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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Dow will invest approximately USD 100 million by the end of 2027 to expand its specialty silicones manufacturing and research capabilities in the US, China and Japan, as the chemicals group seeks to meet rising demand from the mobility, electronics and healthcare sectors.

The investments will increase production capacity for liquid silicone rubber and engineered silicone materials, while also expanding research facilities focused on thermal management technologies.

The company said the projects would strengthen regional supply chains and support customers through local manufacturing and technical capabilities.

“These investments underscore Dow’s focus on scaling specialty silicones materials and bringing innovation closer and faster to our customers,” said Brendy Lange, president of Performance Materials & Coatings. “By expanding manufacturing and innovation capabilities in these strategic regions, we are investing to meet increasing consumer demand, strengthening our global supply chain capabilities, and enabling customers to move faster from innovation to commercialisation.”

Dow plans to expand liquid silicone rubber manufacturing facilities in Carrollton, Kentucky, and Zhangjiagang, China. The facilities are expected to begin operations in 2027 and will support applications in mobility, electronics and healthcare.

The company is also increasing capacity for engineered silicone materials used in electronics applications, including power electronics, semiconductor packaging, thermal management and electrical protection.

New capacity in Songjiang, China, and Fukui, Japan, is scheduled to come on stream this year. Additional expansions in Auburn, Michigan, and Zhangjiagang are expected to be completed in 2027.

Dow expanded its Cooling Science Labs in Shanghai earlier this year and opened additional facilities in Midland, Michigan, in June. The facilities are intended to support the development and scale-up of thermal management technologies.

The investments complete the series of silicones projects outlined during Dow’s 2024 investor day. The company said project timelines had been updated to reflect market conditions and affordability considerations.

Dow said demand for specialty silicones continues to grow in mobility, electronics and medical applications, where supply reliability, technical support and product performance remain important considerations.

In mobility and electronics markets, the expanded capabilities are intended to support applications including mobility intelligence modules, data centres, microelectronics, energy electronics, consumer electronics components and advanced safety systems.

In medical applications, the company said regional manufacturing capabilities support local supply requirements for regulated products.

Dow said local manufacturing and technical support would help customers improve supply reliability, accelerate commercialisation and meet evolving qualification requirements.

The company said its integrated silicones manufacturing network across the Americas, Europe and Asia positions it to serve growing demand in specialty materials markets.

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CEAT Kelani Holdings has been recognised as the Best Tyre Manufacturer in the Component Manufacturer category at Sri Lanka’s inaugural Automobile Industry Awards, a distinction that underscores its dominant role within the nation’s expanding vehicle assembly sector. The awards, organised by the newly established Automobile Industry Council, were presented during a formal ceremony at Temple Trees, drawing a distinguished audience of government ministers, senior bureaucrats and key industry stakeholders.

The company’s commanding presence is particularly evident in the original equipment segment, where it supplies tyres for over 90 percent of all vehicles assembled domestically. Since initiating its original equipment supply chain in 2012, CEAT Kelani has grown to become the preferred partner for assemblers, delivering more than 150,000 tyres annually for a broad spectrum of vehicles, from passenger cars to commercial trucks. Its products are now fitted as standard equipment on more than 30 locally assembled models across 11 international brands.

This position of strength is further validated by the company’s attainment of the IATF 16949:2016 certification, marking it as the first tyre manufacturer in Sri Lanka to achieve this globally respected automotive quality standard. The tyres supplied to vehicle makers undergo exhaustive validation processes, demonstrating superior outcomes in critical areas such as safety, braking performance and durability while also exhibiting low rolling resistance to improve driving efficiency.

Beyond its industrial achievements, CEAT Kelani contributes substantially to the national economy by conserving foreign exchange through import substitution and sustaining the livelihoods of over 10,000 rubber cultivator families through domestic natural rubber sourcing. The Automobile Industry Council, which hosted the awards, functions as a private-sector-led entity established with government support to foster sustainable growth and collaboration between public and private stakeholders.

The inaugural awards ceremony forms part of the Council's broader mission to promote global best practices and governance standards within the local industry. As Sri Lanka's leading tyre brand, the company sells over 1.2 million tyres annually and maintains a presence in more than 110 countries, including US and Europe.

