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. 

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”