Asian Retread Conference 2018 Programme Schedule

Below is the Programme Schedule for the  Asian Retread Conference 2018 to be held on October 2^nd and 3^rd, 2018 at the Sime Darby Convention Centre. 

We look forward to your participation at the conference over the two days, to be officiated by the Honourable Deputy Minister of Transport, YB Dato' Kamarudin Jaffar, and the  Gala Dinner on the first day.

Click on the pictures for full image. 

 Asian Retread Conference 2018 Programme Schedule

Asian Retreads Conference 2018 (ARC) - Detailed Information

Asian Retreads Conference 2018 (ARC) - Detailed Information

This is Asia’s biggest tyre retreading conference and the only one of its kind in the region. We are bringing together retreaders, equipment & component suppliers, fleet operators and others to come together for a unique experience.

Asian Retreads Conference 2018 (ARC) - Detailed Information

Date:    October 2 - 3, 2018

Venue: Sime Darby Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Conference Theme: Better, Faster, Cheaper

The Conference will be officiated by the Honourable Deputy Minister of Transport, YB Dato' Kamarudin Jaffar. 

Happening this 2nd & 3rd October 2018

The conference offers business growth-and-knowledge-enhancing take-aways such as:

• Familiarising with the latest technology available for retread companies
• Meeting some of the top names in the industry
• Connecting component suppliers and users
• Mutually benefiting business networking

Better, Faster, Cheaper

Furthermore, we have indicated to the Minister of Transport the many difficulties currently faced by the retread industry in Malaysia, particularly with regards to cheap, one life tyres, from China.  This will be further emphasized together with other issues faced by the industry to the Deputy Minister when he attends the conference.

This support of TRMAM members, in full force, will certainly portray to the Deputy Minister that the issues facing the retread industry in Malaysia are real and serious and would need his Ministry's urgent attention.

Key takeaways for ARC 2018:

1) Delegates – We expect around 150 delegates for this conference. In 2016, we had up to 262 delegates from over 16 countries which included Australia, China, Germany, India, Italy, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, USA, etc.

2) Mini Expo – There will be a mini exhibition for companies to show case their products. 

3) Networking – The ARC 2018 will provide a good networking platform for retread companies to associate with their vendors and potential clients. 

4) Esteemed Speakers – Leading experts in the industry and researchers in the field will be making presentations at this conference. Some of the confirmed speakers at the ARC 2018 are:

• Dr. Zairossani Mohd Nor – Malaysian Rubber Board, Malaysia
• David Stevens – TRIB, USA
• Dirk G.H. Reurslag – VMI, Netherlands
• Adam Gosling – Tyre Safe, Australia
• Ir Mohd Rasid Osman – MIROS, Malaysia
• Colin Clarke – Struktol, Germany
• Krishnan V – Elgi, India
• Jos Uijlenbroek – RFID, Netherlands
• Rajiv Budhraja – ATMA, India
• David Wilson – Retreading Business, UK
• Karun Sanghi-  Tyresoles/ TREA, India
• Dr. Ngeow Yen Wan (Roland) – Malaysian Rubber Board, Malaysia

To know more details about the conference please go to the conference website:  www.asianretreadconference.com

Asian Retread Conference 2018 (ARC)

Asian Retread Conference 2018 (ARC) 

Asia's biggest tyre retreading conference is back! Block the dates October 2nd & 3rd 2018! 

• All TRMAM members fee is only RM750. Pay direct to Mr TT Ang or contact any TRMAM committee members.
• JPJ, SIRIM, LGM, MIROS also will be presenting latest info on Retread Tyre .

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MySST Portal Is Now Available! Register Today!

MySST Portal Is Now Available! 

Dear Members, today the MySST portal is available now. please try to go in https://mysst.customs.gov.my

(1) If you are GST-registers person, then you should have received letter from Custom Department informing you your auto registration and log in ID. So you just need to log in to update your company details and look for Lampiran C for application of SaleTax exemption.

MySST Portal Is Now Available! Register Today!

(2) If you are non-GST registered persons, then go to “ new registration “ to register. The approval process will be done supposedly within 24 hours and remember to check your status in “Registration Status”. After that follow steps taken  in item (1) Please try to do it as soon as possible. Happy registering! 

