treads june 2009

8/9/2019 Treads June 2009

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Vol15

June2009

Fo

cuson

ty

reservices

A set of 4 Dunlop SP Sport 6060 tyres to the value of R7 000!

Tyre services is the industry under charging?

One-on-One with Goodyear MD Jean-Jaques Wiroth

Goodyear invests in plant upgrades

Tyre conerence to complement Tyrexpo Arica 2010

First Dunlop Zone store arrives in Ballito


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ed Liana Shaw

Phgaphy Wray Shaw

thal cla Wray Shaw

rpd Trend Dynamix

Pg Trend Dynamix

Db Prestige Bulk Mailers

Adg Liana Shaw

Contentso--oGoodyear MD, JJ Wiroth brings wealth o experience to table .......................... 2

F Tyre services oer excellent GP potential, but is it being exploited?.......... 8

tyxp Aa 2010Organisers conrm conerence plans as exhibitors sign up or 2010 ..... 19

ralMalas DriveStyle centre cements presence in Pretoria .............................................. 21

radgLeader Tread welcomes M61 POSITION tread to feet............................................... 23

MaagGoodyear invests in plant upgrades ..................................................................................................... 27Dunlop Tyres statutory name change .............................................................................................. 27Goodyear launches three new products ...................................................................................... 28Port Elizabeth skyline ........................................................................................................................................... 30More management changes at Continental .............................................................................. 30

Ak h y xp .................................................................................................................................... 33

BadagBandags customised service oering or national feets .............................................. 34

Dal pfl

Right on track! Dunlop Zone store arrives in Ballito ....................................................... 36

talkg yTyre Saety Time or shock tactics.................................................................................................. 38

c cFor the love o tyres .............................................................................................................................................. 40

4 x 4 AdMaking history! Kingsley Holgate o on new expedition .......................................... 43

iaGoodyear wins rst Automechanika South Arica Innovation Award ......... 44

Wld wGoodyear named Americas most respected Automotive Company ......... 46New Porsche Panamera to be launched on Continental Tyres.......................... 46Apollo Tyres buys Vredestein Banden BV ................................................................................... 46

cmp, sbp, Wb................................................................................... 48

AnoteromtheeditorIts been an interesting, unusuallyactive couple o months, particularly

or the manuacturing sector which

saw Goodyear SA launch no less than

three new products in the rst quarter

o this year (see our coverage on

page 28). The company also acquired

a new Managing Director in Jean-

Jacques Wiroth (see our exclusive

interview with him on page 2) in April,

who succeeds Derek de Villiers ater

lielong service to the South Arican

tyre business. Meanwhile, Continental Tyre SA announced key management

changes within its operation while Indian-based Apollo Tyres, which became

a household name in the South Arican tyre industry a ew years back

courtesy o its acquisition o Dunlop Tyres, has made its mark on the global

tyre arena yet again, by acquiring a 100% stake in the European-based tyre

maker, Vredestein.

I adventuring runs in your blood, you wont want to miss our story on Kingsley

Holgate and his team, who departed on yet another one o his humanitarian-

cum-conservation adventures last month, this time in the hopes o making a

positive dierence towards conservation or generations to come.

Our eature story examines the hotly-debated topic o tyre service charges,

which havent risen by much in the last decade. We ask: Should tyre-related

services such as wheel balancing, wheel alignment, consumables and the

like come at a price? There appear to be two schools o thought on the

subject with some avouring the notion o upping prices to more realistic

levels and others preerring to attract greater numbers to their doors by

charging very little i at all or these services. Well let you be the judge.

And speaking o tyre services, one lucky reader stands the chance to win

a set o our Dunlop 6060 tyres to the value o R7 000, courtesy o theDunlop Zone range o stores! These high perormance silica-based tyres

(W and Z rated) boast a technologically advanced silica compound that

adds fexibility and elasticity to the tyre, oering exciting new levels o

perormance and uel economy. Enter the competition via our competition

site www.satreads.co.za, or ax (011) 658-0010.

Stay warm till we meet again in September.

EDITOR

I n t r o d u c t i o n 1

Pblh Sky Publications cc

PO Box 702

Douglasdale, 2165

Tel: (011) 658 0011

Fax: (011) 658 0010

Cell: 082 851 6777

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.satreads.co.za


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Goodyear MD,JJ Wiroth brings wealth

o international

experience to table

Former Goodyear MD, Derek de Villiers, ocially retired in March

o this year ater a long and colourul career in the tyre industry.

His successor, Luxembourg native Jean-Jacques Wiroth, assumed

responsibility or Goodyears South Arican subsidiary on 1 April

2009 ollowing a 27-year career with Goodyear in Europe and

the USA respectively. He brings with him a wealth o international

experience which will stand him in good stead as he steers the

company through tough times as a direct consequence o the global

economic crunch. We caught up with him in Johannesburg during

one o his recent visits to the city rom Port Elizabeth where he and

his amily will be based.

2 O n e - o n - O n e


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O n e - o n - O n e 3

We believe your amily will be joining you rom Germany in due course?

Yes, my 10-year old daughter will be concluding her school year in June,

ater which she and my wie will join me in Port Elizabeth. Our recent house-

hunting exercise reaped the desired results and weve ound a house we

like, one that we can call home.

It must be tough on the amily having to relocate to a oreign country?

In many respects thats true, particularly or my wie who will be obliged

to nd new markers by way o essential services such as shopping,

hairdresser, doctors and so on. My daughter on the other hand is delighted

at the prospect o living in Arica a continent she perceives as being

terribly exciting.

While moving away rom home and amily is always tough, this is not my

rst international assignment - were pretty used to packing our bags and

jetting o to new destinations. As challenging as settling in a new countryinvariably is, we eel blessed to have lived and worked in so many dierent

parts o the world, a liestyle ew will ever have the privilege to experience.

Talk us down the career path that led to your current post.

I joined Goodyear in 1982 having completed my studies in chemical

engineering and went on to spend the next 13 to 14 years with the Goodyear

Technical Centre in Luxembourg developing tyres or the passenger tyre

market. Next, I moved over to the business side as Product Manager

Consumer Tyres Europe, where I spent the next our years. This was

ollowed by an international assignment to the USA as Marketing Director

ater which I returned to Europe in 2001 where I assumed responsibility

or the OE business or Europe, Arica and the Middle East. In 2005 I was

appointed Managing Director or Dunlop* Europe, a position I held until

April o this year when I came to South Arica.

* Goodyear Dunlop is a joint business venture in Europe.

What attracted you to your current position?

Over here there are boundless opportunities begging to be exploited

both in South Arica and urther aeld into Arica. And unlike more mature

markets to which Id previously been exposed, the Arican market has great

growth potential.

That is why I was excited when asked to take over this assignment. I soon

came to realise that the potential or growth and improvement in this

market was considerable. With that also came the realisation that although

this market will always dier rom those Id become amiliar with, Goodyear

has a wide ootprint in Arica. Our aim is to be the leading tyre company on

the Arican continent and Id like to play a part in that.

Does your assignment come with a time limit?

There is no contractual requirement regarding my South Arican assignment,

but all my previous experiences have been periods o about our years.


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Are you looking orward to it?

Yes, I am. As Ive already mentioned, when compared with others, this

market is unique, presenting its own set o challenges and opportunities.

Everything in South Arica is dierent the market, the mentality o the

customers, the income situation, priorities.

Has there been time or you to orm an initial impression o the SA

tyre market?

Ive made my rst impressions but no doubt these will be overhauled

over the next ew months. For now, lets just say Ive noticed the product

mix is very dierent the German tyre market is sophisticated, high-end

and predominantly aimed at the high perormance motorist, whereas in

South Arica we still see a greater number o standard tyres and lower

speed-rated tyres.

On the upside and as alluded to earlier, the German market is very mature

which leaves very little room or growth. In contrast, the

opportunities here are endless, provided one does their

homework and ollows through in the execution.

What is your view o tyre distribution? Do you avour

o the concept o company-owned stores over

independent outlets?

Germany has the ull spectrum o possibilities in terms

o distribution large wholesalers, company-owned

stores, strong independents, internet platorms therebyallowing or opportunistic trading. In contrast, the South

Arican market is well segmented and structured and this

requires a more strategic approach in the way new tyre

companies interact with the distribution chains.

In your view, do company-owned stores have the edge

over independent concerns?

Retail requires a very entrepreneurial, hands-on management style, which

is not always in line with corporate objectives.

In the South Arican context Im still making up my mind. For the time

being, company-owned distribution networks appear to be working. The

question that remains is: Is equity distribution the optimum solution?

