News from the RMA and its Members

Vacu-Lug Partnership with Biffa UK

Vacu-Lug Tyres' success and continued efforts in providing key Customers with complete managed tyre systems has been rewarded with the announcement of a new 5-year contract between Biffa and Vacu-Lug with ATS as Service Provider.

Biffas's Tyre Policy will be delivered, regulated and monitored by Vacu-Lug's team of specialist personnel to ensure that all parties benefit from what will be a long and mutually rewarding partnership.

Tim Hercock, Vacu-Lug's Managing Director commented; "In the long term, this contract demonstrates our ability to win key managed business against top quality opposition and consolidates our strength as a key player in the Waste Sector."

Biffa UK commented, " We have looked to Vacu-Lug's strengths in managing a complicated Tyre Policy, enabling our engineers to concentrate on their core objectives of improving the performance of the Fleet" (June 2004)

Retailers Sought for RMA Green Dealer Scheme

Following the successful launch of the RMA Green Dealer Scheme earlier this year, the Retread Manufacturers Association has announced that it is on the look-out for forward looking retailers who wish to join the new network and take advantage of the successful promotional campaign that the Association has launched during the course of the year. According to RMA Director, Sheila Ikin, there are currently 256 retail outlets who are members of the Scheme. Of these, 185 stock passenger and/or 4x4 retreads and 163 stock retreads for commercial vehicles.

Despite the Association's success in gaining such as high level of membership in such a short space of time, the Association says it is now actively looking for new members in order to make sure that both the truck and passenger tyre networks have national coverage. David Wilson, who is responsible for co-ordinating the scheme comments; "There are a number of regions where we are looking for switched-on retailers to become part of the "Green Revolution" and become members of the Green Dealer Scheme. These might be retailers already stocking and selling retreads but who have not yet joined the scheme but equally they might be retailers who do not currently stock retreaded tyres but who want to take advantage of the marketing opportunities that the Scheme offers.

A key aim of the Green Dealer Scheme has been to provide a focus to the marketing of retreaded tyres as a generic product. For many years retreads (both car and truck) have often been viewed simply as a budget alternative to new tyres. However, with the Green Dealer Scheme the RMA has attempted to leverage one of its most important selling points - the retread's status as a green product. To achieve this, the Association has carried out an extensive PR and advertising campaign in consumer environmental magazines (for passenger retreads) and in the commercial vehicle and government/public sector press (for commercial vehicle retreads).

The results, says Sheila Ikin, have been exceptional. "As a direct result of our campaign, the RMA has had a substantial amount of direct leads both from private individuals, from commercial vehicle fleets and from local authorities and other public sector sources who wish to find out more about the environmental, economic and performance benefits of retreaded tyres" she comments. "The campaign has shown us that by managing a highly focused campaign the retreading industry is able to take control of its own destiny and to reach sectors of the market it has not been able to reach before with a clarity of message previously not achieved. The result, we believe, is the creation of a significant opportunity for retailers across the country."

For the passenger retread sector, the RMA is looking for retailers in most areas in the South of England. However, there are also opportunities in a number of major conurbations, in particular the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Liverpool, West Yorkshire and Hull. There are also a number of opportunities for truck tyre retailers to join the scheme. Again, there are a number of opportunities in the South of England as well as in Greater Manchester, West and South Yorkshire and the East Midlands. Membership of the RMA Green Dealer Scheme is absolutely free to tyre retailers.

The only stipulations for membership are that: - Retail members of the scheme make retreaded tyres available.

- Members promote retreads in a positive manner
- Members keep their staff at member depots informed about the scheme
- That members display a scheme membership sticker so consumers can see that depots are a member of the scheme.

To find out more about the RMA Green Dealer Scheme, contact Sheila Ikin on 01782 417777.(June 2004)

RMA Appoints Gordon Burford as Regulatory Advisor

The Retread Manufacturers Association has announced the appointment of Gordon W Burford as a Regulatory Advisor to both the RMA and the European Association BIPAVER. Gordon, who is a professional, Chartered Engineer and has spent most of his working life associated with the automotive vehicle and component industry, will represent the RMA and BIPAVER at European level on issues concerning future legislation affecting retreaded tyres, for example, tyre to road noise emissions, wet grip and rolling resistance.

Following a traditional apprenticeship with a major vehicle manufacturing group, Gordon Burford was initially involved in research and development of turbochargers and vehicle steering and suspension components. Wishing to broaden his horizons he moved to the after-sales technical service operations of a UK based international component supplier and gained wide experience of dealing with all aspects related to the performance of the company's products in the UK and overseas markets. Gordon also spent some time in Jamaica where he was Production Manager and Automotive Consultant for a local company involved in the manufacture and re-manufacture of braking and drive train components for the Caribbean market.

In 1993 Gordon joined the UK Department for Transport, where, until his retirement last year, he was concerned with the development of national and international legislation related to certain vehicles and vehicle systems and components. A large part of this work involved negotiations within the European Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), on the development of various tyre regulations, including the UNECE Regulations for the approval of retreaded tyres. (May 2004)

Independent Research Confirms Quality of Retreaded Tyres

An independent research report carried out by AEAT Technology on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA) has produced findings, which are set to boost the image of retreaded tyres for passenger vehicles.

