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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A new strategic partnership between Bridgestone and Kirkby Tyres is set to transform the availability and delivery of agricultural tyres throughout the UK. Kirkby Tyres, a celebrated wholesaler with over six decades in the industry, will now stock the entire Bridgestone and Firestone agricultural portfolio. This includes the acclaimed VT-TRACTOR, known for its soil-protective high flexion construction, the durable VX-TRACTOR, the newer VH-IND and VX-R TRACTOR models and the full Firestone line. The VX-R TRACTOR, for instance, is recognised for its stable performance across varying ground conditions and operator comfort.

The alliance prioritises the needs of end-users, including farmers, dealers and contractors, leveraging Kirkby Tyres’ formidable logistics and customer-centric philosophy. Operating from a substantial central facility in Liverpool, which features extensive covered warehousing, the company guarantees nationwide next-day delivery without mandating a minimum order. This capability ensures faster access and consistent year-round supply for customers.

Kirkby Tyres brings a distinguished reputation to this collaboration, having recently been named the UK's top tyre wholesaler by the National Tyre Distributors Association. Their proven expertise and reliable distribution network are central to this enhanced route to market, aiming to deliver products precisely where and when they are required.

David Almazan, Head of UK Region & Commercial Business Unit Director at Bridgestone, said, “This partnership is about putting farmers, our dealer network and contractors first. By working closely with Kirkby Tyres, we can ensure a more efficient access to our Bridgestone Agriculture products, backed by genuine expertise. Kirkby Tyres understands the realities of modern agriculture, and together we are perfectly positioned to support customers with premium tyre products that deliver performance, durability and confidence.”

Michael Rosenthal, Commercial Director, Kirkby Tyres, said, “Partnering with Bridgestone allows us to offer customers access to a historic premium brand and a complete agricultural tyre portfolio. By combining Bridgestone’s high-performance Agriculture tyres with our distribution expertise, we can help farmers reduce downtime and keep machines working when it matters most.”

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Ozzy Tyres has launched a new MONSTA all-terrain tyre, engineered to align with the actual driving patterns of modern Australians. As the nation's utility vehicle market expands, with models like the Ford Ranger dominating sales, a clear trend has emerged: most 4x4 owners primarily use their vehicles on sealed roads for daily commuting and family transport, venturing off-road only occasionally. Founder and Director Hussein Chahine identified this shift, noting a significant market gap for a tyre that delivers the rugged, aggressive aesthetic and off-road assurance drivers desire, but without the traditional compromises.

Conventional all-terrain tyres, optimised for extreme off-road conditions with large tread blocks, often generate excessive road noise, vibration and a harsh, stiff ride on pavement. Ozzy Tyres addressed this by rethinking the design from the ground up. After six months of dedicated research and development, the new MONSTA tyre features a pattern with narrower gaps and smooth, curved tread lines. This design maintains crucial off-road traction and durability while ensuring a quiet and stable on-road performance. Furthermore, engineered sidewalls provide greater compliance than typical all-terrain tyres, enhancing ride comfort and reducing strain on vehicle suspension.

This product underscores MONSTA’s unique position as the only Australian-owned tyre brand in the market, a status that enables a direct, customer-led approach to manufacturing. The company’s vertically integrated model allows it to respond swiftly to local driving trends and feedback, rather than relying on imported products designed for different conditions. Manufacturing has now commenced, beginning with 10 sizes and plans for more as demand grows. The brand’s organic international expansion into markets like Japan and New Zealand continues, but the new MONSTA tyre is distinctly born from an understanding of Australian habits.

Ultimately, the tyre is built for the reality of Australian lifestyles. It provides the confident, aggressive look and sidewall strength that 4x4 drivers want, coupled with the daily comfort of a smooth and quiet ride. Chahine emphasises that by designing and developing their own products, Ozzy Tyres maintains full control over quality and performance, ensuring the tyre resonates with drivers who no longer need to sacrifice on-road comfort for off-road capability.

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Yokohama Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has become a supporting sponsor for the new American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORC), which launches in 2026 as North America’s top desert racing series. The company will also equip competitors with its GEOLANDAR brand tyres for SUVs and pickup trucks.

The championship is a collaboration between Unlimited Off-Road Racing and the Best in the Desert Racing Association, consolidating several premier events, including the historic Best in the Desert series and the Mint 400. This five-race points championship will traverse demanding US desert courses, commencing with the Parker 400 in Arizona. As a sponsor, Yokohama Tire Corporation will deliver marketing and motorsport support throughout the series.

The provided tyres will include racing specifications derived from the GEOLANDAR M/T G003 mud-terrain model and overseas-market GEOLANDAR SD off-road racing tyres. Building on the proven track record of GEOLANDAR tyres in events now forming the AORC, TEAM YOKOHAMA is focused on securing series championships.

AORC Schedule

14–18 January: Parker 400 (Arizona)
4–8 March: Mint 400 (Nevada)
22–26 April: Silver State 300 (Nevada)
23–26 July: Vegas to Reno Legends Rally (Nevada) *Not included in AORC series points
13–16 August: Vegas To Reno (Nevada)
15–19 October: Laughlin Desert Classic (Nevada)

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Emerging as a direct answer to the mining industry's most persistent durability challenge, Triangle Tyre has comprehensively launched its groundbreaking giant OTR tyre bonding protection solution: EnsureX Efficient Technology. This innovation is specifically engineered for the world's most punishing environments, such as the Deo Nai coal mine in Vietnam's Quang Ninh province. There, extreme heat, prolonged humidity and rugged lignite terrain traditionally cause severe tyre ageing and delamination, leading to high failure rates and operational risk.

The core of EnsureX is a material science breakthrough that solves the critical problem of adhesion failure between rubber polymers and steel cords under heavy load and complex conditions. It centres on an ultra-high-performance cobalt-free bonding system paired with a gradient adhesion-layer distribution. This combination delivers transformative performance through three key pillars: exceptional fatigue resistance to handle constant deformation, enhanced ageing resistance that boosts adhesion strength by over 40 percent and long-lasting corrosion protection suited for harsh climates.

Already proven in rigorous field testing, the technology has been applied to 49-inch and 57-inch tyre series with remarkable results. It acts as a resilient mechanical anchor within the tyre's structure, deeply securing each steel cord to create a far more integrated and robust assembly. This engineering advancement reduces delamination failures by more than 95 percent and extends overall tyre service life by over 15 percent, directly addressing the costly cycle of premature scrapping.

The successful deployment of EnsureX Efficient Technology marks a significant leap forward in OTR tyre capability. By providing a stronger, more durable and stable solution, it not only elevates safety and efficiency for mining operations but also solidifies a new standard of performance through independent innovation in high-end tyre manufacturing.

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