At Electra Mining Africa 2016, Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group demonstrates how its growing presence and innovation in tyre management solutions are yielding rewards for dozens of African mine sites.
JOHANNESBURG, ZA — with more than 650 team members providing service to 61 mine sites in west and south Africa, Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group—a world leader in mining tyre management and supply—looks forward to showcasing at Electra how the company’s unique reach, expertise and services help African mine operators succeed.
“We’ve had a strong presence in Africa since 2009, and we’ve continued to look for opportunities to expand and bring our mining tyre solutions, and our expertise as an international service provider, to more countries in South Africa and in the west,” says Dan Allan, senior vice president, Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group. The organisation began servicing mine sites more than 40 years ago in Canada and now services more than 150 mine sites across five continents. In Africa, Kal Tire has experience operating in South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Mali, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“When our customers in Africa need us, we’re in a position to marshal the resources and expertise to move in and help them, and that’s led to more growth across the continent,” says Allan. To help make it easy for customers to do business with Kal Tire in South Africa, the company has embraced and implemented the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) programme.
“As early as we could, we structured our business to ensure we are compliant with the Mining charter, and with the B-BBEE regulations,” says Allan. “We acknowledge that the requirements of both the charter and the South African legislation are complex, and can be difficult to implement, and it’s important for our business that we remain in good standing.”
In 2015, Kal Tire acquired Tredcor Zambia Limited, strengthening the organisation’s footprint within the Zambian earthmover market and widening the tyre brands Kal Tire can bring to customers. “Our mission is to always represent brands and products that offer the right fit for the customer’s application.”
Operations in Botswana began in January 2016 with tyre supply and management at a single site, and quickly grew to three on-site operations in that country. Kal Tire also recently expanded into Mauritania, where team members train and supervise local tyre fitters at a gold mine to ensure safe tyre operations. Kal Tire is now also providing its exclusive ultra repair™ service on the same Mauritania mine site.
A product and process exclusive to Kal Tire, Ultra Repair™ involves identifying earthmover tyres with large injuries, and then inserting the Ultra Repair™ patch to restore the tyre’s original strength, integrity and performance at a fraction of the cost of new tyres. Unlike other patches, it works on large injuries on even the largest tyres, up to and including 63” ultra-class tyres, and it stands up to even the most extreme conditions without bulging.
“Whether it’s in Africa or Canada, our customers operate in challenging environments and we knew it was critical to ensure Ultra Repair™ would be able to stand up to extremes,” says Allan. “we’re really proud to already have saved hundreds of tyres from scrap piles around the world with this technology.”
Technicians go through Kal Tire’s own special training and stringent certification process to perform an Ultra Repair™. This certified service is now available in Canada, the UK, Chile, Colombia, Australia and several African countries, including Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and Ghana.
Kal Tire is placing a focus on tyre management innovation with a goal to help improve productivity, value and safety in mining operations by pioneering new technology, tools and processes. At Electra Africa 2016, Kal Tire will be showcasing Ultra Repair™ along with other unique products and processes such as new recycling solutions and a gravity assist system—a mechanical arm that allows technicians to safely, weightlessly and precisely maneuver heavy mounting tools such as torque guns.
When it comes to servicing mining customers, Kal Tire looks beyond the traditional tyre management offerings and develops customised solutions based on the needs of the mining operation. For some customers, Kal Tire has created alternative commercial models that are focused on aligning the goals of both the customer and Kal Tire. This ensures the company measures success the same way the customer does.
Another service Kal Tire has been providing to more and more customers is the management of the tyre logistics chain, including inventory. “Due to tough market conditions, customers in Africa and beyond have asked us to take this on for them. Everyone is mindful of their balance sheets and no one wants to carry excess inventory. For us, it’s another example of how we can apply our unique expertise and presence to offer a tyre management service that delivers significant value.”
To learn more about how Kal Tire’s Mining tire group delivers innovative solutions of measurable value, visit them at Electra, Sept 12-16, hall 5, stand B28.
ABOUT KAL TIRE
Kal Tire is Canada’s largest independent tyre dealer and one of north America’s largest commercial tyre dealers. Kal Tire’s Mining tire group is a global leader in mining tyre service and supply, operating on more than 150 mine sites across five continents. The company has warehouse facilities strategically located across Canada servicing over 250 Kal Tire retail and commercial stores. Kal Tire owns and operates five earthmover retreading facilities located in Canada, the United Kingdom, West Africa and Chile. The company employs more than 5,600 team members. For more information on Kal Tire’s Mining tire group, please visit www.kaltiremining.com.