Goodyear rolls-out improved eCasing retread management system

The new version helps fleets and dealers get the right choice of retread tyres.

Goodyear is commencing the roll-out of a brand new improved version of eCasing, its web-based commercial vehicle tyre casing management system.  The existing eCasing system is used extensively for managing the truck, bus and coach tyre casing and retread requirements of fleets and dealers in 13 EU countries.  The new version will be introduced progressively across Europe, giving Goodyear customers more options to enable them to make the best retread choices, which meet their specific needs in an easy, fast and user-friendly way.

The current eCasing online casing management system supports all of the Goodyear retread business options; such as Customer Owned Casing, Casing Exchange, Casing Purchase and also Casing Bank in some markets.  These give fleet operators and Goodyear dealers the choice of all options, i.e. selling their serviceable casings back to Goodyear, having their own casings retreaded and returned to them or exchanging casings for retreads.  The new version of eCasing continues to offer these options and now will be an integral application of the new Goodyear eBusiness B2B platform.  Consequently it will be very easy to use and offer customers greater visibility, traceability and more up to date information than the previous system.

The new upgraded version of the Goodyear eCasing system will enable customers to choose their desired retread design on-line and, as the system contains a full picture library of designs, this feature will enable fleet operators to make a much more informed choice to select the right retread pattern to fit each specific application.  In addition, the new eCasing platform will offer Goodyear customers very intuitive and friendly user guidance, plus full online tracking of Customer Owned Casings and Casing Exchange flows.  Via a ‘Customer Dashboard’, the system gives easy access to all documentation relevant to the customer; such as casing return notes, disposal certificates, casing purchase orders and billing documents.

The development of the new version of eCasing is the first of a number of improvements to Goodyear's commercial business solutions that are being introduced in 2014.  During the course of this year, the company also plans to upgrade its leading fleet management system Fleet Online Solutions (FOS), and the new eCasing system will be an integral application within FOS Next Generation.

Goodyear Multiple Life Concept and Goodyear TreadMax

The multiple life concept of regrooving, retreading and subsequent regrooving can extend the life of a new tyre by one and a half times at approximately 75% of the cost of a new tyre.  According to studies two thirds less oil is used[1] and 34% less greenhouse gases are produced in making a retread[2] compared with a new tyre’s manufacture, which is important for the environment.  Also fewer materials, including chemicals, are used and less tyre casings are scrapped.  The tyre performance being close to that of a new tyre, thanks to low rolling resistance and high mileage, means that costs per kilometer are kept low.

Goodyear offers its full range of commercial vehicle tyres as mold cure retreads, under the umbrella name TreadMax. This range includes the recently introduced Goodyear TreadMax KMAX and TreadMax FUELMAX D and T retreads as well as Marathon LHD II and LHT II, Regional RHS II, RHD II and RHT II, Mixed service MSS II, MSD II and MST II, Municipal MCA and MCD traction tyres, and the Marathon Coach and Ultra Grip Coach retreads.

All Goodyear TreadMax tyres are built on Goodyear’s latest technology casings and use the same tread patterns and materials as the new tyres so that their performance is very similar. All Goodyear commercial vehicle tyres are regrooveable and retreadable.

Retread Choices for Operators

Goodyear provides three choices to operators when their tyre tread depth reaches a level where retreading is an option and the carcass is undamaged.

• Casing Exchange – the old tyre is purchased by Goodyear and a new retread then sold to the customer.
• Customer Owned Casing – the old tyre is retreaded by Goodyear using the mold cure process and returned as a new TreadMax product.  The customer just pays for the retreading process.  This is the preferred option for many operators who like to know the whole life history of their tyres.
• Casing Purchase – the old tyre is sold to Goodyear for retreading and use by another vehicle operator.

The Casing Exchange, Customer Owned Casing and Casing Purchase options are available in majority of EU markets.

Goodyear FleetFirst Service

Retreading and regrooving are just two of the services within Goodyear’s FleetFirst broad portfolio.  These services are available through the nearly 2000-strong network of TruckForce service providers, strategically located in 28 European countries.  Each has the equipment and trained staff to tackle all tyre-related requirements.  These and a further network of approved workshops and operatives also form part of the ServiceLine 24h roadside assistance program, which is available 24/7, 365 days of the year.  Also part of FleetFirst is tyre management through FleetOnlineSolutions (FOS) and FleetOnlineSolutions Mobile, which take the worry of tyre maintenance away from fleets and help further reduce costs.

[1] According to the Tyre Retread and Information Bureau (www.retread.org/?page=AboutRetreading).

[2] This figure comes from a study carried out by Goodyear in 2011, which compared the emissions from new tyre production with that of retreading.

Contact:

Steven Mroczkowski

Communications Specialist

0121 306 6610

steven_mroczkowski@goodyear.com