TRMAM Training Program Will Start Soon

GOOD NEWS TO TRMAM MEMBERS
TRMAM TRAINING PROGRAM WILL START SOON!

Now is the right time to start training programme to the all  TRMAM members . The newly re-elected President, Mr. Chin Hon Ming, said in the recent committee meeting, that the new technology is very advance and sophisticated and if we did not move forward to catch up with it, we would be left far behind. It could affect our industry development. In addition, with lesser tax for imported new tyres that flooded the market, could cause a serious problem to the retread market. Consequently, we have to learn from the pioneers of this new retreading  technology.

One of the committee members pointed out that some of the small manufacturers were facing problems such as the outflow of manpower and quality issues. The new recruited staff usually could not replace the experienced staff within a short period of time, they might be lack of new knowledge and skills. So, once the training programme started in near future, it would stern the brain drain phenomenon and clear the issues that related to quality matters too.      

Mr. Chin will plan to get our established tyre retread industry leader and experienced technical officer from SIRIM or LGM to conduct the training program. It will give the trainees a good understanding on the new and updated skills and advanced technology. The one day training program and certificates would be awarded to all qualified trainees.  This training with minimum commitment fee will be open to all member companies soon, nevertheless non-member companies are also invited but with a higher fee if participate.  

Watch out the Training Program open for registration.        

本届理事会将会提供  
免费技术培训课程给予会员                   

     
该是时候提供技术培训课程给予会员公司的员工，吸取最先进技术，提高各人的水准，迎接挑战。马来西亚轮胎翻新厂商公会主席陈汉明，在最近召开的第二次理事会会议里透露，国外的轮胎翻新技术已经走入新的境界，如果我们现在还不瞻望将来，我们的技术势必落后他人。 目前市场溢满不少新进口的中国轮胎，给与本地翻新轮胎很大的威胁。

其中一位理事表示，有一些会员公司现在确实面临不少问题，尤其是人才外流，员工出现青黄不接，间接影响了品质控制。公会应时提供免费技术培训课程，这些公司视为及时雨，日后不但防止人才流失，同时帮助提升品质控制。  

主席说，他建议邀请 SIRIM 或 LGM 资深技术大师负责教导培训课程，让前来上课的学工认真学习。公会将会颁发及格证书给与成绩优良的学工，期待他们学以致用，为培训他们的公司（厂商）继续贡献他们的力量，把他们的产品推向海外市场。

请留意这项免费技术培训课程的报名日期。  

Why Retread?

An Excellent Value; Retreaded tyres are great value for money. 

Retreaded tyres can and do perform as well as tyres that have never been retreaded and they do it at a substantial savings over the high cost of new tyres. Fleet owners, construction companies, transporters and private vehicle owners all purchase retreaded tyres for one reason - to save money. 

It should be remembered that every major truck tyre manufacturer, with no exceptions, manufactures its tyres for multiple lives, meaning they are designed to be retreaded. So when an owner operator or a fleet manager doesn't retread his tyres, he is simply throwing money away. 

The useful casing life is maintained and managed closely by the tyre owners as tyres are the number one maintenance cost of operating commercial vehicles and on road down time is very expensive. 

A retreaded tyre cost less to produce than a new tyre and sells for less - usually between 40 to 60 percent of the comparable new tyre price. Retreading is an effective way to lower tyre cost. 

Tyre Retreading Process

Tyre Retreading Process (General)

1. Collection of Casings

Worn tyres are collected to select suitable casings for tyre retread.

2. Initial Inspection

Each tyre received in a retread plant is subjected to a rigorous visual inspection. Inspectors are assisted by the use of non-destructive sophisticated inspection equipment like the Spectra or general inspection machine.

3. Buffing After inspection

The tyre’s old tread is mechanically removed on high speed buffers. Today’s buffers are extremely accurate and will remove the proper amount of old rubber while turning the tyre to an exact specified diameter and radius. Collaboration with international leaders like MATTEUZZI enables Newera to build computerized world class equipment under license for Asia.

4. Section Repairs & Skiving

With advances in state-of-the-art repair materials and repair methods, many of these tyres can be routinely repaired and in most cases can be retreaded when the original tread is worn off. The repair station is where any surface injury is treated using effective material and tools for grinding and patching.

