The deal – which will be signed between Bandag dealers and fleet operators – was unveiled at the recent Reifen Essen trade fair, in Germany, and will be rolled out progressively across Europe.
“Some fleet operators have been slow to accept retreads in their tyre programme,” comments Harald Van Ooteghem, senior manager for truck and bus tyres at Bridgestone Europe.
“With The Bandag Contract of Trust we aim to convince them that Bandag retreads, backed by Bridgestone, play a vital role in tyre management and operating efficiency.”
Underpinning the new deal is Bridgestone’s Total Tyre Life concept, which covers tyre throughout the lifecycle and suggests that a combination of new premium tyres with fully-retreadable casings, followed by quality retreads, can help fleets cut cost per km over the tyre life.
“Our fleet customers who regularly use retreads in their tyre programme see the benefits clearly,” insists Van Ooteghem.
“They acknowledge that mounting retreads gives them a better return on investment and brings down the cost per kilometre,” he adds.
New guarantees with the Bandag Contract of Trust are threefold: Bandag retread warranty, which matches premium new tyres; a lower tyre cost per km than fleets’ existing tyres; and 100% retread suitability of Bridgestone and Firestone tyre casings.
The deal also applies to retreads made from Bridgestone and Firestone tyre casings, for which retreadability by Bandag is also 100% guaranteed