When we consider the examples provided by various leaders around the globe where Covid-19 is considered, the outcomes can be binary; either the decision has worked out well, or the disaster is still arising.

So in considering a truck pulling a trailer, the trailer has to follow the lead of the prime mover, BUT in this case, the trailer bears substantial influence upon the direction the prime mover is travelling.

In order to stay on course, the driver of a truck and trailer combination is usually required to provide continuous inputs to the steering. The question of why such inputs are needed is not easily answered if the trailing units are actually appropriately aligned. More often than not, this is not the case. Trailing unit misalignment is the greatest cause of rash drive, influences tyre wear, increases fuel burn and decreases wheel end life, ergo increasing the operating costs.

Instead of rolling over the pavement, the tyres are actually scuffing and being dragged over the running surface. If the axles of the trailing unit are not ‘aligned’ to the appropriate settings, it will pull the tractor off course. Appropriate settings are usually tighter than the broad specification manufacturers suggest (and truck OEMs don’t really care much about trailers).

One transport company was unpleased with the tyre performance it was achieving. The company was looking for efficiencies in its operations, so it engaged TyreSafe Australia to assist.

After inspecting the scrap tyre heaps, it was determined that there was a good prospect of improving the bottom line by a good number of percentage points.

The process of having all the tyres rolling in exactly the same direction was paramount.

Once inflation pressures were brought under control using real-time tyre monitoring systems (TPMS) broadcasting tyre pressure data back to base, several issues were identified by examining how the tyres reacted during the operations.

Topics such as axle camber, wheel bearing preload are all under the old bogey of ‘wheel alignment’ and so were examined along with the actual axle alignment and wheel (tyre assembly) balance. Adjustments were made, tuning the trailers sometimes fraction by fraction.

The first noticeable effect was comments from the drivers such as “we don’t know we’ve got three trailers, this thing steers like a car”, “I can relax and just monitor the drive; I’m no longer fighting the steering wheel trying to keep the rig on the road” and “at the end of my 12-hour shift, I’m feeling fresh, my arms aren’t sore from constantly working the wheel to keep heading where I want to go not where the truck wanted to go” – giving indications that the project was bearing fruit.

All the tyres from the pilot rig were now evidencing evenly shared workloads; the operating pressures were within the acceptable range for all tyres on each axle group. The end-of-life tyres no longer exhibited strange wear patterns; they all were wearing evenly and smoothly, tread consumption was impressive. The projected tyre life increased by a double-digit number according to change out frequency reduction. The most impressive return was from fuel burn rates.

Being a triple trailer unit, a lead trailer followed by two dolly/trailer tri-axle combinations, the fuel burn rate was always going to be high. Starting from a 1.45 km/litre base, the pressures/alignment project presented figures of 1.85 km/litre, a 27 percent improvement. Considering the annual travel was some 250,000 km, the savings were substantial, to say the least.

Add extended wheel end life, reduction of driver fatigue and the tyre life is extended by 10 percent plus the return on the investment is remarkable.

The alignment of the trailing units directly influences the performance of the entire rig. Having tyres wearing evenly means tyre rotations over different axles became a matter of routine periodic maintenance, not a desperate attempt to salvage a few more millimetres of tread before throwing a large percentage of usable rubber away.

Quite often, operators only care about the tractor. For some pulling client trailers, there is little option. They have to pass the costs on to the client when the contract is signed knowing full well that tyre wear is going to be higher than it should be, fuel burn is going to be higher than it needs to be and the potential for a loss of control event is higher than it needs to be.

Observing tyre pressures in real-time now provides opportunities to examine the underlying reasons why the tyres are reacting the way they are. Agreed road conditions are always a challenge, but all tyres on the rig suffer those consequences one way or the other. It is why the tyres react the way they do is what we are interested in.

