Tyre Industry: What future

Tyre Industry: What future

One of the first points to make –

Is where the relationship between the wholesale tyre industry and the retail tyre industry will ultimately end with the combination of the online revolution. I don’t profess to know the answer?

Up to recent times, things have been ticking along in the tyre industry, with different online developments coming at us at a leisurely pace.

As a progressive tyre retailer, these new ideas have helped me move my business on. Instead of moaning about the increase in new web sites that sell tyres at very low margins, I have joined the “quantity and not quality “brigade.

We became a fitting station for Blackcircles. I must admit at first I did this because I was intrigued at why my customers were buying from Blackcircles (BC) and not from me?

I soon realised when speaking to the BC customers that they were not my customers at all. Only one out of the first twenty drivers had ever visited my depot before and not for tyres.

Tyre Industry

It looked like (and still does) that the BC customers were buying the leading brands and would have normally bought the tyres from a national tyre company or Kwik-fit.
We then became a fitting station for the ASDA website. I must admit that I like this system because, although the margins are low, we actually get the full tyre sale.

The system just drives extra traffic. I also did some research as to where the ASDA customers had previously bought tyres, and some of these were in fact my old customers.

I had mixed feelings about this, but in the end, if I had never worked with the ASDA formula, then I could have lost the business to whomever else fitted the ASDA tyres in Halifax?
Our next online venture was with the Micheldever online system in conjunction with Cam-Systems stock system. This system is a very good thing for us.

Tyre Industry

It has enabled us to set up our own local prices with a stock that is held at the MD warehouse in Elland just five miles away. This is the type of system that I would recommend for the small tyre retailer. It allows you to change things around and optimise the site for Google and the other search engines.
The big thing I have learned though is that your local customers will look at your website and prices but will NOT buy online. They will contact you by phone or actually call in with the online price.

This proves to me that it does pay to go online but not everybody buys online and also gives some strength to the retailer.

I am also a member of Point-S, and together with our online presence, our sales are growing. ( Now resigned from Point-S)
One or two things have recently come to light? This I have to mention because it may be a different ball game in the near future. As we all know, by now the great Michelin have bought a French online retailer and recently Blackcircles here in the UK

. In my opinion, they will be driving the BC traffic through their ATS tyre retailer chain. They have said that this is what they will do in the rest of Europe and so there is no reason to believe that the UK will be any different?

Tyre Industry

Goodyear Tyres did the same thing in America last year and bought an online tyre retailer to sell the Goodyear products direct to the public.
The wholesale sector is also once again trying to muscle in on shaping up a retail empire.

Stapleton’s tyres are now linked with Kwikfit and Micheldever wants to double there retail outlets (Pro Tyres).
I must admit though the old saying “what comes around goes around “comes into mind. Those of us old enough can remember all this type of thing before, but it never closed us down; in fact, we go from strength to strength.

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It will be interesting, however, how tyre manufacturers such as Bridgestone and Continental will react to Michelin selling their tyre products on the Blackcircles web portal?
Could we develop into an American-style tyre retailer system here in the British tyre industry, where the depots only sell one manufacturer’s product, similar to Michelin now in the Costco Cash and carry outlets?
Only time will tell.

The Tyre Industry’s Future in 2024: Ushering in a New Era

The tyre sector is going through some significant changes as we go towards 2024, both internationally and in the UK. Today, tyres are about more than simply rubber and treads;

Technological advancements, environmental concerns, and modifications to driving habits are all pushing the tyre industry into new frontiers. If you’re in the market for new tyres, it’s important to monitor these trends, as they will influence the selection, pricing, and performance of the tyres that are offered.

An Increase in Sustainability

Sustainability is one of the main topics of discussion in the tyre industry at the moment. Tyre producers are under pressure, much like many other industries, to lessen their carbon footprint.

The UK government is working for net-zero emissions by 2050, therefore, there is a tremendous push for greener tyres, and significant breakthroughs in the field are anticipated by 2024.

Tyre manufacturers are making investments in novel materials that are less dependent on conventional oil-based goods. More tyres made from environmentally friendly rubber sources, such as dandelion roots, are becoming available.

These sources don’t harm the environment like big rubber plantations do. For instance, Continental has already begun testing with this technology, and it is probably going to become more and more popular.

But the process of recycling tyres is just as important as the process of manufacturing them. The problem of end-of-life tyres has never gone away. But as recycling technology advances,.

More businesses are figuring out how to use used tyres to create new goods, like playground materials and road surfaces. In fact, rubberised asphalt derived from recycled tyres is currently being used for road repairs by several UK municipalities!

Electric Cars (EVs) and Tyre Innovation

As electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity, so do the requirements for tyres. Because of their batteries, EVs are typically heavier than conventional petrol or diesel vehicles; therefore, the tyres on these vehicles must be more resilient and long-lasting to support the increased weight.

By 2024, we should witness an increase in the number of tyres made especially for electric vehicles (EVs), with an emphasis on rolling resistance, noise reduction, and longevity. As EV use increases, tyre manufacturers such as Michelin and Pirelli will only extend their offerings to satisfy these new demands.

This change may have a large effect locally, particularly in places like Halifax and Leeds where there is a strong drive for more environmentally friendly transit choices.

The need for these cutting-edge, EV-specific tyres will undoubtedly increase as more people in our community convert to electric vehicles. Additionally, don’t be surprised if local garages start carrying more of them than typical types.

Smart Tyres: The Tracking of the Future

A noteworthy trend to watch in 2024 is the emergence of “smart tyres.” These tyres have sensors built in that track temperature, pressure, and tread depth, among other things.

The goal is to provide drivers with real-time data so they can make sure their tyres are operating as safely and efficiently as possible.

This is especially important for those of us who travel frequently, either for business or leisure. Imagine knowing precisely when your tyres are worn down to the point where they need to be replaced, or receiving an alert before a gradual puncture results in a breakdown.

That will be possible with these intelligent tyres, and although though they may initially cost a little more, they will probably end up saving money on gas and safety.

What Does It Mean for Halifax and Beyond in Terms of Local Impact?

What does this mean for those of us living in Halifax and the neighbouring areas locally? To begin with, it might provide you other possibilities for selecting your next pair of tyres.

There will be more options available whether you’re searching for anything EV-friendly, loaded with smart technology, or environmentally friendly.

More crucially, as a result of the government’s push for cleaner driving practices, there may be financial rewards or tax breaks available to individuals who choose environmentally friendly or sustainable tyre options.

Local tyre stores and garages will also need to change; they should provide a greater selection of these new, high-tech tyres and make sure their employees are trained to use the new equipment.

This presents a local business and council potential as well. Businesses in West Yorkshire may find themselves at the forefront of these green efforts as tyre recycling gets more sophisticated, supporting a cleaner environment while generating jobs and boosting the local economy.

The Path Ahead

In 2024, the tyre business is expecting big changes. It’s obvious that tyres are changing in ways that will impact everyone, whether it’s the drive for sustainability, the rise of EVs, or the introduction of smart tyre technology.

Keeping up with these advancements could have a significant impact on how those of us who depend on our automobiles for transportation for work or pleasure drive and maintain them in the future.

There is no denying that tyres are now more than just the rubber piece that separates your car from the road.

They are increasingly playing a crucial role in our efforts to address some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary mobility, such as energy efficiency and climate change. We’ll be feeling the effects of these changes sooner rather than later here in Halifax.

Thus, keep an eye out for these trends, whether you’re in the market for new tyres or you’re just interested in where the industry is going. It appears that tyres have a bright future ahead of them, and it is coming closer than you might think!

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