Continental Tyres UK has unveiled a new education and awareness initiative to address widespread misinformation about retread tyres in the commercial vehicle sector.
The 'Respect for Retreads' campaign comes in response to research commissioned by Continental, which surveyed more than 700 UK-based fleets and revealed that only one third (33%) currently fit retread tyres to their vehicles.
Among operators who avoid retreads, nearly two thirds (62.5%) cited perceived quality concerns as the primary reason for their decision. Additionally, almost half (46.5%) expressed doubts about retread durability, opting instead to specify new tyres exclusively.
Tony Mailling, Head of Hot Retread Production EMEA at Continental Tyres and Plant Manager of ContiLifeCycle Ivybridge and Stöcken, acknowledged that whilst the image of retread tyres has improved significantly in recent years, the survey data demonstrates that a trust deficit continues to limit adoption.
"Experience tells us that retread tyre opinions are often handed down from generation to generation," Mailling explained. "Historically, retreads have been seen as a lesser product and assumptions about their quality and durability are made because they use reused parts. We hear stories of drivers mistakenly believing that retreads are the reason rubber chunks can be found at the side of the road. This simply isn't the case."
He emphasised that retreads from reputable brands are "just as good as a new tyre," adding that "in many cases, retreads offer benefits that new tyres simply cannot match."
The campaign will expand Continental's Tyre IQ education portal (freely accessible on the Continental website) with additional content dedicated to retread tyres. A content series across Continental's social media channels will seek to debunk prevalent myths about retreading, whilst further research and thought leadership will be shared with media and customers in the coming months.
Pete Robb, Marketing Director at Continental Tyres UK, said: "Retreading is long overdue its moment in the spotlight. Businesses are too often missing out on reducing their operating costs and enhancing their environmental credentials because of a perception that remanufactured tyres are inferior. With hundreds of lorry tyres replaced every day in the UK, retreading not only benefits fleets, but helps to reduce the number of tyres being disposed of."
The campaign highlights success stories such as Collard Group, a waste management, demolition and recycling firm that has already realised the benefits of retread tyres. By fitting specialist, off-road optimised retread tyres across its fleet, the company saw its blowout rate halve, resulting in reduced vehicle downtime and improved operational safety.
Tagged with: retread tyres, fleet maintenance, ContiLifeCycle, tyre remanufacturing, whole-life cost, UK regulations, BS AU 144e, tyre durability, commercial vehicle tyres, waste and recycling fleets
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