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machinery and equipment manufacturers on other continents. Möller argues that combining technology could help achieve new solutions in the market. These partnerships mean other companies can include Lukatec innovations in their equipment, with nothing preventing them from supplying equipment and solutions to the Brazilian and Latin American markets through Lukatec.
Among the many examples of innovation is the RL-1250S tyre building machine, perfectly aligned with the Lukatec concept and used by a significant portion of major Brazilian tyre retreaders. The vulcanising management systems for autoclaves also stand out. More than 300 vulcanising PLC control systems have been installed in Brazil and Latin America, monitoring and ensuring the best parameters in vulcanisation processes.
A recently launched product has taken centre stage as what the company believes to be the greatest innovation in tyre buffing in the last 20 years. The buffer with a robotic arm has already attracted interest from major Brazilian retreaders and the first business deals were made last year even before the product was officially launched. According to
Möller, its design epitomises the Lukatek concept: innovation, simplicity, robustness and automation to standardise the process.
Looking to the future, Möller guarantees that Lukatec will continue to produce its own designs and improve existing products, since technology is the cornerstone of the company. To bring this concept to the international market, the company is always on the lookout for potential global partnerships. If opportunity knocks, says Möller, it will be carefully considered.
When asked whether the company sees itself among the major players in the international market, Möller is quick to point out that Lukatec has been in operation since 2002 and that 11 years is not long in industry terms. However, beyond Lukatec’s more modern and innovative profile, Lucas is part of a family that has been present in the tyre and tyre retreading market for over 60 years. As if remembering something, Möller concludes: “my company was founded little more than a decade ago, but my family background having a strong presence in the tyre retreading market was a decisive factor in bringing Lukatec so far in so little time”.
Survey Fails 15.74% of Products
The Brazilian municipalities of Alto Araguaia, Pedra Preta and Sinop, in the North and South of the State, were subject to an inspection by the Office of Weights and Measures of Mato Grosso (MT-Ipem), in a special operation "Boa Viagem ", as part of a national survey by the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO).
According to Director of Conformity Assessment Ipem-MT, Marli Birth about 1330 products were inspected. "The major focus was on products such as, new and retreaded tyres, automobile tyres, motorcycles, protective helmets for motorcyclists and child restraint devices. There was an overall failure rate of 15.74 per cent. "
In addition to Operation Special to intensify checks on product safety and security on the roads, the Ipem-MT has been conducting routine inspections in tyre retreading enterprises."Since November 2012 tyre retreading plants across the
country are required to have registration with INMETRO. In the state more than 30 companies are already in the process to register with Ipem-MT and those who are not registered may find themselves being interviewed by the Industry Conformity Assessors at Ipem-MT "said Marli Birth.
The decrees 227/2006 and 444/2010 provide that retreaded tyres or processes reusing the casings should compulsorily submit themselves for the Seal of Identification of Conformity. Otherwise the products can be seized.
"The retreaded tyres must contain one of the expressions RECAUCHUTADO, RECAPADO or REMOLDADO, size designation, load and speed limits; brand name and the name of the registered retreader, the expression "SEM CAMERA" when it comes to tyres designed for tubeless use, and a best before date using a group of four numbers, "says the director of Ipem-MT.
Lukatec, a newcomer in the industry as a supplier of tyre retreading machinery, is located in the city of São Leopoldo in southern Brazil, an area with strong German and Italian influences. Operating in the market for 11 years, Lukatec has accomplished a lot in such a short time.
The company emerged as a new alternative for the supply of machinery in the sector and innovation is part of its DNA. According to its founder Lucas Möller, Lukatec provides new solutions supported by technology and is investing in greater levels of automation to achieve gains in the tyre retreading process.
When speaking about gains, Möller is emphatic that these improvements are in terms of the quality and speed of processes and optimising production in order to create business value for those who use his equipment.
What sets the company apart is its creation of new technologies based on the belief that innovation brings a series of benefits, not only to its customers, but the to tyre retreading industry as a whole. Lukatec designs are always based on the same premise: retreading
machines should be simple and easy to operate. They must be robust enough to withstand the operating system and fully satisfy the demands of retreaders, be capable of non-stop production without maintenance interruptions and have a long useful life. Added to this is the challenge of making compact machines using intelligent and innovative designs. This continuous search for novelty and the decision not to copy existing solutions on the market has secured Lukatec patents in several different countries. The company believes that blazing its own trail has been decisive in achieving greater credibility and recognition of its value in the market, firmly establishing Lukatec in both Brazil and Latin America. A recognised Latin American leader in technology, lately the company has also turned its attention to the US market. Another important initiative is working with major global tread manufacturers to develop and introduce solutions, endorsing Lukatec equipment for use in tyre retreading by these companies. This partnership with producers of retreading materials has inspired Lukatec to consider alliances with
Lukatec: Innovation in Creating Value
44 Retreading Business