The report, which was commissioned to independently gather and consider the facts surrounding retreaded tyres and to provide a first step for the retreading industry to fight for the greater use of retreads, concluded what the RMA already knew - that retreads are high quality products subject to stringent controls and that they are safe, economical and capable of producing performance characteristics not inferior to those of new tyres. In particular the report concluded that:

The report also produced substantial evidence to support the assertion that retreads are absolutely safe. Firstly, the report drew attention to the fact that all retreads by law are now subject to the same type approval tests as new tyres. These involve endurance tests, commonly known as drum tests, which are carried out at the tyre's approved load and speed rating. AEAT also point out that the use of retreaded tyres is not discriminated against by insurance companies on UK vehicle insurance policies. Bearing in mind the degree of detail used by insurance companies to calculate risk, AEAT concludes that this is good evidence to conclude that retreads provide no safety risk to consumers.

Sheila Ikin, Director of the RMA commented: "We welcome the findings in the report by AEA Technology, which confirm the quality and safety of retreaded tyres. We hope that this evidence will now go some way towards negating once and for all the unjustly negative image sometimes attached to retreads and will encourage more consumers to appreciate the safety, economic and environmental benefits that they offer". (May 2004)

NTDA Chairman Backs RMA Green Dealer Scheme

The Green Dealer Scheme for tyre retailers launched recently by the Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA) to promote the safety, performance and environmental benefits of retreaded tyres, has received a significant boost with the news that the network is being endorsed by the Chairman of the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA).

Martin Rowlands, who is a Director of the Kinross based retailer Tyrefair Ltd, is a long-time supporter of the retreading industry and was one of the first dealers to join the RMA Green Dealer Scheme. He is also the current Chairman of the National Tyre Distributors Association, the national body representing independent tyre dealers within the UK. Says Rowlands: "I wholeheartedly support the active promotion of retreaded tyres and applaud the RMA for their initiative in developing the Green Dealer Scheme. "Retreads are good products", he continued. "They are environmentally friendly, their appearance is good, they have the same speed rating as new tyres and they are excellent value for money".

Sheila Ikin, Director of the Retread Manufacturers Association commented: "WE are delighted that Martin Rowlands has been so vociferous in his support for the Green Dealer Scheme. We hope that his words will provide encouragement to other retailers to join the 'Green Revolution' and become members of our growing network of Green Dealers".(April 2004)

RMA Green Dealer Scheme Now Operational

The Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA) has announced that its Green Dealer Scheme is now operational. As a result green consumers from across the country will now be able to follow a sustainable purchasing policy when buying tyres for their vehicle by purchasing quality British-manufactured retreads from the Association's rapidly growing network of green tyre dealers.

127 car tyre retailers from across the country have already joined the network with the expectation that membership will raise rapidly within the coming months. In addition three specialist mail order companies have joined the scheme meaning that drivers will always be able to source a retread, even if they do not have a local stockist.

RMA Director Sheila Ikin commented: "Our aim with the Green Dealer Scheme is to substantially increase the awareness of the ecological value of retreaded tyres among green consumers. We believe that retreads should be considered as the best practical environmental option for tyre recycling. Unlike other forms of tyre recycling or disposal, retreading does not simply defer the eventual disposal of old tyres, but actively contributes towards reducing the amount of used tyres hence saving valuable natural resources.

"Every retread produced means one less new tyre, thereby minimising the number of new tyres produced annually, extending the life of the original product and saving substantially on resources such as oil (a passenger retread requires 4.5 gallons less oil than a new tyre)." (March 2004)

The Princess Royal Opens Bandvulc's Camelot

HRH The Princess Royal has officially opened a new state-of-the-art tyre processing facility at Bandvulc Tyres at Lee Mill, near Ivybridge in Devon. After investing over £1 million in machinery and equipment to include eight tyre preparation bays, five buffing bays, an ultrasonic inspection machine and a new extraction system, the Bandvulc team chose 'Camelot' as the theme for the new development. It became the clear winner during deliberations that saw Super Heroes, Dartmoor Tors, Formula One Cars and Operating Theatres thrown out of contention.

The idea for a themed factory - only possible due to the size and nature of the family run business - has successfully injected a bit of fun into the work place. Providing an interesting environment that serves to inspire and motivate, it is fitting that a Princess has now opened it. HRH toured 'Camelot' with Richard O' Connell, sales and marketing director, Bandvulc Tyres and saw the new equipment in action. During her visit, she met invited Civic Dignitaries, employees and various members of the Bandvulc and external design team as well as a few locally based suppliers and customers. She also told staff that the company had helped raise the profile of recycling and said: "I hope you will continue to build on your excellence and make people understand that we can't be a throwaway society any more, particularly not in a country this size."