5. Cementing and Filling

Even in small injuries it is critical that the injury is cleaned and filled. If this is not done, severe rust, separation and steel cable looseness could take tyre out of service. The injury should be inspected, and then cleaned out with a carbide cutter. After cementing the injury, a vulcanizing rubber stem should be applied to “fill” the injury. This would create a permanent repair that maximizes tyre life.

6. Building – Tread Rubber

In the pre-cure system, the tread rubber has already been vulcanized with the new tread pattern design. The buffed tyre needs a thin layer of cushion gum to be wrapped around its crown area. The pre-cured tread rubber is then applied with the building machine. This is called the building process.

7.

a) Enveloping & Rim Mounting or

The built tyres are then mounted with envelops and rims to prepare them for curing.

b) Double Envelope System

For enveloping, tyres are first fitted an outer envelope at the envelope-mounting table before the inner envelope is fitted into them. The enveloped tyres are then vacuumed out for preparation prior to curing. Modern plants have their casings hoisted by monorail systems. 

8. Curing by Chamber

The tyre is then placed in a curing chamber and the pre-cured tread becomes adhered to the tyre through a vulcanizing process.

The monorail & hook system increases productivity by cutting down on chances of casings contamination and allows for faster loading and unloading of tyres. This increases your work place safety and productivity.

9. Final Inspection & Painting

The retreaded tyre is subjected to a final inspection. This inspection insures that only tyres that meet industry quality standards are allowed to leave the retread plant. All retreaded tyres are encouraged to be returned with the sidewalls painted using a light coat of black tyre paint.

Retreads Are Green

The synthetic rubber components in the new tyre contain petroleum oil. Therefore, retreading is highly environmentally friendly and should be considered as the best practical environmental option for tyre recycling. 

Unlike other forms of tyre recycling or disposal, retreading does not simply defer the eventual disposal of the tyre, but actively contributes towards reducing the amount of tyres being used and hence saving valuable natural resources. 

Every retread produced means one less new tyre, thereby minimising the number of new tyres produced annually, extending the life of the original product and saving substantially on resources such as oil ( a passenger retread requires 20 litres less oil than a new tyre. For a truck tyre this figure is 68 litres). The result is less tyres to be disposed of annually. At the end of their first, second or even third life retreaded tyres can be used as raw material for other forms of 'deferred disposal'. This is consistent with the Government's sustainable development policy. 

Be a friend to your tyres. Whether they are new or retreaded, maintain the correct inflation pressure. In this way, you will make sure they are well maintained and will be retreadable when the thread is worn off, and you will save fuel in the bargain. 

Are Retreads Safe?

Yes, they are! More than 100,000 aircraft retreads are used annually with an average of 270 takeoffs and landing per tread life. Airlines average six retreads per tyre, with some tyres being retreaded as many as 12 times.

Professional retreaders adhere to stringent industries proven and approved practices at every step of retreading process with sophisticated machinery. Since November 2007 it has been a legal requirement in Malaysia, for retreads to be manufactured according to MS224 (Retreaded pneumatic rubber tyres for passenger cars and commercial vehicles), which stipulates that retreaded tyres are tested to the same load and speed criteria as new tyres.

The introduction of the regulations as a mandatory requirement has made a considerable contribution towards ensuring and proving that the quality, integrity and performance of retreaded tyres are, at the very least, on a par with that of new tyres.

Tiada Pembanterasan Punca Tayar Celup Tak Berkualiti Dipasarkan

Source: Berita Harian: Senarai kilang tayar celup yang menghasilkan produk yang tidak memenuhi pengiktirafan Malaysia Standard (MS) sudah diserahkan kepada Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK).

Presiden Persatuan Pengilang Tayar Celup Malaysia (TRMAM), Chin Hon Meng, berkata pihaknya menyerahkan senarai itu tahun lalu tetapi mendakwa kilang terbabit masih beroperasi dan mengeluarkan produk.

Katanya, kilang terbabit masih lagi wujud serta menguasai sebahagian pasaran tayar celup kerana faktor harga yang rendah.