Is this where we should be investing our money, or should we be

ocusing on upgrading our production plants and introducing new, more

sophisticated products?

Its only a matter o time beore internet platorms begin gaining ground

in this country and this will pressurise the market in becoming more

ecient, resulting in a highly populated pond where only the strong will

survive.

But perhaps the biggest anomaly Ive been exposed to here is that o

multiple alliances. Nowhere else in the world do you nd dealers aligning

themselves to a string o dierent brands under one umbrella.

What about the image and look o our tyre stores how do theycompare to those in other parts o the world?

Much like other parts o the world, the market appears characterised by a

mix o both elementary and premium outlets, although Im not convinced

Ive encountered enough stores at this time to make an educated

assumption, however, I have been impressed with the appearance o the

tyre stores. What I believe is the same in all countries, is the continuous

battle o consumers or improved service.

Is raising service levels an immediate area on which youd like to

concentrate?

Yes. I would like to see the company becoming more ecient.

How do you hope to achieve this?

First o all, by living what I preach. When it comes to

service levels sta dont always recognise where they may

be alling short. Its only by alerting them and raising their

sensibilities to service that improvements can be made.

Service is the dierentiator in any industry. Best o all it

does not require massive investment.

Speaking o investment, you currently invested a

considerable sum by way o plant upgrades in Uitenhage?

Weve invested in new machinery and equipment to the

sum o R70 million, with urther upgrades planned or the

uture. In todays trading climate the only way leading tyre

companies can stay ahead o the game is by developing

new products on an ongoing basis the plant upgrades

will help us achieve our goals in this respect. Our relentless push or

new products will secure additional unding where required and will ably

demonstrate that the South Arican operation is worth investing in.

We recently attended the launch o three brand new products or the

passenger, light commercial vehicle and 4x4 markets respectively, in Port

Elizabeth. Will you be launching other new products this year?

Yes, we are hoping to launch new truck tyre products later this year. As Ive

just mentioned, our plan is to continue investing in new products in a bid

to remain at the edge o leading technology and end o competition rom

inerior brands.

O course this poses a great challenge rom a cost perspective which is

why its imperative that we become lean and ecient in all aspects o our

operation. There is no more space or redundant cost in the current

4 O n e - o n - O n e

The German

market is very

mature which leaves

little room for growth.

In contrast, theopportunities here

are endless.


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climate we have to trim ourselves down to make every penny available

towards the development o new products, upgrades to plant acilities and

the like.

Achieving this will require a signicant mindset shit with respect to ourpeople who will hopeully embrace the notion that change is not only good,

its essential to the long-term surviva l o the company.

What challenges are you acing as manuacturers with respect to raw

material prices?

The emergence o the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries has

created a global shortage in raw materials and as a result, markets are

currently volatile and dicult to predict. This is obviously o growing

concern to tyre manuacturers worldwide who are largely obliged to absorb

rising raw material costs in order to limit the adverse eectson the consumer.

What o recent rumours that Goodyear was cutting 5 000

jobs worldwide in light o the credit crunch?

As is the case with all other industries, the present economic

climate orces us to go through a consolidation process

which has resulted in reducing our global employee base

by 5 000 jobs.

What about the South Arican operation?

In the interests o not laying o production people, weve

decided to adapt our production instead and are now

operating on a six-day week.

How would you describe the perormance o Goodyears

North American Division?

As I have no responsibility or North America it would be inappropriate or

me to comment.

How would you sum up the eects o the economic crunch to the global

tyre industry and more specically to Goodyear?

Thats an interesting question. The global industry is very fuid at present

with the centre o gravity traditionally in the west now shiting to

the east. This trend will obviously aect production ootprint and costs.

Manuacturers must now ask themselves: How do we become leaner/more

ecient, not only in terms o production but in business as well? Which

countries should we invest/disinvest in? Is our production ootprint cost-

ecient?

In short, tough times require o new tyre companies to become creative

and think economically.

Is the OTR global shortage showing any signs o subsiding?

As ar as Im aware and where it aects the local market, the shortage

is much reduced except or a ew specic applications. However, this

is because the mining industry has slowed and not because production

volumes have increased.

Bottom line tyre manuacturers globally need to invest in additional

capacity, but as this side o the business tends to fuctuate, theres some

resistance rom the powers-that-be.

More important, the OTR shortage has compelled us to streamline our

planning, make more accurate orecasts and so on.

What is your view on the uture o run fat tyres?

This is a subject thats close to my heart. I was part o the

OE team back in 2001/2 when the product was being

created and when the decision was taken to invest heavily

in this new technology. We implemented specic building

machines or this technology and collectively, as Goodyear,

we are still regarded as the market leaders in this area.

It was hoped the motor manuacturers would ollow hot on

the heels o BMW in introducing run fat tyre technology

to their vehicles but the roll out has been slower thanexpected. However, Im still condent that run fat tyres are

the way o the uture, particularly or a country like South

Arica where personal security could be compromised in

the event o a fat tyre.

Moreover, RFTs oer complicated production line-up opportunities which

the proessional tyre dealer can capitalise on, as they cant just be tted

anywhere.

What is your vision or Goodyear SA or the next ve years?My aim is to strengthen our position in the marketplace by updating our

product portolio. A newly appointed Manuacturing Director together with

increased eciencies in all areas headquarters, retail points, ranchise

programmes etc will ensure we achieve our objectives.

How do you relax outside o work?

I used to be very involved in sports (something Ive largely neglected in

recent years) so Im enjoying getting back into exercise via regular visits to

the gym. I also like to read, I am a keen traveller and have an appreciation

or good ood and wine.

Tough times require

of new tyre companies

to become creative

and think economically.

6 O n e - o n - O n e


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8 F o c u s o n


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F o c u s o n 9

With tyre margins steadily eroding, the

distribution trade is on the lookout or

creative ways to boost prot margins. As

such, tyre dealers and tment centres are

oering the ull spectrum o under-body

services (shocks, exhausts, towbars, brakes,

batteries) alongside traditional oerings

such as wheel rotation, balancing, alignment

and more recently - nitrogen in tyres - all

o which proer excellent opportunities to

add value to the sale and boost margins. But

in a market that largely resists the notion o

paying or ancillary services, could it be that

valuable opportunities to boost revenue are

under-utilised in avour o securing the tyre

sale at all costs?

Recent ndings reveal an unusually high number o tyre dealers charging

a nominal ee or services such as wheel balancing and alignment, despite

the onset o technologically superior cars - all sporting sophisticated

suspension systems - which has prompted the trade to invest heavily by

way o new equipment and personnel.

Says Malcolm Paul, Managing Director o Supa Quick Century City in Cape

Town: Wheel balancing and alignment ees have not risen by much in

10 years, despite higher infation and mounting operating costs. There is

resistance on the part o the industry to hike service prices or ear o losing

tyre sales to competitors, despite the latest hi-tech equipment which sells

or considerably more and requires higher-calibre technicians to operate.

This has resulted in an anomaly in the market with GPs on tyres having

shrunk by about 10%, on the back o mounting costs incurred via the

purchase and day-to-day running o sophisticated machinery.

Says Nic Kruger, Managing Director o Wheelquip SA representing Corghi:

Manuacturers such as Corghi are in close collaboration with motor and

tyre manuacturers in order to create technological solutions or the service

and tment atermarket industry.

In my view, the tment industry is not charging suciently or their

services. The knock-on eect is that not enough time and money is being

spent on training o operators and maintenance o equipment particularly

with todays more technologically advanced equipment which requires

more requent servicing and incurs higher maintenance costs.

Concurs Wynand Visser, owner o two Hi-Q stores in Gauteng: Were our

own worst enemies in this industry. Ten years ago we were charg ing around

R140.00 or wheel alignment on a standard 1.3 Mazda vehicle. I you were

to compare prices today, our charges havent risen by much in a decade.

Similarly, Paul says his dealership in Cape Town charges in the range o

R250.00 incl VAT or wheel alignment, irrespective o the make or vehicle

or degree o diculty. He urther claims that, as an industry and unlike

other service providers, they are not charging or consumables.

More alarming still, a number o high-prole dealerships we spoke with

claim they oten dont charge or wheel balancing or alignment as a means

o attracting customers to their doors.

Tyre services oer excellent GP

potential, but is it being exploited?


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Says Visser: To my mind, this commonly-used sales ploy makes business

sense only i the dealer is making a good margin on the tyre sale which is

seldom the case with mass-line commodities (entry-level sizes).

According to Paul, the only way to rectiy the situation is or the industry as

a whole to take a collective decision to up its prices on services (the topic

recently came up or discussion at one o their Dealer Forum Meetings).

