Vipal Rubber, a leading name in the tyre retreading industry, celebrated a resounding success at The Tire Cologne (TTC) 2024, held from June 4-6 in Cologne, Germany. With over 14,000 visitors, the event provided an excellent platform for Vipal to highlight its commitment to sustainability and innovation in tyre retreading solutions.
Operating in Europe since 2006, Vipal Rubber has established itself as a significant player in the tyre retreading market, known for its excellent products and technical services. At TTC 2024, Vipal aimed to strengthen its relationships with local partners and consolidate its position as a key provider of retreading solutions.
“The results of our participation were excellent, both in strengthening relationships with existing customers and partners and in generating new business opportunities,” said Frederico Schmidt, General Manager of Vipal in Europe. Schmidt delivered an insightful talk titled "Retreading is the Future: Sustainability and Innovation," underscoring the environmental benefits of tyre retreading and its importance to the transport industry. He also participated in a panel discussion on "The Future for Independent Retreaders," addressing the challenges faced by independent retreaders.
“Sustainability was a central theme of the event, and Vipal used this opportunity to emphasise that tyre retreading contributes to the circular economy and a more sustainable future,” Schmidt added. Vipal's stand, located in the circular economy section, showcased their line of precured treads, including the DV-RT5, VM310, and VT540, as well as their renowned repair product line. A highlight of their exhibit was the pre-launch of the DV-UMe, a new tread specifically designed for electric vehicles.
Leandro Rigon, Director of International Business at Vipal, noted, “We observed a higher volume of visitors this year compared to the previous year, which delights us. This reinforces our decision to participate in the event as exhibitors after the hiatus in 2020 and 2021. We are also pleased with the organisers’ adjustments to the fair’s layout and the reinstatement of the event in even years, reflecting past practices. In our market, maintaining personal connections and relationships remains crucial, thus making it imperative to ensure easy access for interested attendees. Moreover, the emphasis on sustainability further validates and solidifies the position of tyre retreading as a practice inherently aligned with the circular economy.”
Gilson Dugno, Commercial Manager for International Business at Vipal, added that the event attracted attendees from strategic markets where the company already operates, such as North America, Africa, and the Middle East. “With over 14,000 attendees from 109 countries, TTC 2024 will undoubtedly lead to new opportunities for expanding our operations in these regions,” Dugno pointed out.
Vipal Rubber has been a presence in Europe for nearly two decades, with an office in Spain and distribution centres in England, Spain, and Slovenia, also responsible for serving African and Middle Eastern markets. With a dedicated and experienced team, the subsidiary consistently provides agile and personalised solutions for the tyre retreading market, delivering quality, innovation, and sustainability.