Several tyre companies active in the region have acted on the problems in the market by intoducing new designs and ramping up production.
The new Goodyear Omnitrac is the first truck tyre available with a built-in sealant made of special compound that flows right through into the puncture.
According to the manufacturer, the sealant stops air from escaping the tyre even if an object of up to 6 mm diameter penetrates the tread, making long downtime periods a thing of the past.
“Goodyear is a global company dedicated to innovation and safety,” said Octavian Velcan, General Manager of Goodyear Middle East and Africa. “Duraseal and Max Technology innovations represent our advancement in the areas of safety and environmental awareness across our entire product range” he said.
This news comes as Michelin have ramped up production of non-road tyres for earthmovers at factories in Brazil and South Carolina. Luc Minguet, President, Michelin Earthmover Tyre explained “The expansions taking place demonstrate Michelin’s commitment to heavy industries.”
Tyre shortages, especially for plant vehicles have been well documented in these pages. However, there are signs that the manufacturers are beginning to keep up with demand.
Commenting on the issue last month, Sudhir Tripathi, Marketing Manager, Al-Bahar, said; “The situation is much better this year than in 2007 and we expect it to improve again.”