OTR FAQ
We endeavour to answer questions that may arise concerning the nature and purpose of our operations and service. If you should wish to submit your own question, please use the link on the left hand side of this page.
The Company
Q- How long have the company been in the earthmover tyre industry?
A- The current managing director Chris Skelton's father, Bob Skelton formed OTR Tyres in 1977.
Q- How many people work for OTR?
A- OTR currently employs approximately 300 people globally.
Q- I want to publish an article about OTR. Who do I contact?
A- Please contact OTR's Marketing and PR consultants by e-mailing info@t-s-p.co.uk
Q- Do you only deal in earthmover tyres?
A- Our main markets are earthmover and industrial tyres.
Sourcing and Supply
Q- What brand of tyres do you sell?
A- We sell all major brands including Michelin, Bridgestone and Goodyear as well as other known brands, depending upon availability and suitability.
Q- I need some new tyres for my vehicle. Who do I contact?
A- It depends on which country you are in. Please see our contacts page for who to contact.
Q- Which brands of tyres do you promote?
A- We do not promote a single brand, we work with the customer to find the best tyre for that individual application and vehicle.
Q- How do I protect myself from the global tyre shortage?
A- There are many strategies that need to be used including tyre management, retreading, supply contracts, long term procurement and a sound knowledge of the international earthmover marketplace and trusted suppliers. OTR's TotalTyreLogic tyre management service encompasses all these.
Q- Is the global tyre shortage going to be over soon?
A- Current thinking is that it will ease by 2010 though on larger sizes it may last longer, as OEM production increases.
Q- How important is it to get the correct tyre for my application?
A- Getting the correct tyre for the purpose will reduce wear and downtime significantly, improve safety and reduce costs. Good tyre management will ensure this.
Q- Can you supply tyres anywhere in the world?
A- Yes, we have a procurement department that source and supply tyres worldwide for OTR's service contracts and other customers anywhere in the world. Please contact: sales@otr-tyres.co.uk
Q- Do you purchase casings?
A- Yes, we purchase casings for retreading. However the quality of the casing is vital in the retreading process and we are always interested in sourcing quality casings either for purchase or to be retreaded for end users.
Tyre Service
Q- Where do you get your tyre fitting vehicles?
A- We have a specialist department of engineers who have many years experience in designing and maintaining tyre fitting vehicles.
Q- How many UK service centres do you have?
A- We currently have 7 Regional Service Centres and 9 Service Operating Sites across the UK
Q- Can you provide tyre service anywhere in the world?
A- Yes, we have service contracts operating globally. Please contact: sales@otr-tyres.co.uk
Q- Can you repair earthmover tyres?
A- We repair tyres at our regional service centres, OTR's retread factories and mines.
Q- Is the plugging of tyres safe?
A- No, we work to standard best practice, which considers plugging to be unsafe.
Q- Is it possible to stop punctures completely?
A- Yes, by using either filled or cushion tyres. These are generally used in very harsh environments such as waste or underground mining.
Retread
Q- How long have OTR been retreading?
A- OTR first started retreading in the UK in 1989
Q- Is retreading good for the environment?
A- Yes getting a second, third or fourth life out of a tyre reduces landfill and C02 emissions as well as reducing costs and the carbon footprint.
Q- How do you ensure only reliable casings are used in the retread process?
A- The most important aspect of generating good casings is tyre management and ensuring that the tyres are not used for too long which can damage the casing. In addition to years of experience we scan every casing in the ultrasound earthscan machine, which gives a 3 dimensional image of the inside of the casing. This is used to determine the suitability of the retread process. OTR will not retread unsuitable tyres as they will fail for the customer and are potentially dangerous.
Q- Is it true that a retread can out perform a new tyre?
A- Yes in some instances a retread can out perform a new major brand tyre due to the suitability of the retread compound for that particular application. Typically a retread tyre will perform 80% of the new major brand equivalent.
Q- What is the difference between Smooth and Grove and Mould Tyres?
A- Smooth and Groove involves winding rubber on a casing before cutting a pattern in the tyre and curing it in an autoclave. The mould process involves placing the casing in a mould where rubber is moulded into pattern
Q- How do you ensure the quality is maintained in the production of retreads?
A- We first inspect casings, then they are ultrasonically scanned by OTR's Earthscan machine before they enter the production process. Regular inspections throughout the production process and a detailed final inspection ensure a quality product. OTR retread factories are also utilising Six-sigma methodologies to reduce wastage and increase product quality.
Q- Can I send tyres for retread from anywhere in the world?
A- Yes, we will retread quality casings from anywhere in the world.
Health & Safety
Q- Does OTR have any HSEQ accreditations?
A- In the UK OTR have had ISO9001 for nearly 20 years covering all aspects of the business. This helps in the delivery of a consistent service across the UK business. A project has been launched to roll this out to cover all OTR's businesses across the world. In conjunction with the this project OTR have embarked on both ISO14001 and ISO18001. The plan is to have all businesses compliant before the end of 2008.
Q- Why is health and safety important?
A- Health and Safety is the most important aspect of OTR's operations and we take great care to ensure the safety of our employees and that of our customers.
Q- Is tyre fitting dangerous?
A- At OTR we believe that people are our biggest asset. If the correct procedures are not followed tyre fitting can be dangerous. In conjunction with the Total Tyre Logic philosophy, OTR have a comprehensive training and assessment programme. Our safe methods of work, coupled with training and constant evaluation, ensure that we effectively manage the risks associated with tyre fitting.
Tyre Management
Q- Why should we use tyre management?
A- Safe tyre management delivered effectively has the potential to significantly reduce tyre costs, downtime and improve productivity.
Q- What is TotalTyreLogic?
A- TotalTyrelogic is OTR's cradle to grave tyre management methodology that we use to ensure our customers get the best performance out of their tyres and the minimum cost to them. It encompasses all aspects of OTR's offering from recommendations, procurement, repair, service, retreading and disposal.
Q- Are Tyre pressures important?
A- Yes in a recent study into one of our biggest customers it is estimated based on the Michelin Pressure Vs loss in tread graph (For Graph Click Here) that they lose between £250,000 and £500,000 every year because of over or under inflated tyres.
Q- Why is it important to inspect tyres regularly?
A- Tyre inspections help reduce downtime and costs by allowing planned maintenance to be carried out. They also identify tyre and rim damage, which improves site safety.
Q- I am starting up a new site, how do I know what tyres to use to reduce my costs?
A- OTR will use their experience of the site conditions to help customers develop their tyre strategy.
Q- Do you pass my tyre management information to any other third party customers or suppliers?
A- No. Customer specific information is never passed to anyone else.
