Remoulds and speed
Page 40
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The article -Speed limit on remoulds astounds operators" (CM December 15) seems to be a typical example of a sensation seeking headline backed by ill informed comment. It would appear as yet another unworthy attempt by the Press to cast doubt and suspicion on the much maligned remould and is largely based on comment by some who may be said to have a vested interest in a reduction of the retread market.
There are no legal speed limits for reconditioned tyres anymore than there are for new tyres. The only limits which apply are those concerning the speed of the vehicle to which they are fitted. The British Standard AU 144a mentioned in your article contains recommendations on manufacturing and inspection standards and in addition specifies certain minimum speeds at which these tyres should be capable of use. It must be emphasized that these are only minimum standards: all retread manufacturers worthy of consideration will confirm that their production meets this specification, some (my own company included) are pleased to state that they produce guaranteed, rebuilt tyres to standards well in excess of those stipulated in BS AU 144a.
. For years now the retread industry which includes of course the major new tyre manufacturers, most of whom retread other casings as well as their own, has provided the transport operator with reliable products which have shown considerable economies in operation; economies which are fully utilized in the operating costings of many major national and international fleet operators. In the present atmosphere of raging inflation it is perhaps too easy to overlook these savings, but in the long run sanity must prevail.
We cannot ignore the facts, when one in every three tyres on the road is a reconditioned unit, when almost without exception every major British and American Airline employs remoulds on its airfreight services — often retreading a single casing between five and eight times — when the insurance industry who are notorious in off-loading any recognizable extra risk make no discrimination against rebuilt tyres; what possible objection can there be to their use as an essential part of any planned schedule of tyre operation?
It's time the witch-hunt stopped !
J.E.C. LEES, Advertising & Public Relations Manager, The Vacu-Lug Tyre Organisation, Grantham, Lincs. 'What witch-hunt? Our report quoted the views of the Retread Manufacturers Association, the British Rubber Manufacturers Association, and the BSI, revealing considerable differences of opinion on an important topic — Ed.1