The question is how does the industry achieve this without opening itsel

up to possible collusion?

Furthermore, the distribution trade is primarily made up o independents

and ranchise groups who would nd it dicult to dictate to their ranchisees

with respect to arriving at a uniorm pricing structure, as they are largely led

by the needs and dynamics o their respective geographic locations.

Suggests Paul: Perhaps the situation calls or a company-owned

distribution company to take the bull by the horns and increase service

prices accordingly as an inducement or others to ollow. The consumer

has become desensitised to price increases (the order o the day with all

products and services) and will likely accept this new reality, provided the

escalations are not outrageous.

1 0 F o c u s o n

Wheel balancing is oten given awayin lieu o the tyre sale.


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F o c u s o n 1 3

Motor dealerships oer tyre-related services

In a bid to contain costs and ensure better quality control, the countrys

motor dealerships (servicing divisions) are already either ully geared or in

the throes o bringing many o these tyre-related services in-house.

Says Rob Gearing, o BMW SA: This has been standard practice with

BMW or a number o years now as a way o ensuring quality control and

resolving potential conficts arising rom fuctuating service levels as a result

o outsourcing services such as wheel balancing and alignment.

Concurs Pieter Verster, National Service Engineer, Operations Manage

or Ford: We are being encouraged to stop outsourcing these types o

services as much as possible in order to provide our customers with a

complete service and keep our workshops operating to ull capacity.

And according to Christopher Khumalo, Atersales Manager: Audi SA,

they too are in the process o investing considerable sums o money in

equipment so as to be able to carry out these unctions in-house.

Says Khumalo: Technology continues to evolve at such a rapid rate

particularly on our range o vehicles that it makes sense to equip

ourselves with the latest, state-o-the-art technology to perorm these

tasks ourselves, both as a surety to our customers that their vehicle is

being properly maintained by highly-skilled technicians and as a means o

boosting margins.

Echoes Wheelquips Kruger: It is possible the motor dealers are increasingly

doing more work in-house as a result o ageing equipment used by the

historic service providers the tment industry. Tyres and suspensions

have changed dramatically over the last ew years, thereby making it

dicult to render a rst class atermarket service with older equipment. I

the tment industry is to remain competitive and place itsel in a position to

render a service o equal calibre to the motor dealership service divisions,

they possibly need to invest in the latest technology.

Mystery shopper exercise yields surprising results

While the concept o oering their customers a one-stop-shop service

without having to outsource makes or good business practice or the motor

dealerships, our recent mystery-shopper exercise revealed that some were

milking this or all that i t was worth. Certainly by industry standards, some

service outlets were charging exorbitantly high servicing ees, particularly

when it comes to wheel alignment.

Auto Atlantic (BMW service dealer) in Cape Town charges R500.00 excl

VAT to correct wheel alignment on a BMW 3 Series while Aurec Auto (also

in Cape Town) quoted us a staggering R1 120 excl VAT or the same make

o vehicle.

Similarly, taking your vehicle or wheel alignment to the Audi Centre in Cape

Town will set you back by R355.00 excl VAT while Daimler Chrysler said that

to correct wheel alignment on a C-Class 180 Mercedes-Benz would cost in

the region o R1 000.00 excl VAT.

In contrast, setting the wheel alignment on a BMW 3 Series at a nearby

Tiger Wheel & Tyre outlet would cost as little as R225.00 excl VAT!

F o c u s o n 1 1

An Increasing number o motor dealersare oering tyre services in-house.


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Which begs the question: Is the motor trade exploiting its clientele or

could the tyre industry be selling itsel short in this department?

Lets ace it, the consumer is unlikely to question the nal amount refected

on the invoice, having grown accustomed to spiralling servicing ees over

the years. And with the exception o a minor ew with industry knowledge,

when it comes to costs o this nature, most people are none the wiser or

simply dont want the inconvenience o taking their vehicle to yet another

service provider to correct wheel balancing and alignment. Chances are

they will oot the bill or having the work done in-house, even i it costs a

little more.

Interestingly, o the motor dealers we spoke with, only Hyundai, according

to Michael Rohde, head o Atersales, has adopted a dierent approach and

is charging clients as little as R85-100 or in-house wheel alignment an

interesting departure rom the norm and one to look out or.

As or the tyre sector, a ew experienced dealers have thought to

capitalise on this new trend by oering to run these in-house servicing

departments on behal o the motor dealers, with little success it would

seem.

Claims Visser: We embarked on a trial run with a leading motor dealer which

simply didnt work or us due to a lack o cooperation and understanding on

the part o their service advisors. I dont believe these service providers are

suciently geared or knowledgeable enough to supply their customers with

the same level o service on tyres and related services the tyre and tmentcentres can, nor are they passionate about the product. In the end, installing our

machines in their premises on a ull-time basis proved counter-productive.

Adds Visser: I dont believe the motor dealers pose as much o a threat

to the tyre industry as some might think, thereby challenging the current

mindset that has the distribution trade edgy at the prospect o a new source

o competition rom the motor trade.

Paul disagrees, claiming growing competition rom the motor trade urther

impacts on an already saturated trading platorm that is vying or the same

slice o the pie.

In the meanwhile, in a bid to stay ahead o the game and as a way o oering

their customers a value-add service that is unique to the trade, tyre outlets

are ocusing their sights on less conventional oerings such as wheel

washing (see sidebox) and nitrogen in tyres.

Wheel alignment prices haventrisen by much in ten years.

F o c u s o n 1 3


16/52

1 4 F o c u s o n

Nitrogen in tyres

Nitrogen units, which sell or around R32 000 a piece, are another popular

way or the tyre trade to augment prots, particularly or dealers who

purchase units rom the likes o Nitralie (the company oers nancial

packages to help buyers who can either rent or buy the equipment).

Says Rob Sowry, Managing Director o Nitralie: A dealer can easily recoup

the expenditure in only nine and a hal months, i he were to calculate it on

two cars a day at R20.00 per wheel or R80.00 per car or 21 days o the

month. Three cars a day will generate a prot o R5 040 per month, with

recovery on the investment in only 6.3 months.

Equally, i one had to rent a unit, three cars a day would equate to R3

540.00 nett prot monthly - an encouraging gure given a very conservative

estimate (most dealers do up to 20 cars a day) claims Sowry.

Each installation comes complete with 1000 green valve caps to identiy

tyres lled with nitrogen as well as 500 glossy A5 pamphlets explaining the

merits o nitrogen to potential clients.

Adds Sowry: Whichever way you look at it, nitrogen can work or the

dealer. He has something more to sell, R20 per tyre equates to less than

2% o the cost o a passenger tyre, plus nitrogen can give the client up to

20% improvement in tyre mileage a claim that has been endorsed by the

ASA (Advertising Standards Authority).

Presently, over 350 tyre shops across South Arica have nitrogen generators

(rom about our suppliers) installed to oer n itrogen to the public. Nitrogen

infation has gained massive ground since 1996 when it was rst launched

in South Arica, with well over 500 units installed and working in tyre shops,

trucking companies and mines.

Final word

The way orward may be murky but it is clear the motor trade is moving in

an entirely dierent direction to that o the tyre sector in terms o providing

an in-house solution and not being araid to charge or it. Whats equally

clear is the consumer does not appear to be questioning the pricing on

wheel-related services, or i they do, theyre assuaged by the convenience

aspect o a complete service oering under one roo.

In contrast, the tyre tment sector appears to be caught between a rock

and a hard place with many dealers recognising the need to up their prices

to more realistic levels whilst simultaneously acknowledging this might

cost them the sale, particularly i their competitors continue faunting rock-

bottom prices or worse still, make a point o giving these services away

or ree!

NITROGENIN TyREs

Tyre Dealers: Pump up your profts with NITROGEN and

meet the growing demand rom the marketplace.

Trucking: New tyre mileage improved by 11.6%. Casing

ives increased rom 3-4. Pressure retention improved by 13%

(Fast n Fresh). Marked decrease in monthly tyre costs, being

below tyre costs o previous 3 years.(Kempston Truck Hire)

Mining: Nitrogen has defnite advantages over air and we

recommend the use o Nitrogen. (Bridgestone OTR division)

MAKE yOUR OWN ON sITE!

NITRAlIfE sA (pTy) lTdTel: +27 11 706 7884/8 Fax: +27 11 706 5713Email: [email protected] www.nitralife.co.za

1 4 F o c u s o n


17/52

Tyre technology thats

miles ahead

In fact, Bridgestones proprietary technologies putour truck and bus tyres in a league of their own.