Katanya, pihak TRMAM dan Lembaga Getah Malaysia (LGM) telah lama menyedari kewujudan banyak kilang tanpa pengiktirafan sejak kerajaan mewajibkan MS 224 sejak November 2007.

"Kami hanya boleh menyenaraikan kilang tanpa pengiktirafan apabila KPDNKK meminta sebagai rujukan pada tahun lalu," katanya ketika ditemui di kilang Suntex, di sini.

Sebelum ini BH mendedahkan tayar celup menjadi antara punca utama nahas jalan raya dan pengguna menuntut kerajaan mengharamkan tayar jenis itu.

Berikutan itu, TRMAM mendedahkan sebanyak 30 peratus daripada 1.2 juta tayar celup di pasaran negara ini tidak berkualiti.

Hon Meng berkata kilang tanpa pengiktirafan itu, beroperasi seperti kilang tayar celup yang lain namun mereka melangkau proses penandaan MS 224 yang diiktiraf SIRIM Bhd pada tayar.

PRESIDEN Persatuan Pengilang Tayar Celup Malaysia (TRMAM), Chin Hon Meng

"Proses mendapatkan penandaan MS 224 bukan perkara mudah kerana membuat tayar celup perlu melalui sekurang-kurangnya tujuh peringkat penting disebabkan ia berkait rapat dengan soal keselamatan dan nyawa pengguna jalan raya.

"Kami sendiri akui terdapat banyak serpihan tayar celup di atas lebuh raya tetapi apabila diperhatikan, banyak yang tiada penandaan MS 224 khususnya apabila serpihan yang berbentuk sebiji tayar," katanya.

Ketua Seksyen Bahagian Penguat Kuasa KPDNKK, Othman Nawang, ketika dihubungi berkata perkara itu akan diteliti.

100 Retreaded Tyre Manufacturers Fail Sirim Standards

PUTRAJAYA: Almost 100 retreaded tyre manufacturers in Malaysia fail to meet Sirim standards, says Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai.

100 Retreaded Tyre Manufacturers Fail Sirim Standards

He said retreaded tyres that did not meet Sirim standards were a threat to the safety of motorists.

“We will go after them (illegal retreaded tyre manufacturers),” he told a press conference on the special integrated operation to nab manufacturers of illegal tyres here yesterday.

Liow said a retreaded tyre certified by Sirim cost about RM1,150 while a fake retreaded tyre was much cheaper at about RM400.

He said 82 retreaded tyres manufacturers had received Sirim certification.

Retread, also known as “recap,” or a “remold” is a re-manufacturing process for tires that replace the tread on worn tires.

Liow said a special enforcement team from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) seized and impounded 480 retreaded tyres and 1,374 fake Sirim stickers worth RM247,500 in two operations recently.

The team picked up two factory owners and nine foreign workers in the raids in the Bukit Beruntung Industrial Area in Selangor on Feb 23, and in the Senawang Industrial Area in Negeri Sembilan on Tuesday, he said.

Both cases are being investigated under Section 29(2)(b) of the Trade Description Act 2011 for tampering with the marking of pneumatic tyres which provides a fine of up to RM100,000 or a maximum jail term of three years or both, if convicted.

TRMAM Dinner – MOU Between MRPMA and TRMAM

In conjunction with  The Tyre Retreading Manufacturers Association of Malaysia (TRMAM) Annual Dinner on the 27 February, 2016 at Bukit Jalil Golf and Country Resort. The Malaysian Rubber Products Manufacturers’ Association (MRPMA) sign a Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Cooperation on Common Interest.  The MOU was signed by MRPMA’s President Dato’ Dr Ong Eng Long and TRMAM President, Mr Chin Hon Meng.

TRMAM Dinner – MOU Between MRPMA and TRMAM

Goodyear Dealers Support Ban On Regrooved Tyres

Some 15 per cent of road accidents in Malaysia are related to bald or regrooved tyres, according to Jabatan Keselamatan Jalan Raya (JKJR) Director General Datuk Suret Singh at a ceremony where Goodyear dealers pledged their support to the recent move the JKJR and the Ministry of Transport to ban the selling of bald and regrooved tyres in an effort to improve road safety levels in Malaysia. Regrooved tyres are produced by carving new treads into a worn tyre to create more tread depth.

