马来西亚轮胎复新暨代理同业公会联合会

MALAYSIAN ASSOCIATION OF TYRE RETREADERS & DEALERS SOCIETIES

1 & 2, Jalan SP 4/3, Taman Subang Perdana, Seksyen 4

40150 Shah Alam, Selangor

TeL: 03-78455066  Fax: 03-78422213 H/P: 016-2262912

柔佛州轮胎商公会

PERSATUAN PENIAGA-PENIAGA TAYAR NEGERI JOHOR

d/a 1205, Jalan Sri Putri 3, Taman Putri

81000 Kulai, Johor

Tel: 07-6636599  Fax: 07-6639599  H/P:012-7015599

吡叻轮胎同业公会

PERAK TYRE DEALERS RETREADERS ASSOCIATION

115A, Jalan Kamaruddin Isa

31400 Ipoh, Perak

Tel: 05-5454969  H/P: 0125206016

森美兰轮胎商公会

PERSATUAN PENJUAL-PENJUAL TAYAR NEGERI SEMBILAN

d/a No.36. Jalan RK 4/13, Rasah Kemayan

70300 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan

Tel: 06-6012877  Fax: 06-6013024  H/P:012-2710589

彭亨轮胎商公会

PERSATUAN PENIAGA-PENIAGA TAYAR PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR

d/a Lot 34, Sek.22, Jalan Teluk Sisik

25720 Kuantan, Pahang

Tel: 09-5150898  Fax: 09-5134769  H/P: 019-9864222

雪兰莪与联邦直辖区轮胎代理与复新同业公会

 SELANGOR & FEDERAL TERRITORY TYRE DEALERS & RETREADERS' ASSOCIATION

No.62, Jalan Batai Laut 3, Taman Intan

41300 Klang, Selangor

Tel & Fax: 03-33436606

马六甲车商公会

PERSATUAN PERNIAGAAN  KENDERAAN MELAKA

16-1, Jalan Mutiara Melaka 3

75350 Batu Berendam, Melaka

Tel. & Fax: 06-3173436

罗邦才
马来西亚橡胶局前资深研究主任

1-轮胎业的历史和发展

轮胎业的兴衰

1870  百路驰成立
1871  大陆马牌轮胎成立
1888  米其林轮胎公司成立
1888  南洛制造第一条商用自行车轮胎
1898  固特异轮胎及橡胶公司成立
1900  火石轮胎及橡胶公司成立
1917  横滨株式会社成立
1931  石桥正二郎成立普利斯通轮胎
1986  百路弛与Uniroyal合并，成立Uniroyal-Goodrich
1987  大陆马牌轮胎收购General Tire
1988  普利斯通收购火石
1988  米其林收购Uniroyal-Goodrich
1999  固特异从Sumitomo 橡胶工业收购南洛
2006  普利斯通收购奔达可

1.2 技术发展

1839   橡胶硫化
1845   罗勃·威廉·汤姆斯获得硫化橡胶轮胎专利
1888   南洛制造首条商用自行车轮胎
1898   Schrader气阀杆获得专利
1903   固特异轮胎公司获得首条充气轮胎专利
1904   帘布层取代梭织布
1906   首条充气飞机轮胎面市，防滑花纹
1910   百路驰介绍碳黑作为强化物
1938   固特异推出人造纤维帘子线
1937－1945 第二次世界大战
1940   百路驰推出首条商用人造胶轮胎
1946   米其林推出子午轮胎
1947   固特异推出首条尼龙轮胎
1947   百路驰推出无内胎轮胎
1963   固特异将聚酯帘线应用于轮胎
1965   Armstrong Rubber推出斜交带束玻璃纤维轮胎
1968   海绵轮胎
1968   美国规定所有新轮胎必须有DOT 号码
1971   月球轮胎
1981   飞机子午胎

2.1 南洛的故事

诞生于苏格兰的邓禄普（John Boyd Dunlop 1840年2月5日至1921年10月23日）是个发明家，也是其中一家橡胶公司的创始人。他创办了南洛充气轮胎公司。

他修读兽医系，并在1867年于北埃尔兰成立了Downe 兽医诊所。

1887年，他为儿子的三轮车研制了第一条实用的充气轮胎。经过测试，他在1888年12月7日取得了专利。然而，两年之后，他接到正式的通知说，该专利是无效的，因为罗勃·威廉·汤姆森（Robert William Thomson 1922－1873）分别 于1846年在法国和1847年在美国取得了专利。

