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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Hankook Tyre UK has secured exclusive sponsorship of the Transport Association Traffic Managers’ & Engineers’ Conference 2026, an event that draws fleet and logistics professionals together to exchange knowledge and examine the issues influencing commercial transport’s future.

The Transport Association, established in 1955, represents a UK-wide network of roughly 65 independent, family-owned logistics firms. Its members operate some 5,700 vehicles from 175 locations, delivering transport, storage and distribution services domestically and across Europe, while the organisation promotes collaboration and best practice.

Scheduled for 25–27 September 2026 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne’s Crowne Plaza Hotel, the annual gathering will convene senior figures from the Association’s national network. As exclusive sponsor, Hankook will address tyre efficiency, safety, sustainability and total cost of ownership – topics of growing importance amid decarbonisation, cost pressures and electrification. The partnership reinforces Hankook’s dedication to collaborating with fleet operators and industry bodies on practical solutions for commercial mobility’s future.

Jon Cottrell, Network & Operations Manager, Hankook Tyre UK, said, “We’re delighted to support The Transport Association and its members at this year’s conference. The transport sector is evolving rapidly, and close collaboration across the industry will be essential. We look forward to sharing our experience, hearing different perspectives and contributing to the practical discussions taking place throughout the event.”

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Pirelli has introduced its new SCORPION Gravity range, a mountain bike tyre lineup created for gravity riding and covering trail, enduro, freeride and downhill disciplines. The Italian manufacturer has completely redesigned the platform while introducing a new naming system intended to simplify how riders identify the best tyre configuration. Compared with the previous line, the range substantially increases the number of available combinations, as each model can be paired with different casing and compound choices.

The selection process follows three stages. Riders first choose a tread pattern, with three distinct scorpion species each representing a different terrain and riding style. They then select a casing based on the level of support and protection required. Finally, they choose a compound from Medium, Soft or Supersoft to achieve the desired balance of grip, rolling efficiency and durability.

Three tread names form the foundation of the new architecture: Black Sting, Emperor and Red Claw. Each draws inspiration from a different scorpion species, with the name reflecting the creature's characteristics and natural habitat to create a direct link with the conditions and riding style the tyre is engineered for.

Black Sting takes its name from scorpions living in deserts and arid environments. Developed for riders prioritising speed, precision and responsiveness, the fast-rolling tread combines low rolling resistance with controlled braking, suiting hardpack and firm, compact terrain where stability under high loads and at speed is critical. Emperor is the range's most versatile option, building on the previous RACE M tread but fully re-engineered. Like the scorpion it represents, it performs across mixed terrain and changing conditions, balancing traction, control and rolling efficiency. Red Claw, inspired by tropical scorpions in wet, humid environments, targets maximum traction and control. Based on the earlier RACE T design, it is optimised for loose-over-hard, dusty and off-camber terrain.

Pirelli has also evolved its four casing constructions, all now fully eMTB-ready for conventional and electric mountain bikes, including Light and Full Power models. ProWALL is the lightest with sidewall protection, weighing 700 to 900 grammes, and favours responsiveness and climbing efficiency. HardWALL, at 900 to 1,100 grammes, adds structural support and reinforcement against pinch flats. DualWALL, weighing 1,100 to 1,300 grammes, uses a dual-ply build for enduro racing, bike parks and freeride. DH+ WALL, from 1,300 to over 1,500 grammes, is the most protective option, employing tougher base fabrics and extra reinforcement for elite downhill racing.

Three compounds complete the range. Medium, marked yellow, balances grip, comfort and durability. Soft, marked red, provides intuitive handling and consistent grip in dry and wet conditions without sacrificing durability. Supersoft, marked purple, is engineered for the most demanding conditions, offering maximum grip, vibration damping and impact absorption. The range was developed by Pirelli technicians with three-time Downhill World Champion Fabien Barel and world-class athletes including Brendan Fairclough, Jack Moir, Thomas Genon, Juan Diego Salido, Fabio Wibmer and Lachlan Blair.

