demands for extended tyre life without compromising capability on difficult trails.

Following extensive laboratory development and testing, Maxxis engineers achieved measurable improvements over the original compound. The new version exhibits a minimum 30 percent increase in tread wear resistance and a 15 percent gain in grip, all while preserving rolling efficiency. This advancement translates to prolonged riding sessions and reduced frequency of tyre changes for end users.

The enhanced compound will be progressively integrated across the entire trail tyre lineup, with the initial phase currently available. Consumers can distinguish the updated product through packaging marked with a ‘New MaxxTerra’ graphic, while the tyre’s sidewall badge now simply displays ‘MaxxTerra’, replacing the previous ‘3C MaxxTerra’ designation.

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The Goodyear Blimp is set to reclaim the New York City skyline during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. On 4th July, the iconic aircraft will provide millions of Americans with a unique aerial perspective of Sail 4th 250, a premier maritime event that boasts the largest assembly of tall ships globally. The aerial broadcast is scheduled to commence at 7 AM Eastern Standard Time on NBC’s TODAY Show.

Wingfoot One, a seasoned veteran of the skies with a long history of appearing at significant national events, will be soaring over the metropolis. In a notable operational shift, the blimp will establish its ground presence in Brooklyn for the first time in half a century, marking a historic return not just to the city’s airspace but also to its soil. This strategic move is designed to capture the best possible views of the activities in New York Harbor.

This appearance marks the blimp’s fourth participation in an Operation Sail event, having previously been a staple at the inaugural 1964 celebration, the Bicentennial in 1976 and the Statue of Liberty’s centennial in 1986. Its return for America’s 250th anniversary serves as a natural role for the aerial ambassador of Goodyear, a company that has been rooted in the United States for over 125 years and remains the nation’s sole major tyre manufacturer.

Julianne Roberts, Senior Director, Marketing, said, "For more than half the history of the United States, Goodyear science has contributed not only to the success of the American automotive industry by producing tyres worth bragging about but also to the protection of the country through military service, including blimps that helped ensure the safety of the Navy.”

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MICHELIN Connected Fleet has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant directly within its MyConnectedFleet web platform, designed to enhance operational efficiency for fleet managers. The new tool delivers immediate, data-driven responses to user queries, significantly reducing the time traditionally spent on manual research and data compilation. By integrating seamlessly into the existing portal, the assistant provides a streamlined approach to managing complex fleet information.

The AI system transforms raw fleet usage data into actionable insights, enabling managers to make quicker, more informed decisions. It supports a wide range of practical requests, from generating reports on driver fuel efficiency and identifying trucks requiring tyre maintenance to checking vehicle availability and calculating monthly fuel costs. The assistant is built as a closed, secure system to ensure the confidentiality of all fleet data, addressing key concerns about information security.

Functioning as a comprehensive partner for managers of heavy goods vehicles, passenger transport and light commercial vehicles, the tool offers real-time analysis of fuel consumption, driver behaviour and journey metrics. It provides immediate answers for both simple safety and cost-related questions and more complex analytical tasks, presenting findings in text or visual formats. Future updates to the solution will be guided by direct customer feedback, ensuring its continuous evolution.

The MICHELIN AI Assistant is currently available to customers across 10 countries, including United Kingdom, United States and several European nations. It leverages over a century of mobility expertise and three decades of data science experience, responding to the belief of most fleet managers that AI will transform their sector. The assistant can also be paired with other technologies, such as onboard cameras and tyre inspection systems, to form a cohesive, practical solution for modern fleet operations.

Sophie Foucque, CEO, MICHELIN Connected Fleet, Europe, Africa and Australia, said, “The AI Assistant is the natural evolution of our DNA, which is built around supporting our customers. Co-developed with some of our largest customers, it offers a more intuitive way to interact with vehicle usage data while removing the need to generate multiple reports. Augmented fleet managers can therefore focus fully on the performance of their operations.”

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Continental Tires Americas has introduced Sensor Ready commercial tyres, designed to streamline digital monitoring for fleets of all sizes. Leveraging over a decade of expertise and more than 121,000 connected wheel positions in the Americas, the company continues expanding its data-driven portfolio. The initial rollout features the Conti Coach HA3 product line, underscoring the manufacturer's commitment to digital-first solutions.

A defining characteristic is the integration of a dedicated sensor pocket directly into the tyre during curing, eliminating aftermarket gluing that previously took up to 14 minutes per installation. The pocket securely holds Continental's proprietary sensor, a key ContiConnect ecosystem component that transmits critical metrics like pressure, temperature and mileage. A clear Sensor Ready logo on the sidewall provides immediate visual confirmation of compatibility for fleets, dealers and retreaders.

The new system significantly reduces installation time and labour requirements at maintenance facilities and retread shops while ensuring consistent, reliable sensor placement. Fleets can choose tyres with sensors pre-installed from the factory or opt for quick, tool-free installation later. The Sensor Ready logo facilitates swift decision-making across the tyre's lifecycle, and the integrated pocket remains intact during retreading, allowing efficient sensor reinstallation without compromising casing performance.

Digital monitoring delivers measurable business impact, including reduced fuel consumption, extended tyre life and fewer roadside incidents. For smaller operations, Continental offers ContiConnect Lite, a mobile application providing a plug-and-play monitoring solution. This advancement reinforces Continental's vision of a connected, intelligent tyre ecosystem that enhances safety, sustainability and cost management.

Renato Sarzano, Head of Truck Tires Americas, Continental, said, “Digital tyre monitoring is becoming essential for improving fleet safety, efficiency and sustainability. With Sensor Ready tyres, we are offering one of the most advanced and user-friendly solutions on the market – reducing installation time, improving reliability and making it easier than ever for fleets to adopt connected tyre technologies.”

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