The Bandag/BTS conference saw Bandag Southern Africa unveil its new branding, in keeping with its global alignment. “The refocus is creating huge excitement. We need to continue to show Southern Africa what Bandag stands for, the value that it brings and that it’s always brought. There is a refreshed and new passion about Bandag moving forward. It’s simple, it’s to the point, it’s direct and it’s what Bandag is. It’s more than just a logo, it’s our future,” said CEO John Laskarides.
Bandag, a major player in the retread market, have positioned the brand as forward thinking, contemporary and modern. “How we drive the category, how we position ourselves in the category really drives what happens within the category. Bandag is the largest independent retreading franchise network in Southern Africa, keeping jobs here at home. Bandag’s new tagline is Built for Better. Bandag continues to invest in building the best retreaded tyres and does this by focusing on Sustainability, Reliability and Profitability,” he said.
The theme for the conference and new branding was Sustainability, Reliability and Profitability. Sustainability for the environment, Reliability of its products and services, and Profitability for its customers. “Because Bandag is not built for the status quo, Bandag is Built for Better. It is our belief that Bandag makes the best retread in the business. And we want to keep telling fleets that,” added Laskarides.
In keeping with their innovative way of thinking, Bandag also unveiled new products and services at the Bandag/BTS Conference, the TEG 2.0, ProOOSTA Mobi and BDM1.
BDM1 is the latest offering in Bandag’s Application Specific product range. BDM1 is a regional drive design that can take on severe road conditions and still deliver on Sustainability, Reliability and Profitability. BDM1 was tested under local conditions and outperformed two of Bandag’s already trusted tread patterns. Some of the features of BDM1 include, tie bars for increased stability, wide and open shoulders for improved resistance to lateral stresses and a high void ratio for improved resistance to penetration by foreign objects. BDM1 is a directional tread design and this aids in offering increased traction when needed as well as longer wear.
Application Specific treads are Built for Better!
But the innovation did not end there.
Bandag SA has not only invested in electronic tyre inspections, it has seen a high adoption rate as more and more of its franchise network are using Bandag’s ProApp to provide real data, real time, real fast. More than 50% of the one million tyres inspected by Bandag and its franchise network during 2018 were captured electronically. This means faster processing, greater accuracy and quicker reporting. As a natural evolution, Bandag SA has launched ProOOSTA Mobi to enable electronic scrap tyre analysis. ProOOSTA Mobi works seamlessly with Bandag’s existing online and mobile applications to enhance the information gathering process. Users will find in-app intelligence aiding this process through cross module integration. Scrapping tyres just got a whole lot easier and… smarter!
TEG 2.0 was another innovation on display at the Bandag/BTS conference. This innovative and simple piece of equipment engineering plugs into the current Bandag retreading process to minimize rubber waste. TEG 2.0 provides a grinding process for tread edges and in so doing, provides a noticeable reduction in tread edge off cuts. This innovation enables franchisees to become more sustainable while providing a benefit to the environment. Going green is not always easy. But at Bandag, they are looking for more ways to promote sustainability. They want to go beyond recycling used casings.
The Bandag/BTS Conference also provided the platform for Bandag to announce the change in name of its Value Range from Axia to ProTread by Bandag.
ProTread by Bandag is a global brand and while they are a local organization, they want to ensure they are accessing the best international products they can, at home! So the change is more than just about the brand name or logo, it signifies Bandag SA’s commitment to both the global Bandag brand, its franchise network and end user customers. Bandag have also launched PRO-TR2 which is a super single tread design for regional trailer applications. PRO-TR2 features mini wings and cuts at 12mm. PRO-TR2 is the perfect tread for the value end of the market and conforms to Bandag’s strict local and global manufacturing standards.
Bandag has been and remains at the forefront of glocalization within the retreading sector. Their solutions are tested and proven. When Bandag started in 1957 the founders’ message was simple – treat your customer as a partner, treat their business as your own and today that principle still drives them. Bandag – Built for Better.
Once the business part of the conference was completed, there was golf, spa treatments for the lovely ladies and a new experience in the form of Laser Clay Pigeon shooting.
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
Franchise 5 Years
- BTS BARKLY WEST
- BTS BENONI
- BTS BLOEMFONTEIN
- BTS DURBAN
- BTS HARRISMITH
- BTS KLERKSDORP
- BTS NEWCASTLE
- BTS OUDTSHOORN
- BTS RUIMSIG
- BTS WELKOM
- BTS WORCESTER
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise 5 Years
- EAST LONDON BANDAG
- NEW ROADGRIP RETREADERS
- PROTEA TYRES KIMBERLEY
BTS Franchise 10 Years
- BTS CAPE TOWN
- BTS EAST LONDON
- BTS LADYSMITH
- BTS LICHTENBURG
- BTS NATAL MIDLANDS
- BTS PINETOWN
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise 10 Years
- KILO TYRES
- MEGA TREADS
- VOMS INDUSTRIAL
BTS Franchise 15 Years
- BTS GEORGE
- BTS PRETORIA NORTH
- BTS VRYHEID
- BTS WINDHOEK
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise 15 Years
- BANDAG DISTRIBUTORS NAMIBIA
- NEXOR TYRES
- TONWAY TYRES
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise 20 Years
- EAST CAPE BANDAG
- LOMBARD TYRES
- RICHARDS BAY TYRES
- SABLE – NDOLA
- SABLE – LUSAKA
- TREADMASTERS
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise 40 Years
- SWAZI BANDAG
- THOMAS TYRES MEYERTON
- THOMAS TYRES STANDERTON
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise 45 Years
- PROTEA TYRES ERMELO
- SPBR – REUNION
Bandag Manufacturing Franchise 55 Years
- CMC – MAURITIUS
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 Bandag has on offer! The categories on which franchisees were measured were very focused on Bandag’s POV.
This year’s winners were:
- APPLICATION SPECIFIC EXCELLENCE – RICHARDS BAY TYRES
- PROGRAMMES, SERVICES, INFORMATION (PSI) EXCELLENCE – LIMPOPO TYRES
- EMERGENCY TYRE ASSISTANCE (ETA) EXCELLENCE – EAST CAPE BANDAG
- BTS EXCELLENCE – BTS CAPE TOWN
- MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE – MEGA TREADS
The Bandag Director’s Award was awarded to East London Bandag for overall excellence in adopting the Bandag vision and delivering on the Bandag Brand Promise.
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 Argentina. From the vibrant city of Buenos Aires to the grandeur of Patagonia and the captivating ice fields of Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, this is a trip to tango for. Congratulations to the winners as they jet off on a golden adventure.