Goodyear Dealers Support Ban On Regrooved Tyres

The Goodyear dealers promised that such tyres are not sold, stocked or displayed in their premises. In addition, posters, banners and brochures will be placed in their outlets to educate consumers on the dangers of using these “recycled” tyres. “It is extremely dangerous to use these types of tyres. Take two minutes to check the condition of your tyres before embarking on your journey,” Datuk Suret added.

For this, Goodyear recommends the “20-sen tyre test”. Insert a 20-sen coin in the groove of a tyre to check the depth of the tread. If the word “sen” is clearly visible, then the tyre is considered “bald” and should be replaced. Alternatively, you can drop by any Goodyear Autocare or Servitekar outlet for a free 10-point check, which includes inspection of your car’s tyre pressure and wear, power steering fluid, air filter, spark plugs, engine oil, transmission fluid, radiator coolant, brake pads and fluid, battery terminal connection and water, as well as fan and air-conditioning belts.

Gesa Haramkan Tayar Celup Tidak Relevan - LGM

KUALA LUMPUR: Gesaan beberapa pihak yang mahu kerajaan mengharamkan penggunaan tayar celup disifatkan tidak relevan dan memberi lebih banyak implikasi negatif, terutama kepada industri komersial negara.

Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Penyelidikan dan Inovasi, Lembaga Getah Malaysia (LGM), Dr Zairossani Mohd Nor, berkata kajian dan ujian dalam serta luar negara membuktikan tayar celup selamat digunakan, selain mengurangkan isu buangan sisa tayar dan menjimatkan kos.

Katanya, kebanyakan kejadian nahas membabitkan serpihan tayar celup di jalan raya berpunca daripada kegagalan syarikat bas dan lori memastikan tekanan angin berada pada kadar sesuai, selain faktor kelajuan kenderaan.

"Sebagai contoh, tayar lori bersaiz 295/80R22.5 memerlukan tekanan angin daripada 850 kiloPascal (kPa) sehingga 900 kPa, dengan kemampuan menjangkau kelajuan 130 kilometer sejam.

"Kegagalan memastikan dua perkara itu dipatuhi menyebabkan tayar celup atau tayar biasa cepat rosak, terpisah daripada rangka tayar dan menjadi serpihan di atas jalan raya.

"Hakikatnya, industri penerbangan juga menggunakan tayar celup dengan tayar bagi kapal terbang direka supaya boleh diguna semula sehingga 11 kali berbanding tiga hingga empat kali bagi lori dan bas, sekali gus membuktikan penggunaan tayar celup bukan sesuatu yang luar biasa," katanya pada sidang media di Bangunan Getah Asli di sini, hari ini.

Sebelum ini, beberapa pihak tampil meminta kerajaan mengharamkan penggunaan tayar celup bagi mengelakkan pemilik kenderaan berat mengambil kesempatan menggunakan tayar itu daripada kualiti rendah yang membahayakan nyawa pengguna jalan raya lain.

Pada Jun lalu, Persatuan Pengilang Tayar Celup Malaysia (TRMAM) turut mendedahkan kira-kira 30 peratus daripada 1.2 juta tayar celup diedarkan dalam pasaran tempatan setiap tahun, tidak berkualiti kerana dikeluarkan tanpa mematuhi piawaian serta pengiktirafan sah.

Mansuh Duti Import Tayar Terpakai, Kata TRMAM

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Sept (Bernama) -- Persatuan Pengeluar Tayar Celup Malaysia (TRMAM) mahu duti import bingkai tayar atau tayar terpakai dimansuhkan untuk kebaikan industri itu.

Langkah itu akan banyak membantu apabila duti import tayar baharu, diturunkan secara beransur-ansur selari dengan syarat pengurangan tarif Asean+3 dan Pertubuhan Perdagangan Dunia (WTO), apabila lebih banyak tayar dari China membanjiri pasaran, katanya.

Ini menjadi lebih ketara berdasarkan terdapat hanya dua pengilang tayar yang mengeluarkan tayar jejarian komersil dalam negara manakala tayar import menyumbang peratusan besar penggunaan tayar komersil baharu Malaysia, katanya dalam satu memorandum kepada Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, pada sesi dialog tahunan, di sini.

