Where to Buy Retreads

There is currently one major manufacturer of passenger car retreads in the UK. This is Kingpin Tyres, who also manufactures 4x4 tyres. A number of passenger retreads also enter the UK from other European countries. The Colway brand, previously manufactured in the UK, is now manufactured in Poland and owned by the Polish retreader Markgum. Other retreaders with some activity in the UK include the Spanish retreader Insa Turbo and the Portuguese company Recauchutagem 31.

Two companies manufacture taxi retreads in the UK, these being Kingpin and Panther Tyres, who market their tyres under the Freeway brand name.

In addition to the above there are around 30 further companies who specialise in light truck, truck and earthmover retreads. These include several of the major new tyre manufacturers (Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin), major independent truck retreaders such as Bandvulc and Vacu-Lug and smaller retreaders manufacturing under the brand names of the major tread rubber producers, such as Bandag and RingTread.

To find a suitable retreader or to find the contact details of the majority of the companies mentioned above visit the website of the Retread Manufacturers Association. A list of member retreaders can be found at www.greentyres.com/process .

To find a local dealer visit www.greentyres.com/greentyre.htm. Ths pages lists members of the RMA's Green Dealer Scheme, a network of dealers who stock retreaded tyres.