WITH NEW TYRE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY, PRODUCTS AND FACILITIES, KAL TIRE’S MINING TIRE GROUP EXPANDS ITS FOOTPRINT AND SUPPORTS GROWING DEMAND FOR SERVICES
Johannesburg, SA—Johannesburg, South Africa—Acquiring mining tyre experts Tyre Corp and welcoming nearly 900 team members to Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group in 2017 was just the start of Kal Tire’s investment and growth in South Africa. Over the last year, the international company has made significant strides in expanding its footprint throughout the country as it develops mining tyre management teams, branches and capabilities—all while enthusiastically embracing its Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) commitments.
“Several elements of the B-BBEE, including providing employment and learnership opportunities to unemployed people, are aligned with Kal Tire’s long-standing AIMS. We’re proud to be a part of these developmental opportunities for mining tyre technicians,” says Dan Allan, senior vice president, Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group. “A culture of diversity and inclusion is so important to developing meaningful innovation and our presence in South Africa.”
Developing local talent and skills as part of B-BBEE has been fast tracked for Kal Tire, which employs a global Learning Management System (LMS) that tracks team members’ safety and technical training. Complemented by mentorship and hands-on sign-off assessments, team members access nearly 300 courses as they become qualified to perform specific tasks to the Kal Tire Standard.
“We’re investing in people and facilities in South Africa because we see our business here as sustainable. We have so many opportunities to tap into our global resources as we develop local talent and capabilities, and improve mining tyre performance for customers,” says Dan Allan, senior vice president, Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group.
“Beyond skills development, since acquiring Tyre Corp, Kal Tire South Africa team members have been through several waves of training to introduce the company’s innovation program, the Kal Tire AIMS, its safety commitment of Journey to Zero, and more.
“Because of the size and scope of Tyre Corp, we wanted to pay close attention to the transition to ensure our customer base there would be best served, and that’s what has driven our reinvestment in facilities,” says Allan.
The newly consolidated Middelburg Branch also includes a repair facility for large and ultra-large class tyres. The branch was recently awarded the REMA TIP TOP certification as a guarantee of the quality of work and products offered.
In the Northern Cape, Kal Tire relocated its branch infrastructure to a centralised location that will provide faster turnaround times and more economical transportation of tyres. The new location and the additional service infrastructure will significantly reduce the distances traveled for tyre repair services.
“It is important to us to bring our repair offering for ultra-large tyres closer to our customers to provide quicker turnarounds, along with the same quality and standards customers have come to expect from Kal Tire, even in such a geographically vast province,” says John Martin, vice president, Kal Tire Southern Africa.
As Kal Tire enhances its facilities, it’s also expanding localized competencies and capabilities. Kal Tire’s Middelburg Branch, located in the heart of some of South Africa’s biggest surface mining operations, offers the Ultra Repair™ technology, the company’s exclusive technology and process for repairing large injuries to ultra-large class tyres. Additional retreading services for large OTR tyres is offered to West African customers from facilities located in Ghana, West Africa. Development of Kal Tire’s Ultra Tread™ retreading process for large OTR tyres will keep both tyres and casings from being sent to scrap piles prematurely.
To improve and extend tyre life in underground mining operations, Kal Tire reinforces its position as a leader in tyre management with workable solutions that significantly improve tyre life. The use of tyre fill eliminates mechanical downtime through punctures or rapid deflation ruptures by replacing pneumatic inflation with a polyurethane compound—using superior products and processes that the company is now known for. Additionally, Kal Tire’s close association with tyre manufacturers can result in tailor-made tyres for specific applications. The introduction of Alpha Mining Systems is a clear example of how custom tyres and rims can be developed for specific applications, safely carrying significantly higher pay loads with the right pressures and ply ratings.
“We’re committed to demonstrating to customers that we can extend tyre life, in both underground and surface mine operations, which often means pursuing new products or developing innovative in-house solutions,” says Martin.
Several projects to come out of Kal Tire’s in-house Innovation Centre improve safety, precision and productivity. At Electra, Kal Tire will showcase its Gravity Assist System, a mechanical arm that safely and weightlessly manoeuvres heavy torque guns to reduce technicians’ risk of strain and injury. In 2018, Kal Tire has also launched TOMS, a Tyre Operations Management System that captures data and best practices from our operational sites globally, providing data for real-time decision making that supports predictive maintenance strategies to improve fleet performance.
“The Southern Africa region is attracting foreign investment in both green field and brown field projects. It’s an exciting time in the Southern African mining industry. We’re looking forward to the growth opportunities in the DRC, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and the chance to use our resources to support the increasing demand for our tyre services and products,” says Martin.