南洛充气轮胎的发展因为交通发展而达到关键时刻。1890年底，该公司才在贝尔法斯特（Belfast）开始商业化生产。南洛以他的专利换取了公司的1500股，结果他最终并没有因为他的这项发明而致富。

2.2  南洛充气轮胎有限公司

1889年成立于都柏林（Dublin）的南洛充气轮胎有限公司，取得了邓禄普的充气轮胎专利并将它商业化。该公司继续扩充， 从伯明罕的佛特邓禄普（ Fort Dunlop），扩展至南非、南美、荷兰、比利时、意大利、丹麦、瑞典、西班牙、印度、日本、美国，并在马来西亚和锡兰购买橡胶园。

南洛的多元化业务包括防水胶布、鞋子、服饰、航天、乳胶床垫、高尔夫球、网球拍、潜水服、潜水用的脚蹼及世界首条"故障安全"（fail-safe）轮胎。

1960年代选择研发纤维子午胎，而不是耐用的钢 丝子午胎是南洛衰微的主要因素。南洛因此输给了米其林和其他销售钢丝子午胎的制造商。 

1971年，南洛和倍耐力合并，成为全球第三大轮胎公司。该合并合约在1981年结束。

接管和解散

1980年代初，南洛债台高筑。1984年，它将美国的轮胎子公司出售给管理层，并将南洛印度出售给迪拜的Jumbo 集团。1985年，该公司被BTR plc所收购。南洛公路轮胎名字的行使权则出售给日本Sumitomo。

1990年代，BTR将南洛的各个公司出售：

－1966年，将南洛鞋子业务出售给荷兰Hevea公司

－1996年，南洛Adhesives被Norcros plc收购

－1966年，南洛飞机轮胎有限公司被出售，以成立另一家独立的公司

－1997年，Dunlopillo，作为Dunlop Latex Foam 有限公司出售给管理层

－1998年，BTR将其股份出售给南洛非洲有限公司

－2006年，南洛轮胎国际被印度阿波罗轮胎收购

3.1 高且薄或矮且胖？

早期的轮胎大约长1寸，宽半寸，厚1/4寸。它们不会发出任何噪音，在不平坦的路面行驶时也不会震荡。

这些年来，轮胎的形状就如圆形的气球，拥有100％的高宽比，可行驶不超过1500公里。它们很容易被刺穿和损坏。因此，当时的车子在长途跋涉时携带六条备胎是 相当普遍的事。

1934年，轮胎花纹的发明，提供了更佳的湿地操控。轮胎的高宽比，则在1950年，也就是在推出无内胎轮胎时，进一步降低至95％。较低的断面比，可带来更佳的车子操控。到了1962年，该高宽比已经大约在85％。1968年时，高宽比为70％的轮胎，被视为低断面轮胎。今天在马来西亚，原配胎的高宽比一般为65％－55％，而在公路行驶的汽车当中，一般替换轮胎的平均高宽比为40%和45％。

低断面，宽阔的轮胎花纹具有以下的优点：

更佳的胎纹磨耗
较低的滚动阻力
更好的高速行驶能力
更佳的操控，牵引力及制动

缺点

低速行驶时的粗糙驾驶对车子轮胎的不平衡
悬挂系统很敏感
更容易发生水漂

马来西亚汽车的轮胎断面趋势

年代               高宽比             轮胎断面              速度（kmph）
1960                100％               超圆                     －150
1970                  80％              正截面                    S180
1980                  70％              低断面                    H210
1990            65－60－55％      特低断面                  V 240
2000            50－45－40％      超低断面                  Z >240

3.2   斜交层VS 子午胎

子午胎在很多方面都超越斜交层轮胎。
更佳的胎纹磨耗
更佳的操控
更低的轮胎阻力
生热较低，提供较清凉的运跑
更高的高速行驶能力
更高的防穿刺功能
较低的每公里行驶成本

然而，斜交层轮胎也有一些优点

较低的轮胎成本
较高的抗胎壁冲击和胎缘损伤能力
较低的胎压敏感度
较能包涵轮胎被滥用的情况如轮胎充气不足/充气过量，或超载

马来西亚轮胎子午化

摩托车轮胎     0％
轿车轮胎       100％
轻卡             70％
重卡             40％
农业用轮胎      0％
推土机            0％

