Download - SA Treads Dec 2010
Vol 1
6 •
Dec
embe
r 201
0
The Pirelli 2011 Calendar!
Foc
us
on
APo
LLo
TYR
Es
Conversations with Indian tyre mogul Onkar S. Kanwar
Apollo set to become a global player
TDAFA honours 2010 top achievers
ContiPartner ‘Win an Audi Competition’ a big hit
Customer Service – more than skin deep?
10027 Bandag AS SA Treads.indd 1 10/7/10 12:25:26 PM
Editor LianaShaw
Technical consultant WrayShaw
Reproduction DianevanNoort
Printing TYPO
–ColourPrintingSpecialists
Distribution PrestigeBulkMailers
Advertising LianaShaw
Contentsone-on-oneConversationswithIndiantyremogulOnkarS.Kanwar........................ 3
Focus on Apollo TyresToday,theyareamultinational,multimillionUSdollarcompanythatisnotafraidoftakingbigrisksontheroadtobecomingaglobalforcetobereckonedwith............................................................................... 9
competition WINThe2011PirelliCalendar!............................................................ 17
Industry newsTDAFAhonourstopachieversfor2010............................................... 19SA’sBestSupplierofTyresServicesAnnounced.................................. 21Algorax–JointWinnerofResponsibleCareAward............................... 21LeaderRubberCompanyConsumableDepartmentUpgrade............... 21BotobrandOTRRadialsexceedperformanceexpectations.................. 23TandemTyresexhibitsatElectraMiningExhibition................................ 25
Manufacturing SATyremanufacturerscomeunderfire................................................ 29DunlopvotedSouthAfrica’sMostIconicTyreBrand............................ 29GrabberATislaunchedinEurope......................................................... 30Goodyear’suniqueofferingturnspublicwasteintocommunityvalue.. 32Tyresafetysurveyshowssafertyres..................................................... 34
conti cornerTheContiPartner“WinanAudi”Competitionabighit!......................... 36
Dealer Profile SupaQuickgetssupacreative............................................................... 39
Goodyear newsSpiritofAfricarollsonGoodyearWranglers......................................... 42FantasticfirstretailstoreforNairobi...................................................... 43
Talking TyresCustomerService–Morethanskindeep............................................. 47
World newsPirelliconfirmedasexclusiveF1supplierfrom2011............................ 50Contigivesemployeesacash‘thankyou’............................................. 50HankookannouncessixthglobalmanufacturingplantinChina............ 50GoodyearandNASAhonouredforinnovative‘spring’tyre.................. 50
competition, subscription, Website ........................................ 52
A note from
the editor2010 is drawing to a close and as
we begin winding down for the
festive season, it’s time to reflect on
some of the year’s most prominent
events.
The recession is far from over
yet we’re beginning to see small
signs of recovery in the vehicle
manufacturing sector (always a
good indication that consumer
confidence is on its way up). For
the tyre industryhowever, it’sbeen
a tumultuousyear,whatwith labouractionandwagedisputes tomore
recentallegationsof tyreprice fixingwhichareabout tobebrought in
frontoftheCompetitionsCommissionTribunal.Withallfourofthelocal
tyre makers implicated, there could be some hefty penalties in store.
Only time will tell what the findings will decide, but we will keep you
updatedonthisandotherstoriesastheyhappen.
Further afield, Indian-based tyre manufacturer, Apollo Tyres, shows
itsmettlewith long-termstrategies inplace that thecompanybelieves
will not only raise its position in the world tyre rankings, but more
importantlyperhaps,propelittowardsbecomingaseriousglobalplayer.
We bring you an in-depth account of the company’s manufacturing
and operational activities, which suffice to say, did not fail to impress
ona recent visit to India. For the full story, togetherwithanexclusive
Interviewwithcompanyfounder,OnkarSinghKanwar,turntopage3.
Also in this issue, we cover the recent TDAFA awards, take you to
GermanyforthelaunchofthenewGrabberATbyGeneralTire,andoffer
youtheopportunitytowinacopyofthecoveted2011PirelliCalendar
viaourquarterlycompetition.Allthisandmuchmore!
Happyholidaysandsafemotoringuntilwemeetagainin2011.
I n t r o d u c t i o n • 1
Publishers SkyPublicationscc
POBox702
Douglasdale,2165
Tel: (011)6580011
Fax: (011)6580010
Cell: 0828516777
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.satreads.co.za
FrontCover:CourtesyApolloTyres
34952 SA Treads Ad_DSK.fh11 11/30/10 4:42 PM Page 1
Composite
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
O n e - o n - O n e • 3
conversations with Indian tyre mogul onkar s. Kanwar
Curiositycombinedwithahealthydoseof
scepticism,wouldbestdescribemymood
asIboardanEmiratesflightandtravelhalf
wayaroundtheworldtotheIndiancapital
NewDelhi,tomeetupwithIndia’sleading
tyremaker,ApolloTyres. InSouthAfrica,
very little is known about Apollo Tyres
prior to its acquisition of Dunlop Tyres
in 2006, (incidentally, one of only two
Dunlopaffiliatesintheworldtobeexempt
from the Goodyear-Dunlop acquisition),
therebypossiblygivingrisetoamisleading
impressionofacompanythatsurprisingly,
notonlyhasanimpressivetrackrecordon
homesoil,butiswellonitswaytobecoming
aglobalplayerineverysenseoftheword.
Atleast…that’swhatI’mabouttodiscover.
4 • O n e - o n - O n e
At Apollo’s Head Office in Gurgaon (Delhi’s burgeoning business
hub) – a remarkably striking building that has gained international
recognition for its architectural design and environmentally-friendly
features–ImeetfounderandChairmanOnkarS.Kanwar.I’minstantly
struckbythewarmthandhumilitythatemanatesfromthemanwho’s
notonlyresponsibleforthesuccessofApolloTyres,butalsohappens
to be a prominent world figure that frequently rubs shoulders with
internationalpoliticians,dignitariesandbusinessiconsalike.Heinvites
meintohisspaciousofficeforabriefinterview.
ThankyouformeetingwithmeMrKanwar.Afteragrandtourofthe
ApolloHeadOfficepremisesthismorning,I’mextremelyimpressedby
whatI’veseen.Asidefromtheaestheticandarchitecturalintegrityof
thespace,yourheadquartersboastamyriadofwelcomefacilitiessuch
asastaffcanteen,awellequippedgym,exquisitelymanicuredgardens
andtheservicesofadoctorwhoisavailabletoyourstaffonaweekly
basis.Impressive,tosaytheleast!
Thankyou.ApolloTyreshasaproudheritageandwillalwaysstriveto
excel,bothinproductqualityaswellasinthecareandupliftmentof
itsvaluedstaffandthecommunityatlarge.Providingaspacethatis
environmentallyfriendlyaswellascomfortableforourApollofamily
wasattheforefrontofmymindintheoriginalplanningphaseofour
headquarters.
Personnel who are healthy and well looked after is something I’m
particularlypassionateabout.
Tell me, how did it all start?
Bydefault,myfatherenteredthetyrebusinessin1977bybuildingand
commissioningasmall tyreplant in thesouth IndianstateofKerala.
Back then India was a controlled economy so when this business
opportunity arose, complete with a valid manufacturing licence (no
easyfeatatthetime),myfatherfeltitwastoogoodtopassup.
Buthe lived inNewDelhiandhadnoknowledgeor real interest in
tyre production, not to mention that his core business interests lay
insteelpipeandtubetrading,anentrepreneurialventurewhichkept
himverybusy.
Given that he was not all that interested in what was happening in
faraway Kerala, management and other problems soon emerged,
culminating inahalt inproduction. Itwas then that Isuggested that
heallowmetheopportunitytotakeoverthetyrebusiness.Thankfully,
heagreed.
WhenIfirstarrivedinKeralaasayoungman,itwasnottoanenthusiastic
receptionbuttoanti-managementslogans.Tyreswerebeingreturned���������������������������������
����� ������������������������������������������������� ��� ��� ������
������������������ � �����
�������������������
��������������
���������������� ����������������������������������������������
������������ ����
��������� ����� ������
������������������������������
���� ����� ���
����������������������
�����������������������
���������� � �� ��������������������������� �������������� ��������������
����� ���������������������������
���������������� ����������������
�������������� ����������� ����� �� ������
��� ������������� ������������ ����� ������
4 • O n e - o n - O n e
fasterthantheywerebeingproducedandtotallossesaccumulatedtoRs
300million(US$6.5million)!Worsestill,Ihadnoknowledgewhatsoeverof
theindustrythatIhadjustentered.
How did you find the strength to press on in the face of such adversity?
Asdauntingastheprospectwas,Iwasdeterminedtofindawaytomakeit
work.Sufficeittosaythatyouthanddeterminationwereonmyside.
Firstwasthechallengingprocessofidentifyingandcommunicatingwitha
despondentstaff force. Idecidedthathonestyandtransparencywasthe
bestwayforwardsoIlaidoutthefactsbeforethem:wecouldeitherclose
ourdoorsthereandthenorworktogethertobuildApolloTyresintoaRs1
billion(US$22millionapprox)companyintheverynearfuture?
Notsurprisingly,manywereincredulousatmydeclaration.ButIwasnot
deterred.Disbelieverswereinvitedtoleavewithnohardfeelings.Manydid
leave,butthosewhostayedwereexcitedaboutanewbeginningandwere
preparedtoexercisetheirtalentsandtyreknowledgeinhelpingmetosteer
thecompanytowardssuccess.
AndsoIfoundmyselfwithayoungteamthatwaswillingtostretchitself.
Nextcamethearduous taskofsecuring thenecessaryfinance torestart
thebusiness,somethingthatwasultimatelyachievedviaaseriesofvisitsto
banksandfinancialinstitutions.
What other initiatives were implemented?
Backattheplantwetookthedecisiontoonlyfocusonthebigticketitems
-particularsizesoftruckandagriculturaltyresthatwerethehighestsellers
- which meant that with immediate effect, we would stop producing the
vastvarietyoftyresweweremanufacturingforthecarandtrucksegments.
Focusingonnichemarketsissomethingwestilllivebytoday.Thepassenger
cartyremarketinIndiaremainssmall(onlyabout50000cars)whereasthe
commercial sector ismassivedue tomore than80%of all Indiancargo
havingtobetransportedbyroad.
CognisanceofthisledustobecomethefirsttyrecompanyinIndiatoadopt
asegmentationpolicy,adecisionthathaspaidoff.Wewerethefirsttopunt
theeffectsofloadonmileageandthefirsttointroducetyrepackaging.We
werealsothefirsttorunacustomerloyaltyprogramme,thefirsttocarefor
customerhealth,familyandsafetyandthefirsttoinvestinmultipleproduct
innovations.
Inaddition,wetookthedecisiontogrowclosertoourdistributionbasevia
exclusivedealershipsthatwerebranded‘ApolloRadialWorld’and‘Apollo
TyreWorld’.Therearesome10000retailoutlets,5000ofwhichactively
sellourbrand.It’severmoreimportanttoremaininclosecontactwiththem
todayaswedidinthepast-theyoperateinatoughbusinessenvironment.
Do you foresee greater growth for the passenger car market in India?
Astheroadinfrastructureimproves,I’msurewe’llseeagrowingnumberof
passengercarsontheroads.Thatsaiddevelopingtheinfrastructureisnot
asstraightforwardasitsounds.Indiaisademocraticcountryandassuch,
developersareobligedtoobtainthenecessaryclearancesbeforemapping
outnewroutes.Theprocesscanbelengthy,particularlywhensmallland
owners are expecting compensation in return for their cooperation in
relocatingtomakeprovisionforanewroad.
Thegoodnewsisthatanemergingmarketpresentsscoresofopportunities
for the private sector and this is especially relevant for a country such
as India where the public sector is being brought into the market. Total
denationalisationiswhattheIndiangovernmentisultimatelystrivingfor!
How refreshing! But to go back….how long did it take for you to reach
the Rs1 billion figure?
The journey was not easy – every day we encountered a new problem
andeverydaywehadtocomeupwithafreshsolution,buteventually,in
October1986(sevenyearsafterwesetoursightsonit),wehittheRs1
billionmark.CollectivelywewereabletosaveApolloTyresfromcatastrophe
whilstalsocreatingasuccessfulnewentityintheIndianbusinessscene.
