By retreading with true passion and craftsmanship, truck-tires are offered a second life. In some cases this second life lasts even longer than the original. Provided that the retreading is performed with deep knowledge of what is needed to ensure safety and long mileages. In the old days the pioneer’s craftsmen performed their tasks mainly manually and per separate batch. Without them we would not be where we are today, however things do run a little different than before.
The passion and craftmanship are still there, but nowadays the major tire manufacturers have their own retreading programs, facilities and brands integrated into their portfolio. In this way the end-user is ensured of a top-quality tire when the “end-of-life-tire” is returned for a second life. There is a win-win. The fleet owners have lower tire costs and the manufacturers are ensured of loyal customers.
No need to start a chicken and egg discussion, but there was also a strong technology and product-development with the above market development. The carcass inspection went from visual inspection towards inspection with methods of electrical fields, pressure testers and shearographic testers. Buffing machines with intelligent buffing-heads which can move from tread to sidewall while variating in buffing time, depth and speed.
Cushion-gum extruders in combination with automatic builders to apply cushion-gum and tread and even remote-controlled autoclaves. All the different batch processes are optimized and connected with monorails or conveyor belts. The retreading process has become an integrated batch-process.
The product-market developments have also lifted the standard at the middle- and large retreaders. These companies cannot afford it to discover too late in the process a too big to repair carcass failure. Most important, nobody can afford to lose their customers satisfaction and the loyalty that goes with it.
Investments in the right equipment are investments not only in efficiency and result improvement, but foremost investments in customer loyalty.
Marc Beeldsnijder
Consultant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0DEbrqu2PY&t=75s
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