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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Doublestar Tire emerged as a prominent exhibitor at the 2026 Latin Tyre & Auto Parts Expo in Panama City. The premier industry gathering for the Americas attracted over 700 international exhibitors and more than 30,000 professional trade visitors, providing a substantial platform for automotive parts and tire manufacturers.

The Panamanian event serves as a critical commercial gateway, radiating trade opportunities across more than 20 neighbouring nations. Given Latin America’s varied topography and climatic extremes, which demand superior tyre resilience and wet traction, Doublestar has collaborated with regional partners to engineer customised products. These targeted solutions have secured considerable market acceptance and popularity throughout the area.

Among the showcased innovations, the TBR tyre D902 integrates a wear-resistant compound with an advanced tread pattern, ensuring dependable stability for long-haul routes in tropical heat. The DSU02, a premier passenger car tyre, demonstrates exceptional protection against abrasion and impact, coupled with superior handling in both wet and dry conditions. A diverse portfolio of economically priced models further drew significant attention from purchasing agents.

This strategic participation has notably amplified Doublestar’s brand presence across the American markets and established a robust framework for deeper local engagement. Committed to delivering high-performance, value-added transportation solutions, Doublestar continues to reinforce the international standing of Chinese tyre manufacturers through quality-driven innovation.

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Barez Industrial Group, Iran’s leading tyre manufacturer, observed its 29th consecutive year of activity on the Tehran Securities Exchange during a commemorative event held on 23 August 2026. The gathering featured the traditional exchange bell ceremony, underscoring the company’s enduring footprint in Iran’s capital markets.

Speaking on the occasion, Jamal Mirzaei, CEO of Barez Industrial Group, spoke of the organisation’s momentum, asserting that current undertakings and forward-looking blueprints are steadily carving out its tomorrow. The firm’s leadership used the platform to reaffirm its commitment to sustained growth and operational excellence.

Originating as a provincial manufacturer in Kerman back in 1985, Barez has since risen to become a linchpin of the national tyre industry. Strategic upgrades to production lines and the integration of cutting-edge manufacturing processes have propelled its reach beyond borders. Since joining the TSE in 1997, it has outshone six other listed peers in the rubber and plastics category, claiming the largest share of the sector’s overall valuation, which exceeded IRR 330 trillion at the prior session, with the group responsible for over IRR 120 trillion of that figure.

The proceedings also included an award presentation, with TSE Chief Mahmoud Goudarzi offering a commemorative token to Mirzaei in appreciation of the firm’s three-decade record of transparent engagement with the exchange. Later, a press engagement allowed the executive team to walk reporters through notable milestones, pipeline ventures and strategic forecasts, fostering a clearer view of the company’s roadmap for investors and analysts alike.

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Continental has introduced a 32-mm variant of its Aero 111 road tyre, expanding the range of its most aerodynamically advanced model. Developed in partnership with Swiss Side, this wider version aims to deliver the same drag-reducing performance while catering to cyclists seeking a combination of speed and improved comfort on demanding surfaces.

The tyre’s aerodynamic efficiency is achieved through a patented tread pattern featuring 48 precision cavities that function as vortex generators. This design manipulates airflow around the front wheel to delay separation, maintaining optimal performance across varying wind angles. The result is a significant reduction in drag and an enhanced sailing effect, allowing for greater forward propulsion with reduced rider effort.

Despite its broader profile, the tyre maintains its speed and durability credentials through Continental’s BlackChili compound, ensuring low rolling resistance and dependable grip in all conditions. Protection is provided by the Vectran Breaker layer, and the tubeless-ready casing is compatible with hookless rims. Offered in black sidewall and three widths, the Aero 111 now serves a wider array of road cycling demands.

Hannah Ferle, Road Product Manager, Continental Tires, said, “With the addition of the 32 mm width, we truly are offering aero performance from every angle. Developing the Aero 111 alongside Swiss Side has allowed us to build a tyre like no other, one that performs across even the most demanding conditions. The Aero 111 has already proven the benefits of advanced airflow management, but this additional width allows us to bring those same aerodynamic gains and crosswind-taming technologies to the modern road cyclist who refuses to compromise on comfort.”

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TyreSafe has issued a fresh warning to UK motorists regarding the persistent dangers of part-worn tyres, drawing on the findings of recent multi-agency enforcement operations. The safety charity has underscored that despite ongoing efforts to regulate the sector, significant compliance failures continue to place drivers at risk. These concerns are based on collaborative inspections conducted over the past year with Trading Standards, police forces and local authorities, which have revealed systemic issues within the market.

Enforcement actions in Norfolk and Lancashire have exposed alarming deficiencies in the safety and legality of part-worn tyres on sale. In Norfolk, an inspection of nearly 200 tyres across several retail outlets found that over a third were in a dangerous condition, featuring exposed cords, structural damage and inadequate repairs. Remarkably, only a single tyre out of the entire batch satisfied all legal requirements, leading to the immediate removal of unsafe products and subsequent enforcement measures against non-compliant sellers.

Parallel operations in Lancashire painted an equally concerning picture, where none of the 30 part-worn tyres examined met the mandatory legal standards. Every tyre inspected failed to display the compulsory ‘PART-WORN’ marking, and many exhibited serious defects such as embedded objects, sidewall damage and substandard repairs. These discoveries have prompted ongoing engagement with businesses to encourage better practices, though the overall findings highlight a widespread disregard for established safety protocols.

In response to the enforcement outcomes, TyreSafe has noted that educational initiatives have yielded some positive changes among retailers. Certain businesses have enhanced their understanding of legal obligations, reduced their stock of part-worn tyres or transitioned to offering new budget alternatives. Nevertheless, the charity maintains that part-worn tyres remain a high-risk category, as compliance is not uniformly observed, leaving consumers vulnerable to products with undocumented histories and hidden structural weaknesses that are not always visible during a casual inspection.

The organisation has emphasised the critical distinction between tyres fitted to used vehicles and those sold as standalone part-worn products. While the former are acquired as part of a complete car purchase, the latter are individual items whose safety and legality depend entirely on the retailer’s diligence. TyreSafe has reiterated that these tyres must meet strict legal criteria, including a minimum tread depth of two millimetres, successful pressure testing and freedom from cuts or bulges, yet enforcement shows these rules are frequently ignored.

Motorists are being strongly urged to exercise caution and prioritise their safety by sourcing tyres from reputable suppliers and conducting regular checks on air pressure, condition and tread depth. TyreSafe has highlighted that opting for part-worn tyres on cost grounds can prove false economy, given their reduced lifespan and elevated risk of sudden failure. The charity continues to advocate for new tyres as the safest choice, stressing that the unknown history of part-worn products can have dire consequences in real-world driving conditions.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “Our recent education and enforcement activity revealed a deeply concerning picture of tyre safety on UK roads. Too often, part-worn tyres are being used as a dangerous short-term fix rather than a safe, compliant solution. We encountered vehicles fitted with severely aged tyres that should have been removed from service years ago, alongside single-tyre replacements fitted purely to secure an MOT pass. This creates highly unstable and potentially dangerous combinations, including mismatched summer and winter tyres on the same axle, which can seriously compromise braking and handling. Perhaps most alarming, none of the part-worn tyres we inspected carried the legally required ‘PART-WORN’ marking, highlighting a serious lack of compliance and leaving motorists unknowingly exposed to unsafe and unverified products.”

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