Pada masa ini import tayar/bingkai terpakai yang diimport, tertakluk kepada 30 peratus duti import, dan 10 peratus cukai jualan, tanpa mengambil kira sumbernya, kata TRMAM.

Sebagai bandingan, tayar baharu yang diimport dari negara anggota Kawasan Dagangan Bebas Asean (AFTA) tertakluk kepada lima peratus duti import, dan 10 peratus cukai jualan.

Tayar baharu yang diimport dari negara bukan AFTA dikenakan 40 peratus duti import dan 10 peratus cukai jualan, katanya.

"Jika kesulitan import bingkai dan kos bingkai, tayar celup digantikan dengan tayar baharu, antara implikasi negatif terhadap ekonomi negara ialah ia dijangka meningkatkan kerugian kos tukaran asing untuk pengimportan tayar baharu.

"Lebih kritikal lagi, kos pengangkutan tayar akan meningkat, khususnya dari segi kos sekilometer," katanya.

Oleh itu, kos pengangkutan pasti akan meningkat dan impak negatif selanjutnya ialah inflasi dan keseluruhan ekonomi akan menjadi lebih ketara, kata persatuan itu.

Penggunaan tahunan tayar komersil di Malaysia dianggarkan sebanyak 600,000 unit tayar baharu dan 1.1 juta unit tayar celup.

Industri tayar celup Malaysia pada jumlah keseluruhannya menggunakan kira-kira 16,500 tan metrik getah asli setiap tahun, satu sumbangan yang signifikan terhadap industri getah.

-- BERNAMA

JPJ Presentation - Pelaksanaan Standard Mandatori Berkaitan Tayar Celup

JPJ Presentation - Pelaksanaan Standard Mandatori Berkaitan Tayar Celup presented by Bahagian Kejuruteraan Automotif, Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia

About 30 Factories Not Authorised To Make Retreaded Tyres

There are about 90 tyre retreading factories in the country, but up to a third of them do not have Sirim certification, said the Tyre Retreading Manufacturers Association of Malaysia.

Its president Chin Hong Meng said the association has about 55 member factories which have Sirim certification.

"The ones which are not authorised number about 30. They should not have their tyres on the road," he said Wednesday when commenting on raids on two factories suspected to be making retreaded tyres with unauthorised Sirim stickers

Chin said that retreaded tyres are as good as original ones if the production complies with the Sirim Malaysian (MS224-2005) standard.

He said authorised retreaded tyres are not the main factor behind fatal accidents on the road.

"Road accidents caused by tyres, either retreaded or original, are slightly lower than 3% of the total," he said.

He said even new original tyres can have the tendency to fail if a particular vehicle exceeds its load capacity or the tyres are not properly maintained.

Chin also said that it is advisable for original tyres that have been worn out to be retreaded instead of discarding them as this could cause an environmental problem.

"But before retreading a tyre, we make sure that it is still safe to be used. The retreaders will do a thorough inspection before the retreading process," said Chin.

Earlier, the authorities raided two factories - in Bukit Beruntung, Selangor, and Senawang, Negri Sembilan - that were suspected of producing retreaded tyres with unauthorised Sirim stickers.

A total of 480 retreaded commercial tyres worth RM247,500 were seized together with 1,374 Sirim MS224-2005 stickers.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said many fatal accidents on the road are due to retreaded tyres that do not follow standards.

Scrap Import Duty For Used Tyres, Says TRMAM

Source: "Bernama" (Malaysian National News Agency), Kuala Lumpur; 3 Sept 2010

The Tyre Retreading Manufacturers Association of Malaysia (TRMAM) has asked import duty for tyre casing or used tyres be abolished for the betterment of the industry.

Such a move will be a big help once new tyre import duty progressively falls in line with Asean+3 and World Trade Organisation (WTO) tariff reduction requirements, as more tyres from China will flood the market, it said.

Asian Retread Conference 

This will be apparent given that only two tyre manufacturers produce radial commercial tyres locally while imported tyre makes up a big percentage of Malaysia's new commercial tyre consumption, it said in a memorandum to the International Trade and Industry Ministry at the annual dialogue session.

