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AUTOPROMOTEC
specifically designed to meet European market needs, Vipal also exhibited several new products from its repair line, Green Line and technology solutions, such as Vipal Fleets and equipment from Vipal Machines.
In terms of the tread patterns on show, the spotlight was on the new launches, with particular emphasis on the VM540, which was developed
Symbol for low temperature and snow driving. Also on display was be the VT110 (traditional and ECO versions), developed for radial tyres on drive axles, reducing rolling resistance and enabling lower fuel consumption, and which also bears the Alpine Symbol seal. Last but not least, Vipal also presented the VT240, which offers good abrasion wear resistance and low heat
generation, and the DV- MT, offering uniform wear and an exclusive progressive radius. In addition to its new tread products, Vipal also showcased Vipal Fleets at Autopromotec, a platform that allows for quick and accurate tyre diagnostics. In fleets, the tool aids inventory control, as well as tyre measurement and management. Capable of informing the user when tyres need to be removed and sent to the retreader, Vipal Fleets contributes to reducing the cost per kilometre (CPK) of fleets, among other benefits. Vipal Fleets supports tyre inventory, cost control, performance control, delivery records and evidence in cases of
casing disposal with the retreader, in addition to a photographic record of the end of the tyre’s service life, ensuring tracking as of the first use. The platform can be accessed from computers, tablets and smartphones, allowing retreaders’ technical teams to perform quick and accurate diagnostics, thus reducing response time for fleets. In cases where there is wi-fi network unavailability or data limitation, Vipal Fleets also works as an app permits the necessary transactions, including rotations,
measurements and data collection, which are then automatically updated in the cloud when you connect to the internet. In addition, it is also ready to serve fleets that use RFID (Radio- Frequency Identification) technology chips to identify their tyres. “Vipal Fleets is yet another tool that integrates Vipal’s
service package and its network of authorised customers, which we consider essential for the reality of transportation today,” commented Leandro Rigon, Vipal’s International Business Director.
BIPAVER Assembly Held at Autopromotec
for high adherence on different surface types, and which incorporates Vipal’s Eye Control technology, which helps the end user identify the tread’s wear level. Through Eye Control, it is possible to identify anomalies in alignment, balance, geometry and suggested travel time, as well as the time to remove the tyre for further retreading.
Other novelties included the VL160 design, indicated for Super Single or highway segment tyres, which
The European retreading association BIPAVER was able to achieve almost a full house for its annual general meeting, which this time took place during Autopromotec in Bologna on May 23. In attendance were all the established as well as several new members. Indeed, the Association reported that it has been able to extend its membership base with the addition of new supplier member EIB from Portugal and individual retreader members Tatko 1927 (Turkey), Gjerde & Byhring (Norway), Green Tread subsidiary AS Vevid (Estonia), and UAB Ratola (Lithuania).
On the agenda were a number of key topics of interest to the sector, including the current impact of the anti-dumping / subsidy measures that have come into force, the future direction, organisation and priorities of BIPAVER, as well as their realisation within the scope of the existing association budget and resources.
The members unanimously noted a positive but varying effect with regards to the import duties imposed, although it was clear that this would only result in a period of "catching up" for the retreading industry. The expected "second wave" of imports, after the relocation of the production sites of the Chinese tyre manufacturers outside China, but also other non-European countries, requires a corresponding preparation on the part of the industry. In addition to the continued use of the current debate around the topics of the "circular economy" and "CO2 reduction", the professionalisation of the lobbying, sales and marketing activities of the industry, the associations and the individual retreaders, it was agreed
to keep an eye on current and future developments in EU and ECE legislation and to take the necessary measures to ensure that they are mastered by the industry.
Since the temporary appointment of Technical Adviser Michael Schwämmlein expires at the end of August and the current Technical Secretary Hans-Jürgen Drechsler (BRV, Germany) retires at the beginning of 2020, BIPAVER's Executive and Secretariat has proposed a new organisational structure. This provides for a resurgence of a "technical committee" that will supervise technical and regulatory issues. This will be coordinated by Schwämmlein as the new Technical Secretary, succeeding Drechsler, who will continue to provide the interface to ETRTO / ETRMA. Christoph Priewasser, product manager at Kraiburg Austria, was the representative of the association at UNECE in Geneva, while general secretary Tim van der Rijken (VACO Netherlands) and the current board consisting of Jukka Lankolainen, board member (AUTONRENGASLIITTO, Finland) and Tim Hercock, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (RMA UK), remain in office. The proposed new organisational structure as well as a moderate adjustment to membership fees was accepted by the members, and a special thanks was proposed to Hans-Jürgen Drechsler, for his 25- year support as Technical Secretary and to Michael Schwämmlein, for his work as a technical consultant.
The next General Assembly of BIPAVER is planned in the context of "The Tire Cologne" in June 2020.
TRM Presents Eagle Truck 3000
Italian equipment manufacturer TRM closed a successful show at the Autopromotec fair
recently, achieving a
large presence of visitors at its booth. “After several years of uncertainty, we are once again seeing an increase of interest in the retreading business,” said the company.
The focus of attention on the company’s stand in Bologna was the
Eagle Truck 3000, which is claimed to be the most advanced fully
ensures good mileage performance and excellent abrasion wear resistance, as well as incorporating Eye Control technology, and the VT540, indicated for drive axles and designed for paved and unpaved roads, also bearing the Alpine
18 Retreading Business