Page 50 - The Tyreman 2020 - 1
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retreading
Gummitread Positioned Well for Growth in 2020
It’s hard to argue that Gummitread could be better positioned going for- ward with Chan Boon Liat managing the plant’s operations. The manager falls back on a wealth of experience in the re- treading sector that consists of six years working for Kit Loong Commercial Tyre and four years with a rival retreader, be- - mitread.
Gummitread Sdn Bhd, based in Sungai Puloh, are located close to Port Klang and mostly make use of imported and customer owned casings. Like most re- treaders across Malaysia, Gummitread import the majority of their casings from Japan, and as a result of this mostly manufacture using eminent brands such as Bridgestone, Falken and Toyo.
Chan Boon Liat explained to us that there is a “big quality issue with cas- is mostly borne out of the pay structure for truck drivers in the country.
“Most drivers are paid by trip in Malaysia and there- fore with this structure it should come as no sur- prise that drivers are encouraged to focus on making as many trips as possible,” he elaborated.
With this type of wage determination system, and
when time and quantity are pri- oritised ahead of quality and service, it is only natural that the resources you work with are not treated adequately and that - aged.
Delving into the background of Gum- mitread, you will discover a tyre opera- tion that covers several facets. To start with, the retreader’s parent company Yong Sing Loong is a well recognised tyre wholesaler in the region providing car and truck tyres over the last 30 years. During the company’s development, the owner’s son came out of the business and founded an operation selling more new truck tyres, casings, importing auto parts and stocking retreads.
Nowadays Gum- mitread has 15 workers, including in sales, one in main-
tenance, and two driv- ers to collect casings, being employed in produc- tion. The retreader operates with only one shift, beginning at 7.30am and
This shift pattern has led to Gum- mitread producing approximately 2,000 retreads per month, which Chan Boot Liat claims represents about 60 per cent of the company’s full production capability. “In some months we are little above the 2,000-piece benchmark and some months we are a little below. It goes without saying, but this is heavily impacted by demand.
As with most retreaders in Malaysia, Gummitread predominantely provide pre-cure retreads, despite also having
50 the tyreman 2020/1
Peter Soon Kok Eng and Chan Boon Liat (right)
