To maximise efficiency and keep local industries running, there are many reasons why businesses need to use products made in Australia. The importance of Australia’s sovereign capabilities is well understood by tyre specialists OTR – Tyres Wheels Axles.
Supply chain issues that dramatically occurred during the COVID pandemic have left their mark on many businesses and are a reminder of issues around Australia’s supply independence.
The need for Australia to develop its own capabilities has also been amplified by rapidly changing global trade and geopolitical scenarios.
Industries rely on a dependable supply of goods and services for budgetary planning and development of their growth.
In particular, the transport, construction and mining sectors rely on round-the-clock reliability of specialised vehicles to keep critical transport and infrastructure projects on schedule.
This philosophy has been the cornerstone of OTR – Tyres Wheels Axles. Its product manager and business development manager Greg Lowe said not only does the company design and manufacture wheels for the agricultural, construction and mining industries, it also provides complete in-house wheel and rim inspection, repair and certification services.
“The 2022 acquisition by OTR of Titan Australia’s operations made it the leading force in tyre, wheel and axle sales and manufacturing for the mining, construction and agricultural sectors, which has established an end-to-end capability designed to keep vehicles moving and contributing to business profitability,” he said.
A supplier for critical industries
Greg said that as the only manufacturer with the ability to design, test and manufacture wheels, tyres, and axles components for agriculture, construction, forestry and mining, OTR – Tyres Wheels Axles was a complete solutions provider.
“With a nationwide network including tyre and wheel service centres and wheel and axle manufacturing facilities, we are truly a ‘one-stop shop’,” he said.
“This is why some of the world’s leading companies, including Rio Tinto, Glencore, Thiess, Fortescue, Mineral Resources and Whitehaven rely on OTR to keep their vehicles moving.
“As a local company, we understand the unique challenges of the Australian environment.”
Australian manufacturing facilities
With manufacturing facilities throughout Australia, OTR – Tyres Wheels Axles offers a complete range of wheels, from 6” through to 63” in diameter, including fixed welded wheels, adjustable bolted tractor wheels, demountable (spider mount) rim options and clip-on dual applications.
“Our own TerraTyre is the culmination of over one hundred years’ collective experience in supplying tyres to the Australian market,” Greg said.
“As an in-house brand of OTR, TerraTyre represents over a decade of proven history on and off the Australian roads. Quality comes from a focus on research and development from a close relationship with our Australian partners.”
Australian-made axles
Greg said OTR manufactures the world’s toughest axles, many of which have become the first choice of leading original equipment manufacturers in agricultural markets.
“Custom manufacture is a major attraction for the Australian market. When customers cannot find the axle they need, OTR is able to design, engineer and manufacture axles in any volume, at a globally competitive price,” he said.
“Often, having this local expertise will allow OTR to completely re-engineer a product to ensure it meets the working conditions and environment of the customer’s needs.
“Custom product design starts with a validation of the current product, transferring this info through our engineering team to ensure we capture the reasons, failure modes and a new design criterion that ensures the new product design exceeds the customer’s expectations.
“Evidence of this capability includes ULX rims that increase up-time of machine availability, while giving tyre service personnel improved safety. We also manufacture light weight wheels that deliver an improved payload advantage.
“In addition, OTR custom designs heavy duty XHD loader wheels. The increased durability of loader wheels through improved design ensures wheels can be fitted for longer on a production machine.
“Productivity is often the benefit of our designs. For example, we have custom designed trailer wheels for belly dumpers that have delivered a thirteen percent payload improvement.”
OTR says other innovations for productivity and safety include a stud removal tool used to improve safety for the tyre servicemen; rim stands used for pre-seating components in the tyre prior to truck fitment; and load rated transport frames that allow tyre service people to pack and load wheels and rims on transport frames.
Its tyre inspection stands are engineered and certified and feature forklift pockets for movability, inhibitor pod mounts, lube bucket holders and fall back arrestors.
“We believe in taking the initiative when it comes to Australian made products that keep Australia moving and that make a major contribution to the economy,” Greg said.
For further information call 1300 CALL OTR or visit www.otrtyreswheelsaxles.com