You must feel a great sense of reward with this achievement?
Itisrewarding,butwestillhaveawaytogo.Wedon’tprofesstoknowit
all.TheonlythingofwhichI’mcertainisthatchangeisconstant…..what
isgoodenoughtodaymaynotnecessarilyworktomorrow,sowemustbe
readytoembracechangeaswellasbeabletoworktoprescribedtimelines
inordertogrow.
From where did you source your technology?
WhenmyfatherfirstacquiredtheKeralaplant,thetechnologywascoming
O n e - o n - O n e • 5
Apollo Tyres Headquarters by night
6 • O n e - o n - O n e
fromtheAmericancompanyGeneralTires.Ourassociationwiththisbrand
and later with Continental, continued for some time, but alongside this,
ApolloTyreshasastrongR&Ddepartmentofitsown.
Bearinmindthatmostofthetechnologysourcedexternallywasinradialtyre
constructionwhich the Indianmarketwasnotyet ready for.Evennowonly
12%ofthecountry’scommercialtransportcompaniesarerunningonradial,
butastheroadinfrastructureimprovesweestimatethatinthenext3-4years,
radialtyreuseshouldreachthe25%mark.
OfcourseApolloTyresisnowproducingradialtrucktyresaswellasbias
ply.WeviewourselvesasaglobalcompanythatisbasedinIndiaandas
such,willcontinuetostriveproducingproductsthatarecomparablewith
thebestavailableglobally.ThenewfaceofApolloisacosmopolitanone
with numerous business associates on board stemming from developed
nations.Theybringawealthofknowledgeandtechnicalexpertisetothe
table as they work alongside local university graduates, engineers and
scientists.
From a manufacturing standpoint, globalisation dictates that you have the
right products and quality, or you will not survive. We are now competing
withglobaltyremanufacturinggiantsfromtheWestwhohaveallestablished
manufacturingplantshere–andthey’reheretostay.
Qualityandconsistency insupply isalsokey ifweare toenter theOriginal
Equipmentmarket,anewgoalwhichwe’reactivelypursuing.
With which vehicle manufacturers have you made headway?
In India alone our OE journey has already begun with OE approval being
grantedbythelikesofFord,VW,Suzuki,Tata,Mahindra,GM,Hyundai,and
Fiattonameafew.NegotiationsarecurrentlyunderwaywithBMW,Mercedes-
Benz,Audi,Nissan,Renault,HondaandToyota.
And further afield? Are you pursuing OE involvement outside of India?
ThefinancialreturnsmaybeslightbuttheOEmarketisanimportantone,one
whichserioustyremanufacturerscannotaffordto ignore.OErecognition is
vitalforbrandbuilding,itcreatesrepeatdemands,increasesmarketpresence,
enhancesinternalcapabilities,evensoutseasonalityinsalesanddemandsthat
manufacturerskeepupwiththelatesttyretechnologyiftheyaretocompete
effectively.
Which foreign OE markets are you looking to penetrate?
In the European market discussions are taking place with VW, Audi, Fiat
and Mercedes-Benz in conjunction with our newly-acquired European
brand Vredestein. Similarly, in South Africa, via the Dunlop brand, vehicle
manufacturerssuchasVW,GM,Nissan,FordandFiatareinthepipeline.
It would appear that Apollo Tyres is continuing with its ambitious plans for
the future. What would you say have been the key lessons learnt along the
way?
Ibelievesettingandstrivingtowardsboldgoalsisthemostimportantlesson
thatI’velearned.Whenbankruptcythreatenedtocloseusdownwesetagoal
tobeaRs1billioncompany.Whenwewerenobodies,wewantedtobethe
mosttrustedtyrebrandinIndia.Whenwelackedthecapabilitytomanufacture
passengercartyres,wepledgedtobecomethebestinthiscategorytoo.When
ourrevenuesreachedUS$500million,wesetoursightsonbecomingaUS$2
billioncompany.AndwhenIndiawastheonlymarketweknew,andknewus,
wesetthegoaltobecomeaglobalplayerinthenextfiveyears!
In my view goals need to be simple and clear and must translate to every
employee, irrespective of their function. But goals in themselves are not
sufficient.Dreamsmaterializeonlywhenweworktorealisethembyputting
thenecessaryprocesses inplace. Inacrisissituation, it’salso important for
youtoremaindetachedsothatyoucanmakeunpopulardecisions.AndasI
mentionedearlier,transparencyiskey,particularlyindifficulttimes.
Mostimportantly,focusonyourpeople–theyaretheonesresponsiblefor
implementingyourcompany’sgoals.Howemployeesaretreated,thereward
andrecognitionprocessandwhethertheyfeeltheyareavaluedpartofthe
company, areall important factors to success.Myadvice is toput inplace
initiativesthatmakeyourstafffeeltheyareapartofalargerwholebeforea
crisisisexperienced.
What is your vision for the next five years?
Onabusinessfrontweplantoexpandourglobalfootprintandtobecomethe
mostdesiredbrandintheeyesofthecustomerwiththetechnologyedgeto
meettheirneeds.Asfarasourpeopleareconcernedwewanttobeseenasthe
‘MostDesiredEmployer’aswellasaCreatorofleadersandanorganisationthat
promoteslearning.Lastbutbynomeansleast,wewillcontinuetocontribute
tothecommunityandsocietyatlargeviaourbusinessandsocialresponsibility
activities.
Was it your vision from the start to become a leading market player?
Yes, from the beginning my aspirations were extremely ambitious. But
accomplishing all that I set out to do is evidence that with hard work and
determinationanythingcanbeachievedifyousetyourmindtoit.
onkar s. Kanwar is living proof of this. Together with his son neeraj, Vice chairman and Managing Director of Apollo Tyres, they have steered the company in becoming India’s leading automotive tyre manufacturer, with operations on three continents. onkar has been active in Indian government think tanks and headed India’s largest industry association FIccI, and other industry bodies. He recently established a state-of-the-art research and health care facility called Artemis Health Institute, thereby now also moving into the health services industry.Researchsource:LeadertoLeader.
n TEL: (011) 334-1680 n FAX: (011) 334-1694n [email protected] n TOLL FREE: 086 000 2010
NATIONWIDE GARAGE EQUIPMENT SALES & SERVICESAuthorised Distributor of HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY (U.S.A.) in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands
www.leaderquip.co.za
8 • O n e - o n - O n e
29106 SA TREADS REPRO 11/23/10 2:50 PM Page 1
Composite
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
8 • O n e - o n - O n e
Inspired by my brief visit with Onkar S. Kanwar, I now meet with fellow
seniormanagementtofindoutmoreaboutthejourneythathasledtothe
undisputablesuccessofApolloTyres.
ViceChairmanandManagingDirector,NeerajKanwarexplainsthatduring
whattheyrefertoasthe‘WonderYears’(2005-2010),anoff-siteworkshop
with a cross-functional group, facilitated by a management consultant,
identifiesareastofocusuponandfinancialtargetstoaimfor.Thisinitiatesa
journeycalled‘PassioninMotion’tobeaUS$2billioncompanybytheyear
2010basedonthethreepillarsofPeople,QualityandTechnologyusing
therigouroftheSixSigmaprocess.
TheacquisitionofDunlopSouthAfrica in2006 is thefirst step towards
becomingaglobalplayer. This is followed in2009by the acquisitionof
the Vredestein brand, which is viewed as a way of entering the mature
Europeanmarketandfurtherenhancingitsrecognitionasaglobalplayer.
Apollo’sapproachtotheEuropeanmarketisbold:arriveatasingleprice
for all of Europe with transparent and non-negotiable prices and focus
exclusivelyon retail,notwholesale.This is complementedbyanequally
ambitious long-termstrategy topotentially tripleApollosales in thenext
Apollo fixes eyes firmly
on the WorldOnceuponatimetheywereasmall,unknowntyre
plantinsouthernIndia,battlingtoproduceanyproducts
worthselling.Today,theyareamultinational,multi-
millionUSdollarcompanythatisnotafraidoftaking
bigrisksontheroadtobecomingaglobalforcetobe
reckonedwith.
Vice Chairman and Managing Director,
Neeraj Kanwar.
F o c u s o n A p o l l o T y r e s • 9
threeyearsbymeansofmultipleretailstoresandhighselloutprices.
Consensus is reached that the combined R&D knowledge of the two
companiescoupledwitharangeenlargement,growingOE
contactsinWesternEuropeaswellaspositivetyretestsin
Winter2010,shouldcomfortablyachievetheseaims.
Itisobvioustomethatbothparties(ApolloandVredestein)
are extremely excited over the merge. It’s no secret that
Vredesteinhasbeenonthelookoutforacrediblepartnerfor
sometimeandfinally,accordingtoRobOudshoornHeadof
EuropeanOperations,theyhavefoundtherightfit.
A visit to Limda
Asnomediavisitwouldbecompletewithoutacloserlookatthecompany’s
veryheartoftheoperation,IalongsidemembersoftheEuropeanpresswho
arethereforthesamereason–tocatchaglimpseintothisgrowingforcethat
isslowlybutsteadilycommandingtheworldtyrestage–boardaflighttothe
ApolloLimdaplantlocatedinVadodara,inthewesternIndianstateofGujarat.
Firstestablishedin1991,Limdaisanenergyefficientplant,yetdespitethe
notableenergyreductioninitsoperations,biasproductionoutofthisplant
continuestorise.Moreover,anewAuto-ChemicalMixingsystemfurther
enhancestheplant’senvironmentally-friendlystatuswhilstalsomakingfor
1 0 • F o c u s o n A p o l l o T y r e s
Apollo’s Corporate Headquarters.
Off-the-Road Tyre Building in progress. Limda Plant Display Area.
MADE IN
CHINA
F o c u s o n A p o l l o T y r e s • 1 1
greateraccuracybyvirtueofitsabilitytoeliminatealldirecthumancontact.
Withacapacityofupto500tonsaday,theLimdaplantisthesinglelargest
manufacturingfacilityinIndiatoday.Measuring525000squaremetresinsize,
thisplantmanufacturespassengervehicle, truck-busand farmradials,apart
fromlightandheavycommercialvehicle,farmandoff-the-roadcrossplytyres.
Speakingofoff-the-roadtyres,itsOTRfacility,whichbeganproductionin
2009,isastate-of-the-artfacilitythatproducesmostoftheultralargeOTR
tyresrequiredfortheIndianmarket.Here,materialhandlingequipmentis
developed in-house to effectively handle semi-finished components and
greentyresofthisvolumeandsize.Notably,morethan1000OTRtyres
areproducedinthefirstyearwithnofieldfailuresreportedtodate.
WeareallequallyimpressedtoseethatLimdaplant’sResearch&Technology
wing(theR&Ddeptwilleventuallymovetothenewly-establishedplantin
Chennai)isfullyequippedwithmodernandsophisticatedtechnologies–
including simulationmachines andhigh-endcomputingdevices–which
areleveragedbyatalentpoolfromIndia’smostpremiermanagementand
engineeringinstitutions.
Moreimpressivestill,theaverageageofthecompany’sR&Dprofessionals
is 25, with all staff members in possession of engineering diplomas
or science degrees. In addition, they undergo a structured training/
1 0 • F o c u s o n A p o l l o T y r e s
Limda Plant Exterior.
The European press, Liana Shaw, editor of SA Treads and key Apollo personnel. India dancers native to Gujarat entertain at the Limda plant.
1 2 • F o c u s o n A p o l l o T y r e s F o c u s o n A p o l l o T y r e s • 1 3
certificationprogrammeaswellasbeingexposedtocross-functional
responsibilitiessoastoensurecompleteownershipoftheirrespective
workstations.
We’retoldthattheirproductdevelopmentcyclecantakeanything
from9monthsup to18months, dependingon the application,
and that no less than five years are spent on preparation and
baseworkaheadofApolloenteringtheEuropeanmarket.Apollo
officially launched in the European market at this year’s Reifen
EssenShowinJuneofthisyear.