Thanks to exhaustive work at Bridgestone R&D centresin Japan, the USA, Italy and elsewhere,

every aspect of our tyres is superior.That means they are suited to all the demandsof new generation high-speed heavy vehicles.Furthermore, they meet all local requirements,

delivering the ultimate in performanceat a lower operational cost.

Discover the differences for yourself.

Bridgestone R227 Bridgestone M840Bridgestone M729 Bridgestone R184

BS511022


18/52

New product oerings:From Wheelquip SA representing Italian manuacturer,

Corghi:

A new model o the highly-successul 3D aligner the

Exact Blacktech X has just been launched in SA. Used locally

by numerous tyre shops, automotive workshops and dealerships

(Maserati being one), the new aligner can be used in a pit, on a scissors

lit as well as on a our-poster lit. Plus, it has interace to and can

align vehicles equipped with ESP, adaptive suspensions, dynamic

steering, electric power assisted steering and adaptive lighting

systems. It is also preset or Romess tools.

Also new: the E4040 our-post hoist with built-

in plates and turntable recesses, which was

especially designed to complement the Exact

Blacktech X aligner.

And: Corghis new large tyre changer the AGTT1600

can handle wheels rom 14inch up to 58inch, with a

weight o 2 500kg (worked directly o the foor thanks

to the new ergonomic design). All working tools stay

perpendicular with the wheel during operation and

controls can be supplied in radio mode.

From Homann Megaplan:

The Weight Wizard a new unction designed to reduce the cost o

ownership o a balancer by limiting the quantity o wheel weight

required to balance a wheel to within a satisactory tolerance.

Traditionally when carrying out a dynamic balance the machinelooks at the dynamic imbalance (side by side) by looking straight

at the rim in 2 planes (inner/outer). Weight Wizard eliminates

the static imbalance (the part the driver actually eels) and

(based on several key parameters), calculates the minimum

amount o corrective weight needed to bring the dynamic

residual imbalance within acceptable limits.

Also new: A 220 volt mobile truck balancer (or use in

your shop or on site) that is a ully equipped with all stud

adaptors or truck, a large adaptor or Iveco wheels as well

as passenger car cones.

And: The Drester Wheel Washer: Cleans wheels properly in 30

seconds makes or a cleaner shop environment and better

balancing results. Tyre dealers are reporting nett prots o around

R3 600.00 per month (calculated on 720 wheels) when including

this service oering with regular wheel balancing (charged at

around R5.00 per wheel).

1 6 F o c u s o n


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ECI International Ltd, Speldhurst Business Park, Langton Road, Speldhurst, Kent TN3 OAQ, EnglandTel +44 (0)1892 863888 Fax +44 (0)1892 863828 Email: [email protected]

www.eci-international.com

An International Event

ONE STOP SHOW

FOR TYRES, ACCESSORIES AND WORKSHOPEQUIPMENT

See yourbusinessclimb tonew

heights4th, 5th, 6thMarch 2010SandtonConvention Centre,

Johannesburg,South Africa


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Plans or a tyre industry conerence held as part o the next staging o

Tyrexpo Arica in Johannesburg in March 2010, have been announced by

event organisers ECI International.

ECI wants to extend the scope and pulling power o the exhibition and has

been encouraged to add a conerence session by exhibitors and media

sponsor SA Treads in South Arica. The one day conerence will ocus on

key issues in tyre and rubber manuacturing, tyre retailing, developments in

technology and the impact o new legislation. Keynote speakers will be drawn

rom the South Arican industry, together with major international players.

Tyrexpo Arica has established itsel as an important trading event over the

past ve years and now we are keen to broaden its appeal to participants

by staging a top quality industry conerence, explained ECI sales director

Rowena Suthers.

At the same time, we do not want to dilute the prime ocus on doing

business in the exhibition hall, but by striking the right balance we are

condent the conerence can add to everyones experience and value rom

being at the exhibition, she added.

Early response rom exhibitors to Tyrexpo Arica has been described as very

positive by ECI, with 40 per cent o foor space at the Sandton Convention

Centre already taken by a combination o Arican and international tyre,

accessories and equipment companies.

Pieter Kruger o Cape Town based Tubestone, said: We support Tyrexpo

Arica as it is the only major tyre show or Arica. Our ocus is to advertise

our products rom various suppliers to customers all over Arica. Our aim

is to supply into Arica and the show actually assist us with this by bringing

in potential customers. The show is run very proessionally and because o

this it is growing in size and infuence. Tubestone will once again ocus as a

one stop shop solution or the smaller customers into Arica.

Another South Arican exhibitor, Charl de Villiers o Tyrecor, commented:

Weve certainly seen great benet rom our involvement in the exhibition,

both in South Arica and more widely in other Arican markets. It gives us

an excellent platorm to promote our major tyre brands, including Innity

and Alliance, and were looking orward to building on that at the next show

in March 2010.

In addition to Tubestone and Tyrecor, companies already committed to

the show include BKT, Chemvulc, Crowntyre, Enercell, L-Guard, Nitralie,

Rubberking, SA Tyre Distributors, Shandong Wanda Boto, Shandong

Fenglun, Speedway Tires, Stamord Tyres, Star Tyre Group, Techking,

Treadsdirect and Tandem Tyres amongst others.

For a ull exhibitor list and details please visit www.eci-international.com.

The third staging o Tyrexpo Arica will take place at the Sandton Convention

Centre, Johannesburg (SCC) on 4, 5 and 6 March 2010.

Organisers conrm conerence plans or Tyrexpo

Arica as exhibitors sign up or 2010 exhibition

T y r e x p o A r i c a 2 0 1 0 1 9

Tyrexpo Arica 2010 Conerence Line-UpDiarise Friday 5th March 2010 to attend a not-to-be-missed

Conerence running alongside Tyrexpo Arica 2010 (4,5,6 March,

this dedicated tyre trade show is biennial and will be hosted at theSandton Convention Centre or the third time in a row).

To be chaired by the respected Roger

McCleery (Motoring Correspondent

and Radio Presenter), the Conerence

line-up has been specically designed

to address current issues and

concerns aecting the tyre industry

at large.

Key international gures will address

the orum on topics such as the

economic crunch and its eect on

the global tyre industry, short, medium and long-term eects o the

global recession, raw material pricing and availability as well as the

overall eects o globalisation.

There will also be a special ocus on the retail sector with a prominent

international gure speaking on challenges acing todays modern

tyre outlet, price discounting, customer perceptions, sta motivation

and the added value actor.

Respected local industry gures will also address the delegates,outlining legislation issues and highlighting challenges/opportunities

or the industry, while a reputable representative rom the transport

sector will speak on relevant issues impacting South Aricas transport

feets with respect to roads, diesel costs and tyre costs.

Be sure to secure your place at this important medium (a frst in

the South Arican tyre industry). Online registration will be open at

the end o June via www.eci-international.com). An attendance ee

o R150.00 per person will be payable on the day and delegates will

have the opportunity to visit the show ater the conerence as Friday

5th March is late night with the show closing at 8.00pm.


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Now three years old, the Malas tment centre or DriveStyle Centre

as some like to reer to it continues to draw Pretoria motorists to

its doors in droves, courtesy o its unique service delivery oering and

competitive pricing.

Unlike anything the South Arican public had ever witnessed, this premium

centre - specialising in a comprehensive product and service oering or

all applications - began trading on 17 January 2007 in its own premises that

made provision or no less than 50 tment bays, 200 parking bays, the

largest alignment section in the world, undercover workshop, a sizeable

gourmet restaurant and 24-hour security.

We rst paid a visit to this remarkable outt to mark its ocial inauguration

three years ago, only to be conronted with a scene that astonished us

all 50 bays were occupied! More amazing still, the queues o cars waitingor service extended all the way around the block! Three years later and

despite the credit crunch, the picture looks very much the same, especially

on Saturday mornings which probably rate as the busiest or this one-o-

a-kind operation.

Malas management attribute their unprecedented success to two things:

an extensive product range at unbeatable prices and their obsession or

service. Malas Drive Style Centre is a multi-brand retail centre in every

sense o the word, oering a broad spectrum o local and international

tyre brands as well as over 100 dierent wheel designs under the MRW

umbrella. Voted the best place to buy tyres in Pretoria courtesy o its ability

to provide ast, convenient, expert service, this operation prides itsel in

being able to faunt a complete service oering under one roo.

Value-adds such as shocks, brakes, exhausts, nitrogen, towbars as well

as ree-tting, balancing and scratchless tting (a rst in SA) have urther

contributed to the prosperity o the centre.