子午化对马来西亚有长期的影响，因为子午胎需要更多的天然胶，也就是未硫化的橡胶强力度和高粘性。

影响马来西亚子午化的趋势

改善的高速公路
更迅速的长途运输
更高的安全意识
更佳的车子/轮胎维护

3.3马来西亚的轮胎售价

如果我们看马来西亚的轮胎售价，我们会很快地下结论说汽车轮胎的成本效益比，有了相当大的改善。

作为轮胎的使用者，我为轮胎制造商喝彩并向他们祝贺。在过去的4世纪，轮胎价格几乎没有上涨过，而车子的售价却已经上涨了好几倍。这几十年来，劳工、机械、原料、公用事业设备、土地、建筑、环境污染控制、安全及健康成本都已经增加了好几百个百分点了。轮胎价格却很少涨价。这是值得那些相关行业者如翻胎业者、胎面胶制造商、轮胎设备制造业者、代理及消费者沉思的。

 
马来西亚的轮胎价格

  年     轮胎规格       轮胎种类      轮胎磨耗      轮胎价格     汽车价格
                                             （公里）      （零吉）     （零吉）

1960   6.00-13          斜交层          4000           70           6000

1970   155/80R13    子午纤维        50000          80          10000

1980   175/70R13    钢丝子午胎     60000         100          20000

1990   185/65R13    钢丝子午胎     60000         120          50000

2000   185/60R14    钢丝子午胎     60000         140          80000

By David Wilson: Publisher, The Tyreman

The last two years have been difficult times for the world economy and the tyre market has certainly not escaped its fair share of difficulties. Indeed, having experience of running publishing companies in both Europe and Asia, it seems to me that businessmen in South East Asia have responded with particular caution to the economic situation, perhaps as a response to having experienced the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis.

In principle, however, the Malaysian tyre sector should have a buoyant future as Malaysia, along with Indonesia, is one of the fastest growing countries in South East Asia.
 

Passenger Car Tyres

The passenger car tyre market in Malaysia is divided into two segments - OE and the replacement market. The Malaysian OE market is worth about 3 million tyres per year, and replacement market is about 7 million tyres per year.

With AFTA now being fully implemented, and with car tyres from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam now flowing freely through ASEAN markets, we are now seeing a proliferation of brands in the region - both manufacturers' brands (major brands) as well as private brands.

However, the imposition by the USA of an additional 35% import tax on Chinese made car tyres is resulting in Chinese manufacturers switching their export routes from the US to Asia, with the result that 30-40 additional Chinese tyre brands are also finding their way into Malaysia as well as other SEA markets. It is likely that it will take up to 5 years for it to become clear to consumers which brands are of acceptable quality. In the meantime, however, the market is in a state of flux, with confusion for consumers as they struggle to understand which tyre brands to buy.

Under the circumstances, it is important for tyre dealers to align themselves with reputable new tyre manufacturers and suppliers and to choose brands that are likely to stay in the market rather than selling brands that are likely to disappear.

In the meantime, tyre manufacturers and major wholesalers are now promoting multi brand retail concepts, which allow consumers the freedom to choose brands that they prefer. Examples of this are the Kit Loong Tayaria alliance and Michelin Tyreplus. The Kit Loong Tayaria alliance is a particularly forward looking chain in that it is a true multi-brand chain store which focuses on the requirements of consumers rather than on the need to promote a specific brand. Dealers who subscribe to the Tayaria Alliance partnership are free to trade and display more than 10 brands that Kit Loong distributes.

With these conflicting trends in the tyre market we are now beginning to see a polarization in car tyre sales with both branded and budget tyres selling more, whilst those brands in the middle are being squeezed.
 

Truck Tyres

The truck tyre market also promises to show exciting developments in the years to come. Radialization now stands at about 65-70% and we are now beginning to see some interesting trends in terms of tyre sizes. For example, we are now beginning to see super-single tyres in Malaysia with the introduction of 455/55/R22.5 tyres on Exxon Mobile oil tankers.

We can certainly expect the ASEAN market to grow strongly in the next 10 years with increasing goods and services leading to the rapid development of the transport industry in those countries. That being the case, we can expect the truck tyre market to exhibit high demand patterns in the medium term.