Fabien Barel said, “Having worked closely with Pirelli, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply their expertise runs, from Formula 1 to the Motorcycle World Championship, from motocross to high-performance cars. That same racing DNA is now driving innovation in mountain biking – across compound technology, casing construction and tread design. What’s particularly interesting is seeing how the company is bringing into cycling that wealth of cross-discipline knowledge built up over years of success at the highest levels of motorsport. What stands out most when riding these new tyres is how consistent the grip feels across the entire tread, no matter the terrain, and how stable the casing stays even when conditions get rough – it’s the kind of confidence you notice within the first few turns.”

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Tana Oy convened its annual Tana Dealer Meeting 2026 in Hämeenlinna, Finland, drawing distributors from 19 countries for three days of presentations, shared experiences and discussions. Attendees contributed perspectives and insights from markets worldwide, making the gathering a truly global exchange of knowledge and ideas.

The event took place at the historic Vanajanlinna, whose distinctive atmosphere provided an ideal setting for face-to-face meetings, idea exchange and informal interaction. Tana Oy’s 55th anniversary added a special dimension to the occasion. Under the theme ‘No time to waste – From ambition to results’, participants concentrated on sharing knowledge, converting ideas into concrete action, and advancing together.

The main meeting day featured presentations spanning Tana’s operations, with the agenda covering strategy, products, services, spare parts and market development. Beyond formal presentations, distributors contributed valuable field knowledge. Real customer cases and requests were examined collectively, with distributors sharing expertise from their respective markets and introducing fresh perspectives to the discussion.

The final day shifted focus from presentations to hands-on demonstrations. A live demo of the TANA MWB, the newest addition to the shredder family, showcased its capabilities under real operating conditions. Attendees then travelled to Toijala Works for the RD Factory Circuit, where Service and R&D teams guided dealers through stations introducing new features, options and technical developments. The sessions were led by the people who developed these solutions, giving distributors opportunities to ask questions, provide feedback and discuss matters directly with the experts.

A highlight of the meeting was the Dealer of the Year Awards, which recognise distributor achievements and dedication worldwide. Four winners were celebrated. Máquina Solo of Brazil received Dealer of the Year 2025 for opening a new landfill compactor market during a challenging economic year while achieving full participation in all 2025 tenders. Tana Italia s.r.l. earned Excellence in Marketing and Promoting Tana 2025 for consistently innovative exhibition concepts and marketing ideas. Smart Equipment B.V. received Excellence in Service for its skilled, dependable, and positive approach. Earthmoving Solution Limited was named Newcomer 2025 for remarkable landfill compactor sales growth in Bangladesh within a short period.

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Triangle Tyre has secured the EcoVadis Gold Rating once more, posting an overall score of 85 that places it within the top 5 percent of assessed companies globally. The company had initially received the Gold Rating in 2025 during its first participation in the assessment, making history as the first Chinese tyre manufacturer to attain that distinction. This repeat recognition cements Triangle Tyre’s standing as a frontrunner in sustainable development within China’s tyre sector.

The EcoVadis platform stands among the most widely acknowledged corporate sustainability assessment systems worldwide, with results frequently guiding multinational corporations in supplier selection. Its evaluations span over 180 countries and more than 150,000 companies. The methodology examines four dimensions: environmental performance, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. A gold rating signals globally leading sustainability performance among assessed firms.

Triangle Tyre’s environmental efforts centre on expanding its green manufacturing framework through its national-level green factory platform. The company has adopted low-carbon processes including intelligent vulcanisation, accelerated low rolling resistance tire development and increased use of recycled and bio-based materials to reduce lifecycle environmental impact. A digital energy management platform supports ongoing energy conservation and carbon reduction, efforts that earned recognition as an Energy Efficiency Leader in key industries from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Regarding labour and human rights, the company’s Caring for People culture protects employee rights through diversified development and care mechanisms, occupational health and safety systems and closed-loop hazard management. Comprehensive training and career pathways support employee growth, yielding consecutive Top Employer honours. On ethics, all employees receive business ethics and anti-corruption training, with ISO 37001 certification across the company and subsidiaries, a Business Conduct Supervision Committee, confidential reporting channels and regular compliance programs. Sustainable procurement involves strengthening upstream raw material management, advancing natural rubber traceability and conducting supply chain ESG assessments.

As a UN Global Compact member with two consecutive sustainability reports, the renewed Gold Rating validates Triangle Tyre’s achievements and bolsters international credibility for overseas expansion and green trade barrier navigation.

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