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MALAYSIA
a 5,000 sq foot rented factory.”
Over the years, the company grew and expanded tremendously. In 2004, the company set up a rubber products department to produce precure rubber compound, and was awarded its ISO 9001-2000 certificate in 2005. It obtained the MS224 certification by SIRIM, the specification for Retreaded Pneumatic Rubber Tyres for Passenger Car and Commercial Vehicles in 2009.
To cope with the rapid growth and the increased market demand, the firm shifted to its new plant about two and a half years ago. The current 2 acre factory is well-equipped with the state of art equipment such a Spectra nail hole detector, Shearography tyre testing system, AZ extruder builder, high pressure test machine, etc.
Highclass Technics has two different variants of retreads. Kew said, Super M is their premium range, specially developed for those who look for quality and high mileage, whilst Highclass STD is their standard range. Super M is able to provide 80,000 to 100,000km, and Highclass STD’s mileage can reach at least 50,000 km, depending on usage.
“Our company’s name -- Highclass Technics reflects our commitment to the industry, that is to provide the market with premium retreads through advanced technology. Thus, we emphasise greatly the quality and safety of our retreads to ensure that our customers will get the most out of them.”
At present, Executive Director Desmond Kew said, the plant is running at two shifts. “We have over
Goodway Launch Supercool Business Partner Programme
Goodway Rubber has announced the introduction of the Supercool Business Partner programme – a reorganisation and upgrading of the company’s existing Goodway Authorised Retreader network. According to Goodway’s head of marketing, Tai Qisheng, the main difference between the two programmes is that the new SBP programme is more commercially oriented compared to its more product-focussed predecessor.
Said Tai, “We are now focusing on developing the retreader as a business partner. The main aim will be to increase profitability for the retreader, help him win the right customer with the right commercial strategy and helping create the right business model for sustainability and growth.”
The new programme will enable Goodway to become involved in more direct service to the fleet, backed up with the usual Supercool branding and marketing and technical support/consultation services. In particular the company says it is aiming to help independent retreaders to have more confidence to deal directly with big fleets.
Key benefits of the programme are a dedicated account executive, comprehensive training, joint fleet
visits to customers, technical advisor, preferential pricing for SBPs and the creation of an exclusive branding and marketing development fund.
In return the SBP signs a five year commitment agreement, which requires mandatory factory manager certification, on site audit and calibration, supervisory training (8 hours per month), annual requalification, ongoing tech support and consultation.
The programme was officially launched at the start of the year, the first retreader to sign up being Hong Kong based Mantak. Since then three retreaders have signed up in Malaysia plus further retreaders in Africa and the Middle East. According to Tai the aim is to have 70 Supercool Business Partners with one and a half to two years. The company is still actively looking to recruit retreaders to participate in the programme, which has been promoted by holding 7 seminars in key markets around the world – Philippines, Emirates, Indonesia, Myanmar, NZ, Thailand and Malaysia. Goodway are also currently recruiting sales people to help them upgrade the service to members of the programme.
“We have invested significantly in this new plant, and we are looking at adding one more precure tread moulding press machine. Today, our retreading plant is one of the best equipped plants in Malaysia. Our output per month has increased from 4,000 pcs to 6,300 pcs. We use precure retreading for light truck and truck tyres, which accounts for about 80 to 90 per cent of our total production. As for OTR tyres, we are using the hot cured method, and we are the only retreading company in Johor that retreads OTR tyres.”
50 production workers and 70 per cent of them are foreigners. We have relied heavily upon them. ”
Despite the challenges, Kew still thinks that the Malaysian retreading industry is full of potential. “Retreading is environmental friendly. In addition, it helps fleet and transportation companies to save costs by prolonging their tyre life. However, only the retreaders that focus on quality and service will stand out from the crowd. ”
Highclass Focuses on Quality
This year marks 16 years since Malaysian retreader, Highclass Technics was established. Last year, Highclass Technics hosted a grand dinner to celebrate its 15th anniversary, which was well attended by over 300 guests.
As one of the leading retreading companies in Malaysia, the company has a humble beginning. According to Managing Director Kew Kuik Tin, everything started from a small tyre shop, which sold all kinds of tyres
from passenger cars, light trucks and trucks. It was much later that he decided to venture into the retreading industry.
“We decided to set up a retreading plant in Johor because there was no retreading plant in the area at that time. I knew nothing about retreading when we first started. However, with a friend who had over 10 years of experience in the industry, we decided to work together. Initially, we operated from
60 Retreading Business