Three years down the line, Malas Drive Style Centre continues to evolve

into a highly-proessional, structured retail centre.

Watch this space or more exciting developments emerging rom this

exciting tyre group we will update you in uture issues! ED

Malas DriveStyle Centre

cements presencein Pretoria as a one-stoptment centre

Malas continues to attract Pretoriamotorists in droves.

R e t a i l 2 1


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R e t r e a d i n g 2 3

Leader Tread has introduced road saety, comort

and agility by welcoming the M61 all position treadto

the amily. According to the company, this breaking

ground innovation is sure to be proved as one o

the nest on the road, attesting that Leader Tread

products surely lead the way in on and o the road

perormance when put to the test.

Allegedly, the M61 is an on road genius that is excellent

or limited on/o road applications suitable or bus

operations and local rigid trucks, where stop start actors

play a role in tyre wear coupled with torque orces.

The product is designed to operate or over the road

applications on all wheel positions rom Long Haul,

Regional, City/Metro and limited On/O applications.

The M61 has been improved and elevated to orm the

newly 5 Rib Tread Design that eatures 2 wide shoulder

ribs and 3 central ribs. This eature adds value to

the driving experience, infuencing stability, good

mileage, combating lateral scrub, enhances wet

and dry road adhesion and provide or good

lateral traction.

The M61s advancement is also traced in

the act that it has wide, open and tapered

tread grooves; eective in curing one o

the major destructive and irritable actors

which obstruct tyre perormance and

durability: stone ejection.

Leader Tread concludes the great working

combination o all the designed eatures o

the M61 tread will provide the best value or

feets.

Leader Tread welcomes M61 ALL POSITION

tread to the feet


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+V`V\RUV^VMHKYP]LYÔVOHZWLYMVYTLKHUV\[Z[HUKPUNO\THUP[HYPHUHJ[&

Nominate them as your Highway Hero! Go to www.goodyear.co.za

;OL/LYVVM[OL LHY^PSSILJYVÛLK P[OMHTLHUKMVY[\ULUH[PVUHSTHNHaPULL_WVZ\YL9PUJHZOHUKH[YPW[V3\_LTIV\YN,\YVWL

;VNL[OLY.VVK`LHYZ[YP]LZ[VTHRL[OLYVHKZVM:V\[O(MYPJHZHMLYMVYHSS You can help nominate your Hero!

THE GOODYEARHIGHWAY HEROES ARE HERE!


27/52

15025


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Goodyear invests in plant upgradesGoodyear has invested to the sum o R70 million by way o plant upgrades

in its Uitenhage plant in a bullish and decisive move that indicates the

manuacturers long-term commitment to the South Arican market.

The investment includes our new tyre building machines (as a means oincreasing capacity to build the latest innovative tyre designs) and our new

tyre presses to complement the improved Wrangler tyre building designs

(ATSA) with superior curing technologies to provide the most advanced

perorming 4x4 tyre on the market. In addition, six new tyre orce variation

machines with in-line balance capability (to ensure eective quality control

and thereby, superior products) have been installed.

Says Olivier Martel, newly-appointed Manuacturing Director: Weve

invested in some o the most highly-technologically advanced equipment

available in new tyre manuacturing. The new machinery oers improved

precision o manuacturing or enhanced tyre uniormity, while investmentinto the nishing area (orce variation machines and in-balance) ensures

that only tyres that meet or exceed our customers expectations are

delivered into the market.

The new investments will benet passenger product ranges together with

the new generation truck tyre range which requires upgraded machinery to

be able to support the new Max Technology.

More important, Martel claims the investment into the plant is ongoingand will continue into the oreseeable uture, with numerous projects in

various stages o execution being implemented at the Goodyear plant. One

such example is recent approval or the upgrading the Compound Mixing

area which will increase the capacity o mixing the latest technologically

innovative silica tread and sidewall compounds a projected investment in

the region o R30 million.

Adds Martel: Our philosophy is simple: develop the best innovative tyre

designs and manuacture them on the best equipment available in the

industry, utilising world-class materials and manuacturing systems.

This latest investment into the South Arican plant is testament to thepositive belie Goodyear has in the South Arican market, the South Arican

economic uture and the skills and inrastructure available within the

Goodyear Uitenhage manuacturing acility, concludes Martel.

Dunlop Tyres International (Pty) Limited company name has been

changed to Apollo Tyres South Arica (Pty) Limited to refect the name o

its proprietor, Apollo Tyres Limited, India. The statutory name change has

not aected the management structure and operations o the company and

the Dunlop brand remains the product brand manuactured and distributed

by the operation in South Arica and its 30 trade mark territories.

Dunlop Tyres statutory name change

M a n u a c t u r i n g 2 7


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2 8 M a n u a c t u r i n g

At a recent launch that saw more than 500 members o the industry, sta andpress converging in Port Elizabeth, Goodyear SA released three exciting new

tyres.

It was the rst time in recent history that the tyre giant with plant and head oce

in the Port Elizabeth metropole chose to platorm new products rom its beautiul

home base o the Eastern Cape. Goodyear elt this was the ideal opportunity to

bring customers back to its roots, while at the same time giving them a taste o

all the province has to oer, not least o which are its abulous beaches, rst-rate

game reserves and reputation or riendliness three good reasons to visit again

and again.

The brand new range Duramax G22, DuraGrip and the legendary Wranglersnewest 4x4 stablemate, AT/SA is a trio o motoring wishes granted by Goodyears

engineering team. The tyres are said to be technologically advantaged, specically

designed to carry motorists saely, economically and enjoyably over any terrain

they may choose to roam.

Says Jean-Jacques Wiroth, Managing Director or Goodyear SA: The new

products are the lieblood that ensures the consistent improvement o any

business. Furthermore, they conrm Goodyears perception amongst consumers

as a ast-paced innovator in the industry, as well as reinorce the companys

commitment to the southern Arican area.

TAXI TOUGH: DURAMAX G22

Allegedly, Goodyears Duramax G22 is able to take on the most demanding road

and trac conditions and has been engineered specically or South Aricas

bright, brash and breezy minibus taxis, which are particularly hard on their tyres.

Thanks to its combination o unique construction and material eatures ideal or

South Arican minibus taxis acing the varied road and weather conditions o the

country this tyre is tough, long lasting and built to handle heavy loads without

sacricing comort or economy. A new tread compound eaturing the latest

silica enhanced polymer technology means a longer tread lie, while the tread is

designed to reduce stone retention and help prevent punctures.

Goodyears Duramax G22 is also said to deliver the critical benets o responsive

handling and improved traction in all conditions.

LITTLE CITY SLICKER: DURAGRIP

DuraGrip, the rst tyre in Goodyears trio o rubber musketeers, was developedto cope with all the stop-start pressures o constant city-driving, in all weather

conditions. Described as the tough tyre that goes the distance, Goodyear claims

it is light, sae and endlessly energetic the ideal tyre or the 21st century tribe o

aordable cars on the road.

Says Dustine Gascoyne, Marketing Director or Goodyear SA: Continuous

driving in big cities puts very specic demands on a vehicle and its tyres. The days

o small, cheap cars with compromises on design, quality or perormance are long

gone. Todays city drivers demand a good-looking, reliable and sae, small car to

get by in the city. They want optimal perormance and reliability in their vehicle,

and o course tyres play a crucial role in ullling this demand. With DuraGrip,Goodyear has developed a tyre that is specically made to provide consumers

with optimal perormance during city driving.

RUGGED, RELIABLE FREEWHEELER: WRANGLER AT/SA

For exceptional, on and o-the road perormance, there is no companion more

dependable, says Goodyear, than its Wrangler tyres, now made even more durable

with revolutionary SilentArmor Technology in the all-new AT/SA range. High-

tensile steel belts improve the tyres strength and resistance to punctures, while

the added benet o Kevlar a material ve times stronger than steel promises

a smooth, quiet ride, as this material helps to absorb road noise. And with the

Durawall sidewall reinorcement increasing the Wrangler AT/SAs resistance topunctures and cuts, the tyre is designed to taken on the toughest terrains.

Goodyear launches three new products

Threedom on Wheels event - evening launch unction.

Threedom on Wheels event - Wrangler ATSA experience.

Nissan Tiidas on Goodyear Duragrip at Aldo Scribante Racetrack.


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Port Elizabeths skyline changes!The skyline visible when travelling along the N2, past Algorax haschanged. The reason is a new red and white striped concrete stack.

The new stack has been erected to house the three drier stacks at the

Algorax plant. The main advantage is that it will protect against corrosion

o equipment in the uture and is aesthetically more pleasing. The three

existing drier stacks will be removed by the ourth quarter 2009.

