Bandag’s 2023 franchise conference was this year held at Sun City Resort. More than 120 people attended this year’s conference and Gala Awards Evening.
Following the disruption brought on by COVID-19, the macro and micro economic factors impacting on South Africa and not forgetting the war on Ukraine and its impact on the world, Bandag themed its conference – REIMAGINE. In keeping with innovation, Bandag launched ProTCS and its HMI (Human Machine Interface) Panel to its franchise network. Working seamlessly with Bandag retread tyre curing chambers, the HMI panel provides a host of benefits to Bandag Factory Managers.
• Remote Access
• Increased Efficiency
• Cost Reduction
• Reduced Downtime
• Increased Safety
• Continuous Improvement
• Process Consistency
Bandag is consistently looking to improve its processes to ensure that Bandag retreads remain the premium and benchmark product in the market.
With its numerous benefits, the HMI panel was received with overwhelming success. ProTCS is an electronic tyre change slip module that has been added to ProApp by Bandag. With this innovation, Bandag is further enhancing its digital offering to its franchisees and fleet customers.
ProTCS integrates across the Bandag system, whether you are using it with ProWheel, ProStock or want to use it as a standalone function. Even in standalone mode, ProTCS integrates with ProTurbo to make the data recording process simpler and faster.
ProTCS:
• eliminates the need for paper
• reduces finger errors
• improves staff productivity
• improves site efficiency
• keeps a digital record of every tyre movement
• enhances data accessibility and sharing
• reduces your carbon footprint
Following the business part of the conference, Bandag guests were treated to spa treatments, game drives as well as a team building activity in the form of the Amazing Race. The Gala evening was the highlight of the weekend. Long service and loyalty is rare in today’s business environment but Bandag has historically been privileged to work with a strong and loyal franchise network. Long Service Awards that were handed out this year included:
BTS (Bandag Truck Service) Franchise: 5 Years
• BTS POLOKWANE
• BTS QUEENSTOWN
• BTS RUSTENBURG
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise: 5 Years
• LIMPOPO TYRES
• SELECTED SUPPLIES
BTS Franchise: 10 Years
• BTS NEWCASTLE
• BTS RUIMSIG
• BTS WELKOM
• BTS WORCESTER
• BTS BLOEMFONTEIN
• BTS DURBAN
• BTS HARRISMITH
• BTS KLERKSDORP
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise: 10 Years
• NEW ROADGRIP RETREADERS
BTS Franchise 15 Years
• BTS CAPE TOWN
• BTS EAST LONDON
• BTS LADYSMITH
• BTS LICHTENBURG
• BTS PIETERMARITZBURG
• BTS PINETOWN
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise: 15 Years
• MEGA TREADS
• THOMAS TYRES LOWVELD
BTS Franchise: 20 Years
• BTS GEORGE
• BTS PRETORIA
• BTS VRYHEID
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise: 20 Years
• LONGLIFE TYRES
• NEXOR TYRES
• TONWAY TYRES
• TREADMASTERS
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise 25 Years
• AFRITREAD – LUSAKA
• AFRITREAD – NDOLA
• LOMBARD TYRES
• OLIVER TREADS
• RICHARDS BAY TYRES
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise 45 Years
• THOMAS TYRES MEYERTON
• THOMAS TYRES STANDERTON
• SWAZI BANDAG
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise 50 Years
• PROTEA TYRES ERMELO
• SPBR – REUNION
The awards evening was also used to reveal Bandag’s Quest for Gold (QFG) Winners. QFG is Bandag’s way of rewarding franchisees that excel in delivering the Bandag Package of Value (POV).
The efforts and achievements of franchisees don’t go unnoticed and is encouraged to ensure fleet operators get the best products and services that Bandag has on offer! The categories on which franchisees were measured were very focused on Bandag’s POV.
This year’s winners were:
• BANDAG RUBBER SALES EXCELLENCE – LONGLIFE TYRES
• PSI EXCELLENCE – THOMAS TYRES LOWVELD
• ON-SITE SERVICE EXCELLENCE – BTS LADYSMITH
• BTS EXCELLENCE – BTS BARKLY WEST
• BANDAG MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE – LIMPOPO TYRES
This year Bandag awarded two Director’s Award. Protea Tyres Ermelo and Swazi Bandag were recognised for their loyalty to Bandag as well as their remarkable achievements despite the many challenges that each business has faced and overcome.
Bandag rewards franchisees that excel in delivering quality, innovation, reliability and information, which are all paramount to ensuring the competitiveness of Bandag end-users. The success of end users determines the success of Bandag and its franchise network!
The incentive trip for this year’s QFG winners is a once-in-a lifetime trip to Croatia. The QFG winners will be fortunate enough to visit this land of fathomless beauty at the crossroads of southeast and central Europe. Congratulations to the winners as they jet off on a golden adventure.