After HRH unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening of the new facility, director John O' Connell's three grandchildren presented her with three locally produced gifts sourced by ReMaDe Kernow, the Cornish environmental project that pioneers ways of creating bigger and stronger local markets for recycled materials.. ReMaDe, which stands for Recycling Market Development, has had a close working relationship with Bandvulc since it was set up in 2001, assisting the professional recycling company in developing innovative uses for its used rubber. This partnership led Bandvulc to win a recycling award in the South West's prestigious Business Challenge award in 2002. By making use of the 450,000 tonnes of rubbish that goes into landfill sites every year, ReMaDe seemed a perfect choice when it came to the challenge of finding suitable gifts for HRH Princess Royal that were local and reflected an environmental commitment.

The visit represented the fifth time that Richard O'Connell has met with the Princess Royal in his capacity as a founding member of Transaid, the international charity of the transport and logistics industry, which HRH The Princess Royal is Patron. Transaid works to build local transport skills and knowledge to improve access to basic services and economic opportunity in developing countries. During the last two decades, it has been instrumental in achieving dramatic improvements in health delivery in Africa, strengthened local transport management so that twice as many children can be vaccinated and has given pooper people access to markets for buying and selling.

" We're delighted and privileged that local innovation, professional recycling and successful teamwork has been officially recognised by the visit of HRH The Princess Royal to our factory," says Richard O'Connell. "It can only serve to help us share our vision of a greener and sustainable future to a wider audience," he adds. Used to represent an 'ideal place' in the Arthurian legends, Camelot has proved an apt choice for Bandvulc's new facility with shift supervisors assuming the role of 'King Arthur' whilst overseeing the work of their 'knights' and assisted by 'Merlin', the factory's computer. Production meetings are now held on a 'Round Table' with the circular carousels that hold the tyres ready for inspection and the 'jousts' that lift them, also lending themselves quite well to the theme. Each bay and buffing machine has been characterised as one of the 13 Knights of The Round Table, with signage reflecting their name and history. The Order's dominant idea is 'the love of tyre, quality and cleanliness'. As in the legend, the Bandvulc Knights don their shining armour (in the form of protective helmets) and represent the cream of their profession, following a strict code of honour and service. To this end, the Bandvulc Round Table is illustrative of their drive towards perfection, efficiency and dexterity". (March 2004)

RMA Response to Stephen King Novel

The Retread Manufacturers Association has responded to negative publicity directed against retreaded tyres in the latest novel by thriller writer Stephen King by asking the author to make a statement correcting what the Association says are inaccurate and misleading comments.

In his latest novel, From A Buick 8, King writes: "A lot of independents run on recaps, with the price of diesel so high they just about have to, and sometimes the tread peels loose. You see curls and hunks of it on the interstate all the time, lying on the highway or pushed off into the breakdown lane like the shed skins of giant blacksnakes".

In their response, the RMA points out that it is unfair to blame motorway debris on retreaded tyres. Numerous research projects have shown that tyre debris is just as likely to come from a new tyre as from a retread. Tyre failure, the Association points out, is primarily caused by improper tyre maintenance, such as running tyres that are underinflated. In this case a tyre will eventually fail regardless of whether it is a new tyre or a retread. Today's retreaded tyres are high quality products used by a variety of users throughout Europe, including government fleets, major haulage companies, city bus companies, independent hauliers, municipal waste disposal companies and many others. Furthermore, all major new tyre manufacturers without exception are themselves active in the retreading industry.

RMA Director Sheila Ikin comments: "Stephen King is an international author and his work has global reach. It follows, therefore, that inaccurate comments such as those made in his latest novel have the potential to affect retreaders anywhere in the world. As such, it is important that we react in the proper manner. We hope that Mr King, now properly informed, will do the right thing and issue a suitable statement to put the record straight". (February 2004)

Retread Quality Confirmed as New Tyre Legislation Takes Hold

New tyre legislation, which came into force last week, is providing a major boost to the UK's tyre retreading industry by underlining the quality arguments of today's tyre retreaders.

Two new Regulations, ECE Regulations 108 and 109, which relate to the production of retreaded car and truck tyres respectively, came into effect on January 1st 2004 making it mandatory for retreaded tyres to be subjected to the same "type approval" tests as new tyres. The legislation means that retreaded tyres that are not "e-marked" to show that their producer has gained official approval under ECE 108 and 109 are now illegal at the point of sale in the UK.

According to the Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA), which represents the majority of the UK's tyre retreading companies and which recently announced the launch of the Green Tyre Dealer Scheme to promote the environmental benefits of recycled (retreaded) tyres, the new legislation means that retread producers will now effectively become 'licensed' operations. This is expected to make a considerable contribution towards ensuring that the quality, integrity and performance of retreaded tyres are, at the very least, on a par with that of new tyres.

Sheila Ikin, Director of the RMA commented: "We welcome the fact that ECE Regulations 108 and 109 are now mandatory in the UK as they commit retreaders to a number of actions designed to ensure traceable quality throughout the retreading process. "These include the necessity to display evidence of a comprehensive and demonstrable quality control system and to this end most retread companies are ISO 9001 registered. The Approval authorities can also subject the production of individual retreaders to random drum testing (load/speed performance testing) under the same tyre testing regime, which new tyre manufacturers undertake. These testing procedures are an effective way of confirming the quality of any given retreader's product and confirm that retreaded tyres really can be as good as new". (January 2004)