Interestingly, Apollo also partners with various established universities,
OEMsandleadingsuppliersacrosstheworldoncollaborative
researchinitiatives.
Whenitcomestoplantequipment,noexpensehasbeen
sparedhere. In evidence is the verybest theworldhas
to offer from countries as far flung as Finland, Canada,
USA,CzechRepublic,ChinaandItaly.Andasfarastheir
radialtyreproductionisconcerned,SatishAgarwal,Chief
ofManufacturing,tellsustheyaspiretonolessthanthe
manufacturing standards benchmarked by tyre pioneers
suchasMichelin.Assuch,onlyhigh-precisionmachinery
isemployedintheplanttoensureconsistencyanduniformity.Hesays
thatwhensourcingnewmachinerytheyalwayslookforequipmentthat
can deliver the highest precision levels, assure consistent in-process
componentquality,achievethebestuniformitylevelsandofferthemost
competitivecycletime.
Heclaimssimilarstandardsareaspiredtointheirchoiceofenvironmentally
friendlymaterialswhicharesourcedfromrenownedandgloballyapproved
sources. The company is now also capable of processing all reinforcing
materialsin-houseaswellassilicacompoundsinlinewithglobalrequirements.
Whatismore,asidefromanexhaustiveindoortestingcapabilityandfacility,
theorganisationworkswithsomeofthebesttestingfacilitiesintheworld
suchasIDIADASpain,ATPGermanyandNTCItaly.
World-class tyre plant establishes in chennai
Next,wejetofftoChennailocatedintheheartofIndia’s‘Detroit’inthe
southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu to visit Apollo’s third Greenfield
The Chennai plant is proclaimed to be the most advanced tyre manufacturing facility in the Asia region.
Tyre making at Chennai.
1 2 • F o c u s o n A p o l l o T y r e s F o c u s o n A p o l l o T y r e s • 1 3
2nd China (Guangrao) International Rubber Tire & Auto Accessory Exhibition
15, 16 & 17 May 2011Guangrao International Expo Center,
Shandong, China
2011
Organizer: China Council for the Promotion of Int’l TradePeople's Government of Shandong Province
Exhibition Organizing CommitteeTel: +86(0)546-7797255, 7797455, 7797755, 7797855Fax: +86(0)546-7799111, 7799333Email: [email protected]: www.chinagr.gov.cn
project,whichalsoratesasitninthmanufacturingfacilitygloballyand
itsfourthinIndia.
More important,withafewsectionsoftheplantstillunderconstruction,
once complete, this state-of-the-art radial truck, bus and passenger
manufacturingunitisproclaimedtobetechnologically,themostadvanced
tyremanufacturingfacilityintheAsianregion.
Forthisproject,whichwillinvolveatotalof128.56acresofconstruction,
Apollohaspooledconsultantsandpeoplewithknow-howfromevery
singlemajortyremanufacturerintheworld.Thenew210000sqmplant
(now almost 90% complete) which began construction in December
2008,isalreadyproducing5500passengertyreunitsandupto1100
trucktyresaday.
By 2013/2014, volumes are expected to increase to 16 000 PCR
and6000 truck tyresadaywith theplantoperating365daysof the
year. And capacity is such that it could eventually accommodate the
productionofupto30000passengertyresand9000trucktyresaday.
Grand entrance to the Chennai plant.
1 4 • F o c u s o n A p o l l o T y r e s
Peter Becker, Chief of Research & Technology and
formerlywithDunlop-Goodyear,explainsthatagoodmix
ofthelatesttechnology,worldclassequipmentfromthe
USandEurope togetherwithApollo’sability toproduce
itsownmachineryforspecificapplications,givesthenew
Chennaiplantaleadingedge.
This zero-emissions manufacturing concern features
three key differentiators: ergonomics (for enhanced
staff comfort and productivity); safety (the aim being
to constantly be aspiring to an accident-free zone) and
automation inorder to improvecostefficiencyvia throughput.Mixers
areallautomatedasisthetyrehandlingsystem,whilethetyrebuilding
machinesimportedfromHolland,delivera35secondcycle-time.
Together with its high level of automation, the Chennai plant is further
definedbyitsuniquerecruitmentandskillsetrequirement,anon-unionised
cultureanditsbenchmarkingofprocessesandefficiency.
Itisobviousthattheplantoperatesonthemostmodernhighproductive
machinesfromEuropewithqualifiedengineersatallworkstations.Equally
noteworthyisitsfullfledgedtyretestingcapabilityandclimatecontrolled
environmentforcriticalprocesses.
Tyre mixing department.
Tyre building Steel Cords being processed.
F o c u s o n A p o l l o T y r e s • 1 5
Investment in theChennai plant thus far amounts toUS$330million,
withtotalexpenditureexpectedtoexceedUS$550million,amovethat
signifiestotalcommitmentonthepartoftopmanagementtoreinvestin
thebusiness.Whatmakesthisevenmoreremarkableisthatinvestment
ofthisnatureisseldomseeninfamily-ownedconcernsthatarealltoo
oftenseducedbytheonsetofsuddenwealth.
The tourover, I askPeterBeckerwhether theChennaiplant features
anycutting-edgeequipmentuniquetothisoperation.Herespondsthat
atthisstage,Apolloisafollower,notaleader.Theaimthusfarhasbeen
toadopttheverybesttechnologyandmanufacturingpracticesavailable
fromdevelopedcountriessoastobeabletoproduceproductsthatare
comparablewiththebestintheworld.
I thank him for his frank reply and acknowledge the humility which
appears to be infectious in this company to which he adds: “For the
moment we are satisfied with the technological developments and
productqualityweareproducing.Thenextstepistobecomeamarket
leaderviainnovationandtechnologicaladvancements.We’renotthere
yet…butwe’llgetthere.”
Of this Ihavenodoubt.Oneof thereasonsChennaiwaschosenas the
locationforthisworld-classplant–asidefromthecommercialnatureofthe
region-isitsproximitytothecountry’stopeducationalinstitutionswhich
arechurningoutIndia’snextgenerationofscientistsandengineers.There
areno‘bluecollar’workersatthisplant,onlyprofessionals.Throughtheir
knowledgeandtalentsandtheeffortsofApollo’sgrowingnumberofglobal
colleagues,Icanforeseeevengreaterthingsforthisdynamiccompanyin
thefuture,particularlyoncetheyachievetheirOEaspirations.Currently,at
number14ontheglobalrankings,Apollo’snextgoalistobreakintothe
topten.
Laterthateveningataninformaldinner,ImanagetocornerNeerajtoask
himwhetherhe’splanninganymoreacquisitions in thenear future.The
mischievouslookinhiseyesasIposethequestionisadeadgive-away.He
says:“I’myoung,I’mdeterminedandIhaveapassionforthisbusiness…..
watchthisspace!”
To date, Apollo Tyres has firmly cemented its presence on three
continents…onlyfourmoretogo!
Steel wire
Tyre making
The new Cinturato P7TM tyre, compared to the previous model, offers the following advantages:
C o m p e t i t i o n • 1 7
Inkeepingwith theexcitementand intrigue
that is the Cal, the 2011 Pirelli Calendar,
now in its 38th edition, promises not
to disappoint. It was presented to the
world’s press as well as to other guests
and collectors from around the world, on
30 November in Moscow, Russia, at the
prestigious Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-
Danchenko theatre, which has, over the
courseofmorethan90years,beenthesite
of operas and ballets that have become a
partofthenation’sartisticheritage.
After Patrick Demarchelier immortalised
Chinainthe2008edition,PeterBearddrew
a portrait of Botstwana in 2009 and Terry
Richardson covered Brazil in 2010, ‘The
Cal2011’featuresthecreativegeniusofthe
multi-faceted artist, Karl Lagerfeld, whose
sense for art and aesthetics is renowned
throughouttheworld.
From his Paris studio, Lagerfeld created
‘Mythology’, a calendar that reflects one
of his deepest passions, that of Greek and
Roman mythology, tales of the origins of
humanity told through the adventures of
godsandgoddesses,heroesandheroines.
The 36 photos that make up the 2011 Cal
show 24 different subjects, including gods,
heroes and myths. With his keen eye,
Lagerfeld has ‘sculpted’ these photos both
intermsoftheiraestheticrigourandforthe
recurring references to the art of sculpture
anditsclassicaltenets.Allofthephotosare
inblackandwhite,whichlendscharacterto
the images,exalts thebeautyof the figures
representedinsharpchromaticcontrast,and
gives them a certain three-dimensionality
throughthecarefuluseoflight.
According to Lagerfeld, actresses and
models bring these new heroes to life and
depictanewconceptofthebeautiful.
AmericanactressJulianneMooreisfeatured
along with models such as Bianca Balti
(Italy), Isabeli Fontana (Brazil), Abbey Lee
Kershaw (Australia), Natasha Poly (Russia),
and Daria Werbowy (Canada). The Cal also
includes participation from 5 male models
fromdifferentpartsoftheworld.
ToWINacopyofthe2011PirelliCalendar,
visit our website: www.satreads.co.za and
answerthesimplequestionbelow:
Q: name the photographer responsible for
the 2011 Pirelli calendar.
Alternatively,faxyourentriesto
Fax:011658-0010.
EntriescloseJanuary31st2011.
Only one entry per person!
WINTHE2011PIRELLICALENDAR!
The Pirelli Calendar has not
only developed a cult following
over the years, it is now widely
regardedasaprizedworkofart.
1 8 •
35010 TDAFA ThankYou_DSK.fh11 11/30/10 4:45 PM Page 1
Composite
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
I n d u s t r y N e w s • 1 9
On October 22, I was one of 280 guests who attended the annual
TDAFA Awards function at the Bryanston Country Club. The turnout
surpassedtheorganisers’expectations,makingtheeveningasoneof
thebestattendedawardsfunctionintheassociation’shistory.
Theindustryawardsencompassfivecategoriesspanningthebroadtyre
and fitmentsectorwitheachcategory featuring twonomineesandan
outright awardwinner. TDAFA’sNationalDirectorVishal Premlall says
that, as in previous awards, the categories endeavour to recognise
companiesthathaveexcelledinallsubsectorsoftheindustrybesides
justrubberproductsandsuppliers.
Nominees for the Supplier of the Year Award included Leaderquip,
Snap-On and Automotive Equipment (AEI). The award was won by
Snap-On.TheawardforTyreimporteroftheYearfeaturedSATyre,CFP
TyresandMichelinasnominees,withCFPwinningthecategory.
NomineesintheTyreManufactureroftheYearcategoryincludedDunlop,
GoodyearandContinental,withDunlopwinningtheoverallspot.
TheTyreManufacturerawardisbasedonasurveycompletedthreetimes
a year by Association members who nominate manufacturers based
on fivekeycriteria:productquality;customerservice;stockrotation;
availability and warranties. The process is adjudicated by a panel of
judges comprising an independent auditor, representatives from the
fivemajorfranchises,amotoringmediarepresentative,thechairperson
of the motoring guild a representative of the Consumer Council and
threemembersoftheTDAFANationalExecutiveCommittee.
Luis Ceneviz, CEO for Dunlop comments on the award: “We are
honouredtoacceptthisaward.Weseeitasafantasticrewardforthe
effortwehaveputintobringingtheDrivenbyPrecisionpositioningof
ourDunloptyrebrandtolife.We’restrivingforacultureofexcellence
ineveryaspectofouroperations,frommanufactureanddistributionto
the service customers receive from our sales offices and consultants
andthisawardindicatesthatwe’regettingitright.”
As for the Tyre Dealer of the Year award, this is viewed as the premier
category by the industry. This year, nominees hailed from all over the
country.Hi-QRiversideinNelspruit,RichardsBayTyresandMalasRetailin
Pretoriaviedforthetopaward.And,notsurprisingly,itwasthespectacular
PretoriaretailfacilityofMalasthatscoopedthepremieraward.
“Ithinkthewinnersinthefiveawardscategoriesreflectthededicationand
enthusiasm these companies feel for their industry and their products,”
saidVishalPremlallaftertheevent.“Theyhaveputanincredibleamountof
workandeffortintotheiroperations,deliveringqualityproducts,excellent
service and optimal customer satisfaction. They fully deserve these
prestigious awards.” He added that next year’s event will include a new
category“TyreRetreaderoftheYear”.
