How do you see the scope of tyre retreading industry and its future growth?

Our focus is on Europe, and the fact that Europe has a high density of population, the transport infrastructure depends heavily on road transport. Therefore, the potential in tyre demand remains at a high level. This assumption is also proven by the fact that over the past years the number of sold commercial vehicles has increased. And even the retreading market has shown a slight increase during 2018/2019 after many years of decline.  Analyst report there is an approximate share of 20% of truck retreads vs new tyres.

Needless to say, the current Covid-19 crisis has caused an eruption in the world, and nobody knows for sure which total effects this will cause, but one point is definitely sure – especially during the crisis, the key focus is trying to save resources and work most economically. On top we believe, that exactly this mindset will support the retreading industry, as retreading is unquestionably a part of the tyre industry which ensures the sustainability of resources.

We at NEROFORCE remain optimistically during these tough times.

What are your products/services to the sector?

Our goal is to offer the retreaders a full range of consumables, tools and equipment of high quality and performance. We are professionals in buffing & grinding tools and offering the widest range of different grinding tools. We re-develop and improve conventional tools, pushing the boundaries of state-of-the-art engineering. Focus during the production processes is to ensure the best performance & quality of our products and bring them to the market at the most economical and environmentally friendly level as possible.

From my own experience, many traditional companies are simply offering what they have offered for the past decades. Therefore, quite often the potential of modernisation, re-engineering or the upgrading of the tools & manufacturing to meet today’s standards has been missed.

Next to the NEROFORCE branded products, we also offer other brands, which have not neglected the above described evolution and are also able to offer modern and state-of-the-art quality products. With this complete offer, our customers can be assured, that they get the best of the best available in the market from NEROFORCE.

What gives your products the competitive edge in the market?

As mentioned above, it is the simple fact, that we do not offer conventional or “old-fashioned” products, but mainly re-engineered tools in terms of material, production process or improved usage scenarios. At all times, a high level of quality is our main driver.

How did you manage operations during the current pandemic slowdown?

As we are still a young company, we were surely struggling at some point. But since we have not yet built a big and costly organisation with a large overhead, it was probably easier for us than for bigger companies to apply saving processes or work most economically. Today, we have a very economic and healthy structure and surely can and will grow the company at a healthy speed.

 Do you think business operation processes will change in post-COVID times? If so, how?

It will change definitely. COVID forced us to reduce or even stop travelling, attend classic meetings, do sales calls and visits. Therefore, we were all forced to learn other ways of doing our business. And many people, not only in our but many other industries, found that these new ways actually work quite well and they learned that a big part of travelling around can be reduced considerably. We have been using the necessary technology for a long time, conducting online meetings, video conferences and chats, but not only from office to office, but also at a factory level, or to demonstrate something or show issues etc.  A lot of companies have not used these technologies, simply because of their old habits.

The same will also apply for the purchasing. Online shopping for tools and consumables in the B2B area was and is still not common in many areas of the industry. But this will happen, and it has to change now. Therefore, we at NEROFORCE are working at high speed on the introduction of our online B2B-ProShop for the Tyre & Retreading Industry. With this project, NEROFORCE will be a leader in presenting, demonstrating and selling the full range of high-quality products in the most convenient and easiest way.

Some details about your network?

Our base is in southern Germany, the geographical centre of Europe. Next to our office & warehouse team we also run a field engineering dept.

Service is our highest priority. And therefore, we work with a highly educated and very motivated team. Our manufacturers & suppliers from Germany, Italy, USA & Asia are selected carefully to ensure their service and quality complies with our philosophy.

 

On 18 June, the prestigious 22nd ‘World Brand Conference and Release Ceremony of China's 500 Most Valuable Brands’ was held in Beijing, organised by the World Brand Lab. Demonstrating its industry leadership, Doublestar achieved an impressive brand valuation of CNY 116.208 billion (approximately USD 16.21 billion), securing the 93rd position overall and maintaining its position as the highest-ranked Chinese tyre brand for yet another year.

