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COMPANY NEWS
VMI’s smearing-extrusion technology is based on an advanced extruder head design
approach in those remaining markets that are still focused on labour-intensive, often dirty, dangerous and unreliable methods. Two further changes need to take place in these still developing markets.
First of all, infrastructure is a key factor in the uptake and methodical use of retreads. If road conditions are generally poor then tyre failure will be high. The performance benefits of quality retreads are clearest when used on better roads, so infrastructure improvements will normally lead to higher quality retreads.
Perhaps the most important reason for the discrepancy between developed and less-developed markets, however, lies in the “average” company size. The new generation, largely-automated technology brought to market by VMI requires a certain production volume to be commercially viable. Below this level it is hard to justify investment in what are, by traditional retread standards, costly machines. Many of the smaller players, therefore, continue to use labour-intensive, “by hand” methods. Only by increasing the scale of production will it be possible to invest in the most advanced technology, AZ RETRAX, to drive up quality and reliability,
boost confidence in the effectiveness of retreads and raise profitability.
VMI has developed a family of products, all based on the same technology, with easy integration points to the other key process stage: pre-cured tread application. Comparison studies prove that use
of AZ RETRAX technology can lead to savings of around US$ 58,000 a year, based on around 90 tyres a day, working 22 days a month. That leads to complete return on investment in 2 to 3 years at a conservative estimate.
VMI is a leader in extrusion technology, and the retread market
is just example of how hot extrusion has the ability to deliver cost and efficiency savings to operators. As the retread market develops, matures and reaches similar levels in countries across the world, the central importance of AZ RETRAX to an increasing number of manufacturers is likely to grow.