The bad news is there is no immediate end in sight to the off-road tyre shortage. Most tyre manufacturers agree things will remain tight for at least 12 months and probably longer.
The causes of the shortfall is no surprise: the Chinese economy is absorbing large numbers of off-road tyres directly; Chinese demand for raw materials is increasing demand for rubber-tyred mining equipment; there is a worldwide rubber shortage; and investing in greater tyre production capacity is expensive.
The good news is there are some relatively simple measures that will alleviate the problem.
Bridgestone Earthmover Tyres’ Bruce Connor says tyre manufacturers are asking customers for clear, accurate forecasts of their requirements – and the further out the better.
“In normal circumstances our tyre production cycle is typically 90 days from order to delivery, but at present we are talking 150 days and longer,” Connor says.
“If we can get an indication of a customer’s requirements 12 months out, then we can work towards that.”
Connor says implementing effective tyre management programs to extend tyre life is now a must.
“The first step here must be improving operating conditions so that tyre wear and damage are minimised,” he says.
Actions to extend tyre life include:
Keep loading areas clean and free of spilled rocks
Maintain flat floors with no puddles to hide rocks
Properly maintain haul roads
Adhere to tyre rotation schedules
Ensure operating practices are designed to minimise tyre wear.
Repairing and refurbishing tyres is another option becoming more popular, he says.
“While severe cut damage may make a tyre irreparable, even fairly significant structural damage to a tyre can be repaired.
“Bridgestone currently has a number of facilities in Queensland and Western Australia capable of repairing tyres that in times of more ready supply may have been discarded,” he says.
“Putting it brutally, the priority customers for tyre suppliers under the current situation will be major customers and those with supply contracts.
“All manufacturers will be doing everything possible to ensure contracted customers have their requirements met; unfortunately, others will just have to accept what is available, when it is available.
“It is not too late to look at entering into a supply contract; but you will find suppliers will be looking for accurate forecasts at least 12 months out,” Connor says.
Further information contact: (02) 9722 6111