Bridgestone Bandag tire retread sales up in 2022

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Based on "unprecedented" demand in the market this year, Bridgestone Americas Inc. is forecasting 9% growth in the sale of Bandag-system retreads versus 2021 in North America to more than 7 million units.

Bridgestone said key drivers fueling demand were growth by strategic fleet partners and the launch of its Last Mile Tire System, a program designed to accelerate adoption of retreading solutions for small- and medium-sized fleets.

Bandag-system retreads are produced by dozens of independent retreaders throughout the U.S. and Canada at 200-plus retread plants. Bridgestone claims the 7 million-plus units represent over half of the North American market for medium truck/bus tire retreads.

"Retreading makes more sense today than it ever has for fleets," Jason Roanhouse, executive director of Bandag Operations, said. "Not only does retreading deliver the same reliable performance of new tires, it helps fleets deliver on their sustainability goals while also driving bottom-line business efficiencies."

Bridgestone is forecasting additional growth in 2023 and beyond as small and medium-sized fleets increase their use of retreads based on business practices espoused by the company's Last Mile Tire System. That initiative, launched in mid-2022, seeks to promote the benefits of retreading to a broader population of fleet customers.

Until earlier in 2022, Bridgestone Americas was one the larger Bandag retread producers, as carried out by its GCR subsidiary. This year the company sold 51 GCR commercial sales/service locations and nine retread plants in three separate transactions.

Those deals — with Southern Tire Mart, Pomp's Tire & Service and Commercial Tire Inc. — essentially closed the books on GCR as a separate business after 77 years in business. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Southern Tire Mart's acquisition of the GCR locations solidified the Columbia, Miss.-based company's status as the largest independent retreader in North America by far.

To keep pace with the growing demand, Bridgestone is expanding capacity for tread rubber at its Abilene, Texas, tread rubber plant by 16% with a $60 million investment at its Abilene, Texas, plant, adding 50,000 square feet to the 200,000-sq.-ft. factory.

Bridgestone Americas retained control of nine GCR sales/service locations and two retread plants in Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Nevada and Wyoming as part of its newly formed GCR Mining business unit.