Safety, Reliability and The Lowest Cost per Kilometre.
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Safety is of prime importance to Bandag. At all stages throughout the retreading process work is carefully monitored to ensure the high quality of finished tyres. Because as the casing passes along the production line each operator acts as a quality controller over the previous stage of the process. The result is a tyre which offers the lowest cost per kilometre over new tyres, complete reliability, higher mileage and greater traction. The fact that Bandag retreads give performance at least equivalent to that of new tyres is supported by the company's guarantee of a Bandag retread at least equalling a new tyre in mileage.
But a retread tyre is only as good as its casing and at Bandag casings are inspected to ensure they meet Bandag's strict requirements. These exceed those laid out in BS AU 144b. Bandag concentrates on processing customers' own casings. This means the history of the tyres is known, and if a casing does not meet Bandag's stringent requirements then it is rejected and returned to the customer without retreading. On average 25% of casings are rejected by Bandag as unsuitable for the retreading process.
The tread rubber is manufactured at the Bandag NV plant in Belgium and exported to this country in roll batches. It is precured. exceptionally dense, longer wearing and puncture resistant. As the rubber is precured Bandag retreads are produced by the 'cold process' therefore avoiding a second curing of the casing which can weaken it.
Cost Savings In recent years more and more fleet operators have formulated a tyre policy which includes the use of retreads. Having, through monitored trials, established the safety and reliability of the tyres, they have discovered that substantial savings can be made in their tyre purchase budgets. Vital with the general increase of operating costs in today's transport industry.
One such company, Sadler Transport Division, has been using Bandag retread tyres for nearly ten years. Mr P A Gate, transport director, explains, "I used to be a 'doubting Thomas' about remoulds and recaps, but I tried a set of Bandag recaps on a drive axle about 10 years ago. I eventually became bored of waiting for them to wear out and decided on a policy to submit all new covers, after the initial tread having worn down, to Bandag for retreading. Now on my fleet of 90 road tankers which operate throughout the UK Bandag recaps arc fitted to drive axles and trailers. They always achieve mileages in excess of the manufacturers' initial treads for approximately half the cost of a new tyre. I need to buy new tyres, always premium quality from leading manufacturers and the casings are submitted to Bandag, often two and three times. I always receive my own casings back recapped and my original doubts about separation have been completely unfounded. I have used thousands of Bandags recaps during the last 10 years without one instance of separation. I would not use any other recapped casings except Bandag.
-For service, reliability and savings on tyre costs, Bandag are way ahead."