IndustryiconMervynJevonalsofeaturedintheevening’sproceedingsby
wayofaspecialtributeforhisloyalsupportoftheTDAformorethan50
years. Jevon opened his first Jevon’s Tyres dealership in East London in
1960andhasbeenanactivememberoftheassociationeversince.
Theformalitiesover,theguestswereentertainedbyaduoofcomics,the
inimitableMarcLotteringandJoeyRasdienwhoalsoledthroughtheawards
proceedings.
TDAFAhonourstopachieversfor2010
Hermann Erdmann (National Chairman for the TDAFA), Mervyn Jevon – 50 years loyal service to the Tyre Dealers Association, Vishal Premlall (National Director for the TDAFA)
2010 TDAFA Industry Awards were presented to each of the five category winners, Andrew Wilson of Snap On for Supplier of the Year, Debbie Martin of Dunlop for Tyre Manufacturer of the Year, Yusuf Tayob of Malas Retail for Tyre dealer of the Year, Charles Pitout of CFP Tyres for Tyre Importer of the Year and Nic De Waal of Bosal for Non Rubber Supplier of the Year.
2 0 • I n d u s t r y N e w s
MX_514160_Solutions Corp Ad_280x210_SA treads_P.indd 1 8/23/10 11:00:40 AM
I n d u s t r y N e w s • 2 1
SA’s Best Supplier of Tyres Services AnnouncedTrentyrewasnamedSouthAfrica’sBestSupplierofTyreServicesinthefifth
annualFocusonExcellenceAwardsataprestigiouseventinJohannesburg
last week. The event recognises and honours superiority in the South
Africantransportindustry.
TheFocusonExcellenceAwardprogrammeisbasedonextensiveresearch
conducted by independent research analysts Scott Byers. Thousands of
seniorplayersinthetransportoperatorindustrywereselectedatrandom
for telephonic interviewsduring thesecondquarterof2010.Theywere
questionedaboutwhichproductsorsuppliercompaniestheyconsidered
bestandwhy.ThefinalnominationsaretheresultofScottByersComparative
CustomerSatisfactionindependentperformancemeasurement.LeaderRubberCompanyConsumableDepartmentUpgradeLeader Tread has revamped its consumable department. Along
withFrikkieNiewenhuizentakingoverthissection,thecompany
hasalsoemployedDannyKirsten,whobetweenthem,haveover
80yearsexperienceinthisindustry.
LeaderTreadnowcarriesacomprehensiverangeofconsumables
for both retreading and repair shops which includes rasps,
buffing blades, couplers, airline equipment, curing envelopes,
curingtubes,polyprop,aswellasitsnewrangeofLeaderRubber
CompanyChemicalCurepatchesandenvelopes.Allegedly,these
LRC patches and envelopes are doing exceptionally well in the
market,withonlypositivefeedbackfromcustomers.Forfurther
info–[email protected]
Andthat’snotall!Anothernewaddition is itsveryfirst“Mobile
Warehouse”which is stockedwith a full range of consumables
inordertoassistcustomerswiththeirimmediaterequirements.
Algorax (Pty) Ltd has been
named a joint winner of the
South African Chemical and
Allied Industries’ Associations
Responsible Care Award for
2010.Theawardwaspresented
toMrAlanShone,AlgoraxSite
Manager, at the Chemical and
Allied Industries’ Association
(CAIA)AnnualGeneralMeeting
heldinJohannesburgattheendofOctober.
The Award recognises Responsible Care signatory companies in the
chemical industry that have made the most significant improvements in
theirsafety,healthandenvironmental(SHE)performancefortheyear.
Joint winners, Idwala Sales and Distribution and Algorax were noted for
their strong performance on criteria including community interaction,
management commitment, SHE improvement programmes, Responsible
Careawareness,socialresponsibilityprogrammesandproductstewardship.
Algorax Award
Theawardisparticularlymomentous,giventhatAlgoraxcelebratesits50th
Anniversaryandthecompletionofitsplantimprovementprojectthisyear.
Project2010, theplant improvementproject isan investmentofaround
one hundred million Rand and has resulted in significant structural and
environmental improvements to the Algorax plant. Algorax will continue
tostriveforcontinuousmanufacturingandenvironmentalimprovements,
which will have a positive impact on the plant and its surrounding
environmentandcommunity.
Algorax–JointWinnerofResponsibleCareAward
OTR RADIALS
FOR ORDERS & INFORMATIONContact: Ken Martin or Marlin Pillay
Tel: 031 764 5058 | Ken: 083 387 8403 | Marlin: 071 880 9247 | Fax: 086 558 8382 Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Exclusive Distributor for RSA, Lesotho, Swaziland and Botswana
OnLy AvAILABLE fROm
Transafrica Tyre & Wheel
l Suitable for all OTR Machines
l Full size range in 25” to 35”
‘E’ and ‘L’ type Radials
l Robust Steel Belted Radial
construction
l Abrasion resistant tread
compound
l Steelbelt reinforced tread area
l Modern tread patterns
l Global quality standard
l Manufacturer Warranty
= Low Cost Per Hour
TESTED & PROVEN
I n d u s t r y N e w s • 2 3
TransafricaTyre&Wheel,thesoleandexclusiveDistributorforBOTObrand
OTRradials, reports that theBOTObrandedproduct isnotonlymeeting
performanceexpectations,butexceedingtheminmanyinstances.
KenMartin,whoheadsupTransafricaBOTO,hasindicatedthatanumber
of leadingplantoperatorshavebeenevaluatingtyresforuptotwoyears
versuscompetition,andarenowfullysatisfiedthatBOTOistheirbrandof
choice.
MartinhighlightedthatOTRtyresareoneofthelargestcostsforanyplant
operator,andthatthisproductsegmentishighlyspecializedandtechnical.
He added that it takes time to generate reliable and meaningful results,
whichbecome the foundation for significant futurecost savings forfleet
operators.
Some fleets which have tested BOTO successfully include Scribante
Construction, Oosthuizen Safika, and Diacor Diamonds, who have all
evaluatedtheBOTOproductoveratwoyearperiod.
ScribanteConstructionrunalargefleetofArticulatedDumpTrucksinthe
WitbankandRustenburgregions,andnowspecifyBOTOaftertestingthe
productversusnumerousotherimportedbrands.
MrMikeMauriceofScribanteaddedthatBOTOisprovidingtroublefree
performance,withthelowestcostperhourbasedontheirtesting.
Healsoindicatedthatthereinforcedbuttress/shoulderareafeatureofthe
BOTOtyreprotectedthesidewallfromdamage,whichisimportantintheir
demandingoperatingconditions.
AnothersatisfiedcustomerisMrHennievanWykofDiacorDiamondsin
theNorthernCape,whohastestedtheBOTOproductextensivelyonhis
Boto brand OTR Radials exceed performance expectations
Scribante use BOTO brand OTR on their Articulated Dump Trucks at Witbank.
BOTO radial fitted to dumper at Oosthuizen Safika Mpumalanga.
Diacor Northern Cape specifies only BOTO brand OTR for its fleet of ADT machines.
35Tarticulateddump trucks,where26.5R25BOTOGCA3**E3 tyresare
achieving a lower cost per hour compared with the Original Equipment
brandsuppliedonthenewCaterpillarmachines(seephotograph).
Mr Tertius Naude of Oosthuizen Safika, a leading transporter and plant
operatorinMpumalanga,indicatedthatBOTOOTRE3twostartyreswere
firstplacedfortestingonBottomDumperslatein2008.
These tyreshave provided cost effective, trouble free performance, and
OosthuizenSafikaarenowalsousingBOTOL5productssuccessfullyon
theirFrontEndLoaderfleet.
Martinaddedthatthecommonmessagefromtheseleadingplantoperators
isthatBOTObrandOTRradialsisthewaytogoforgreatvalueformoney,
reducedcosts,andminimumdowntime.FormoreinformationcontactKen
2 4 • I n d u s t r y N e w s
ELECTRA MINING SHOW 2010
OTR SPECIALISTS AFRICA
NRCS (SABS) APPROVED AND ITAC CERTIFIED All our products carry a manufacturers’ guarantee which is
supported by Tandem Tyres in Southern Africa
Contact us:
Tel: +27 31 765 2650
Fax: + 27 31 765 2695
Website: www.tandemtyres.co.za
RINGTREAD is the preferred tyre solution for the largest fleets in the world because of
its unbeatable strength. The innovative ring-shaped tread converts a quality casing into
a high performance RETREAD without any weak points. Choosing RINGTREAD means
highest reliability - more grip - more mileage and considerable fuel saving.
One step ahead in Reliability, Grip & Saving.
www.ringtread.com
PERFORMANCE IS A MATTER OF SHAPE
Ringtread Accredited Dealers: Auto & Truck Tyres, Barden Tyre Services, Dynamic Tyre Solutions, Tyre MagicMarc Stock - [email protected] • Cell no: 083 252 0073
Showing its mettle, Tandem Tyres exhibited at
this year’s Electra Mining Exhibition, a decision
which the company claims has strengthened the
company’sreputation,notonlyinSouthAfricabut
inthesub-Sahararegionaswell.
With 65 years combined of tyre knowledge and
From left to right – Nico Wolmarans, Mike Nel (director), Shelley Main, Alyssa Khan, Riette Jerrard, Roger Mohanlal and Altus Cock.
experience,togetherwithagrowingproduct linethat includes lighttruck
bias, truck bias, truck/bus radial, OTR bias, OTR radial tyres and a tyre
pressuremonitoringsystemthat isworkingtogoodeffectatmanysites,
thecompanysaysitiswellpositionedtoservicethegrowingneedsofthe
localmarket.
TANDEMTYRESEXHIBITSATELECTRAMINING
I n d u s t r y N e w s • 2 5
2 8 • M a n u f a c t u r i n g
upmarket and professional tyre fitment experience that
ensures the customer’s needs are satisfied.
The research was carried out by TGI South Africa, which
is part of an international network of marketing and
media research surveys present in over 60 countries
around the world. In the 3rd national brand survey
measuring the usage of more than 8 000 brands
in 19 different product categories by South African
consumers, TGI conducted more than 15 000 face-to-
face interviews with South Africans living in communities
with a population size greater than 8 000, to discover which brands came
out tops in the country. The research was not based on awareness or liking,
but on which brands consumers are committed to in the very real sense of
putting their hard-earned cash towards.
The research results were published on the 8th of August, reaching a
readership of over 3.5 million people with a combined buying power of
R26 billion per month.
Apollo Tyres South Africa would like to thank South African consumers for
recognising the iconic status of the Dunlop brand.
M a n u f a c t u r i n g • 2 9
On 6 September Bridgestone SA released a statement that it had been
granted conditional leniency for its past involvement in contraventions
of the Competition Act, which conduct is now the subject of a complaint
against other tyre manufacturers.
According to industry sources, the Competition Commission has referred
a complaint of collusive tendering, price-fixing, information exchange
and market allocation against four tyre manufacturers and suppliers,
including Apollo Tyres, Goodyear, Continental and Bridgestone as well
as industry body, the SA Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC).
The commission’s investigation was prompted by a complaint alleging
that the tyre manufacturers simultaneously adjusted their prices around
the same time and within the same parameters.
As a result of the complaint, on April 2 2008, the commission conducted
a search and seizure operation at the premises of Bridgestone, Apollo
and SATMC.
In its application for leniency, Bridgestone allegedly admitted that it held
telephonic discussions and met with its competitors during the period
1999 to 2007 to agree in principle that they should cooperate to ensure
stability in the market.
The meetings, which were attended by the manufacturers’ sales and
In recent independent research commissioned by
Rapport and City Press newspapers on South Africa’s
Icon Brands, Dunlop was voted number 1 in the
category of Tyre Manufacturers – exciting news for a
premium brand that has focussed on reinventing its
image and positioning to make a bold impression on the
hearts and minds of South Africa consumers.
