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INDAG FRANCHISEE INTRODUCES TUBELESS RADIAL TYRE RETREADING IN BHOPAL COUNTRY REPORT - INDIA Vipin Barjatya, Managing Director of Longlife Retreads, alongside Vivek Singh, Regional Sales Manager at Indag Rubber Indag Rubber is advancing its franchisee operations to keep pace with the growing preference for tubeless radial tyres. The company is enhancing the capabilities of its network of exclusive retreaders, branded as ‘Certified Indag Retreaders,’ through regular training sessions and machinery updates. This initiative aims to ensure these retreaders meet the market’s evolving needs. Longlife Retreads Pvt Ltd, located in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh in Central India, is a standout example of this initiative. Having maintained a partnership with Indag Rubber for nearly three decades, Longlife Retreads is pioneering radial tyre retreading in Bhopal. As a Certified Indag Retreader, it benefits from access to high-quality tread rubber supplied by Indag. Vipin Barjatya, Managing Director of Longlife Retreads, announ- ced the introduction of tubeless tyre retreading services at their facility. This addition is a response to the increasing adoption of tubeless radials, demanding specific expertise and skills for retrea- ding, which their team has acquired through training provided by Indag. Additionally, the facility has undergone aesthetic upgrades to align with Indag’s standards for its Certified Retreaders. Since beginning operations in 1995, the Bhopal site has consistent- ly retreaded over 3,600 truck and bus radial tyres (TBRs) annually, averaging more than 300 tyres monthly. This output is achieved with a single 4-tyre autoclave, operating around the clock in two shifts. Barjatya credits Indag Rubber for their comprehensive support, which includes supplying materials, upgrading machinery, and trai- ning staff, all aimed at enhancing product quality. Looking ahead, Barjatya revealed plans for expansion, including installing a second autoclave within the next few years. The imme- diate focus, however, remains on maximizing the current plant’s capacity and delivering high-quality retreads to meet the increa- singly sophisticated demnds of customers. Under the leadership of its second generation, Longlife Retreads is intensifying its marketing efforts to fleet owners, anticipating a boost in production. The company also trades in stock casings, ac- quiring used casings in good condition for retreading and resale. Serving a diverse customer base of 120 fleets of various sizes, Lon- glife Retreads caters to a market spanning approximately 40 km around Bhopal. The city hosts about a dozen organized retreaders, collectively retreading around 20,000 tyres annually. P.50