This recognition underscores Doublestar's strong market presence and consumer trust, built on decades of innovation and quality craftsmanship. Moving forward, the company has committed to strengthening its brand influence through continuous technological advancement and sustainable development. By focusing on research and production of safer, smarter and more environmentally friendly tyre solutions, Doublestar aims to not only meet evolving market demands but also drive the high-quality growth of China's tyre industry.

Continental Tires has achieved a major sustainability milestone with all its European tyre production facilities now certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS standard. The certification extends to plants in Lousado (Portugal), Puchov (Slovakia), Korbach (Germany), Sarreguemines (France), Otrokovice (Czech Republic) and Timișoara (Romania), along with the supporting Industria Textil do Ave textile plant in Portugal. The company's Hefei facility in China has also earned this recognition, expanding Continental's sustainable manufacturing network globally.

The ISCC PLUS certification verifies Continental's compliance with rigorous traceability and documentation requirements for renewable and recycled materials used in tyre production. This system enables the company to track sustainable inputs throughout the manufacturing process using the mass balance approach, which allows gradual incorporation of eco-friendly materials while maintaining existing production systems. Continental is currently increasing its use of certified materials, including bio-based synthetic rubbers and circular-process carbon black, as part of its strategy to include over 40 percent sustainable materials in tyres by 2030.

As a globally recognised standard established in 2010, ISCC certification promotes climate-friendly, deforestation-free supply chains across multiple industries. It covers sustainable biomass, recycled materials and renewable resources, providing a framework for transparent, responsible sourcing. For Continental, this achievement represents both a validation of current sustainability efforts and a foundation for future innovations in eco-conscious tyre manufacturing. The company's growing network of certified facilities demonstrates its commitment to reducing environmental impact while maintaining product quality and performance standards across its global operations.

Jorge Almeida, head of Sustainability for Continental Tires, said, “The ISCC PLUS certification of all our European tyre plants is an important milestone and a strong signal for a more sustainable industry in Europe. But we're not stopping there. Our plants in other regions will follow step by step, like our Hefei plant, which is already certified. We have a strong ambition to make our tyre production more sustainable worldwide across our entire supply chain.”

Bandvulc has expanded its Wastemaster 5 tyre range with a new 315/70 size, enhancing options for urban waste collection and recycling vehicles. Originally launched in 2021, this robust tyre boasts a high load rating and is manufactured at ContiLifeCycle’s Ivybridge facility in Devon, which produces Bandvulc and ContiRe retread tyres.

The Wastemaster 5 incorporates ARMORBAND technology, featuring a reinforced rubber layer along the sidewall to resist scrubbing damage and prolong tyre life. Its advanced tread design includes wide zig-zag grooves for mud and water clearance, stone ejection features, stepped blocks and deep sipes for superior traction in tough conditions. This upgrade reinforces Bandvulc’s commitment to durability and performance in demanding waste management operations.

Eurogrip Tyres, India’s top 2 & 3-wheeler tyre brand under TVS Srichakra Ltd, today launched two exclusive retail stores in Chennai – at Selaiyur and Villivakkam. These outlets will stock a full range of two-wheeler tyres, tubes and biking accessories like helmets, alongside offering tyre care, puncture repair, fitment services and engine oil changes.

Catering to scooters, commuter bikes, performance bikes and superbikes, the stores provide diverse tyre patterns and sizes. They will also handle warranty claims for customers. The Selaiyur store is located at J C Group, Plot no 3, Agaram Main Road, Chennai - 600 073, while the Villivakkam outlet is at ST Enterprises, Old no 39E/New no 103, MTH Road, Chennai - 600 049. These expansions reinforce Eurogrip’s commitment to premium service and accessibility.

T K Ravi, COO, Eurogrip Tyres, said, “We are happy to reach out to more customers through our new branded retail stores. In a city that has a bustling two-wheeler vehicle population, there is a need to have more outlets to expand our network. Chennai is an important market for us, and we had opened our first branded retail store in Velachery last May. The response from customers and riders has been encouraging and we are happy to be launching 2 more stores in the city – this will help bolster our brand strength here. We plan to have more such signature stores in different cities to make our products and services easily accessible to customers.”