Ranked as the country's most valuable tyre brand by Brand Finance, CEAT Kelani has invested over INR 8.5 billion in Sri Lanka over the past decade, with a further INR 4.5 billion recently committed. The manufacturer supplies approximately half of Sri Lanka's automotive tyre demand while exporting around 20 percent of its output to 16 nations, reinforcing its status as a vital contributor to the national economy.

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Vittoria has expanded its Gravel Endurance Range by introducing new 700×50c and 700×55c tyre sizes across the Terreno T10, T30, T50 and T70 models. The gravel cycling discipline has transformed from a niche mixed-terrain activity into a multifaceted sport encompassing competitive racing, multi-day journeys, bikepacking and increasingly technical routes.

Although 40 mm and 45 mm options remain effective benchmarks in certain conditions, adoption of 50 mm and 55 mm widths is accelerating across racing and adventure circles. A wider footprint delivers improved traction on loose terrain, greater stability on descents, lower pressure capabilities and enhanced comfort during prolonged rides.

Within the racing segment, the trend towards larger tyres is unmistakable, with some competitors turning to mountain bike rubber for rugged courses. Tyre pressure management emerges as critical, as reduced pressure absorbs vibrations and maintains control on unpredictable surfaces. The average weight increase of approximately 70 grammes represents a modest compromise relative to performance gains.

For bikepacking and touring, wider tyres prove invaluable for managing heavier loads, delivering superior stability and cushioning over extended distances. The flexibility to adjust pressure enables navigation of both paved roads and isolated gravel routes. This preference aligns with frame design developments, as manufacturers produce bicycles with ample tire clearance to accommodate diverse styles.

The Terreno tread patterns are purpose-built for gravel surfaces and outperform traditional mountain bike designs. With the new sizes, the Vittoria Gravel Endurance Range now addresses the full spectrum from competitive racing to wilderness adventures, empowering cyclists to select optimal configurations for their ambitions across any terrain.

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Titan International has introduced the ITP CrossTrax tyre, a new product developed to enhance utility task vehicle performance in demanding agricultural settings. The company translated direct feedback from dealers and farmers into engineering specifications, addressing the specific operational challenges faced on modern farms. This initiative underscores a strategic move to tailor equipment for the evolving role of UTVs as essential workhorses beyond simple transportation.

The genesis of the CrossTrax tyre stemmed from field observations rather than laboratory work. During the Titan University Summit in early 2025, dealers highlighted persistent issues with tyre durability and machine downtime. Concurrently, farmers at agricultural shows reinforced these concerns, emphasising the need for a tyre built exclusively for farm work, distinct from recreational models, given that UTVs are now routinely used for hauling heavy supplies across fields, gravel and hard-packed roads.

The engineering response targeted the most frequent user complaints, namely flats from crop stubble and accelerated wear from mixed-terrain use. To combat these issues, the CrossTrax features an aramid-reinforced ply layer for enhanced puncture resistance against debris. It also incorporates a low void-to-tread ratio to improve stability across varying surfaces and utilises large tread blocks to promote even wear, thereby extending service life and reducing operational disruptions.

Reinforcing Titan’s commitment to customer-driven development, the new tyre line is now available in nine sizes, covering popular models like the Polaris Ranger, Kawasaki Mule and John Deere Gator, with three additional sizes forthcoming. Early field evaluations have reportedly affirmed the design priorities, with positive feedback on improved ride stability and durability. The CrossTrax ultimately aims to increase operator confidence while minimising downtime and replacement frequency.

Todd Hinson, Powersports Product Manager, Titan Specialty Division, said, “Hearing this input directly from dealers and farmers was really eye opening. CrossTrax is the result of taking those conversations seriously and acting on them. We built a tyre around what is actually needed for farm work today. CrossTrax reflects who Titan is, a tyre manufacturer with boots on the ground, staying close to our dealers and customers. We spend a lot of time understanding how equipment is actually being used on farms and building solutions around those needs. That approach has always shaped how we innovate, and it will continue guiding us moving forward.”

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