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TYREXPO INDIA
Ace Looking for Regrooving Technology
foraying into retreading further splitting the market volumes,” he stated.
The plant sources tread rubber from
Narmada and is installed with 5 and 3 tyre chambers supplied by Balaji Fabricators.
Gopal Bhattad and Deepak Bhattad from Ace Tyre Retreaders
Indian retreaders are increasingly focusing on enhancing product quality. It is among the major factors that brought them to Tyrexpo India, as they are looking for new technology and ideas to put in practice to improve production standards at their retread units. “We are looking for the latest technology at the show. Instead of hiking capacity, our focus is on improving product quality as it is not possible to maintain high volumes due to increasing competition, but quality can differentiate us from others,” emphasised Gopal Bhattad of Ace Tyre Retreaders at Tyrexpo India in Chennai.
On asking the kind of technology they are looking for, Deepak Bhattad explained, “We are looking for Regrooving Technology from Elgi. We are trying to understand its benefits and advantages considering the size of our retreading operation.”
The two brothers are keen to install the required equipment as per the demand from its clientele. A regrooved tyre can add up to 10 per cent extra grip, gives 25 per cent extra mileage and save up to 2 litres of fuel per 100 km.
Ace started its retread plant at Erukkancherry, Chennai in 1998, retreading tyres by both conventional and precure processes. The company retreads 90 per cent of its tyres by precure and the remaining 10 per cent, largely auto and two-wheeler tyres, by the conventional process. “We retread about 500 - 600 tyres each month but increasing competition from unorganised retreaders has reduced volumes,” Gopal said.
Some of the clients are large fleet owners, but now they are starting their own retread operations. “The market is now crowded with all kinds of retreaders - organised, unorganised, franchisees, independent, fleet owner turned retreaders and now tyre makers
Eastern Tread forged a business partnership with Italian envelope brand MAE in May. The tread maker will market products under a brand called ‘Eastern MAE’ in India. “The co-branded envelope is manufactured by MAE as per Eastern specs for the Indian market, carrying the ‘Eastern
MAE’ logo,” informed Rajesh S, CEO, Eastern Tread.
Locally manufactured envelopes generally give about 100 cures, claims Eastern, whereas, ‘Eastern MAE’ gives three times more cures. “The price is a little bit higher, but the cost per cure is very competitive compared to
Eastern Tread Forges
Business Partnership with MAE