Iconic brands are those brands that through customers,
loyalty and usage become not only symbols of the users’
status and personalities, but also brands that come to
epitomise the country in which they are created. Dunlop was the first tyre
manufacturing company in South Africa and with over 100 years of heritage
in the country’s motoring industry has entrenched itself as a household
name. In addition, Dunlop has consistently sought to increase their offering
with advanced products and value adding service. Recent highlights for
the Dunlop brand have been the successful introduction of the ‘Driven by
Precision’ positioning and the rollout of the dynamic Dunlop Zone store
concept that brings the Dunlop commitment to precision into the retail
environment. These touch-points for the Dunlop brand best illustrate
the reason for consumer loyalty – the brand’s dedication to providing an
SA TYRE MANUFACTURERS COME UNDER FIREmarketing representatives, coordinated the timing and the average
price increase of tyres, agreed on the discount structure to given to
tyre dealers and messages to be given to the market explaining the
increases.
The main customers of the participants to the cartel are tyre dealers
who purchase tyres for resale to consumers, vehicle manufacturers
who purchase tyres for new vehicle models and the government which
procures tyres for state owned vehicles and fleets through a tender
process managed by the State Tender Board.
It is alleged the commission’s investigation found that the SATMC was
used as a platform for what has been termed ‘coffee table discussions’
to determine price increases and general coordination in the market
among the tyre manufacturers.
The commission has requested the tribunal to impose an administrative
penalty amounting to 10% of the total turnover of each of SATMC,
Apollo, Goodyear and Continental.
We will continue to follow this case and report on the findings of the
tribunal in later issues.
*The investigation also found that importers of Yokohama and Michelin
were not involved in the cartel conduct.
DUNlOP vOTED SOUTh AFRICA’S MOST ICONIC TYRE BRAND
3 0 • M a n u f a c t u r i n g
That global tyre makers are constantly challenging themselves to come up
with new innovations and technologies was borne out recently by my recent
trip to Dusseldorf, Germany, where I, along with members of the European
press, put the new Grabber AT to the test.
The launch of General Tire’s successor to the AT2 model, which was
designed specifically to offer high grip and good handling on off the road,
took place at the land Rover Experience Centre in Essen. According to
company representatives, the new tyre performed around 3% better than its
predecessor, whilst driving characteristics in the wet improved by up to 10%.
luckily, the launch took place on a typical Autumn day with rain dominating
the proceedings, thereby enabling us to put these claims to the test.
Allegedly, offset rows of angled tread lugs of different sizes provide
good grip when driving off-road, interlocking well with the ground, both
longitudinally and laterally. Further, the tyre’s circumferential tread lugs are
still in their design to ensure that the forces needed when starting off and
braking are transmitted directly to the ground. Together with the v-shaped
tread grooves, the tyre shoulder, which is open in alignment with the
traction grooves between the tread lugs, makes for fast self-cleaning and
optimum grip on slippery ground when ‘mudbaths’ loom, as they surely
did on the day.
GRABBER AT IS LAUNCHED IN EUROPE
M a n u f a c t u r i n g • 3 1
What is more, angled, central tread lugs, separated by channels of different
widths, provide extra grip during off-road driving, as we well discovered when
navigating our Defenders and land Rovers along the Centre’s well-mapped
out 4x4 course, characterised by a number of obstacles and various off-road
conditions.
And that’s not all! With its even pressure distribution the tyre’s large ground
contact patch ensures optimum driving performance in sand and slush
and on wet grass. This feature is particularly evident in slush, courtesy of
the additional traction ridges in the base of the flowing tread grooves, which
interlock with the ground thereby ensuring high grip.
To enhance its resistance to damage, tyre developer Eckhard Quentin made
sure that the lugs were sufficiently stiff yet supple.
Surprisingly, the new Grabber AT also showed its mettle on the road when
we took the Range Rovers for a quick spin on the Autobahn. Apparently, this
is due to the compound which was developed to provide a healthy balance
between the demands made by off-road driving on the one hand and use on
the road on the other. Therefore, the tyre is rugged enough to resist gashes
and scuffing and yet at the same time, provides safe grip for the transmission
of braking and steering forces on both wet and dry roads.
The tyre is also said to deliver a particularly high mileage as well as reduced
noise levels – something I can personally attest to.
look out for this impressive new tyre which will be available through
Continental Tyre SA, and is scheduled to hit the 4x4 market in the first quarter
of 2011.
3 2 • M a n u f a c t u r i n g
Goodyear has uniquely extended its award-winning environmental and
community care policies to its employees and the general public with the
provision of streamed waste collection bins that facilitate recycling and
generate funds that are ploughed directly back into needy community
projects.
The innovative tyre company is currently the only manufacturer to provide
an offering of this kind anywhere in the Eastern Cape. Goodyear is also the
only manufacturer across all industries in South Africa that can boast a true
zero waste policy. Globally, the company aims for ‘zero waste to landfill’
and ‘zero harmful emissions’ in its tyre manufacturing processes.
Goodyear Risk Control Manager René van der Merwe said that, as
environmental awareness grows, many people would like to contribute to
the health of the planet by recycling their rubbish, but don’t know what to
do with it.
“There are currently not a sufficient number of bins available publicly for
streamed waste. Goodyear has been recycling its factory and office waste
for some time already, so it made sense for us to extend the collection
system to the greater community. These extra bins cost us next to nothing,
but hopefully they will make it easier for people to adopt good recycling
habits,” she said.
Collection points have been set up in the parking areas of the Uitenhage
GOODYEAR’S UNIQUE OFFERING TURNS PUBlIC WASTE INTO COMMUNITY vAlUE
RECYCLING MAKES TREASURE OUT OF TRASH – Goodyear tyre builder Lindisile Mange, pictured here with Goodyear Risk Control Manager Rene van der Merwe, fills recycling bins at the Uitenhage plant with tons of tins. The enviro-friendly company has specially made the bins available to the public for streamed waste which is collected, sold and recycled. Funds generated are ploughed back into needy community projects.
Truth about trash• South Africa produces approximately 540
million tons of waste per year.
• About 95% of this waste can be recycled but
it mostly ends up on dumps and landfills.
• Nearly all of landfill gas is comprised of
methane and carbon dioxide, both of which
are greenhouse gases damaging the ozone
layer.
• The direct and indirect impacts that waste has
on the environment and society is generally
spurred on by a lack of planning, poor
service delivery, human indifference and lack
of environmental consciousness by industry.
manufacturing facility as well as Goodyear’s offices in Walmer, Port
Elizabeth, in a unique joint venture with the Waste Trade Company. Cans,
plastic and paper can be dumped in specially provided streamed waste
collection bins.
The waste is collected,
transported and sold
by the Waste Trade
Company to recyclers
– true to Goodyear’s
‘zero waste to landfill’
philosophy. Transport
costs are deducted from
the revenue and the
balance is used to invest
in selected worthy charities
and community projects.
We can all make a difference
• We can all make a difference
• Recycling, on the other hand, saves energy,
saves resources, saves money, reduces our
environmental impact and creates jobs.
• By separating waste for recycling, everyone
can become more energy efficient and play a
small part in cleaning up the planet.
• As an example, one recycled can is the
equivalent of powering a television for three
hours and a single glass bottle could keep a
100 watt light bulb burning for four hours!
E v e n t s • 3 3M a n u f a c t u r i n g • 3 3
O n e - o n - O n e • 3 5
Bridgestone Public Relations
Manager, Mandy lovell, said
that 7% of the tyres sampled
fell into the “extremely
dangerous” category, with
another 7% in the “dangerous” bracket.
“This means that 86% of the tyres sampled were in good condition and
correctly inflated, which is a slight improvement over the 2009 survey which
found that 85% of the tyres sampled were in good condition,” she added.
In the tread depth test, 4% of tyres sampled had less than 1.6mm of tread
remaining, a considerable drop from the 2009 figure of 10%.
Regular tyre checks were one of the easiest ways motorists could improve
their safety on the roads. It is recommended that motorists check tyre
pressures at least once every two weeks and inspect the tyres for wear and
damage at the same time. Incorrect inflation and tyre damage can result
in increased running costs and even a tyre blowout, which could be fatal.
Regular tyre pressure and condition checks should be part of every driver’s
car care habits.
3 4 • M a n u f a c t u r i n g
RELIABILITY... SAFETY... QUALITY...
DURABILITY...
important ingredients that keep us ahead of the pack!
w w w . l e a d e r t r e a d . c o . z a
ISO 9002
T +27 11 473 8200F +27 11 474 8659E [email protected]
LT half pg 210x145.indd 1 6/3/10 11:57:05 AM
Tyre maker Bridgestone South Africa has published data obtained during
its Tyre Safety Survey for 2010 which shows that standards of tyre
maintenance in South Africa have improved since 2009.
Retailer Pick n Pay assisted Bridgestone by permitting the annual survey to
be conducted in the parking lots of its stores. Armed with a pressure gauge,
tread depth meter and a tyre data collection sheet, Bridgestone tyre experts
sampled parked cars at random and recorded the results.
In 2010, a total of 3318 tyres fitted to 829 vehicles were surveyed. Any
tyre worn to under 1.6mm was flagged as being unsafe, as were tyres
which were outside the target pressure range of 1.8 to 2.9 kPa. A tyre at
a pressure of more than 2.9 kPa is dangerously over-inflated and causes
reduced roadholding, as well as being less able to resist penetration by
sharp objects lying on the road surface.
A tyre at a pressure of below 1.8 kPa is under-inflated, meaning reduced
roadholding and faster tyre wear. As with tyres over 2.9 kPa, tyres under
1.5 kPa were recorded as being extremely dangerous. At this low pressure,
the tyre builds up excessive heat during driving and may disintegrate,
resulting in a blowout.
7%7%
86%
3318 TYRES
Dangerous
Extremelydangerous
Fine
Tyre Safety Results 2010
Assessment CriteriaTyres were divided into three categories depending on inflation pressures:
Fine: 1.8 Bar – 2.9 BarDangerous: 1.7 Bar – 1.5 Bar
Extremely dangerous: below 1.5 Bar or above 2.9 Bar
Tyre Safety Results 2010Assessment Criteria. Tyres were divided into three categories depending on inflation pressures:Fine: 1.8 Bar - 2.9 BarDangerous: 1.7 Bar - 1.5 BarExtremely dangerous: below 1.5 Bar or Above 2.9 Bar
TYRE SAFETY SURvEY ShOWS SAFER TYRES
O n e - o n - O n e • 3 5
TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY
WIN 1 OF 5 AUDI A3 SPORTBACKS
Buy a set of 4 new Continental tyres and you could soon drive off in your
very own Audi A3 Sportback 1.4T FSI® worth R264 500
*Terms and Conditions apply, see in-store for details.Competition begins 26 July 2010 and ends 31 December 2010.
Find your nearest ContiPartner dealership at www.contipartner.co.za
Ebon
y +
Ivor
y 15
040
EI 15040 Continental SA Treads (Single).indd 1 11/30/10 11:06:46 AM
Regards,
Russel Stewart | Marketing ManagerContinental Tyres, South Africa
Volume 4 | April 2010
So you see, July is truly a month of great excitement! And with the World Cup reaching its end, I for one, am glad I have this great promotion to look forward to, to keep the end-of-soccer-blues away and continue the Continental brand exposure created through the biggest sporting event South Africa has seen!
Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our valued partners for joining Continental Tyre at the FIFA World Cup matches and truly hope that Continental was able to provide a unique experience to be part of this special and once in a lifetime event.
Now, here’s where you come in:
The top dealer with the top sales figures (for Continental Tyres only) per month from any 10 stores across the country, will each receive R3000 charged on a Visa Card Voucher per month for 5 months!
PLUS!
The top sales person with the top sales figures (for Continental Tyres only) per month from each of the 150 stores countrywide will each receive R500 charged on a Visa Card Voucher per month for 5 months. All dealers will be contacted on the first working day of each month to nominate the top Continental sales person per month.
We’re giving everyone an equal opportunity to get as much out of this promotion as possible, so point-of-sale displays will be sent to you from 14 July 2010 until 20 July 2010.
But if you want to really give your competition a run for their money, and to ensure your dealership’s the winner, remind your customers to include your dealer code along with their invoice number to 32300. If your customers do not include your dealer number, we’ll have no way of knowing how to keep track of the sales figures. So, get them to SMS in-store, and get your staff to remind them to include your dealer number as well – there’s R500 in it for them if you win.
