During the Reifen 2016 exhibition in Essen, Bridgestone introduced a new concept aimed at increasing the levels of trust placed by fleets in retreads in general and in Bandag retreads in particular.
Bandag Contract of Trust Introduced
“The Bandag Contract of Trust” for commercial fleets aims at reassuring fleets that Bandag retreaded tyres are not only a safe and reliable alternative to a new set of tyres, but also a solution for reducing fleets’ tyre related costs per kilometre. The proposition applies also to retreads made from Bridgestone and Firestone tyre casings – for which the retreadability by Bandag is also 100% guaranteed.
“The Bandag Contract of Trust”, which is to be signed between Bandag dealers and fleet operators, was introduced to the European tyre press in a presentation by Michael Codron, Managing Director of the Commercial Business Unit at BSEU. The contract, it was revealed, will be introduced progressively across Europe, following announcements to be made by Bandag.
Harald Van Ooteghem, Senior Manager Truck & Bus Tyres Category Management at Bridgestone Europe, explains: “Some fleet operators have been slow to accept retreads in their tyre programme. With “The Bandag Contract of Trust” we aim to convince them that Bandag retreads, backed by Bridgestone, play a vital role in tyre management and operating efficiency.”
At the heart of “The Bandag Contract of Trust” is Bridgestone’s Total Tyre Life concept – which looks at a tyre throughout its entire life cycle. This approach argues that the combination of new premium tyres, manufactured with fully-retreadable casings, followed by quality retreads can help fleets to reduce their operating costs through a lower cost per km over the whole tyre life.
“Our fleet customers who regularly use retreads in their tyre programme see the benefits clearly; they acknowledge that mounting retreads gives them a better return on investment and brings down the cost per kilometer” adds van Ooteghem.
Specifically the Bandag Contract of Trust provides fleets with three guarantees, under applicable conditions:
Guarantee #1: Bandag retread warranty, providing trouble-free performance as you expect from premium new tyres;
Guarantee #2: A lower tyre cost per km with Bandag retreads than the fleet’s fitted tyres;
Guarantee #3: 100% retread suitability of Bridgestone and Firestone tyre casings.
In addition to these advantages, Bridgestone stresses that retreading is also a green solution. The Retread production’s lower ecological footprint through the use of fewer natural resources and less energy, compared to the production of new tyres, which helps them to contribute to more sustainable mobility – a mission shared by both Bridgestone and Bandag.