Truck distribution and servicing in Malaysia is not as well developed as the passenger car network. However, in the future we can expect to see more and more new modern truck centres providing more professional services. This trend already starting, and will continue. If the leading players in the market want to tap the growth opportunities, they will need to equip their tyre service centres, and most importantly create a service mindset to provide professional tyre services to fleet owners. 
 

Retreading

The prospects for the retreading industry are perhaps not so good. The volume is expected to decrease with the continued radialization of the buyer market. This can only change with the development of whole life tyre management concepts that include retreading as an integral parts Despite the pessimistic viewpoint held by some, this trend is rapidly balanced up by a fast growing transport industry which is fitting more tyres, a trend which is expected to be maintained for the next 2-3 years.

In Europe the new tyre manufacturers are heavily involved in retreading although in Malaysia, this is restricted to Michelin and Bridgestone. The latter is currently more aggressive as it is now concentrating on developing the Bandag network to support their tyre distributors. We have seen new Bandag franchises in Indonesia and Thailand and we must expect Malaysia and Singapore to follow soon. This will certainly present a threat to existing retreaders in Malaysia and may lead to a period of instability and consolidation. Existing players who wish to compete must continue to invest, improve in product quality and customer service.

Despite this, quality standards continue to rise in retreading, aided by the growth in popularity of shearography as well as the implementation of the MS 224 standard.

轮胎世界出版人   大卫·威尔森

对全球经济和轮胎市场来说，前两年是相当困难的时刻，轮胎市场显然也无法幸免。在欧洲和亚洲拥有经营出版公司经验的我发现，东南亚商家对经济情况的反应尤其谨慎，这也许和他们经历过1997年的亚洲经济危机有关。原则上，未来的马来西亚轮胎领域充满着潜能。除了马来西亚，印尼是东南亚成长最迅速的国家之一。

轿车轮胎

马来西亚的轿车轮胎市场可分为两大部分－原配（OE）和替换市场。每年，马来西亚原配胎数量约有3百万条，替换轮胎数量则约7百万条。AFTA的全面落实，使印尼、马来西亚、泰国及越南制造的轮胎自由地涌入东盟市场。我们能在这个区域中看到制造业者品牌（主要品牌）和私人品牌的扩散。

美国对中国制造的汽车轮胎征收额外35％的进口税，也导致中国制造商将他们的出口从美国转向亚洲，马来西亚和东南亚市场因此多了30－40种中国轮胎品牌。消费者或许需要5年的时间，才能清楚辨别哪些品牌的品质是可以被接受的。在这段期间，市场将不断变动，混淆的消费者必须努力地去了解该购买哪一个品牌。

在这样的情况下， 对轮胎代理来说，与声誉好的轮胎制造商和供应商联盟是非常重要的。他们应该选择那些能在市场上留存，而不是消失的品牌。

与此同时，轮胎制造商和主要的批发商目前都在推广多元品牌零售概念，让消费者能自由选择他们所偏好的品牌。例如，吉隆Tayaria联盟和米其林Tyreplus。吉隆Tayaria联盟是相当有远见的连锁店，因为它所推广的是真正的多元品牌概念，着重在消费者的需求，而不是某一个特定的品牌。加入Tayaria联盟的代理，能自由销售和展示吉隆所分销的超过10种轮胎品牌。

轮胎市场中如此矛盾的趋势，使我们看到汽车轮胎销售的扩散，大卖的是知名的轮胎品牌和合乎预算的轮胎，被挤压的则是夹在中间的品牌。

 
卡车胎

未来的卡车轮胎市场也将有令人兴奋的发展。目前市场子午化的百分比为65－70％，而其中最有趣的是轮胎规格趋势。比如，我们开始在马来西亚看到超级单轮胎（Super－single tyre ），Exxon 油槽车采用的就是这种轮胎，尺寸为455/55R22.5。

我们预测在未来10年，东盟市场将成长强劲，商品和服务的增长，将带动东盟国家运输业的迅速发展。因此，我们预测中期的卡车轮胎市场将出现高需求。

马来西亚的卡车经销和服务发展，并不如轿车网络那般良好。然而，我们预测可在未来看到越来越现代化的卡车中心，提供愈发专业化的服务。这个趋势已经开始了，并将持续。领先的玩家如果想要利用这个成长机会，就必须装备好他们的卡车服务中心，而且更重要的是要拥有服务的心态，为车队业主提供专业的轮胎服务。

