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Past Issues

May 2005

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Dunlop Tyres has re-invented its Transteel commercial vehicle tyre range and now offers a 'complete product package' with five new products in 14 new sizes. Two new steer axle tyres and a super-single are the stand-out developments.

Says Ken Martin, Dunlop Tyres director export and truck: "We now offer a complete truck radial package that ranges from the Transteel 344 which is designed to convert the cross-ply fleets to the benefits of steel radial, through to our steer and drive axle products and specialist mixed application products."

He adds that as a distributor of Alcoa rims, the company can also supply super-single tyres in both steer and trail axle positions to fleets countrywide.

"Just how complete this total transformation of our truck product offer has been can be gauged by the dramatic increase in OE specification of Dunlop Transteel products by South African fleet operators. Clearly our tyres are making a convincing argument in the marketplace."

New tyres, new tools
In order to transform the Transteel range, new technology had to be implemented to upgrade manufacturing capability as well as technical and compounding processes. As Danie Langner, Dunlop Tyres development manager says: "You can't make new generation tyres without new generation equipment."

He adds that the Transteel range of today has been built on the back of extensive investment in state of the art technology and equipment. This is an ongoing process with current upgrades to the Durban truck tyre plant including the installation of new tyre presses, a fourth TR25 making machine and a new bead cutter and the delivery of new tyre moulds worth R3.5 million.

Specialised rubber
This new technology enables the company to design and create tyres for specialist applications, adjusting compounding and tread design to meet the specific performance requirements of niche markets. Langner explains: "We are capable of customising existing ranges to suit differing operational requirements, even creating entirely new products to meet the needs of individual fleets where necessary."

He cites as an example the Transteel 822. "Here we looked at the specific requirements of South African rural bus and coach operations and saw a need for a specialist steer/trailer tyre capable of handling highway use and moderate gravel and off-road conditions equally well. Going further back, the OTR variations of the Transteel 811 and 431 were developed to meet the specific tyre requirements of individual fleets and then marketed to a wide range of similar operations."

He reckons there's not a single manufacturer in this country who can match this development capability. Now there's a statement that should see the other tyre manufacturers rise to challenge.

Hands-on R&D 
Martin adds that Dunlop Tyres has a close relationship with its market. "Our ability to service niche markets comes about from our market focus. We are close to our customers and are intimately involved in their operations. In many cases, our tyres are tested and proven in their fleets with compounding and pattern design adjusted in accordance with the lessons we learn in the field. Our technical and design teams are right here, able to respond quickly and effectively to the changing needs of our market, creating products totally suited to South African conditions yet able to compete with the best in the global tyre markets." 

In true fighting spirit, Martin concludes: "Our competitors are forced to market ranges developed for entirely different operating conditions or are reliant on offshore technical centres to drive development. This doesn't help them because of South Africa's relatively small share of the global truck market." 

Having research and development (R&D) and production centres based in South Africa obviously results in rubber products purpose-built for local conditions. One wonders when the other rubber big guns will rise to counter Martin's statements. Are they as far behind Dunlop as Martin's statements would seem to imply?