Six currencies, with an estimated population of 184 million - the East African community exists around the Great Lakes Region. “The Cradle of Mankind” is what it is called. This region lies in the heart of Africa and is home to both flora and fauna as it may have existed in the primordial times, undisturbed – SMART.

Mobility has changed considerably in this region by the way the tyres here have found their way into this market. In 1998, Truck Tubeless Tyre Conversions began in Kenya and quickly spread out to the neighboring regions. Presently 95% of the tyres found in fleets are tubeless and there is 100% conversion rate on Passenger and 4x4 range of vehicles. It was the SMART thing to do. The millennium saw an influx of Fleet Management softwares, Tyre Management Contracts, with the help of Budini Tyre Management Software. Unprecedented tyre training, growing investments in tyre machinery, tools and accessories investments. Technology and processes peaked and the bubble burst.

On the tyre spectrum 12.00R20, which was the predominant tyre size, was replaced by the low profile 315/80R22.5 (not the 13R22.5) which continues to hog 60% of the truck tyre market. The 8.25R16 was replaced by the 265/70R19.5 and 295/80R22.5 (together with 12R22.5) replaced 11.00R20. On the tyre spectrum and front we were ahead of developed, space (nuclear) age countries like India and the Gulf where tubeless conversions were less and the predominant sizes remained to be 10.00R20 and 12.00R24 respectively.

Tubeless rims became the order of the day and even when Trilex Split rims (80 years technology) are still in use in the Gulf. For a market that churns out approximately 600,000 trucks tyre casings per year, tyre retreading is the environmentally SMART thing to do. The cold procured tread process replaced the hot casing damaging process.  East Africa has not been left  SMARTing in this field either.

What went wrong:

1.  Intelligent Organisations. Any intelligent system must be data-driven

The primary objective of any successful organisation is to analyse large pools of data accumulated over long periods of time in their areas of operations (This includes transporters, tyre importers and distributors and tyre manufacturers). Increasingly organisational decisions are NOT taken by managers’ intuition and common sense but algorithms and data derived electronically from recording of our interactions and experiences with customers. Selling tyres has ceased to be a contact sport it has degenerated in some quarters into a Nintendo like encounter.

Intelligent organisations normally SCALE (Sense, Comprehend, Act, Learn and Explain) their environment with managers/ owners / directors ceding authority over certain decisions while acquiring new capabilities and roles for themselves. As conjoined twins, SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) and SCALE goals must be matched.

Let me give illustration with a story. In Africa we love to do so. Reader’s discretion is advised!

A (SMART) priest arrived late at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, for a climbing expedition the following day. Exhausted, he searched for a room in the nearest inn. Only one room was available which he was requested by the motel owner to share with a beautiful lady wearing a stunning fishy (SCALEy) dress who had arrived late for the same expedition. To make matters worse, there was only one mattress. The exhausted lady prepared and slept on one side of the mattress, while the honorable  priest laid the sheet and slept on the cold floor two meters away. The following morning at the breakfast table the priest formally introduced himself to the beautiful lady as asked her where she was from. She on the other hand enquired of the priest as to his mission at the Kilimanjaro. “ I have come to climb and conquer this greatest mountain in Mother Africa,” he said proudly trying to impress her. She paused and after a sigh said to  the priest in a low voice, “Tell me exactly how you intend to climb this mountain when you cannot SCALE up a six-inch mattress?!”  Moral of the story: No matter how good your SMART goals are, you must act on SCALE-ing the heights.

2. Smart Technologies portend a smart working force

Tony Nicolini – Founder of the Budini Tyre Software and Systems, puts it beautifully when he says “Technology is only as smart as the users want it to be.”  The exponential growth of data capturing capability has not been matched by its harnessing and channeling into useful avenues largely because investments are low in the field of tyre education and  tyre infrastructure. Having experience Tyre related trainings in different parts of the world, our region receives but a trickle of the much-needed skill laced training that would sharpen their senses in order to tyre SCALE better.

The three aspects related to Smart Tyre Technology are:

Smart transporters

Zul is a transporter who runs a successful bus company. Operating from the heart of Nairobi, to most parts of Kenya. He keeps meticulous records on all his tyre records. These records were the basis for decision making for a transport company that has had the least number of fatalities in the country. Zul represents about 5% of transporters in this region who have scrupulous, readily available  data that is open to scrutiny not only by his own company but can be used by suppliers.

In 2012 I had a chance to visit Tyre Heaven, a company in Sao Paulo. They invited Nicolini (Budini) and me to visit their premises. With over 700 trucks and trailers, there were there only three persons working in the tyre department. Cradle-to-Grave tyre data is maintained for all tyres. Once or twice a year, like a pilgrimage, representatives major tyre suppliers congregate in the transport premises to tender openly for 8,000 tyres.

Smart processes

Special Sales approaches to the market determine the success or failure or a sales person. Many transporters, tyre importers or dealers approach to own products with little comprehension on the conditions of use. Mismatch between tyres and vehicles, tyre and routes, have only added to the chagrin on the end-user. Professional ethics prohibit me from dwelling too much into these sales processes to end-users and dealers, but to say the least, these methodical approaches have no substitute. As a result of tyres being treated as a commodity, where price is the only point of discussion, SMART tyres with lipstick and high-heels have found their way into a hostile market that has unpaved roads, untrained staff and uncaring drivers in some instances.

The readers of this article may have had access to better tyre optimisation processes than the ones I will mention below. Yet I can say without a doubt now will match the dedication and follow-up that is offered by the Budini Tyre Management Systems.