翻胎业

翻胎业的前景没有那样理想。翻胎数量，预测将因为买家市场的持续子午化而降低。唯有发展与翻胎构成一体的全轮胎寿命管理概念，才能改变这个情况。尽管有些人抱持着悲观的看法，这个趋势却可以很快地被安装更多轮胎，发展越来越迅速的交通业所抵消，不过根据预测这样的趋势可维持2－3年。

欧洲的新轮胎制造商都很积极地参与轮胎翻新，可是在马来西亚活跃的却只有米其林和普利斯通。目前后者比较积极，因为它正专注于发展奔达可网络以支援其轮胎经销。我们在印尼和泰国看到了新的奔达可特许权经营者，我们预测也会在马来西亚和新加坡看到。这绝对会对现有的马来西亚翻胎业者带来威胁，形成不稳定和合并。因此，想要继续竞争的现有玩家必须持续投资，改进产品品质和客服。

尽管如此，翻胎的品质水准在激光轮胎检测设备（shearography）的广受欢迎和MS224的落实后，不断持续提升。

    降低成本、保護生態

一條復新輪胎不僅具備了經濟效益，達到了節省金錢的目的，同時更具備了環保、資源循環再用，肩負了保護地球生態的功用。

近年來，全球人士高談全球氣候暖化，環保份子極力推動資源再生循環使用，企望在工藝和工業發達的今日社會，在保護生態的活動中取得平衡點。

開源省流是商業活動的最佳口號。運輸工業是現代工業，也是今日商业活动中，不可或缺的一環。在運輸工具中，輪胎是必要的組成機件。日新月異的復新輪胎科技，已使到一條優越以及"脫胎換骨"的復新輪胎，其品質並不會輸給一條新輪胎。

根據數據，越先進的國家，復新輪胎的使用比率越高，例如在美國，復新輪胎与新輪胎的使用比率是100對135，在澳洲，新輪胎与復新輪胎的使用比率，甚至達到了100對100的正比率，在美國和澳洲等發達國家，復新輪胎作為循環經濟的重要一部份，應用十分廣泛，在美國，政府甚至立法要求所有的政府機構都要使用復新輪胎，以防治"黑色污染"。

在馬來西亞，復新輪胎工業由來已久，在重型運輸工具方面，使用復新輪胎的比率偏高。但是，由于在生產科技上參差不齊，許多復新輪胎採用傳統的生產方式，品質上乏善可陳，雖然在價格取得競爭力，但是在安全使用的環節上，卻令人感到憂心忡忡。

選用一條品質優越、安全可靠的復新輪胎，直接或是間接上就能為商家們帶來了經濟上的效益，這是因為一條品質優越的復新輪胎，耐磨度高，進而達到了更高的行駛里程，技術良好的復新輪胎，不會導致胎面膠飛脫，運輸工具行駛順暢，不必浪費時間去進行輪胎檢驗或是修復，自然是達到了節省運輸成本，加速生產力的效益了。

汽車使用者在南北大道等高速公路上，不時可以看到一塊塊從重型車輛飛脫而出的巨輪胎面膠，這些都是發生在那些使用品質低劣的復新輪胎的車輛上。因此，如何選用高品質的復新輪胎，以達到真正的節省金錢、增進公司盈利效益，成為羅里運輸業、公共巴士、長途巴士業經營者所必需深思熟慮的問題。

復新輪胎是在新輪胎的胎面膠花紋被磨損後，經過加工再次復新輪胎花紋，再度裝上運輸工具使用，如何有效地保護胎體，使胎面与胎體結合更加牢固、不脫層、不裂口、翻舊如新、耐磨耐損，這一切就必需仰賴熟練的工藝、高科技機械、儀器，優良的材料，才能生產一條品質不輸新輪胎的復新輪胎了。

我國輪胎復新工業先驅者拿督斯里謝有吉局紳在接受專訪時也表示，在馬來西亞，復新輪胎已有了很明確的安全使用定位，內閣已通過法令，即送往驗車中心檢驗的商用及羅里車輛，規定復新輪胎上必需獲得MS 224品質鑑定，所有使用復新輪胎的車輛，欲通過車檢，其復新輪胎上必需貼有MS224品質鑑定的貼紙以及SIRIM品質檢定。

