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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Comerio Ercole has concluded a successful participation in the Tire Technology Expo 2026, a premier international event for the tyre sector held in Hannover, Germany. Over the three-day exhibition, the company’s stand drew considerable attention from a global audience of customers, partners and industry professionals. The event served as a vital hub for fostering technical dialogue and commercial relationships, leading to the acquisition of new orders and forward-looking discussions that resonated deeply within the international tyre manufacturing community.

A defining moment for the company at this year’s expo was its recognition at the Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence 2026. Comerio Ercole was honoured with the ‘Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year’ award, an accolade that underscores its enduring commitment to technological advancement. This achievement was complemented by the company’s status as a finalist in three additional award categories, highlighting its pervasive leadership and innovative edge in calendering technology.

These accolades reinforce Comerio Ercole’s standing as a pivotal technology partner for the global tyre industry. The recognition affirms the company’s strategic focus on engineering increasingly sophisticated solutions to meet the evolving demands of the market and shape its future trajectory.

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CEAT has introduced a comprehensive set of policies aimed at supporting the specific needs of its women employees and fostering their professional advancement. The organisation emphasises work-life balance as a means to enhance both personal well-being and workplace productivity, offering flexible remote work options in coordination with managers. A Wellness Leave policy allows women two days of monthly work-from-home or leave during menstruation without requiring justification, while shopfloor employees can access on-site Occupational Health Centres for shift changes or rest as necessary.

To cultivate leadership and career growth, CEAT has implemented targeted programmes such as Womentoring, the Women Accelerator Program and STARS, which focus on building digital, functional and leadership competencies. The EmpowHer Employee Resource Group further promotes inclusion and facilitates open dialogue within the organisation.

The company also provides extensive support for mothers, including 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, hospitalisation coverage and facilities such as crèches and lactation rooms across offices and plants. Returning mothers can benefit from flexible hours and a reduced four-hour workday until their child turns one, while shopfloor workers are assigned morning shifts during the first year after childbirth. A gender-neutral Child Caregiver Travel and Stay Policy ensures that caregiving responsibilities do not hinder career progression.

In manufacturing, CEAT has enhanced accessibility by introducing automated machinery, ergonomic fixtures and lift-assist devices. These changes have contributed to a 20 percent women workforce at the Chennai facility and 28 percent representation on the Nagpur shopfloor, which was the first in Maharashtra to introduce night shifts for women. Safe transport, women security personnel and ergonomic workplace design further support this inclusion. Collectively, these efforts reflect CEAT’s commitment to enabling women to lead and succeed in diverse roles.

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ZC Rubber is showcasing an extensive selection of industrial and off-the-road tyre solutions at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 trade show, being held from 3 to 7 March 2026 in Las Vegas. Attendees can visit the company at booth #N11041 in the North Hall to explore products from its key brands, including WESTLAKE, TIANLI, ARISUN and YONGGU. These offerings are specifically engineered to withstand the rigorous demands of sectors such as construction, agriculture, forestry and material handling.

The display features a comprehensive range of products, such as radial OTR tyres, agricultural tyres, forest tyres, material handling tyres and rubber tracks. Each product is designed to deliver durability, superior traction and operational efficiency in challenging work environments. The exhibition provides an important platform for ZC Rubber to engage with industry professionals, highlight its technological advancements and demonstrate its commitment to supporting global construction and industrial sectors with reliable, high-performance solutions.

Visitors can explore the lineup and speak with the team to learn how these tyre solutions can enhance productivity across a wide variety of applications.

Benjamin Lou, Global OTR Director, ZC Rubber, said, “CONEXPO brings together the people and machines that keep the world building, and it’s a great place for us to connect with customers face-to-face. With brands like WESTLAKE, TIANLI, ARISUN and YONGGU under one roof, we’re able to offer a true one-stop tyre solution across construction, agriculture, forestry and material handling. Our goal is simple – help customers find the right tyre for every job, all in one place.”

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Bridgestone Corporation has announced a significant advancement in environmental research with the development of an industry-first vehicle collection method for tyre and road wear particles (TRWP) specifically from truck and bus tyres. This innovation is designed to enhance scientific understanding of how such particles may interact with the environment. Tyre and road wear particles are generated through the friction between a tyre’s tread and the road surface – a process essential for vehicle safety and comfort – and consist of a combination of worn tyre material and fragments of road pavement. The newly developed collection method for trucks and buses was also showcased at the Tire Technology Expo 2026, held from 3 to 5 March in Hannover, Germany.

The company had previously introduced a collection method for passenger car tyres in 2025 and has since been working to improve its efficiency. Applying insights gained from that earlier development, particularly regarding how particles are generated and dispersed, Bridgestone created a proprietary system tailored to the larger scale of truck and bus tyres. To ensure the accuracy of the collected samples, the company used a dedicated proving ground designed to replicate real-world driving conditions. Before each test, the track was meticulously cleaned to prevent contamination from pre-existing debris.

For the collection process, Bridgestone engineered suction devices and intake mechanisms compatible with larger tyres. A sturdy aluminium frame was used to construct the tyre cover, ensuring durability against strong winds during operation. Following controlled driving sessions, particles that remained both on the track surface and inside the tyre cover were gathered for analysis.

This effort is part of a broader commitment to investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of tyre wear particles and their potential environmental effects. Bridgestone participates in the Tire Industry Project (TIP) facilitated by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and collaborates with external research organisations and corporate partners. With the ability to collect samples from both passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks and buses, the company aims to accelerate research, share findings widely and support efforts to reduce particle generation.

Alongside this research, Bridgestone is advancing several complementary initiatives. These include developing longer-lasting tyres with improved wear resistance, offering solutions that help customers lower total operating costs and working to minimise environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle.

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