This new stack is just one o the teen improvement projects previously

announced by Algorax, which are now past their design and engineering

phases and well on their way to completion. The projects totalling around

one hundred million Rand, are due or completion end 2010.

Some o the other signicant projects, o which several have already been

completed, include:

Upgradingoftheboundarywallandplantingofnewgrass,alongsideJohn

Tallant Road.

Replacement of thewarehousewalland roof, facingonto John Tallant

Road.

Upgrading design features of the primary bag lters for improved

perormance.

Asubstantialimprovementingasconveyancesystemshasbeenachieved

by the replacement o improved drier seals and production relie valves.

Improvementonpulsejetcleaningequipmentonthebagltershasbeen

achieved.

Improvementsinefuentandwastewaterhandlingsystemswillnotonly

reduce water usage, but also improve the overall working environment.

Acompleteoverhauloftheplantilluminationsystemstoimproveworking

and saety conditions.

A packaging system upgrade in the warehouse to improve working

conditions and contain dust. Carbonblacksilocorrosionupgrades,whichwillnotonlyhavestructural

benets but also improve the aesthetics o the plant.

CORAX

manuactured at the Algorax plant, is primarily used as a rubberreinorcing ller, which is used in numerous rubber product applications.

Essentially, carbon black together with Evonik Degussa precipitated silicas

and organo silanes, used in the rubber compound, determine the property

o that compound - whether it will have a high wear and tear resistance,

superior fexing or stretching properties, or low heat build up. The product

is introduced into the rubber compound in the initial stages o rubber

mixing together with the other additives which go into make up a particular

compound.

Algorax will continue, by means o existing practices and the implementationo the new projects identied, to strive or continuous manuacturing and

environmental improvements, which will have a posi tive impact on the plant

and its surrounding environment and community.

2010 will be a year o two-old celebration at Algorax, not only will it

culminate in the completion o the improvement projects, but will also

signiy the companys 50th anniversary.

Algorax is the sole producer o CORAX carbon black in Southern Arica.

Current capacity is sixty-ve thousand metric tons, with eleven grades

being manuactured to meet the requirements o the South Arican tyre and

rubber industry. The majority o CORAX is sold into the tyre sector. The

balance, being sold into the retread and mechanical rubber goods sectors.

In the manuacturing o its products, the company has taken responsibility

or environmental protection, quality, occupational health and saety. In

demonstrating such commitment, the Environment, Saety, Health and

Quality Management System complies with the requirements o ISO 14001.

The objectives o which are to conserve natural resources and raw materials,

to reduce negative impacts on air, land and water, commitment to bestenvironmental practice, to improve environmental awareness, to prevent

workplace accidents and to meet relevant legislative requirements.

3 0 M a n u a c t u r i n g

With eect rom July 1, 2009, Mr Claudio Boezio, Managing Director

o Continental Tyres SA and also in charge o Finance, Controlling and

IT CTSA, will be leaving the company to pursue other proessional

activities.

Mr Boezio joined the company in 2000 as Financial Manager and took up

the additional role as MD in 2005.Mr Dieter Horni, head o Marketing &

Sales Replacement Truck Tires or Germany, Austria and Switzerland, will

take over as Managing Director CTSA at the same time.

More management changes at Continental


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QAre there any benets to nitrogen infation?

AThe primary benet o nitrogen infation is the act that it bleeds outo the tyre at a slower rate than regular air. Tyres infated with air willnaturally lose 1-2 psi per month. When infated with nitrogen, the rate is

much slower, so tyre pressures will not need to be adjusted as oten. Themost important thing to remember is that tyres should still be checked at

least on a monthly basis. Even i they are infated with nitrogen, the infation

pressure cannot be ignored or neglected.

QCan overtorquing a lug nut cause a wheel to become loose?

AAbsolutely. Every stud has a yield point where it can be stretchedbeyond limitations and then become incapable o retaining any bolttension which reduces or limits the clamping ability. The recommended

torque range or a wheel astener takes this into account, so staying

within the range ensures the yield point will not be reached. Using an

impact wrench to tighten the nut until it stops moving is oten reerred to

as the good-and-tight method. This practice oten results in signicant

overtorque, which can damage the studs and accelerate component wear.

I enough studs are damaged, the lack o orce will cause the wheels to

become loose.

Q

Can I patch a tire without installing a rubber stem?

AOnly i you want to destroy the casing and increase the chances or abelt separation down the road. While this practice may stop the leak,it exposes the belt package and body cables to moisture, which results

in corrosion. I the corrosion spreads ar enough, the casing will have to

be scrapped. Likewise, i the damaged belt package and body cables are

not removed and trimmed back to solid rubber, the instability o the area

during operation will cause the damaged cable ends to unravel leading to a

belt separation. In order to preserve the integrity o the tire and the casing

ater a puncture repair, the damage must be removed and the injury must

be lled with a cured rubber stem.

QHow important are valve caps?

AThat depends on the denition o a valve cap.I youre talking about a plastic dust cover, theyare somewhat important. I youre talking about a

metal valve cap with a sealing ring in the base, thenthey are very important. According to the valve stem

manuacturers, the sel-sealing metal valve cap is the

primary component or air retention. The valve core

can, and sometimes does, leak. But a proper valve

cap will almost guaranty that the end o the valve

will not leak air. Metal infate-through caps are the

best bet, because they make it easier or technicians

and drivers to check air pressure without losing the

sealing ability o the regular metal valve cap.

QHow many times can you retread a truck casing?

AOnce again, it depends. In some applications (like waste or rubbishhauling) multiple retreads are common. For most feets in the UnitedStates, the rst retread is or the drive axle, and the second retread is or

the trailer. A ew companies will approve a third retread i certain inspection

criteria are met and the casing receives a shallow tread depth trailer retread.

To submit a question to be answered in a uture edition o Southern

Arica Treads, please send your questions to [email protected].

Marvin Bozarth is the senior technical consultant or the Tire Industry

Association (TIA) and has more than 40 years o tire and retreading

experience. Kevin Rohlwing is the senior vice president o training or TIA

and has over 26 years o tire experience. TIA oers some o the most

comprehensive tyre service training programs or both commercial

and automotive tyre service proessionals in the world. For more

inormation on these programs, or or more inormation on TIA, visit

www.tireindustry.org or email [email protected].

Ask the tyre expertsWith Marvin Bozarth and Kevin Rohlwing, Tire Industry Association

Marvin Bozarth

Kevin Rohlwing

HAVEAQUESTION?

[email protected]

A s k t h e t y r e e x p e r t s 3 3


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3 4 B a n d a g

Bandags customised service

oering or national feetsAs a means to enhance its product oering to transporters or whom successul tyre

management and curtailing mounting tyre costs is a critical aspect to running a successul

operation, Bandags National Fleet Programme is the solution.

Customers can now outsource their tyre needs, especially where it aects multiple depots located

around the country all requiring proessional, expert advice and service, alongside consistent

pricing. Bandag will undertake an in-depth analysis on feet requirements, scrutinise current

feet conditions and present a customised package (oering any number o related products andservices) tailored to their specic needs. And with more than 50 strategically positioned Bandag and

BTS ranchisees located across Southern Arica, this task is made a lot easier, as each ranchisee

prescribes to Bandags quality standards and service excellence.

Benets in brie:

Centralbilling

TailoredtyrepolicyandServiceLevelAgreement(SLA)

Consistentpricingacrossalldepots

DirectcontactwithBandagonqueries

Technicalback-upandexpertise

AutomaticETA(EmergencyTyreAssistance)qualicationBandags24/7TyreBreakdown

System with 180 registered SPs

MeasurabledeliveryonKeyPerformanceIndicatorsassetoutinanSLA

ManagementFleetReviewsfeedbackandreportingofinformationcompiledintheBandag

Fleet Perormance Solution web interace.

Accesstonewproductsandservicesastheydevelop

TyreManagementsoftwareinformationviaProFleettheworldsleadingTyreManagement

System

Not only does the National Fleet Programme ree up valuable time thereby enabling transport

operators to concentrate on other critical aspects o their business, Bandag claims that a feetssuccess is ultimately Bandags success, hence its ongoing promise to ensure vehicle uptime,

optimised cpk and supply o reliable products and perormance.

For more than a decade a number o Blue Chip feets have enjoyed the benets o Bandags National

Fleet Programme with a long list o potential feets now also showing interest in this distinctive oering.

For more inormation contact Bandag on (011) 439 6000 or visit www.bandag.co.za.