他說，在本國市面上，復新輪胎品質優劣參差不齊，一些非科技化生產的復新輪胎，以低價搶灘，當然會產生使用上的安全問題。

亦是馬來西亞輪胎復新及代理商聯合會永遠名譽會長的拿督斯里謝有吉局紳指出，馬來西亞獨立五十一年，在交通運輸領域上也取得突飛猛進的發展，在上一個世紀的九十年代，我國便陸陸續續的啟用了多條高速公路，尤其是貫穿全馬的南北大道通車後，更帶動了運輸工業，与此同時，復新輪胎的安全性，成為運輸業者的首要考量點。

曾经在担任馬來西亞輪胎復新及代理商聯合會会长期间，多次率领同业到先进国家考察，研究如何提高复新轮胎生产技术的拿督斯里謝有吉局绅表示，使用科技化生產的高品質輪胎，除了車輛使用者如司機等的安全獲得保障之外，對于其他公路使用者也負上了基本的社會責任，購買一條高品質的復新輪胎，無形中也達到參与環保的工作，更進一步的是，品質優越的復新輪胎，才能讓業者達到增加生產力、促進營業額、建立商譽和節省金錢增加盈利的多重效益。

奧林匹克輪胎復新(馬)有限公司

以高科技及先進儀器生產的奧林匹克復新輪胎（OLP RETREAD TYRE），其品質獲得MS224品質鑑定証書，令客戶買得安心，用得開心。奧林匹克輪胎復新(馬)有限公司，在总经理谢双智的专业监管，及熟练技术人员的操作之下，奥林匹克轮胎不论在生產技術、機器配備、材料使用、乃至公司的管理模式与行銷策略上，都取得了卓越的成就，並獲得ISO9001:2000的品管証書。

為精益求精，該公司特別斥巨資從德國購入一台輪胎內層檢驗測試儀器，通過高度精密的電腦科技，為制成後的復新輪胎進行"X光式"的內層掃瞄檢驗，以求作到每一條上路的復新輪胎，都具備了如新輪胎般的卓越品質，保证在經濟上，能為客戶節省金錢，取得降低營運成本、達致盈利的目標。

輪胎復新，顧名思義即是採用一條素質良好，但是胎面膠花已磨損的舊輪胎，經過胎體打磨、胎面壓合後，再採用油爐加熱使之復新如一條新輪胎，但是價格卻比新輪胎低廉，可節省三十巴仙以上的輪胎費用成本。

奧林匹克輪胎復新(馬)有限公司工廠設于北海麥曼珍，採用高科技方式生產復新輪胎，為我國一家著名復新輪胎廠商，該公司營運主管謝雙锦在接受訪問時表示，在生產作業程序上要求嚴格，並由专业机械工程师及熟練技術人員操作。

奧林匹克復新輪胎(OLP Retread Tyre)以高素質、安全以及耐用打出了它的品牌，廣受國內外運輸業者、公共交通業經營者的广泛歡迎，這些商家採用奧林匹克復新輪胎的最主要原因，除了在于這條品牌復新輪胎的安全度，客戶們皆認為一分錢一分貨，奧林匹克復新輪胎的耐用度高，行駛里程也比一般廉價劣質復新輪胎高，再加上它的安全性，使商家真正能達到成本控制上的節省，促進他們的業務。

這是因為奧林匹克(Olympic)高品質的復新輪胎可以把輪胎故障程度降至最低、在載客、貨運的營運上，使用業者將能取得順暢的業務操作，為公司打響信譽，生意自然源源而來。

在社會責任方面，奧林匹克復新輪胎(OLP Retread Tyre)安全性，也令業者安心，同時具備使用公共道路的基本道德行為，對于資源回收地球環保工作也盡了一份力量，可謂一舉數得。

奧林匹克復新輪胎廠所採用的原料也是講求高素質，其大部份原料胎面膠、中墊膠、膠條、粘合劑、硫化內胎、硫化氣囊等，是由品質優越的永安樹膠制造廠(Eversafe Rubber Works Sdn Bhd.)所供應，無論是在品質与素質上都取得復新工業業者的認同与肯定。

