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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Ralson has reached a production volume of one million units for its truck and bus radial tyres. This accomplishment arrives only three years after the brand’s entry into the American market and roughly five years following construction work on its dedicated TBR facility, which began during the most severe period of the pandemic.

Demand from commercial fleets operating in over 70nations has fuelled the brand’s rise. Users have consistently rated the TBR product line as delivering high-end performance at a cost-effective price. To support this customer base, Ralson currently maintains two American warehouses in Savannah and Newark, enabling replenishment within two to three days for dealers and fleets across the country.

The tyre lineup meets United States fleet engineering standards and comes with a competitive seven-year, three-retread warranty. Products cover long-haul, regional and vocational uses. Following the one millionth tyre, Ralson plans a large capital investment to more than double its TBR output. The expansion will increase warehousing, partner programmes and dealer support across North America.

Brian Sheehey, President, Ralson Tire North America, said, “The first million was about conviction – in the product, the process and the people who built it. We started this plant when the world was standing still. We earned every mile since. The next million will be about acceleration: deeper dealer partnerships, broader SKU coverage and continuing to give fleets a reason to choose us on every spec sheet.”

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Giti Tire heads into the 2026 Nürburgring 24-Hour race from 14 to 17 May with a clear engineering mission, placing its tyres at the very centre of a live high-performance trial. The company treats the gruelling event not merely as a competition but as a decade‑long research platform where extreme track demands directly inform the durability and safety of everyday road tyres. What Giti learns on the Green Hell’s asphalt directly shapes its ultra‑high‑performance road tyres, enhancing handling precision and driver confidence worldwide.

The notorious Nordschleife, a 25‑kilometre maze of blind crests, 170 corners and volatile weather, serves as Giti’s primary outdoor laboratory. Unlike controlled indoor simulations, this circuit forces tyres to endure rapid temperature swings, sudden rain and sustained high‑speed loads, generating performance data that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

During the 24 hours of nonstop racing, Giti’s engineers systematically track how their compounds behave under relentless stress. They measure grip falloff, structural fatigue, wet‑weather response and heat dissipation lap after lap, turning every hour of darkness and every sudden shower into a learning opportunity for future tyre families.

Beyond technology, Giti has built a visible partnership with WS Racing and its all‑female ‘Girls Only – Ready to Rock the Green Hell’ campaign. The 2026 entry fields Carrie Schreiner, Janina Schall and Fabienne Wohlwend in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, while a separate Toyota Supra in the VT2‑RWD class continues developing emerging talents through the Girls Only Talent Pool.

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Continental has introduced a specialised tyre lineup for motorhomes as the camper season begins, addressing the unique technical demands of recreational vehicles. The company’s VanContact Camper tyre family includes two distinct models: the VanContact Ultra Camper for summer conditions and the VanContact A/S Ultra Camper as an all‑season alternative. Both products are engineered to handle the heavy weights, uneven axle loads, and long idle periods that typically challenge motorhome tyres.

Positioned as the flagship of the series, the VanContact A/S Ultra Camper targets users seeking maximum year‑round flexibility without the need for seasonal tyre changes. This all‑season tyre delivers reliable traction across diverse weather conditions while offering high mileage and efficient rolling performance. It is designed to serve equally well for spring season starts and continuous use throughout the year, making it a versatile solution for frequent travellers.

The reinforced carcass structure and high‑quality belt materials of the VanContact A/S Ultra Camper meet the Camping Pneu standard, which provides higher load capacities than conventional van tyres. From a technical perspective, Continental employs a robust tread design with thick rubber blocks, a protective abrasion rib, and stable sidewalls. A functional tread and sipe pattern, combined with an advanced rubber compound, promote even wear, low rolling resistance and dependable grip on changing road surfaces and in variable weather.

Alongside the all‑season version, the summer‑specific VanContact Ultra Camper remains available for warm‑weather optimisation. Continental emphasises that tyre condition at season start is critical, as extended inactivity, temperature swings and pressure fluctuations can compromise performance. The VanContact Camper family is positioned as a high‑durability solution for a safe and flexible start to the camping season and beyond.

Nicolas Jackisch, Product Manager – Van Tyres, Continental, said, “With the VanContact Camper tyre family, we take into account the load profiles and usage conditions of the motorhome segment. The VanContact A/S Ultra Camper stands for flexible all‑season performance and year‑round use, while the VanContact Ultra Camper is optimised for operation in warm temperatures. Both tyres are designed to deliver high load capacity, stability and safety.”

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Hankook Tire, in collaboration with Al Dobowi Tyre company, the official distributor of Hankook in UAE since 1978 under Al Dobowi Group, has announced a new sponsorship agreement with the Gulf County Championship, a community-based cricket league in the United Arab Emirates.

Starting from the 2026 season, Hankook will serve as a Division Sponsor for the league, which ranks among the UAE’s leading community cricket events. The championship features roughly 200 matches over three months, drawing more than 800 players across multiple divisions and primarily engaging the country’s South Asian community, where cricket holds strong cultural significance.

Through on-site branding and digital exposure via YouTube and social media, Hankook aims to boost brand awareness and customer engagement. Interactive programmes and promotional activities are planned to drive consumer conversion. Stellar Sports & Events organises the league.

Dae-hee Yun, Managing Director UAE, said, "This initiative marks an important step in expanding our customer and partner base across the UAE. Through strategic partnerships, we aim to further strengthen our sales competitiveness in the local market while reinforcing our premium brand positioning."

Waqas Faisal, General Manager, Al Dobowi Tyre Company, said, "Marking 50 years of presence in the UAE, this partnership is a significant milestone for Al Dobowi Group as the official distributor of Hankook Tires. Cricket plays a vital role in bringing communities together across the country, and the collaboration provides a strong platform for engaging with the local cricket community and strengthening our presence across the UAE, delivering results both on and off the field."

Rony James, General Manager, Stellar Sports & Events, said, "We are delighted to welcome Hankook Tire and Al Dobowi Group as key partners for the Gulf County Championship. This collaboration reflects the growing scale and professionalism of community cricket in the UAE. Our focus is to create a platform that delivers competitive cricket and meaningful brand engagement for our partners through on-ground and digital experiences."

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