TM
From Continental’s Desk
Dear Valued Partners,
It seems that July 2010 is the month of great excitement! ContiPartner is about to become the best – loved and most talked about brand in South Africa, because we’re giving away 5 new Audi A3 Sportbacks! But, here’s where it gets even better: We’re running a cool Dealer campaign to up the stakes even more!
I know you are curious as to how this Dealer campaign will affect you or the daily running of your fitment centre. Don’t worry, it’s not difficult or as involved as you may think.
To recap on our main competition, which starts on 26 July 2010 and ends on 31 December 2010, your customer has to buy 4 new Continental tyres to qualify. Once they have paid for their tyres, you will issue them a standard invoice. The customer then SMS’s their name, your dealer number and their invoice number to 32300 to enter. It’s as easy as that! We mentioned in our June issue that we were creating a really awesome TV ad with the competition in mind, and I know you’re eager to see it. If you’re lucky, you can catch it on the 26th of July 2010 when it first flights. Just in case you miss it, CLICK HERE for a media schedule highlighting the channel and the time the ad will flight again.
great offer deserves a great TV ad, and that’s exactly what ContiPartner, together with their advertising agency, Ebony+Ivory, have done. “For too long, tyre retail ads were just that – retail ads all about the offer. It was all about the hard sell, the offer and a give-away to entice consumers to buy a brand of tyres in exchange for a gift. The challenge was to differentiate ContiPartner by building the brand while promoting an offer of premium quality and status, values that go hand in hand with the Continental brand. We believe this has been achieved!” exclaims Dieter Horni, Managing Director of Continental Tyre SA.
“At long last, tyre retail ads are becoming concept driven, and a measure of class and sophistication is being injected into the brand, and we are glad to be leading the fi eld in this regard,” added Russel Stewart, Marketing Manager for Continental Tyre SA.
So, what was the big idea? Buy a set of four Continental tyres, and stand a chance to win one of fi ve Audi A3 Sportbacks! An offer not yet seen in the South African tyre industry. The competition mechanics were very simple. Once the tyres were bought, the participant simply SMS-ed their invoice number to a short code. A random computer draw selected an invoice number and matching cell number and that person, upon producing the original invoice won the Audi A3 Sportback.
Making the Ad The ad was shot on location in Boksburg, Gauteng. Call time on set was at 6:00am in the freezing Jo’burg cold, but things soon started to heat up as the action got under way. The Audi used for the shoot was fi tted with ContiSportContact 3, allowing the ad to also demonstrate the performance abilities of Continental tyres. From the dusty interior of a warehouse, to the wet, over a ramp and over concrete bumps, the tyres demonstrated their ability to handle the toughest conditions, experienced daily on SA’s roads.
So, after an exhausting day shooting a TV ad, announcing a great offer, showing the performance abilities of a great tyre brand, what was the outcome? We are pleased to say that as of October 2010, we have 3 very happy winners, here’s how they discovered their good fortune and the reactions each had!
The ContiPartner “Win an Audi” Competition
A BIG HIT!
Not a very nice thing to say to anyone, let alone your dad, especially after he’s won the fi rst Audi A3 Sportback in our Win a Audi Competition. The impassioned cry came from our winner – Professor Richard Pienaar’s son, on hearing his dad had won his dream car. But jealousy won’t get you one, buying 4 new Continental tyres could! So, will dad let him at least drive it? “Only if he asks nicely!”
It all happened one day, before heading down to Scottburgh, when the time fi nally came for the tyres on Professor Pienaar’s Toyota to roll into that great big scrapheap in the sky. And, after enquiring about all the replacement possibilities, he selected the brand he knew and trusted best – Continental tyres at Jody’s Tyres in Constantiakloof.
Once the choice had been made, and the 4 new tyres selected, the sales rep pointed out the fact that he now qualifi ed to enter the Win an Audi competition. Not being interested in competitions (except the odd Lotto ticket and raffl es for a good cause), he SMS-ed his invoice number and promptly forgot all about it. Until he got a call from Taryn Hatchuel , Client Service Director at Ebony+Ivory, telling him he’d won!“You know,” he muses, “I’ve always driven Toyotas, because my brother owned the Bryanston Toyota dealership years ago. And, I have always told my family that if I ever did decide to get a ‘nice’ car, it would defi nitely be an Audi.”
Third Audi A3 Sport Given Away to Disbelieving Winner
Shu’Aib Ismail didn’t want to enter the ContiPartner Win an Audi competition – he didn’t think he had a chance of winning the prize. So dealer Bashir Parker had to virtually force him to SMS his details for the competition.
The lesson is, even when you think you don’t stand a snowball’s hope in hell, just try...you never know. Because the unthinkable happened. Shu’Aib’s name came up as the winner of the third A3 give-away. “I can’t believe it!“ said Shu’Aib when told of his good fortune. When he came to collect his prize he added: “I can’t believe it...I still can’t believe it!“ As he climbed into his brand-spanking-new car at the ContiPartner dealership, he remarked: “You know, I just can’t believe it!“
But we think he fi nally started believing as he drove away because it was then that he started hooting like crazy, as only a proud new-car owner can.
Continental Tyre SA would like to thank all the ContiPartners who have supported this campaign and assisted to make it a success, without the dealers who sell the tyres a promotion of this scale would not have been possible.From everyone at Continental Tyre SA, happy holidays and drive safely!
WINNER 3: SHU’AIB ISMAIL CAPE TOWN
WINNER 2: DR.MOHAMMEDISMAIL DURBAN
WINNER 1: PROF. RICHARD PIENAARJOHANNESBURG
In giving his family’s vehicle a new lease on life by replacing its tyres, Dr. Ismail has found himself behind the steering wheel of a brand spanking new Audi A3 Sportback.
The good doctor, while sitting in front of his TV was reminded to change his tyres when he saw the ContiPartner TV ad. Since he’s always fi tted Continental tyres to his cars, Dr. Ismail visited Edge Tyres ContiPartner in Mt. Edgecombe the very next day, and bought his set of four Continental tyres, ably assisted by Andrea, the owner’s daughter. This of course qualifi ed him to enter the competition, but since the doctor had never won anything before he was a bit skeptical.
But, Andrea wasn’t letting him off that easy - she had a strong feeling that the next winner was going to come from Edge Tyres ContiPartner. She persuaded Dr. Ismail to SMS, which he reluctantly did, and the rest, as they say is history!
Being a doctor, nothing quite fazes Dr. Ismail, except winning an Audi! When we asked Dr. Ismail what was the best part of winning the car was, he replied, “That new car smell, of course!”
AOUR WINNERS!
The prognosis? We need new tyres, STAT!
“I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!”
EI 15040 SA Trends Advertorial D4.indd 1 11/30/10 3:50:53 PM
Regards,
Russel Stewart | Marketing ManagerContinental Tyres, South Africa
Volume 4 | April 2010
So you see, July is truly a month of great excitement! And with the World Cup reaching its end, I for one, am glad I have this great promotion to look forward to, to keep the end-of-soccer-blues away and continue the Continental brand exposure created through the biggest sporting event South Africa has seen!
Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our valued partners for joining Continental Tyre at the FIFA World Cup matches and truly hope that Continental was able to provide a unique experience to be part of this special and once in a lifetime event.
Now, here’s where you come in:
The top dealer with the top sales figures (for Continental Tyres only) per month from any 10 stores across the country, will each receive R3000 charged on a Visa Card Voucher per month for 5 months!
PLUS!
The top sales person with the top sales figures (for Continental Tyres only) per month from each of the 150 stores countrywide will each receive R500 charged on a Visa Card Voucher per month for 5 months. All dealers will be contacted on the first working day of each month to nominate the top Continental sales person per month.
We’re giving everyone an equal opportunity to get as much out of this promotion as possible, so point-of-sale displays will be sent to you from 14 July 2010 until 20 July 2010.
But if you want to really give your competition a run for their money, and to ensure your dealership’s the winner, remind your customers to include your dealer code along with their invoice number to 32300. If your customers do not include your dealer number, we’ll have no way of knowing how to keep track of the sales figures. So, get them to SMS in-store, and get your staff to remind them to include your dealer number as well – there’s R500 in it for them if you win.
TM
From Continental’s Desk
Dear Valued Partners,
It seems that July 2010 is the month of great excitement! ContiPartner is about to become the best – loved and most talked about brand in South Africa, because we’re giving away 5 new Audi A3 Sportbacks! But, here’s where it gets even better: We’re running a cool Dealer campaign to up the stakes even more!
I know you are curious as to how this Dealer campaign will affect you or the daily running of your fitment centre. Don’t worry, it’s not difficult or as involved as you may think.
To recap on our main competition, which starts on 26 July 2010 and ends on 31 December 2010, your customer has to buy 4 new Continental tyres to qualify. Once they have paid for their tyres, you will issue them a standard invoice. The customer then SMS’s their name, your dealer number and their invoice number to 32300 to enter. It’s as easy as that! We mentioned in our June issue that we were creating a really awesome TV ad with the competition in mind, and I know you’re eager to see it. If you’re lucky, you can catch it on the 26th of July 2010 when it first flights. Just in case you miss it, CLICK HERE for a media schedule highlighting the channel and the time the ad will flight again.
great offer deserves a great TV ad, and that’s exactly what ContiPartner, together with their advertising agency, Ebony+Ivory, have done. “For too long, tyre retail ads were just that – retail ads all about the offer. It was all about the hard sell, the offer and a give-away to entice consumers to buy a brand of tyres in exchange for a gift. The challenge was to differentiate ContiPartner by building the brand while promoting an offer of premium quality and status, values that go hand in hand with the Continental brand. We believe this has been achieved!” exclaims Dieter Horni, Managing Director of Continental Tyre SA.
“At long last, tyre retail ads are becoming concept driven, and a measure of class and sophistication is being injected into the brand, and we are glad to be leading the fi eld in this regard,” added Russel Stewart, Marketing Manager for Continental Tyre SA.
So, what was the big idea? Buy a set of four Continental tyres, and stand a chance to win one of fi ve Audi A3 Sportbacks! An offer not yet seen in the South African tyre industry. The competition mechanics were very simple. Once the tyres were bought, the participant simply SMS-ed their invoice number to a short code. A random computer draw selected an invoice number and matching cell number and that person, upon producing the original invoice won the Audi A3 Sportback.
Making the Ad The ad was shot on location in Boksburg, Gauteng. Call time on set was at 6:00am in the freezing Jo’burg cold, but things soon started to heat up as the action got under way. The Audi used for the shoot was fi tted with ContiSportContact 3, allowing the ad to also demonstrate the performance abilities of Continental tyres. From the dusty interior of a warehouse, to the wet, over a ramp and over concrete bumps, the tyres demonstrated their ability to handle the toughest conditions, experienced daily on SA’s roads.
So, after an exhausting day shooting a TV ad, announcing a great offer, showing the performance abilities of a great tyre brand, what was the outcome? We are pleased to say that as of October 2010, we have 3 very happy winners, here’s how they discovered their good fortune and the reactions each had!
The ContiPartner “Win an Audi” Competition
A BIG HIT!
Not a very nice thing to say to anyone, let alone your dad, especially after he’s won the fi rst Audi A3 Sportback in our Win a Audi Competition. The impassioned cry came from our winner – Professor Richard Pienaar’s son, on hearing his dad had won his dream car. But jealousy won’t get you one, buying 4 new Continental tyres could! So, will dad let him at least drive it? “Only if he asks nicely!”
It all happened one day, before heading down to Scottburgh, when the time fi nally came for the tyres on Professor Pienaar’s Toyota to roll into that great big scrapheap in the sky. And, after enquiring about all the replacement possibilities, he selected the brand he knew and trusted best – Continental tyres at Jody’s Tyres in Constantiakloof.
Once the choice had been made, and the 4 new tyres selected, the sales rep pointed out the fact that he now qualifi ed to enter the Win an Audi competition. Not being interested in competitions (except the odd Lotto ticket and raffl es for a good cause), he SMS-ed his invoice number and promptly forgot all about it. Until he got a call from Taryn Hatchuel , Client Service Director at Ebony+Ivory, telling him he’d won!“You know,” he muses, “I’ve always driven Toyotas, because my brother owned the Bryanston Toyota dealership years ago. And, I have always told my family that if I ever did decide to get a ‘nice’ car, it would defi nitely be an Audi.”