謝雙锦表示，在我國，目前使用復新輪胎者多是運輸業界、公共交通業營運者、學巴廠巴公司，至于轎車車主，復新輪胎的使用率並不高。

奧林匹克復新輪胎（OLP Retread Tyre）以高科技技術復新制成後，經過德國入口的精密儀器檢驗測試，在貼上MS224的品質鑑定標籤後，方才推出市場，客戶在選購時需認明此點。目前，奧林匹克復新輪胎(OLP Retread Tyre)不论在國內或在海外東南亞國家等地的市场皆普受欢迎。

LOH PANG CHAI

Former Senior Research Officer , Malaysian Rubber Board (MR)

lohpangchai@gmail.com.my  ,  016-356 1168

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I wish to express my thanks to Dato' Seri Cheah Eu Keat , President , North Malaysia Tyre Association , for his invitation to write an article for a souvenir programme to commemorate the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Association .

The first part will lay out major events accompanying the ups and downs of the world tyre industry , both from the historical point of view , and also from the technological point of view .

The second part will be devoted to highlight several developments which had long term effects on the industry .

Third part will focus closer to home , the Malaysian Tyre and retread industry .Given the width and span of the many events , I can  only cover a few events which are of  significance .

PART 1 -  HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS OF TYRE INDUSTRY

THE UPS AND DOWNS

1870       BF Goodrich founded
1871       Continental AG founded
1888       Michelin Tire Company founded
1888       First commercial bicycle tyre by Dunlop
1889       Dunlop Tire Company founded
1898       Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company founded
1900       Firestone Tire & Rubber founded
1917       Yokohama Rubber Company founded
1931       Bridgestone Tire founded by Shojiro Ishibashi 
1986       BF Goodrich merged with Uniroyal to form Uniroyal-Goodrich
1987       General Tire acquired by Continental
1988       Firestone acquired by Bridgestone
1988       Uniroyal-Goodrich acquired by Michelin
1999       Goodyear acquired Dunlop from Sumitomo Rubber Industries
2006       Bridgestone acquired Bandag

Part 1.2 -TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

1839 -    Rubber vulcanisation
1845 -    Air tube device patent by Robert William Thomson
1888 -    First commercial pneumatic bicycle tire produced by Dunlop
1898 -    Schrader valve stem patented
1903 -    Goodyear Tire Company patented the first tubeless tire
1904 -    Cord ply fabric replace square woven fabric .
1906 -    First pneumatic aircraft tire , Non skid tread pattern
1910 -    BFGoodrich introduced carbon black as reinforcement . 
1938 -    Goodyear introduced rayon cord tyre
1937 -    1945  Second world war .
1940 -    BFGoodrich introduced the first commercial synthetic rubber tire
1946 -    Michelin introduced the radial tire
1947 -    Goodyear introduced first nylon tires
1947 -    BFGoodrich introduced tubeless tire
1963 -    Use of polyester cord introduced by Goodyear
1965 -    Armstrong Rubber introduced the bias belted fiberglass tyre
1968 -    Foam filled tyre
1968 -    DOT numbers required on new tyres in USA
1971 -    Moon tyre
1981 -    Radial aircraft tyre

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PART 2.1 - THE DUNLOP STORY

John Boyd Dunlop (5 February 1840 - 23 October 1921), born in Scotland, was the inventor who was one of the founders of the rubber company that bore his name, Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company.

He studied to be a veterinary surgeon and in 1867 established Downe Veterinary Clinic in Northern Ireland,

1887, he developed the first practical pneumatic or inflatable tyre for his son's tricycle, tested it, and patented it on 7 December 1888 . However, two years later he  was officially informed that it was invalid as Scottish inventor Robert William Thomson (1822-1873), had patented the idea in France in 1846 . and in the US in 1847. Dunlop's patent was later declared invalid .

Dunlop's development of the pneumatic tyre arrived at a crucial time in the development of road transport. Commercial production began in late 1890 in Belfast. Dunlop assigned his patent in return for 1,500 shares in the resultant company and in the end did not make any great fortune by his invention.  

Part  2.2  Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co. Ltd

Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co. Ltd was formed in Dublin 1889 to acquire and commercialise John Dunlop's patent for pneumatic tyres. The company continued its expansion, at Fort Dunlop, Birmingham to include South Africa, South America, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Spain . India , France, Japan  USA, and acquired rubber plantations in Malaysia and Ceylon.