With the reliability you get from Bandag, your fleet can take on anything. www.bandag.co.za


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3 6 D e a l e r p r o i l e

Right on track!Dunlop Zone store arrives in Ballito


39/52

D e a l e r p r o i l e 3 7

That local is lekker is aptly demonstrated in

this, our next dealer prole with well-known tyre

moguls, the Govender brothers (Dan, Kumie,Naresh and Sagie). Their amily-owned store

in Stanger on the north coast Tyre Track - has

been in existence or 19 years, but its their latest

venture in the orm o a brand, spanking new

Dunlop Zone store in Ballito that has catapulted

them into the limelight.

Having established themselves in the area or close on two decades, theyve

built up a ormidable reputation, not to mention a growing client base that

extends rom Stanger all the way to Ballito.

Says Dan: Prior to all o the development in the Ballito area, our customers

were compelled to drive those extra kilometres to Stanger to service

their tyre needs. More recently, commercial and residential development

has taken massive strides in the region by way o upmarket residential

estates, private schools and shopping centres, thereby paving the way or

new business opportunities. Already, a number o leading tyre chains is

represented in the Ballito district, but Tyre Track has one thing in its avour

it is a local outt with a reputation built solely on local soil!

Coupled to that, the brothers believe in living within their means. Their

approach to expenses is rugal, plus theyve also made a collective decision

to plough prots back into the business instead o splashing out on ancy

cars and other such luxury items.

Says Dan: We dont orget where we come rom we learnt the retail

business rom scratch and this has helped us to remain humble. We also

learnt very early on, that the key to success was establishing relationships

with the community. Its these relationships that have helped us to grow

business to the level it has.

They own both properties (a major advantage in todays market) and with

the Ballito store in particular, have made ample provision or uture growth

by way o size (measuring 750 sqm in total) and bountiul parking acilities

or customers.

In line with Dunlops philosophy, the new Dunlop Zone store is somewhat

tucked away rom the main street, but perectly positioned on land that

has been earmarked or commercial development to coincide with the

establishment o the new brand new airport, only a ew kilometres away.

Says Sagie: This area will soon undergo considerable commercial

development starting o with a massive motor centre, and or this, were

ideally placed to service the business. We also oresee additional business

activity in and around the new airport which bodes well or the uture.

For the time being, they are setting their sights on cementing their presence

in the area via competitive pricing, special promotions and keeping their

repeat clients happy. Fortunately or them, their independence and lowoverheads aord them the opportunity to beat any price a huge draw

card in these tough economic times.

Adds Dan: All the sta at the new Ballito store ollowed us rom the Stanger

operation having undergone extensive product knowledge training over the

years, so they know what servicing customers is al l about.

When asked whether theyd noticed a dip in business at the Stanger outlet

with the opening o the Ballito store, the brothers replied that all 15 tment

bays remained as busy as ever.

Says Sagie: Wed like to believe that our attention to service together

with the technical advice we oer our customers has stood us in good

stead. In Stanger weve established our clientele all that remains, is

or us to maintain those relationships by not slackening on those service

levels.

On the look and image o the new Ballito store, Naresh says that rst

impressions have a lasting eect.

He adds: Our new store looks magnicent rom the road and customers

are impressed beyond expectation with our luxurious interior nishes.

Customers can relax in the comort o our leather armchairs in an

environment that is pristine, trendy and in keeping with the high standards

in retail industry, while they wait or their vehicle.

Eight months ater their ocial opening on 1 October 2008, they are

achieving 15% above projected targets which can only mean one thing

their investment is paying o!

Caption (let to right): Georg Schramm, Sales and Marketing Head, Apollo Tyres South Arica, Dan Govender owner Dunlop Zone Ballito, Onkar Kanwar, Chairman Apollo

Tyres Limited, India, Sagie Govender, owner Dunlop Zone Ballito, Neeraj Kanwar, Joint Chairman, Apollo Tyres Limited, India, Naresh Govender owner Dunlop Zone Ballitoand Luis Ceneviz, Chie Executive Ofcer, Apollo Tyres South Arica.


40/52

3 8 T a l k i n g T y r e s

Speeding, drunk driving and pedestrians are commonly

identied as the primary causes o SAs horrendous

road accident statistics. But its about time tyres came

under the spotlight too

Weve all heard it time and time again. Speed kills. Dont drink and drive.

Caution or pedestrians. But when last did you have a rontal-lobe shake-up

to check the condition o your tyres?

According to Wikipedia, the executive unctions o the rontal lobes o the

brain involve the ability to recognise uture consequences resulting rom

current actions. Or the lack thereo as ar as tyres are concerned.

Sadly, tyre saety seems to be extremely low on the list o priorities when it

comes to dealing with South Aricas appalling road accident plague. Were

well aware that tyres are seen as a grudge purchase, and theyre typically

treated with even greater disdain as ar as ongoing care and maintenance isconcerned.

Recently, Ive noted with increasing dismay the poor state o tyres on our

roads rom bald rubber where the tread is a long-distant memory to

decimated sidewalls that are little more than a heartbeat away rom sel-

destruction.

More commonly, though, its the fat-tyre syndrome that seems to be hampering

our progress towards achieving a saer automotive nirvana. Next time youre

sitting in trac, or walking through a parking lot, spend a ew moments casually

observing the state o the surrounding tyres. Odds are youll be shocked at

how many drivers are blissully unaware o the impending disaster they ace.

Bridgestone SA, in association with Pick n Pay, have commendably gone out

and assessed 10 000 tyres in major parking areas around the country over

the past 18 months. Their survey has shown that between 15 and 20 percent

o cars have dangerously under-infated tyres.

That means, o the 9,4-million-odd registered vehicles in SA, between 1,5and 2-million are driving on the edge which is a scary statistic!

Naturally, this leads to all sorts o hideous accident-waiting-to-happen

implications: premature wear, so theres less grip in the wet; reduced traction

due to the limited contact surace; and severe sidewall degradation which

oten results in catastrophic, lie-ending tyre blow-outs.

South Aricans notch up amongst the worlds worst road accident statistics,

producing in the region o 12 000 atal crashes each year, and killing around

15 000 people as a result. Not that you can equate monetary terms with

lives, but this apparently costs the country around R13-billion per annum,

or an estimated R38-billion in consequential damage to communities andcommerce.

A signicant portion o this, I would argue, can probably be either directly

or indirectly attributed to the dire state o our tyres. The ocial Arrive Alive

numbers indicate that just over 1 percent o atal accidents are the result o

smooth tyres or tyre bursts.

But aside rom tyre hazards such as the aorementioned underinfation, as

well as overloading and punctures, simply considering the extreme tapering

o wet braking perormance when tread depth alls below 2 millimetres, tyre

condition can reasonably be assumed to play a much bigger role than the

gures indicate.

by Colin Mileman Tyre SaetyTime or shock tactics


41/52

T a l k i n g T y r e s 3 9

Im not sure how the authorities arrive at this gure, but its suggested

that there are almost a million unroadworthy and/or unlicensed vehicles

operating on our roads.

So, aside rom being locked up on the side o the road with your children or

an outstanding R100 speeding ne, or being treated like a common criminalor deantly raising your cellphone to your ear while driving, when last were

you pulled over to have the roadworthiness o your cars tyres examined?

I the trac cops can bolster their coers by targeting shopping centre

parking areas or overdue licenses, surely they can be equally committed to

critiquing the state o the prevailing rubber o these sot targets?

Yes, Im probably on a hiding-to-nothing on that one, so that means the

tyre industry has to take a stand and a vocal, visual and highly impactul

one at that.

I say its time to call out the big guns. Get the creative agencies to earn theirkeep by producing hard-hitting tyre saety messages, TV adverts and media

campaigns to get the tyre saety point across without ear or avour.

Forget about a gentle nudge in the right direction we need to hammer

the message home using hard-hitting shock tactics that spell out the dire

consequences o neglecting your tyres.

We dont want people throwing up their supper when sitting in ront o

the box, but an ad campaign that gets them o their backside and heading

to the garage or an urgent and consequently regular spot check will

contribute immensely towards reducing the undoubtedly massive role tyres

play in road accidents.It has to inculcate a sorely decient level o tyre awareness, and get serial

tyre oenders to seriously rethink their approach towards pushing, or

simply ignoring, the boundaries o tyre perormance and durability.

Ater all, its ONLY those our tiny patches o rubber that dene the line

between disaster, or living to see another day

Colin Mileman is a reelance motoring journalist,

photographer and advanced driving specialist

with over 13 years o experience in this feld. As a

ormer editor o Topcar and Topbike magazines,

hes as enthusiastic about cars and bikes as

they come, and has extensive knowledge o all

motoring-related matters, including the topic o

tyres, having run the annual and highly regarded

Topcar tyre tests or several years.

