Otani Tyres: Meeting Demand for Tyres In The African Markets

About the Company

Zafco is associated with the internationally well-known tyre brand Otani for more than 25 years and represents the brand in over 40 countries in the world. In 2010, Zafco and Otani further consolidated their relationship by investing in a joint venture to set up a new tyre factory in Thailand. The factory is located in the city of Bangkok and makes top quality radial tyres for trucks.

In order to come up with high quality truck tyres, rigorous testing procedures have been put in place at the factory. In addition, a system of continuous improvements has been embraced. There has been a particular focus on designing and manufacturing tyres that give fleets low cost per kilometre as well as maximum usage of the casing for multiple retreads. With these features, the product is ready to make its entry in the African continent.

The consumption of imported truck tyres in Africa is well over 10 million units in a year. Countries like Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola, Kenya, Tanzania and South African are the major truck tyres consumers.

For several land-locked countries in Africa, land transport is the only option to import products. Continuous investments and improvement in the infrastructure of the road network in some of these countries has increased the demand for tubeless truck tyres.

Like anywhere else in the world, in this region too, companies with fleets as well as transport companies, have started feeling the need for high quality, low cost of kilometre tyres. There is a shortage of good quality tyres and their availability in the African region. Most of the value-for-money brands are focusing on selling in other continents and have limited supplies to cater to the African region. Whereas OTANI TBR Tyres is focusing to serve the needs of the transporters in the African countries and with an annual production capacity of over 500,000 units, is well positioned to supply the required quantities.

The value for money product is a key to success in the African region. After studying the market for several years, OTANI TBR has come up with sizes and prices which are suitable for the African market and there will be more sizes and patterns coming soon in 2013. From February 2013, Zafco will be introducing the new All-Position truck tyre, which is the main requirement in many of the African countries.

Considering the speed and road conditions in Africa, Otani TBR has made a special highway pattern “OH 101”. This particular pattern features high speed, low noise, greater steering performance and, most importantly, is a tyre which gives “Low Cost Per Kilometre”.

Zafco aims to join hands with strong partners in countries like Algeria, Nigeria, Angola, and other African markets for a longterm business relationship. Additionally, plans are already underway to introduce Otani TBR tyres to the OEM trailer manufacturing companies in the region, which will make Otani an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) brand of tyres.

With plans to make over 15 sizes in 2013, in addition to the range of 20 sizes readily available, continuous development of new sizes and patterns is a strategic imperative for Otani which will make it one of a few brands that cover the entire range of the truck tyre segment.

OTANI Expands its Footprints to Europe

OTANI Tyre Co. Ltd. was incorporated three decades ago with the sole aim of becoming the leading manufacturer of Agricultural, Off-the-Road, and Commercial Bias Tyres in Southeast Asia. After substantial achievements on these offerings, OTANI expanded to TBR range as well to serve the customers with the best value.

What Differentiates OTANI
The manufacturing of the products is done in its origin country – Thailand, hence OTANI enjoys an excellent reputation in the market by exceeding customers’ satisfaction with quality products and utmost performance. OTANI tyres are robust and rugged that give the customers an opportunity to retread multiple times in order to get lesser cost per kilometer and cash-in the prolonged life-span of the tyres.

The increasing popularity of the brand has led OTANI to expand significantly where it is sold in six continents through a number of well-renowned and trustworthy distributors.

R&D Matters
OTANI values the importance of R&D for its portfolio and as a result it comes up with tailor-made tread designs to suit the requirements of specific markets. The company invests millions of dollars in R&D every year in order to keep bringing continuous improvements in its product range.

Quality control process is highly regulated where the tyres undergo the extensive process including 100% Shearography and X-Ray inspection to make them flawless, OTANI is proud to have the manufacturing capacity of 2,500 tyres per day, where the expansion plan aims to increase it to 5,000 tyres per day by the end of 2016.

Customer Relationship
OTANI believes that serving the customers in a meticulous way always pays off, hence the same kind of recognition comes from the customers as well. Customer testimonials from various parts of the world always compliment on the performance, reliability, and longer mileage benefit that OTANI offers.

Last but not the least, OTANI pays close attention to after-sales service where Product Knowledge Seminars are held across the globe to educate the customers on the best tyre maintenance practices for yielding optimum performance from the tyres, says Raghavendra Sanga – Head of Product Communication & Marketing at ZAFCO.