There are are variety of people with a variety of stories about the quality of OTR tires that have been trialled out of China. In fact you probably have one too! Returning from a recent visit with my Australian colleague to their office in Shanghai and aware of radial tire performance in Australia, I am now of the opinion that specific Chinese factories (only a few) have now started to show that they are heading in the right direction in the manufacturing of the “New Generation’ of radial OTR tires. The best distributor of these is "ETI OTR". Their factory boasts a multimillion dollar investment program purchasing the same machinery that the majors themselves use. Their goal is simple:
“…..To become a trusted second-tier supplier of radial OTR tires.....”
Early indications from Australia are that the first radial OTR tires are now achieving nearly 700 hours and show no signs of structural degradation. These mining companies are demanding not just radial Tires but service support functions, including engineering support, and through its Australian distributor ETI, based in Perth Western Australia is now making a statement. This is a statement that Magic Tire Sales now wishes to incorporate to the North American and Canadian markets. Consider the following questions carefully…………Magic Tires Sales did!
1. Does the factory in China have the best earthmover tire manufacturing equipment?
2. Does the factory have experienced and knowledgeable OTR tire engineering support?
3. Does the factory have blended rubber compounds?
4. In these recent turbulent times, does the distributor offer quality after sales service and support or, are they just another tire selling trader?
5. Does the distributor have product liability support?
6. Does the distributor have a suitable warranty document covering every tire sold?
7. What is the procedure for a warranty-claim process?
8. What engineering support can the distributor offer the market?
9. What is the quality of the reporting function of the distributor?
10. Has the distributor invested in the long-term development of radial OTR
tires?