• The Tyre Optimisation Process is a non-patented process that was arrived at by a team of tyre experts on casing (yet not tyre optimisation) in order to achieve the lowest cost per Kilometer in a particular fleet. Pocket Suit, Survey Web and TMS are worth a glance.

Feature Benefits and Evidence (FABEs) is the way tyres were sold, sadly price has over-shadowed all three since both  the purchaser nor the seller are reluctant to discuss the matters relating to performance. Benchmarking of tyre mileages across fleets is more often than not misleading.

Smart sales people

Ajay, Yves, Mick and Tony belong to a fading rare breed of people who were tyre  fleet problem solvers. These gate-keepers and well-trained mentors in process described above played and continued to give solutions and on-site training in the harsh environments. What is common about this people in how  SMART or wise they are. It is the extremely long span of attention they dedicate in their line of duty. It is therefore worrying that today when the tyre is being treated as a commodity and not a Safety Engineering piece of equipment, Africa and Africans without secure gate keepers and anti-dumping laws will fall prey to fast talking sales persons with tik-tok attention spans. If I were to be the Chief Tyre General –  Certain Tyres would only be sold on prescriptions.

In  South Africa, it was uncommon for representatives of different companies to meet at a major transporter and conduct a joint scrap and claim analysis. Just like doctors conducting a post-mortem, sample casings from each brand would be analysed and reported before they would rest back for a Friday  Brae and Beer. SMART. I know this may be happening in other parts of the word any it is the reason we now have the Radial Tyre Damage Book.

RFID, push alerts, Translogic tools, TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems) are all example of Smart technologies that many sales persons, managers, owners and directors are aware of but are not capable of implementing just yet. However, training might be that essential key that unlocks the thirst for the much-needed necessities.

I end this article with the SMARTest thing I have heard this year and maybe for a long time. It comes from a great mind in Tyre Management “It does not matter how you record (label) tyres in whatever system you have….what matters is what you do with that tyre after that. A basic tyre system understood by all is the best way to involve others and come out with shining success. It beats even the tyre RFID systems - Marcio Olievera (Budini Systems – SMARTyre SCALER).

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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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Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (publ) has secured a three-month extension of its ongoing company reorganisation, as approved by the Gothenburg District Court on 30 June 2026. The revised deadline now extends to 27 August 2026, with Johan Sölveland of Ackordscentralen continuing as the appointed reorganisation administrator. The initial reorganisation proceedings commenced on 27 February 2026.

The extension is strategically designed to facilitate the finalisation of critical long-term financing negotiations and the completion of a formal reorganisation plan. Enviro’s internal timeline projects that the plan will be ready for presentation in August 2026, concurrently with a comprehensive financing package to support its implementation. A key component of the proposal will involve a debt write-down, with non-priority creditors preliminarily offered a minimum 25 percent settlement, payable three months post-plan ratification, though this figure remains subject to revision.

The company maintains that the progress achieved during the initial phase has laid a solid foundation for a successful restructuring. Enviro’s preliminary assessment indicates that the current trajectory supports the ultimate goal of establishing a sustainable, long-term capital framework, with the reorganisation plan proceeding according to schedule.

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International environmental company Genan has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ESTATO Umweltservice's mechanical tyre recycling facility in Weiden, southeastern Germany, from the ATU Group, a major domestic chain for automotive service and repair. The transaction includes a concurrent long-term cooperation pact designed to secure a consistent supply of end-of-life tyres for the plant, which currently processes approximately 45,000 tonnes of such material each year.

This acquisition marks a significant expansion for Genan, which already operates six recycling facilities across Denmark, Germany, Portugal and United States. The company’s existing operations collectively yield an annual production capacity exceeding 400,000 tonnes of processed tyres, establishing it as a substantial player in the international recycling sector.

The strategic move aligns with Genan’s broader growth objectives, particularly its focus on markets offering the most promising long-term prospects. By integrating the Weiden site, the company aims to bolster its footprint in Germany while gaining access to attractive markets in Central and Eastern Europe. A key element of the deal is the partnership with ATU, which guarantees a steady inflow of used tyres collected from the group’s workshops in Weiden and Werl that are unsuitable for direct reuse.

Poul Steen Rasmussen, Genan’s Group CEO, outlined an ambitious investment plan for the Weiden factory, committing a double-digit million-euro sum for a comprehensive upgrade over the coming year. The intention is to construct a technologically advanced production line on the existing premises, leveraging the company’s expertise in industrialising recycling processes. This approach mirrors a previous successful transformation in Portugal, where capacity, efficiency and environmental performance were significantly enhanced.

For ATU, the agreement ensures the professional, long-term processing of the vast quantities of used tyres generated by its workshops. The CEO of ATU Group expressed confidence that the partnership with Genan provides an excellent future for the Weiden site and its employees, combining industrial scale with a clear dedication to sustainable recycling. Both parties view the collaboration as a vital contribution to the circular economy, transforming waste into valuable raw materials.

The acquisition is also seen as a bellwether for the European recycling industry, signalling a phase of consolidation and heightened focus on circularity. Genan’s leadership noted that increasing political emphasis on waste management will drive demand for high-quality recycled materials, a need that requires significant investment in production technology. The group’s operations, which recycle rubber, steel and textile fibres for use in flooring, asphalt and industrial goods, are positioned to capitalise on this growth trajectory. The agreement is currently pending regulatory approval and is anticipated to be finalised shortly.

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