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SOUTH AFRICA
Somerset East Retreading Looking for Premium Chinese Casings
Thomas Tyres: Building
a Successful Bandag
Etienne Thomas
Whilst at Tyrexpo Africa 2018 Retreading Business met up with Somerset East Retreaders who were visiting the event.
We spoke with Lehan van Rooyen, who pointed out that Somerset East Retreaders are part of the Oliver Tyre Group which is a leading tyre group throughout South Africa. The reason for making the long trip up from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg was to look for new Chinese customers, so, in effect, Rooyen was on a ‘scouting mission’.
He explains, “The retreading market in South Africa is extremely competitive so we have to diversify our product sourcing on a global
basis, and I am looking for premium range Chinese casings. We already buy in China but my aim is to establish more new contacts.” Formed in 1965, the Oliver Tyre Group operates a Bandag franchised truck retreading facility in Port Elizabeth, which incorporates state- of-the-art machinery to process light commercial and truck tyres to the highest standard with the retreading process following an intricate process to ensure the efficient use of the company’s raw materials.
Rooyen believes that Tyrexpo Africa, is the perfect stage to bring everyone together under one roof and a great place to do new business.
Partnership
Thomas Tyres, based in
Meyerton, south of the city of Johannesburg, is one of the
largest retreaders in that
particular region of South Africa. Director Etienne Thomas
explained that Thomas Tyres is a family owned and managed business formed in 1964 dating back three generations, which
over the past five decades has progressively built up a number
of long term successful
partnerships with tyre dealers. Thomas says, “We believe we
have created a good working formula and most of our local branches are involved in a
franchise partnership, which is
fully supported by the company’s head office in Meyerton. Our total commitment to providing the very highest standard of customer service, tyres and wheels along with expert workmanship has enabled us to become a leading influence in the South African Retreading industry.” It is also worth noting that Thomas Tyres is heavily involved in its
retreading facilities with Bandag, who they have closely worked with for the past 45 years as a premium retreaded brand in South Africa under a licensed agreement resulting in the tyres being produced onsite at Thomas Tyres three factory locations.
With a retreading facility placed adjacent to a thriving new tyre sales operation, Thomas Tyres unit sales
Oliver Tyre Group