Third Audi A3 Sport Given Away to Disbelieving Winner
Shu’Aib Ismail didn’t want to enter the ContiPartner Win an Audi competition – he didn’t think he had a chance of winning the prize. So dealer Bashir Parker had to virtually force him to SMS his details for the competition.
The lesson is, even when you think you don’t stand a snowball’s hope in hell, just try...you never know. Because the unthinkable happened. Shu’Aib’s name came up as the winner of the third A3 give-away. “I can’t believe it!“ said Shu’Aib when told of his good fortune. When he came to collect his prize he added: “I can’t believe it...I still can’t believe it!“ As he climbed into his brand-spanking-new car at the ContiPartner dealership, he remarked: “You know, I just can’t believe it!“
But we think he fi nally started believing as he drove away because it was then that he started hooting like crazy, as only a proud new-car owner can.
Continental Tyre SA would like to thank all the ContiPartners who have supported this campaign and assisted to make it a success, without the dealers who sell the tyres a promotion of this scale would not have been possible.From everyone at Continental Tyre SA, happy holidays and drive safely!
WINNER 3: SHU’AIB ISMAIL CAPE TOWN
WINNER 2: DR.MOHAMMEDISMAIL DURBAN
WINNER 1: PROF. RICHARD PIENAARJOHANNESBURG
In giving his family’s vehicle a new lease on life by replacing its tyres, Dr. Ismail has found himself behind the steering wheel of a brand spanking new Audi A3 Sportback.
The good doctor, while sitting in front of his TV was reminded to change his tyres when he saw the ContiPartner TV ad. Since he’s always fi tted Continental tyres to his cars, Dr. Ismail visited Edge Tyres ContiPartner in Mt. Edgecombe the very next day, and bought his set of four Continental tyres, ably assisted by Andrea, the owner’s daughter. This of course qualifi ed him to enter the competition, but since the doctor had never won anything before he was a bit skeptical.
But, Andrea wasn’t letting him off that easy - she had a strong feeling that the next winner was going to come from Edge Tyres ContiPartner. She persuaded Dr. Ismail to SMS, which he reluctantly did, and the rest, as they say is history!
Being a doctor, nothing quite fazes Dr. Ismail, except winning an Audi! When we asked Dr. Ismail what was the best part of winning the car was, he replied, “That new car smell, of course!”
AOUR WINNERS!
The prognosis? We need new tyres, STAT!
“I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!”
EI 15040 SA Trends Advertorial D4.indd 1 11/30/10 3:50:53 PM
C o n t i C o r n e r • 3 7
PROMOTION
We focus on excellence in every single tyre.In everything we do, we focus on providing superior quality and safety, on constant
innovations, environmentally friendly concepts and performance under the most
demanding conditions. But above all, we always focus on putting all our knowledge
and all our effort into every single tyre.
www.bridgestone.co.za
For your nearest Bridgestone Authorised Dealer, visit our website atBridgestone South Africa
DW
F B
S/5
1311
9
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
BS_513119_Focus_SA_Treands_210x280.pdf 6/4/10 11:26:08 AM
What makes some shops stand the test
of time, despite tougher trading times and
growing competition from other entities in the
vicinity? With this question in mind, I head for
Brentwood Park Benoni where I’m about to
meet a family-owned retail store that’s been
in existence for more than 20 years.
D e a l e r P r o f i l e • 3 9
SUPA QUICK GETS SUPA CREATIVE
The Crouwkamps – Dolf, Elna, Chris
4 0 • D e a l e r P r o f i l e
Run by the Crouwkamp siblings, Dolf, Chris and Elna, the store – formerly
a Fastfit outlet – switched alliances 14 years ago as a means of securing
better buying power, and hasn’t looked back since. And this in spite of the
recent closure of some five opposition store in its surrounds.
Dolf says they owe their longevity mainly to the Supa Quick brand as well as
to their primary tyre supplier, Bridgestone-Firestone. Astoundingly, close
on 99 percent of total sales in this outfit are either Bridgestone or Firestone
as the Crouwkamps pretty much refuse to stock anything else.
I ask how he manages to remain competitive in today’s multi-brand
environment to which he responds: “I really don’t have the capacity to
carry stock of every singe tyre brand in every single size. Thankfully, we are
aligned to two premium well recognised brands in the market and as such,
we don’t encounter much resistance from customers. Of course, should
a customer come in to replace, say, one tyre, and wishes to match what’s
currently on the vehicle, we will make a plan.”
Dolf further explains that the trading climate is such that they really can’t
afford to turn away even a single sale.
he claims: “Gone are the boom years of the 80s and 90s. Consumers are
currently very strapped for cash, particularly as the recession is far from
over. Price is everything now, and you have to be able to accommodate
this dynamic without compromising on brand integrity or margins….not
an easy task!”
To counteract the margin erosion on tyre sales, Dolf and his team branched
out into a full fledged vehicle servicing some years ago, a move that has
proved extremely fruitful. On inspection, I was pleased to see that the
workshop was full to capacity and that every available lift was occupied. This
was also the case with the alignment bays. And much like the rest of the
franchise group, Dolf and his team also offer the full range of underbody
services including exhausts, brakes, batteries, shocks and Cv joints.
Adds Dolf: “Were it not for all these affiliated services which
enable us to sell up, I don’t know if we would still be in business.”
Of course the fact that the Crouwkamp family has been living
in the Benoni district for years and are active members of the
community, probably also has a lot to do with their ongoing
success….after all, people buy from people.
“It’s true,” claims Dolf. “We know everyone in the area and
everyone knows us. But it’s more than that. To us, the customer
is King… or Queen. We go out of our way to ensure that each
and every person visiting our store, irrespective of gender, age
or race, is treated in a courteous, friendly and respectful manner.
Customers are unlikely to support you in the future if their first
shopping experience is an unpleasant one, even if they know you.”
Dolf further claims that it’s critically important in this business for
store owners to regularly update their wheel alignment and wheel
balancing machines. “No dealership today can afford a come-
back of this nature. I always make sure that our machinery is in
tip-top shape and that all the machines are properly calibrated
and so far, I’m happy to say we have had very few come-backs.”
Interestingly, Supa Quick Benoni is one of few tyre fitment centres
to still offer on-vehicle wheel balancing, something which Dolf
also believes to be an important service.
When I ask him to name his biggest challenge to his business,
he reiterates that growing competition from rival brands remains
at the forefront of his concerns. That said, he’s obviously doing
something right……..well done on your achievements thus far
Crouwkamp family and here’s to the next 21 years!
A motivated staff force ensures each customer is greeted with a smile.
legendary racing driver Sarel van
der Merwe – founder and host of the
exhilarating annual event – was adamant
in his choice of tough new Wrangler AT/
SA tyres to carry the Spirit of Africa 2010
volkswagen Amarok vehicles.
van der Merwe lays out the routes, he’s
seen the soft sands of the red Kalahari
and white Namib dunes laugh at man and
machine ... but his trust in the Wranglers is
unshakable.
“These tyres are flexible, their tread is high, their grip is fantastic and they
have been engineered and built to endure extreme terrains. The Wranglers
have always performed brilliantly in the past and this year the new AT/SAs
have been as impressive as I expected.”
Myles Dent, Goodyear Manager Marketing and
Communications, said the exciting, fiercely competitive
was “the ideal playground for this unbeatable Wrangler
and the perfect opportunity to show off its exceptional
performance capabilities.”
Making it happen
While Goodyear was agreeing to partner with volkswagen
in the Spirit of Africa, the 23 Amaroks for the event were
still on a ship on their way to Port Elizabeth. When they
reached land, they needed to be stripped and specially
prepped by various suppliers.
Kevin Slabbert, National Sales Manager:
Consumer OE, said the Goodyear team rose
to the challenge, fitting and balancing the race-
ready Wrangler AT/SA tyres in just three of the
five available days.
“Goodyear’s Supply Chain and Production
areas pulled out the stops to ensure enough
tyres were produced in time. Once the
vehicles landed, we removed all the spare
wheels and used those to keep the vehicles on the go between suppliers.
“We finished with two days to spare, which gave the crew at vWSA extra
breathing time. It was a huge exercise accomplished thanks to a great team
effort by Wilberforce Madlingozi, Khaya Tsawu, Thembinkosi Thompson,
Chris Tye, Peter henning and myself.”
Three days into the Spirit of Africa, van der Merwe called to thank the
Goodyear team for their professional support and to report on how well the
tyres were performing in the tricky Kalahari conditions.
“volkswagen were so impressed with Goodyear’s excellent support and
product performance, that they requested we fit Wranglers to the Amarok
double-cabs starring in the television commercial. This was done by hi-Q
Cape Town’s Peter Alterskye and his team.”
It’s an action-packed commercial, in which van der Merwe and SA rally
hotshot Gugu Zulu follow a crow’s flight over vast, rough terrain. You can
see they’re having fun ... and little wonder that their tough, ‘go anywhere’
Amarok is perfectly teamed with rugged, ‘get there’ Goodyear tyres.
The Wrangler 265/65R17 AT/SAs used in the commercial are produced
in the Uitenhage plant. Wrangler is one of the brands fitted as original
equipment to the volkswagen Amarok.
“In the testing sandy
conditions we encounter
during Spirit of Africa,
there is no tyre to equal the
Goodyear Wranglers.”
SPIRIT OF AFRICA ROllS ON GOODYEAR WRANGlERS
4 2 • G o o d y e a r N e w s
After a decade of steady growth in Kenya, Goodyear has opened the doors
to further expansion with its first equity-owned retail store in busy Nairobi.
Simply called the Goodyear Fitment Centre, the well-groomed store is
ideally situated in large semi-industrial premises on the main road in from
the capital city’s airport. Managing Director of Goodyear Kenya, Jacques
Nell, said with pride that there was “no other tyre store like it in the country”.
“The store looks beautiful and we are really proud of it. Its opening created
excitement – we embarked on a two-month long marketing campaign
which paid off - and it has been exceptionally well received.”
Nell, who has been with Goodyear for more than 25 years, has been a
driving force in building the tyre import and distribution business over
the last ten years. Before leaving South Africa, his last position was that of
National Commercial Manager for Trentyre.
Goodyear Kenya deals directly with its agricultural and earthmover tyre
customers, while the company’s commercial arm, Tread Setters, takes
care of truck tyre customers and retreading facilities. Until recently,
Goodyear passenger tyres were sold only through a network of about 200
independent dealers in Kenya.
“Quite simply”, he explained, “demand for Goodyear products has grown
bigger than our distribution network. There are only so many independent
FANTASTIC FIRST RETAIl STORE FOR NAIROBI
dealers in Kenya and the two big competition groups here have their own
branches.
“Opening our own retail store is the first step towards a bigger future for
Goodyear Kenya. One consideration was whether we would upset our
established dealer network, but most of the independent distributors have
a shared Goodyear identity so there has been no clash of interests.”
In atmospherics, the new one-stop Goodyear Fitment Centre may be
compared to South Africa’s hi-Q dealerships. The interior is spacious,
stylishly illuminated and well appointed, with touches of aluminium and
light grey décor elements giving the store a polished, clinical feel.
Along with tyre products and services, the centre also offers attention
to batteries and suspension. The wheel alignment machine and other
undercarriage equipment are state of the art.
“The Fitment Centre’s staff of eight have been put through their paces with
both technical and customer service training. Customers should hardly
have finished their free, steaming cup of coffee when they are on their way
out again. This is a uniquely positive tyre retail and service experience for
Kenyan customers. ”
Kenya’s enthusiastic Goodyear Fitment Centre staff, from left: Carl Badenhorst(General Manager), Brian Mboga (Fitter), Emmanuel Owino (Fitter), Jayne Wangui (Customer Care), Ruksana Kassam (Branch Manager), Faith Ogutu (Customer Care), John Maina (Fitter) and Stephen Anekeya (Fitter), with Jacques Nell (Managing Director, Goodyear Kenya).
