Newly Used
38 OVERDRIVE JUNE 2009 T he same research and development that keeps new tires ever more durable and fuel-effi cient is being introduced to retreads more quickly than ever by tire makers. They are all incorporating new tire design, tread rubber compounding, etc., into the retreading side of their companies, says Harvey Brodsky, managing director of the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau. That transfer became more pro-nounced in the past fi ve years or so, says Marvin Bozarth of Bozarth Tire Industry Consultants. The trend accel-erated in recent years when diesel prices surged and fl eets wanted to reduce fuel costs while optimizing treadwear. Every time we develop something new on new tires, we're looking to mimic it on retread soon thereafter, says Marc Laferrierre, vice president of marketing for Michelin Americas Truck Tires. For example, Michelin makes available for its retreads a pre-molded tread that combines two compounds one that lays next to the casing to hold down heat and reduce rolling resistance and the other on top to enhance wear characteristics. Goodyear Tire & Rubber is introducing more of its new tire compounds into its retread, says Rick Thomas, Goodyear project manager for commercial retreads. We're using some of our new-tire plants to provide materials for retreads, he says. In addition, Goodyear matches retread designs to those of new tires. For example, Goodyear has intro-duced a G287 retread to complement This Michelin technician is handling a pre-mold tread builder. The pre-mold tread is manufactured separately into rolls and then cut to fit a buffed tire. Mic helin Tire makers introduce designs and compounds from new models to retreads By MAX KVIDERA Renewed retreads