11.-13.No

v.2009

SHANGHAI

CHINA

Further information:

China United Rubber (Group) Corporation Phone: +86 10 5865 0277 Fax: +86 10 5865 0288

E-Mail: [email protected] www.reifenchina.com

Messe Essen GmbH Phone: +49 201 72 44 231 Fax: +49 201 72 44 435E-Mail: [email protected] www.reifen-messe.de


42/52ProMotion

For the love

o tyres

When lie throws you a curve ball it takes a special

person to pick up the pieces and move on.

A sterling example o someone who did just that

was Debbie Love, the wie o a ormer tyre dealer

in Queenstown, who managed to turn adversity intotriumph by continuing to run and even grow the

business in her husbands tradition. Newton Love

tragically passed away in 2005 ater a long illness.

Debbie could easily have elected to sell o his tyre

concerns (he had two at the time) but chose instead

to make the community (not to mention her late

husband) proud by concentrating her energies on

building on Newtons success. Today, this inimitable

Tyre Queen is making a resounding success o

managing a total o three tyre stores in the small

arming community that is Queenstown, in the

Eastern Cape.

4 0 C o n t i C o r n e r

A male-dominated industry that placed considerable pressure on her to

prove that she was in act knowledgeable and capable enough or the

task, only uelled her resolve urther to show the world (amily and peers

included) what she was made o. And so began her ocial career as tyre

dealer..

Fiteen years later, Debbie continues to own and run their ContiPartner store

(the original store which she holds dear to her heart), the Hi-Q outlet across

the road as well as a Dunlop Zone shop (adjacent to the ContiPartner) whichopened as recently as November 2008. The reason or the split alliances is

not all that dicult to athom buying product at the best price, while also

ensuring stock supply in light o her geographic location.

Says Debbie: Stores in outlying areas do not have ready access to

manuacturers warehousing acilities. As such, its critical to plan ahead

which is why I order tyres in container loads. This also helps me in

negotiating a more avourable price.

Interestingly, there are a total o seven tyre stores in Queenstown, three o

which are Debbies. She claims that although the market is saturated, her

stores continue to do very well.


43/52

Explains Debbie: This is a small community. Newton was well-liked and did

a lot to uplit those less privileged around him. We were big supporters o

The Round Table charity and Newton was equally well-known or his love

o fying (he had his PPL Private Pilots Licence). Even though hes gone,

my involvement with the community has not waned, something which hascontributed to the support I continue to enjoy rom the locals.

When all is said and done I live by the mantra that people buy rom

people, she claims.

The ContiPartner store in particular, specialises in servicing the feets in her

immediate area (the region is renowned or its quarries and cement works)

while the other two ocus on the retail sector, (its this diversity in product

portolio which according to Debbie, serves to dierentiate them).

When asked why she chose to continue operating in the tyre business ater

Newtons death Debbie chuckles and says: What else would I do? This is

all I know. Besides, it was Newtons dream to run a fourishing tyre business

realising his lielong dream has brought me closure.

On her biggest challenge, Debbie duly responds that while negativity is not

a word in her vocabulary, having to overcome customer perception that

she was only a woman and thereore not qualied to advise on tyres, was

probably the biggest obstacle shes had to ace.

Adds Debbie: The sta, who are o a particularly high calibre, have

coached me and carried me through the worst times were it not or them

I doubt I would have been able to continue. Ive learnt a lot, made my share

o mistakes and continue to ace new challenges each day. But its un and

exciting I cant wait to come to work every morning!

By way o gratitude and as an incentive, all three store managers are eligib le

or prot share, a vested interest which is calculated at no less than 50% o

the takings o the whole operation.

Says Debbie: Its important that they work or themselves as well as or

me. Materially, I have everything I could possibly wish or. Now Id like to

give them the opportunity to attain some material wealth or them and their

amilies. Plus, Newtons premature death has taught me that theres more

to lie than just work. I now strive to nd that balance by spending more

time with my boys, my riends and my amily. Knowing I can entrust the

business to my sta who will care or it as i it was their own (as in act, it

essentially is), gives me the peace o mind to place amily ahead o work

when necessary.

As property owner as well as manager, Debbie Love is well placed to reap

the ruits o her labour. More important, she has achieved the impossible,

something which her sons will ultimately be grateul or in the legacy she

leaves behind.

C o n t i C o r n e r 4 1

Debbie Love.

The sta have been integral tothe success o the business.


44/52

4 2 4 x 4 A d v e n t u r e


45/52

In a bid to remain committed to his personal mantra Using adventure

to improve lie Kingsley Holgate, his wie Gill, son Ross and their team

o intrepid explorers have embarked on yet another amazing adventure

to promote an equally worthy cause - demolishing boundaries currently

preventing transrontier crossings, whilst also promoting cultural,

community and nature initiatives.

With the issues o conservation, nature and human uplitment very close

to their hearts, the Holgate team departed rom the International Tourism

Indaba in Durban on Monday 11th May on a 120-day expedition that will

map out what is hoped will ultimately become known as the most ascinating

adventure route in the world.

Their route will take them and their Cooper-shod Landrover Discoverers on

a three-month journey rom East to West Arica rom the Indian Ocean to the

Atlantic, through the rugged Maloti-Drakensberg Transrontier Park beore

moving on into the Lebombo Transrontier Park which links conservation

areas in Northern Zululand, Mozambique and Swaziland. The expeditionthen heads north to the Great Limpopo, a Transrontier Park that joins the

Kruger National Park with Limpopo National Park in Zimbabwe. Community

conservation areas in South Arica and Zimbabwe will also be incorporated

in the area which span 100 000 km2 when complete.

And thats just the beginning. Beore their 120 days are up, they will have

travelled through nine southern Arican countries, explored seven Transrontier

Conservation Areas and 30 National Parks and Nature Reserves.

Supporting Nature, Culture and Community

While worthy initiatives such as the One Net One Lie malaria prevention,

Right to Sight and Teaching on the Edge programmes - mobile libraries

bringing much-needed books to impoverished communities - will continue,

this time around and with the support o the South Arican Department o

Environment and Tourism and the 9 SADC countries, Kingsley and his team

will also make a humanitarian contribution to the communities adjacent

to these conservation areas by way o new initiatives such as upgrading

soccer elds, initiating a Boundless Southern Arican Soccer Challenge

and introducing a strong arts and culture element through the delivery o

precious arts materials to schools and the introduction o a Community

Artists Competition, the winners o which will be acknowledged by way o

an all-expenses paid trip to Cape Town.

The communities adjacent to these Transrontier Conservation Areas were

all made aware o Kingsleys important mission via a recent gathering that

saw community leaders, tourism ocials and representatives o all seven

TCAs come together to provide their endorsement and blessing.

And in keeping with what has become tradition, a new Scroll (made o leather

and canvas) symbolising Peace o Goodwill in support o Conservation,Community and Nature, has been endorsed by all nine ministers heading

up their respective Environmental and Tourism Departments.

As ever, Kingsley is condent that his Cooper tyres will bring him through

whatever Mama Arica can throw at him, Ater all, when youre exploring

boundless Mama Arica, you need the tyre that truly knows no limits, he says.

Kingsley has high hopes or this expedition, calling it extremely powerul

and the greatest o its kind in conservation.

For more inormation on Transrontier Parks and the Boundless Southern

Arica Expedition visit www.boundlesssa.com/en/

Making history!

Kingsley Holgateo on new

expedition

4 x 4 A d v e n t u r e 4 3


46/52

Goodyear is the winner o the

Innovation Award at the rst

Automechanika South Arica

automotive trade air, which was

staged at the MTN Expo Centre,

Nasrec, rom March 18-21. The

presentation o a Gold Award

was made by the vice president,

Automechanika Messe Frankurt

rom Germany, Stephan Kurzawski,

to Goodyears regional manager:

Gauteng, Bernie Andrews.

4 4 I n n o v a t i o n

Goodyear wins frst

Automechanika

South Arica

Innovation Award

Kurszawski (let), vice president -Automechanika Messe Frankurt rom

Germany, congratulating Bernie Andrews,Goodyear South Aricas Regional Manager,Gauteng Province.


47/52

In the view o the judging panel, the product redenes benchmarks

or the Southern Arican atermarket sector in which it competes.

The ollowing quote is printed on the Gold Award The technology

constitutes a quantum leap in tyre saety and perormance and carries

with it substantial environmental

treads june 2009

Documents