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GERMANY
Reifen Hinghaus presses are always hard worked to keep up with demand
start with, they did appear to be a handicap rather than a benefit – especially as they were taking away plenty of space along the walls. “But we then saw what great potential there was and realised that what we had, in fact, was a gigantic opportunity allowing us to modernise and maintain both our tyre storage and the entire workflow.”
Where they initially faced the question as to the best possible use of the numerous loading docks, it was rapidly realised how these docks, of which there are more than 60 in total, could adequately be integrated into the logistics. In the meantime, the construction specifications allow perfectly integrated loading and unloading via the numerous loading docks, in swap bodies. The shipping of the retreaded tyres can follow directly after production and according to the delivery or storage sorting, which is dependent on the profiles and sizes, and based on the orders at hand. What is more, all of this is possible without creating any bottlenecks.
A new packing line supplements the shipping department and accelerates the shipping of the tyres, which are wrapped in foil in packs of two. From here they are then sent directly to the end
consumers of an online portal. Others find a direct route into trucks or containers for delivery to the wholesale market.
Upon receipt, in accordance with the respectively required quantities, incoming tyre carcasses are either sent directly to further processing in the production area,
and the remainder are then stored temporarily in the swap bodies, from where they are subsequently added for renewed inspection and further processing steps. Specimens that are sorted out as of substandard quality, are fed to containers standing at the ready. Here they are picked up by recycling companies where they are subsequently utilised for various recycled products.
All of these steps: the loading docks and the deployment of swap bodies, in conjunction with the especially procured swap body vehicle (Kögel), have contributed in providing an entirely new segment in merchandise controlling and logistics and have proven a blessing. They also make for easy deliver y of equipment, regardless of whether in components or in their entirety.
A positive side effect of this ingenious utilisation of the dock doors, which were initially considered superfluous, is that, by the removal of stock from the production area and its transfer to closed containers, namely the swap bodies at the external storage spaces, the fire risk has been reduced significantly.
As is the case with the other companies operating in this branch, Reifen Hinghaus is naturally also experiencing the
problems on the retreading market. One cannot ignore the gradual changes, such as the deluge of cheap products on the European markets and also the only very slowly increasing trust of consumers in fully retreaded tyres. Apart from the consistent production operations, which are
illustrate the benefits of retreaded tyres to end users.
It was interesting to hear Wilhelm Hinghaus say that the company is noting an increase in the sale of summer and all-season tyres. One reason for this might be found in the expansion of the product line, which now includes higher speed ratings, right up to “W”, as well as entirely new profiles from in-house designers, such as the “King Meiler AS-1”, an all-season tyre. In addition to this, for a number of years, Reifen Hinghaus has been cooperating with companies in the field of research and development, with whose support a number of its own rubber mixtures have been developed, which have then been processed together with the large raw material suppliers in England, in accordance with
the different tyre requirements.
Being aware of the problematic copyright issue, Reifen Hinghaus found new profiles at the same time, which only it offers in this design. One of the best-known mould-construction manufacturers from Italy, CIMA, played a major role in this development. As a result, the experience in mould construction and in the field of vulcanisation could be united, which has led to the development of new
MOBIL” German TV magazine, confirmed the outstanding results for one of these tyres. The test awarded the “King Meiler Winter Tact” second place in a group of tyres that were, for the largest part, new tyres, but which also included retreaded tyres. Of particular significance is the seal of quality which TÜV Nord has awarded all winter and all-season tyres from Reifen Hinghaus. To receive this award, by means of spot tests, a selection of retreaded tyres must first have successfully completed the same discerning tests that are typical for new tyres. One discipline in this regard is the so- called fast-mode test. Here, in accordance with the ECE norm, the tyres initially run at top speed for 60 minutes and then, in
based on the foundations of experience, modernisation and quality, Reifen Hinghaus is therefore also striking out in new paths that have the purpose of counteracting these challenges. While the wholesalers and retailers have already known the quality for a long time, the objective is to
profiles.
The certificate of TÜV Nord, the official inspection institute in Germany, has in the meantime confirmed the high quality of the retreaded tyres, which readily compares with that of new tyres. Here, for instance, a test conducted by the popular “AUTO
26 Retreading Business
Two examples of very different Reifen Hinghaus motorsport tyres