Dunlop diversification included --  Mackintosh, footwear , clothing  ,  Aerospace , latex foam mattresses, golf balls and tennis racquets , diving  suit , swim fins. world's first 'fail safe' tyres .  .    

A major factor in Dunlop's decline was the decision in the early 1960s to develop textile radial tyres rather than the more durable steel-belted radial tyres. Dunlop lost ground to Michelin and other manufacturers marketing steel-belted tyres . In 1971 Dunlop merged with Pirelli to form the world's third largest tyre company. The joint venture arrangement was later dissolved in 1981.

Takeover and breakup

By early 1980s Dunlop was heavily in debt . In 1984 it sold the US tyre subsidiary to its management, and sold Dunlop India to the Jumbo Group of Dubai]. Then in 1985 the company was acquired by BTR plc. The right to use the Dunlop name for road tyres, were  sold to Sumitomo Japan .

During the 1990s BTR sold off the various Dunlop companies:.

• in 1996 Dunlop Footwear business was sold to the Dutch company Hevea .
• in 1996 Dunlop Adhesives was sold to Norcros plc .
• in 1996 Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd was sold to form a separate company.
• in 1997 Dunlopillo was sold to its management as Dunlop Latex Foam Ltd. ..
• In 1998 BTR sold its share of Dunlop Africa Ltd,
• In 2006 Dunlop Tyres International, was bought by Apollo Tyres of India .

 
PART 3.1  -- TALL & THIN OR IS IT SHORT & FAT ?

Early tyres are about an inch and a half wide and one quarter thick.  They made no noise and greatly relieve concussion on rough road.

During all these years the tyre was in the shape of rounded balloons with 100% aspect ratio and lasted less than 1500 km.  They were also easily punctured and damaged.  It was then not uncommon for a vehicle to carry up to six spare tyres on a long excursion.

In 1934 tread pattern were created to provide better wet road-holding . The aspect ratio was further reduced to 95% in 1950 when tubeless tyre was introduced.  Lower profile ratio had the advantage of better vehicle control , and In 1962 this aspect ratio was already in the region of 88%. In 1968 the 70% aspect ratio tyres were considered as low profile .

Today in Malaysia tyres of 65% ~ 55%  aspect ratio are common as OE , while  50% , 45 % aspect ratio tyres are common replacement on even average street vehicles .

Low profile , wide tread tyres have the following

Advantages --

Better treadwear
Lower rolling resistance
Better high speed capability
Better road-holding , traction , braking

Disadvantages

Harsh ride at low speeds
More sensitive to vehicle tyre imbalance , suspension system
More likely to aquaplane

3.2    CROSS-PLY VS RADIAL

Radial tyres are superior to cross-ply ( bias-ply ) tyres in many aspects .

Better treadwear
Better road-holding
Lower rolling resistance
Lower temperature rise , cooler operation
Better high speed capability
Higher puncture resistance
Lower cost per kilometre

Nevertheless , cross-ply tyres do have some advantages of their own

Lower tyre cost
More resistant to sidewall impact , curb damage
Less sensitive to  tyre inflation
More forgiving to abuses such as under-/ higher inflation or over loading

       Malaysian Tyre Radialisation 

       Motorcycle tyre           0 %
       Passenger car tyre    100 %    
       Light truck                70 %      
       Heavy truck              40 %      
       Agriculture                 0 %
       Earthmover                0 %

Radialisation has long term implications for Malaysia as radial tyres require more NR Which has higher building tack and green strength .

Trends Affecting Radialisation in Malaysia

Improved highway
Faster , long distance transport
Greater safety awareness
Better vehicle / tyre care , maintenance
Improved economy

Part 3.3- Tyre prices in Malaysia

If we look at the price of car tyres in Malaysia , one would quickly arrive at the conclusion that the cost performance ratio of car tyres hoe shown tremendous improvement .

As a tyre user I would applaud and congratulate our tyre manufacturers . In the last 4 decades , tyre prices have hardly increased , while the prices of passenger cars have increased by a few folds . During he last few decades cost of labour , machine  , raw material , utilities , land  , construction  , environment pollution control , safety & health  have all gone up by a few hundred percents . And yet tyre prices have hardly gone up . This is a point to ponder for those involved in other related industries including retreaders , retreads compounder , tyre machinery fabrication , dealers and consumers .

LOH PANG CHAI
2010-04-09