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LATIN AMERICA
respect for its people, the community, and the environment, and further validates our ongoing efforts to continually work for the
benefit of the greater good, promote corporate social responsibility, and develop win-win relationships.”
certainly bring about very positive impacts on the economy, with the generation of more jobs and new business opportunities within this segment," said Leandro Rigon, Business Director International of Vipal.
In addition to the factory, Vipal also presented its tread portfolio, including the ECO band and the precured treads, as well as presenting the RQG quality programme and its new tyre management software Vipal
Fleets. "We were ver y pleased with the outcome of this event. It was four days with a crowded booth and the presence of several reftreaders and transporters from various parts of Argentina, who had the opportunity not only to get a closer look at Vipal's solutions for the market but also to see that the company
is investing, even at such a delicate time for the country's economy, "said Adalberto Fernandez, Manager of Vipal MEROC, responsible for Mercosur and Oceania.
In addition to Leandro Rigon and Adalberto Fernandez, Guilherme Rizzotto, Commercial and Marketing Director of Vipal and Tales Pinheiro, Marketing Manager of Vipal also participated at the exhibition.
Hules Banda Outlines Key Trends in Central America
Following the Latin American and Caribbean Tyre Expo in Panama, Retreading Business was able to talk closely with Mexican tread rubber manufacturer Hules Banda (Bandamatic), who were able to give us their views on prospects for the retreading market in the six Central American markets of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua.
Currently, there are around 36 retread plants in Central America, 9 in Honduras, 8 in Costa Rica, 7 each in El Salvador and Guatemala and 5 in Nicaragua. These account for around 350,000 units per annum across the region. However, according to Hules Banda, the market varies considerably between the various Central American countries, with the retreading index fluctuating from around 0.5 in Guatemala and Costa Rica to less than 0.2 in El Salvador and Nicaragua – Honduras and Panama lie somewhere in between. The
whole region, however languishes some way behind Mexico, which currently has a retread index of nearly 0.6.
According to Hules Banda the future of the retreading industry in Central America will depend on two key factors. The first of these is the growth of well-established transport companies who understand the importance of a good $/Km balance offered by formal retreading companies.
At the same time, the fluctuation of the prices of Chinese and used tyres as well as currency fluctuations will also have a key role to play. The import of used tyres (sometimes already retreaded in Asia) is an important factor in El Salvador and Honduras.
According to Hules Banda, there is very little prospect of Central American governments making policy changes in favour of retreading.
Galgo Attends Colombia’s Colfecar Congress
Marangoni Tread
Latin America Obtains INMETRO Certification
Continuing a tradition, Galgo once again participated in the International Cargo Transportation and Logistics Congress (Colfecar), which took place from October 3- 5, in Cartagena, Colombia. Returning this year to the city of its origin, the 43rd annual Colfecar remains one of the most important and influential events for Colombia’s transportation industry. The event was very well attended by individuals in the retreading industry and included participants from the cities of Bogotá, Duitama, Ibagué, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Cartagena, Cali, Eje Cafetero, Neiva, Pasto, Medellín, and
Bucaramanga. Galgo representatives took the opportunity to network with numerous participants and gathered valuable feedback on the current marketplace, allowing them to gain a better understanding of current market needs.
Galgo demonstrated the wide array of treads they offer for each application, showcasing a variety of light, heavy and super wide tread designs. Products featured include their Super Single Trailer Wide (STW), Galgo Rounded Shoulder Light (GRL), All Position Regional Light (APL) and Deep Regional Drive (DRD), among others.
Marangoni Tread Latino America has announced it has been accredited with the INMETRO certification for its production of TBR precure retreading materials (RINGTREAD and Unitread).
In order to reach this milestone, Marangoni’s Brazilian production plant has been independently assessed and verified by the Institute Falcão Bauer.
Giacomo Melotti, Marangoni Tread Latino America’s General Manager, commented: “This accreditation represents a clear commitment to the quality of Marangoni’s products, reaffirming our mission to provide the best in the truck and bus tyre retreading
sector. We believe this demonstrates to our clients, partners and to the transportation fleets, that we are fully dedicated to constantly improve our products and services.” He added: “We are proud to have achieved this recognition, and we will be continuing to review our production processes to improve them further.”
Earlier this year, Marangoni Tread Latino América also upgraded its ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 certificates, further confirming the company’s alignment to the best world quality and environmental standards.
Vipal Exhibits in Argentina
Vipal was a key exhibitor at Argentina’s 11th Expo Transporte. The company took advantage of the event to present the details of its new factory in Argentina, expected
to be inaugurated towards the end of the year, in the city of Perez. "This plant is a result of Vipal's effort to further consolidate its operation in the country and will
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