Having a software database system that can compare real-time inflation pressures from different axles and positions will reveal insights that are usually just dismissed in the scrapyard as ‘that’s life’. Sorry, I am not going to accept observing tread packages that are not evenly worn across the face and around the circumference as being normal. If the leadership provided does not yield success, then question the status quo, is this true leadership or just profit burning?

Dog tracking is not a unique concept. The head end may be pointing in a different direction to the back end, both ends scuffing the surface to achieve the intended direction of travel. I’m sure many of you have followed a trailer going in a different direction than the tractor.

Why are transport operators continuing to consider tyres as consumables when in fact, they are diminishing assets? This is not semantics or wordplay. When tyres are viewed holistically, the return from the asset group (the truck and trailers) can be improved substantially.

Any transport organisation is in business to generate a profit, which surely is the reason for the business venture, is it not? If the profits will be thrown away because of a lack of direction or leadership, is that not akin to a trailer pulling the tractor offline, what I call dog tracking?

Quality tyres wear according to what they experience. Being pulled offline is the fastest way to burn tread rubber; ignoring inflation pressures is the fastest way to burn the casing’s potential. Despite what is said around the scrapyard, actually maximising the return of your tyre investments is not rocket science, diligence and dedication are required.

Success doesn’t reward a lack of effort. (TT)

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Falken has been named the recipient of the prestigious BRV Service Award, as announced by the German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association during its General Meeting on 8 June 2026. As a brand operating under Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, Falken emerged victorious from a competitive online survey where over 250 tyre trade members cast their votes to determine the industry’s most outstanding partner.

This accolade specifically recognises Falken’s superior service standards and its commitment to fostering a reliable and cooperative relationship with its retail partners. The overwhelming vote of confidence from the trade serves as a significant form of recognition for the company, while simultaneously acting as a powerful incentive for the entire Falken workforce to maintain their high-performance levels.

Thomas Langer, Sales Director Germany, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “The news of a top ranking in the BRV Service Award was already a special honour, as it comes directly from the specialist tyre trade. We are now even more delighted to celebrate the overall victory. We would like to express our sincere thanks for this recognition. First place confirms our commitment to offering Falken partners not only reliable and safe products, but above all, dependable service, personalised support and a truly partnership-based collaboration. The fact that the trade has voted the entire team’s efforts into first place motivates us to continue pursuing our goals with determination.”

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The Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR) has concluded its participation at The Tire Cologne 2026 with a positive assessment, operating through a network of 19 affiliated organisations across Europe. Their shared exhibition space in Hall 7.1 emerged as a central meeting point during the industry's premier global gathering. Key episodes included a governmental visit, a strategic industry forum and recognition for emerging enterprises.

An immersive installation greeted visitors to the AZuR area, with the entire floor surface consisting of resilient tiles produced from recycled tyre rubber supplied by network affiliate MRH Mülsen. This practical display offered a compelling illustration of how discarded materials can be transformed into functional products. The collaborative exhibition model proved highly favourable among attendees and participating companies alike.

The initiative broadened its collaborative base during the fair, securing commitments from new entities in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands to advance shared sustainability objectives. North Rhine-Westphalia's environment minister, Oliver Krischer, toured the exhibition as part of a broader initiative to spotlight regional excellence in circular practices, observing demonstrations spanning digital monitoring, alternative materials and recovery processes.

A dedicated assembly on tyre retreading drew roughly 40 specialists from manufacturing, materials supply and trade associations. Conversations revolved around the technology's track record and adaptation to market conditions, referencing recent environmental performance data. Survey feedback indicated robust confidence in retreading's financial and environmental merits, though participants identified competition from lower-cost imports as a primary obstacle.

The programme concluded with the LOOP THE TYRE competition awards. The top honour went to Machine-Vision.io from Reutlingen for its optical evaluation system streamlining used tyre assessment. Sustainable Rubber Solutions from the Netherlands received second prize for its chemical innovation enabling rubber reintegration into new compounds, while Austria's ReTyre project claimed third for developing a scalable devulcanisation method for tyre-to-tyre recycling.

