TOMS gives real-time tyre performance data including fleet inspection findings, with its accessible dashboard offering KPI reporting that guarantees that tyre maintenance activity aligns with their service agreements. The system also allows Kal Tire teams around the world to access tyre management data from a single platform, thus giving them the opportunity to identify methods to improve their fleet use.
On TOMS, Fraser Flint, the Manufacturing Manager at Kal Tire said, “the implementation of TOMS will be able to provide more data than ever before, hopefully increasing the rate of tyres that pass our thorough initial inspection process, thanks to the deep analysis of data.
“These tyre management plans allow us to provide customers with insightful information on their existing tyre fleet including recommendations for removal at the correct time to ensure casings are suitable for retreading at the end of their first life.”
The use of TOMS isn’t the only technological advancement that is assisting Kal Tire step forward in the sector. Flint pointed to the roll out of Kal Tire’s thermal conversion plant in Chile that according to him is helping to “close the loop on the circular economy and provide a final end-of-life solution to our customers”.
Following three years of pilot plant testing, the facility, located in the heart of Chile’s mining region, can recycle 20 tonnes of tyres each day, with 40% of the weight of those scrap tyres having the possibility of returning to those same mines as alternative fuels. The process only involves melting and decomposing the tyres into three elements: steel wire, fuel oil and carbon black. As part of the offer, Kal Tire arranges transport, loading and unloading of all the scrap tyres including 63” tyres.
Flint added, “This project is a huge advancement for retreading as it will, over time, put an end to the landfill of OTR tyres that are not suitable for remanufacture.”