With the reliability you get from Bandag, your fleet can take on anything. www.bandag.co.za
8182 Bandag Strip Ad.indd 3 5/15/08 4:39:38 PM
In a fast paced environment, we are faced with change, new options and
constant innovation. It is safe to say that Bandag has kept up with these
demands and has consistently adapted to changing customer needs
through constant product and service innovation, offering fleets options
that not only suit their needs but deliver optimum value while doing it.
The Bandag Application Specific® product range is just one of these.
With original Bandag designs and proven rubber compounds that have
outperformed its closest rivals, you can be rest assured that Bandag’s
Application Specific® product range is designed to deliver premium quality
and best in class performance.
launched just over ten years ago, the Application Specific® range has
grown steadily and now offers eight original tread designs, many of which
have been copied because of their superior performance at fleet level.
The Application Specific® tread range caters for all your transport needs
by providing a comprehensive range for longhaul, Regional and On/off
road applications.
After a decade of performance validation for
the Application Specific® range and as part
of Bandag’s continued focus on its premium
product offering, a renewed logo has been
launched to not only identify these products,
but to also stamp Bandag’s approval on them
as best in class for their specific application. In
addition, the new logo emphasises that products
in this range are original tread patterns, which are
exclusively, Designed by Bandag.
One such Application Specific® product is BMS (Bandag Mixed Service).
BMS has rapidly become Bandag’s champion product proving to be
a nemesis for previously established designs. So much so that it is
outperforming Bandag’s reputable BZY tread design. Tests conducted by
Bandag show up to a 25% better performance using BMS as opposed to BZY.
This level of product performance is testimony to Bandag’s commitment to
lowering fleet operating costs, making you more competitive!
But, don’t take their word for it, contact your nearest Bandag or BTS
Franchisee and take the Bandag Challenge! For a list of franchisees or to
contact Bandag, visit www.bandag.co.za
New logo for Bandagapplication
specific treads
4 4 • B a n d a g N e w s
T a l k i n g T y r e s • 4 7
The tyre industry undoubtedly despises
the notion that tyres are a grudge
purchase, but for Mr and Mrs Average
that’s what they typically are. But it’s
the quality of service rendered that
determines the outcome By Colin Mileman
Customer ServiceMore than skin deep
If the latest tyre survey done by Bridgestone is anything to go
by, South Africans have, on the balance of probabilities, started
paying marginally more attention to the condition of their tyres.
According to Bridgestone, there has been a positive trend with
more motorists maintaining suitable tyre pressures, and driving on
legally compliant rubber – but the picture is still overwhelmingly,
tragically gloomy.
“Although there appears to have been a general improvement
since we started the surveys, the statistics remain alarming,”
said Bridgestone’s public relations manager Mandy lovell. “Too
many motorists are not checking their tyre pressures regularly or
replacing worn or damaged tyres.
4 8 • G o o d y e a r N e w s
“In 11 surveys conducted around the country since 2007, during which
more than 16 000 tyres on over 4 000 vehicles have been inspected in
eight major metropolitan areas, just over 78 percent of all the vehicles
inspected were at or above the acceptable tyre pressure level of 1.8 Bar,”
the report states.
Indeed, the most recent survey, conducted in Rustenburg, revealed that
some 20 percent of the cars tested had tyre pressures of below 1.8 Bar,
and a disturbing eight percent of these were lower than 1.5 Bar.
I’m sorry, but I just don’t get it! Aside from service costs and petrol, tyres
represent the biggest running cost on a car. I recently had to replace the
tyres on my wife’s Renault Clio, and that took a not insubstantial R2 000
chunk out of our bank account. And my car’s much more expensive tyres
are worryingly teetering on the brink of replacement too …
Yet it’s alarming to witness how many people are driving around oblivious
to the fact that one or more of their car’s tyres are not just marginally below
pressure, but nearly flat!
We know all too well that people seem disturbingly dismissive of the
dire safety implications. But it boggles the mind that they’re equally
unconcerned about the hole that’s being burned in their pockets as the
available life span of the tyre evaporates in a haze of heat, rim-pounding
flex and flailing rubber.
Come on – it doesn’t take an engineering degree to spot a tyre that’s
running low, and we need to get people into the habit of taking a cursory
glance every time they walk towards their car. Next stop, regular pressure
checks.
Back to the grudge purchase. I did lots of shopping around for the Clio’s
new tyres, and found discrepancies of as much as R100 per tyre for exactly
the same item. All good as I saved over R600 with wheel alignment and
balancing factored in.
On that topic, it was surprising to find that some multi-branded franchises
charge nearly double the price for alignment and nail you per wheel for
balancing, where ‘my’ shop offered free balancing in the cheaper purchase
price and a much more reasonable alignment fee.
I thought I had done a fantastic job, but my wife was less than enamoured
with my choice of tyre outlet, located way off her beaten track, down down
downtown …
Admittedly, despite being a manufacturer-approved fitment centre, it lacked
the flash and sophistication of the modern suburban retailer we traditionally
4 8 • T a l k i n g T y r e s
Colin Mileman is a freelance motoring journalist,
photographer and advanced driving specialist with over
13 years of experience in this field. As a former editor of
Topcar and Topbike magazines, he’s as enthusiastic about
cars and bikes as they come, and has extensive knowledge
of all motoring-related matters, including the topic of tyres,
having run the annual and highly regarded Topcar tyre tests
for several years.
visited. It seemed locked in the dark ages, with a noisy, somewhat grimy
reception area and cars constantly nudging past. This certainly didn’t
compare favourably to the refined serenity of a glass-divided carpeted
lounge with complementary coffee and cold water on tap, matched to a
broad selection of crisp newspaper and magazine titles to peruse.
Not surprisingly, we handed over the keys, left our details and abandoned
the scene hoping for the best. Call one arrived well under an hour later to
clarify the model year, the tyres were already done and wheel alignment
was in progress. We hadn’t even had time to have a coffee and call two
notified us that the car was ready.
It was a case of promises delivered, and more. The tyre replacement and
wheel alignment were executed perfectly, the invoice explained in detail
and, fortunately, there were no unbudgeted add-ons – considering that
we’ve often landed up paying hundreds more for the bewildering array of
‘added value’ extras currently on offer.
To sum it all up we left pleasantly surprised, and I felt somewhat vindicated
that my downtown choice was anything but down in the dumps.
It proved that the concept of customer service and many years of retail
experience go well beyond a fancy façade or a lavish lounge – and that our
hard-earned extra R600 would have done little more than fund the latter …
W o r l d N e w s • 4 9
Blacktech X 12/6/10 3:00 PM Page 1
Composite
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
5 0 • W o r l d N e w s
hANKOOK ANNOUNCES SIXTh GlOBAl MANUFACTURING PlANT IN ChINAHankook has announced that it will build its sixth global manufacturing
plant in Liang Jiang Xin Qu in the Chongqing Municipal of China, investing
US$954 million in the project, which will cover approximately 53
000sqm. It will break ground in the first quarter of 2011 and is expected
to be completed by the end of 2015. Upon completion, the plant will
produce a total number of 11.5 million passenger car and truck and
bus tyres, generating sales of US$1 billion annually, according to the
company. It will also create about 4 600 new jobs in the region.
The newest plant, hankook’s third in China, is expected to solidify its
current global position particularly in the Chinese market, boosting its
production scale to become the world’s fifth largest tyre company within
a few years, the Korean manufacturer stated. The agreement indicates
the company’s ongoing growth strategy to establish a solid production
platform, a company statement said. (www.tyrepress.com)
CONTI GIvES EMPlOYEES A CASh ‘ThANK YOU’As a means of thanks for their contribution to the company’s recovery
from the recession, Continental AG’s 146 000 employees worldwide
will receive a one-off payment.
Executive Board member responsible for human resources, heinz-
Gerhard Wente, announced that a total of 45 million euros has been
set aside for this purpose. “After the serious economic and financial
crises last year, our employees throughout the world demonstrated their
commitment, working hard to contribute substantially to Continental’s
speedier-than-expected recovery,” he said. “In recognition of this
commitment, the Executive Board decided on the one-off payment for
the spring of 2011, even though the company is still facing several major
challenges.” Exactly how much an employee will receive depends on
where he or she lives, however. While Continental’s 45 000 workers in
Germany will receive 400 euros, those employed in lands with ‘lower
living costs’ will receive only 200 euros. (www.tyrepress.com)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has
applauded the Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Company for developing
the airless tyre, capable of transporting large, long-range vehicles
across the surface of celestial bodies.
The tyre, developed last year, is constructed out of 800 load bearing
springs and is designed to carry much more than the wire mesh
GOODYEAR AND NASA hONOURED FOR INNOvATIvE ‘SPRING’ TYREtyre (which Goodyear also contributed to) that was previously used on
the Apollo lunar module, so as to allow for broader exploration and the
eventual development and maintenance of planetary outposts.
The Spring Tyre was installed last year on NASA’s lunar Electric Rover test
vehicle and put through its paces at the Space Center in houston where it
performed successfully. (Goodyear Tyre & Rubber holdings)
Italian tyre firm Pirelli, will supply all the Formula One teams from 2011-
2013 with six types of tyres: four for dry weather, one for rain and one
intermediate tyre.
Pirelli, which has supplied tyres exclusively for the GP3 championship
this year, will also supply the GP2 championship from 2011, thereby
becoming the sole provider of tyres for the most prestigious single-seater
championships in global motorsport.
The FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), the Teams, represented
by FOTA (the Formula One Teams Association) and Formula One’s
organising body, represented by FOM (Formula One Management) have
chosen Pirelli as their exclusive supplier, based on the specific proposals
from the Italian company to guarantee technical and operational stability to
the competitors.
Pirelli’s return to Formula One also has a firm eye on the future, as in full
collaboration with all the teams, research into new tyre developments is a
vital part of this exciting programme.
Pirelli is planning to make important investments in corporate
communications, in order to make the most of the high profile and
cutting-edge technology that go hand in hand with supplying Formula
One, using resources and budget that has already been set aside for this
purpose.
Consequently, Formula One will become a vital calling card for the Pirelli
brand, helping its commercial and industrial expansion without disrupting
the company’s long-term financial strategy.
The global visibility guaranteed through extensive media interest in F1,
together with dynamic plans to leverage Pirelli’s involvement in an activity
central to the company’s core business, represents a unique opportunity
for the brand to maximise its return on investment.
(Pirelli Tyres, Milan)
PIREllI CONFIRMED AS EXClUSIvE F1 SUPPlIER FROM 2011
CHEM
V
U L CC
HEM
V
U L C
ChicagoPneumatic
“the solution and the cure”
Call us today for a free catalogue and specials.
Quality Products...1300 products to suit every need.
Quality Service...Our reps will ensure you get prompt servicewherever you are - Nationwide!
Distributors of:
Head o�ce: 011 472 1016
Durban: 031 705 5880
Cape Town: 021 930 2897
Bloem: 051 430 5159
PE: 041 484 1706
Nelspruit: 013 744 9384
Name: __________________________________________________________________________Company: _________________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________Code: ________________________________________________________________________________
Profession: ___________________________________________________________________Telephone: ________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION: Name the photographer responsible for the 2011 Pirelli Calendar?
ANSWER: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________
Company: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________ Code: _______________________________________
Telephone: __________________________________ Cellphone:_________________________________
5 2 • C o m p e t i t i o n / S u b s c r i p t i o n
Please address your competition entries and subscriptions to: Sky Publications cc, PO Box 702, Douglasdale, 2165,
or Fax entries to: (011) 658 0010 (only one per person please)
or enter online at www.satreads.co.za
Congratulations!to our previous competition winner
Tayob Hameville of Brucedondas, Cape Town whose correct answer wins him a set of tyres or wheels to the value of R5000 from Autoquip.
Win…… a 2011
Pirelli Calendar!
Click ontowww.satreads.co.zato enter!quarterly competition
subscription
For more information on previous editions and
advertising rates, check out our website:
www.satreads.co.za
I/we wish to subscribe to SA Treads for one year’s subscription (incl. vAT and postage)
local (SA) R 96-00 International R 220-00(Please address cheques to Sky Publications)
16142 Trentyre SA Treads P.fh11 9/2/09 2:14 PM Page 1