“While domestic tyre makers were mostly absent their places were filled by exporters from countries like China, who commanded a virtual monopoly of the traders who came to the show to buy tyres. As organisers, we will continue our endeavours to encourage the major manufacturers to exhibit, both to demonstrate support for their customers and the industry at large. An added attraction at this year’s exhibition was a one-day tyre industry conference, which proved to be a major talking point. Keynote speaker Sir Tom Farmer was the star attraction, holding the audience enthralled as he recounted tales of the Kwik-Fit experience and emphasised his personal philosophy of the importance of people to the success of any business. Sir Tom spoke for over an hour and received three ovations. Conference chairman Roger Mcleerey described the presentation as ‘inspirational’. Another high profile speaker, Georg Schramm, head of marketing at Dunlop/Apollo, delivered a hard-hitting and impassioned presentation warning of the dangers to the South African tyre manufacturing industry of unregulated trade with China and India. “China and India are already having a significant impact on this region - positive in some regards, but in many cases very negative,” said Schramm. “ I believe that the impact of unregulated trade relations with China and, to a lesser degree India, in South Africa, if not controlled, will lead to the decimation of the South African manufacturing environment with a catastrophic knock-on effect for socio economic development in the region.” Chinese tyres were also the subject of David Wilson’s presentation, although the UK Retread Manufacturers Association director concentrated on the issues relating to the retreadability of Chinese truck tyres in European markets. Francois Ehlers, Dave Linton and Peter Watts from Imperial Logistics examined the role of the tyre industry in contributing to an efficient logistics operation while Dr Etienne Human explained the remit, work and ambition for South Africa’s National Waste Tyre Project which seeks to establish a collection, recycling and commercial infrastructure for used tyres. “The positive impact that our first tyre industry conference achieved was also a real plus point for the whole exhibition and reflects the excellent contributions of our keynote speakers, led by Sir Tom Farmer,” says Rowena Suthers. Tyrexpo Africa took place at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg (SCC), South Africa on 4, 5 and 6 March 2010.