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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Tegeta Green Planet organised an informational and practical campaign titled ‘Don’t Throw It Away, Hand It In’ in Zugdidi to foster environmental responsibility and encourage proper management of specific waste streams. The initiative sought to educate local residents, vehicle owners, drivers and private sector representatives while boosting their participation in responsible disposal practices.

A dedicated collection point was established on 15 September in Zugdidi, where community members could dispose of end-of-life tyres, used batteries and waste oils. Throughout the event, attendees learned about the safe and proper handling of used automotive waste and the various options available for submitting such materials.

A central component of the campaign involved raising awareness about Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles. Participants gained insight into what EPR entails, the function of an EPR organisation in managing specific waste, how collected materials are subsequently processed and why importers must meet their legal obligations by joining an authorised EPR organisation. Symbolic gifts were distributed to encourage public involvement in the collection process.

The event enhanced Tegeta Green Planet’s regional visibility and created opportunities to recruit new importer members. Operating since 2022, the organisation is among the first in Georgia to receive authorisation from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture under the EPR framework. It continues implementing regional campaigns and educational projects across Georgia to promote responsible waste management, strengthen infrastructure and advance circular economy principles.

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Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria has extended its partnership with the Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC) for another five years, carrying the collaboration through 31 December 2030. The renewed agreement confirms Vittoria as the UEC Official Supplier, building on a relationship that has deepened through a shared dedication to European cycling development, from backing athletes and National Federations to elevating the sport at its highest competitive levels.

The multi-discipline partnership spans Road, Gravel, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-cross, Track and BMX Racing, mirroring modern cycling’s diversity. It connects Vittoria with riders pursuing European titles across various categories and generations while both organisations pursue a common vision of cycling as a unifying force that brings together people, countries and generations.

Beyond competition, the two organisations are committed to developing cycling, promoting sporting excellence and inclusivity and growing the sport across disciplines and throughout Europe. The UEC works closely with Europe’s National Cycling Federations to strengthen continental cooperation, while Vittoria supports athletes and the cycling community from grassroots through the elite level.

Under the renewed agreement, Vittoria Servizio Corse, the company’s neutral technical assistance service, will continue supporting athletes at the UEC Road European Championships. Experienced technicians and dedicated race-support vehicles will assist riders in Road Races, Individual Time Trials and Team Time Trials (Mixed Relay) across Elite, Under 23 and Junior categories, regardless of team or equipment, helping them rejoin the race swiftly after technical issues – reflecting the partnership’s core principle of standing close to athletes with concrete support.

Stijn Vriends, Chairman & CEO, Vittoria, said, “We are extremely proud to extend our partnership with the Union Européenne de Cyclisme for another five years. Our relationship has grown stronger over time because it goes beyond visibility at major events: it is built on a shared commitment to the development of cycling and to supporting the people who make this sport possible. Being alongside UEC across all these disciplines, and providing direct support to athletes, gives us the opportunity to make a concrete contribution to the sport and its future.”

Enrico Della Casa, President, Union Européenne de Cyclisme, said, “Vittoria represents excellence in the international cycling landscape, and we are delighted to renew a partnership that has grown stronger over the years. Having such a prestigious and widely recognised brand alongside the Union Européenne de Cyclisme brings tangible added value to our activities, across all disciplines and throughout our events. Vittoria is also a valuable partner in the solidarity initiatives promoted by the UEC in support of National Federations, making a concrete contribution to projects that go beyond the purely sporting dimension and fully reflect the values of cooperation and mutual support on which European cycling is built. This renewal therefore confirms a shared vision based on quality, innovation and a common commitment to supporting the growth of our sport at every level. I would like to sincerely thank Vittoria CEO Stijn Vriends and his entire team for the continued trust they place in the UEC and for their ongoing support of European cycling. We are proud to continue this journey together.”

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Pirelli has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the General Headquarters of the Arma dei Carabinieri to trial its Cyber Tyre technology on selected vehicles from the Rome Radiomobile Unit. The collaboration aims to monitor the capital's road infrastructure, identify potential risks and improve road safety.

The trial begins with the Pirelli system installed on five Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles used for territorial control and emergency response. Sensors embedded in the tyres, proprietary algorithms and computer vision and artificial intelligence tools will gather and analyse road network data, enabling prompt identification of hazards.

Tyre-derived data will be combined with information from on-board cameras and processed using artificial intelligence algorithms developed by technology partner Univrses. The integrated approach will detect road surface or signage anomalies, helping build a continuously updated map of road conditions. The system operates automatically, requiring no action from operators. Cyber Tyre has previously been deployed with Movyon, part of the Autostrade per l'Italia group, and with the Region of Apulia.

At the signing, Arma dei Carabinieri Commander General Lt. Gen. Salvatore Luongo emphasised the organisation's commitment to innovation, calling the agreement a technological step consistent with its vision of cultural renewal. Pirelli's Cyber Tyre transforms the tyre into an intelligent device. An internal sensor collects information, processed by Pirelli software and transmitted in real time. It supports ABS, ESP and traction control while enabling road network health maps for maintenance planning.

Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Chairman of Pirelli, said, "We are very pleased with this collaboration with the Arma dei Carabinieri. The Cyber Tyre system is capable of operating seamlessly even on tyres subjected to continuous strain and heavy stress, such as those used by the Radiomobile Unit's vehicles. This partnership, alongside those already established with public entities and automakers, demonstrates the robustness of our technology and its strategic importance in the development of connected and intelligent mobility.”

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ZC Rubber showcased an extensive range of mining tyre solutions at the recently concluded Mining Indonesia 2026, highlighting key sizes such as 27.00R49, 24.00R35, 29.5R25 and 12.00R24 across its brand portfolio. The display featured over 10 specialised products designed for rigid dump trucks, articulated dump trucks, wide-body mining dump trucks and haulage trucks used in surface mines, underground operations and transportation.

The company’s decades of mining sector experience, product quality reputation and deep understanding of diverse equipment and harsh operating conditions drew significant attention from industry professionals throughout the exhibition. A standout exhibit was a field-proven 29.5R25 TUL400 tyre, its tread nearly worn smooth after extensive service on an articulated dump truck at an Indonesian nickel mine. It had accumulated over 3,000 operating hours without any quality-related issues, with the mine operator reporting field performance comparable to leading international brands.

The booth also presented 14.00R25, 16.00R25 and 23.5-25 TBR and loader tyres produced by MTI, ZC Rubber’s Indonesian subsidiary. This growing range of locally manufactured products underscores the company’s ongoing localization efforts and its capacity to serve regional markets more efficiently.

As ZC Rubber continues expanding global production capabilities, it will further reinforce its speciality tyre portfolio and uphold rigorous quality standards to better serve customers worldwide. Through sustained innovation and international collaboration, the company remains dedicated to providing reliable, one-stop specialty tyre solutions for demanding applications.

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