Currently, it said used tyres/casing imports into the country are subjected to 30 per cent import duty, plus 10 per cent sales tax, regardless of source.

In comparison, new tyres imported from Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) countries are subjected to five per cent import duty, plus 10 per cent sales tax.

New tyres imported from non-Afta countries are subjected to 40 per cent import duty and 10 per cent sales tax, it said.

"If due to casing importation difficulties and prohibitive casing costs, retread tyres are replaced by new tyres, one of the negative implications to the country's economy will be the expected increase in foreign exchange loss for more new tyre importation.

"More critically, tyre transport costs will increase, especially in terms of cost per kilometre," it said.

Hence, transportation cost will certainly increase and the consequent negative impact on inflation and the overall economy will be significant, it said.

Annual commercial tyre consumption in Malaysia is estimated at 600,000 pieces of new tyres and 1.1 million pieces retreat tyres.

Malaysia's retreading industry in total consumes about 16,500 tonnes of natural rubber annually, a significant contribution to the rubber industry.

TRMAM Reacts to Hike in Foreign Workers Levy

The Tyre Retreading Manufacturers’ Association of Malaysia (TRMAM) has professed itself to be “shocked and appalled” by the Malaysian government’s announcement of the hike in the foreign worker levy (FW) for the manufacturing sector from RM 1,250 to RM 2,500, which the Association says has been doubled without any prior notice or consultation with the industry.

TRMAM Reacts to Hike in Foreign Workers Levy

In a strongly worded statement, the Secretariat of the Association said; “We are totally surprised and disappointed by the abruptness of this announcement, given that the government has been portraying that it is an inclusive and consultative government.

“The economic slowdown is already straining the operations of the tyre retreading business in Malaysia,” the statement continued. “This is further compounded by imposition of GST, falling value of the Ringgit and the soon-to-be-implemented new minimum wages in July, 2016. Malaysia is becoming less attractive for foreign workers to work in. A shortage of workers, whether local or foreign, will have a significant and adverse effect on the tyre retreading business in particular, and the economy of the country in general.

“We are deeply concerned as the hike in FW levy would detrimentally impact the cost of doing business, which could lead to business failures and would ultimately be passed on to consumers and result in price increases. We strongly urge the government to revoke the decision on the hikes of Foreign Workers levy.”

TRMAM Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

The Tyre Retreading Manufacturers’ Association of Malaysia (TRMAM) celebrated its 10th anniversary at the Taman Rahsna Restaurant in Klang, Malaysia recently. There were about 400 guests, including members, MATRDS representatives, retreading equipment suppliers and the media.

TRMAM Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

“Globalisation and open trading have facilitated the gradual reduction of import tariffs. The lack of monitoring and enforcement by the authority have resulted in a local market that is flooded with cheap and low quality Chinese new tyres. This has affected the healthy development of the Malaysian retreading industry on a certain level. These cheap imports are low in quality and many are not retreadable. What is even worse is that whenever the public sees tyre debris, they would associate it with retreaded tyres. Thus, TRMAM has held press conferences to straighten the matter, educate the public and urge the authorities to protect the best interests and ensure the healthy development of the industry,” said TRMAM President Chin Hon Meng.

Currently, he said, there were more than 90 retreaders in Malaysia and all of TRMAM’s members had already obtained MS224 certification. The rising cost of rubber and related raw materials were driving tyre production costs higher, he added. After absorbing some additional costs, the tyre retreaders had no choice but to adjust their sales price, without sacrificing quality. He said the selling price of retreaded tyres had increased by 15 per cent, effective from 1st Jan, 2017. He also urged retreaders who were yet to be members to join the Association and make their voices louder. The 10th anniversary dinner also served as a Chinese New Year Gathering for the members and guests.

Also present were Malaysian Association of Tyre Retreaders & Dealers Societies (MATRDS) Honorary Advisor Dato’ Seri Cheah Eu Kiat, Malaysian Rubber Products Manufacturers Association (MRPMA) President Dato’ Ong Eng Long and TRMAM Vice President Kew Kuik Tin. The highlights included the Inauguration Ceremony of TRMAM Committee Members (2016/2018), cake cutting and toasting as well as entertainment.