Anna-Maria Guth, AZuR Network Coordinator, said, “TTC impressively demonstrated the high level of interest in a functioning tyre circular economy. We were particularly pleased with the exceptionally positive atmosphere at our joint stand. Our partners see themselves as equal contributors to a common goal and as partners in a strong alliance for the future.”

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Prinx Chengshan marked a significant milestone at The Tire Cologne 2026 in Germany on 9 June, where it officially introduced its Prinx-brand commercial vehicle tyres to the European market. The launch event, held during the prestigious trade fair, served as a commemorative highlight for the 50th anniversary of the Chengshan Group. While the company showcased its full portfolio of brands, including Chengshan, Austone and Fortune, the European debut of the Prinx commercial tyre line commanded the primary focus of industry attendees.

Senior company representatives provided comprehensive insights into the strategic initiative during the event. Officials from the Europe and Americas Sales Center, the R&D Center and the European Technical Center outlined the company's developmental trajectory, manufacturing scale and proprietary technological advancements. The presentations emphasised the integration of intelligent manufacturing systems and global research capabilities, with particular attention given to how the Prinx brand is developing future-oriented commercial solutions tailored specifically for European fleet operators.

The Prinx brand, positioned as a premium offering, leverages three intelligent manufacturing facilities located in China, Thailand and Malaysia, combined with the localised expertise of its European Technical Center. The company has concentrated its research efforts on six core technologies, including low rolling resistance and high wear resistance features, complemented by an intelligent tyre monitoring system. A strategic partnership with Marangoni, a prominent European retreading material manufacturer, further strengthens the brand's comprehensive service capabilities.

For its market entry, Prinx launched three initial product series covering nine tread patterns suitable for long-haul and regional mixed road conditions. Future product expansion plans include tyres for mixed-use applications, city buses, long-distance coaches and winter conditions. Since announcing its European passenger car tyre initiative in Milan in 2023, the brand has rapidly enhanced its product matrix and reinforced its market presence through branding initiatives and sponsorship of major racing championships.

With five decades of industry experience, Prinx Chengshan is accelerating its global strategy through a product-plus-service philosophy. The company aims to deliver customized solutions addressing the complete tyre lifecycle by combining Chinese manufacturing heritage with international research and development networks. This approach positions the company to precisely meet localised European market demands while inviting global partners to contribute to a sustainable transportation future.

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Grady County, Georgia, has successfully addressed the persistent issue of flood-damaged roads by implementing an innovative and sustainable construction method on Lower Cairo Road. The project tackled chronic washouts that had long plagued the area, where conventional repairs consistently failed during heavy rainstorms. The chosen solution involved a significant elevation of the roadway and the reinforcement of its foundation, moving beyond temporary surface fixes to target the root causes of the flooding.

The county utilised a technique known as Mechanical Concrete, which employs recycled tyre cylinders to create a durable and flexible road base. In this process, scrap tyres are processed into cylindrical units and arranged in a grid pattern. These interconnected cylinders are then filled with aggregate, in this case, reclaimed asphalt pavement, to form a robust foundation. This system effectively distributes the weight of traffic and provides superior resistance to erosion, directly countering the forces that previously caused washouts.

The specific work on Lower Cairo Road covered a length of 880 linear feet and a width of 18 feet, raising the road's elevation by 12 inches. The project successfully incorporated 3,300 recycled scrap tyre cylinders, demonstrating a significant commitment to sustainability by diverting waste from landfills. The enhanced drainage and structural stability provided by this method are expected to drastically reduce the frequency and cost of future maintenance, offering a long-term solution to the community's flooding woes.

The success of Grady County’s initiative highlights a scalable and cost-effective approach for other municipalities facing similar infrastructure challenges. This method proves particularly beneficial for rural networks and low-lying regions with limited budgets. By demonstrating how to build resilient roads using recycled materials, Grady County has provided a practical model for enhancing infrastructure durability while promoting environmental stewardship.

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