Global demand for tyres remains strong, driven in part by continued growth in mining activity.
Construction and mining operators were among the many businesses impacted by supply chain disruptions during and after the COVID pandemic.
The good news is that the market has stabilised, with supply conditions continuing to improve through 2026.
According to OTR – Tyres Wheels Axles Sales Manager Luke Slywa, one of the sectors to reflect this trend has been the tyre supply industry.
“In the early 2000s, it was difficult to source tyres, with lead times for large haul truck tyres stretching to six to eight months,” he said. “Smaller tyres were less affected because that segment has a far larger supplier base.
“In a normal market environment like we are seeing today, smaller tyres are typically available off the shelf. Even when they need to be ordered from the manufacturer, lead times are usually around only two months.”
Luke said that raw material supply continues to evolve, as global conflicts influence shipping routes and the cost of key inputs.
“Those factors are still having an impact on logistics and material pricing,” he said. “However, mining asset managers have developed strategies to manage tyre supply risks, particularly for haul trucks, where downtime is not an option.”
Streamlined inventory management
Tyres for smaller mobile equipment are managed through a minimum–maximum inventory system designed to maintain consistent supply availability.
“Supply chains have become more efficient in recent years, with improved ordering systems and tighter inventory management,” Luke said. “Many mining companies now operate centralised warehouses that make it easier to track tyre stock levels across multiple mine sites.
“There’s no doubt the COVID period taught us lessons in supply chain management. It forced everyone to rethink how they deal with potential disruptions.”
Communication with suppliers has also improved.
“Today there is much closer collaboration with suppliers to ensure they are aligned with our demand forecasts and schedules,” Luke said. “Before COVID, there was an assumption that common tyre sizes would always be available. That mindset has changed.”
“OTR has strengthened its strategic supplier relationships to improve communication, forecasting accuracy, and production planning.
“Mining companies typically maintain direct relationships with Tier 1 tyre suppliers for major equipment such as haul trucks,” he said. “OTR plays a key role supporting the Tier 2 and Tier 3 segments, supplying tyres for operational equipment such as graders, loaders, and other support machines.”
Luke said the supply challenges experienced during the pandemic prompted fleet managers to reassess their inventory strategies.
“Customers are communicating more frequently and extending their demand forecasts,” he said. “Previously forecasts may have covered two to three months. Today many customers are planning six to 10 months ahead.”
This shift reflects a more cautious approach to inventory management throughout the industry.
Another emerging trend is the growing acceptance of multi-brand tyre fleets.
“Fleet managers are increasingly adopting a diversified tyre strategy,” Luke said. “They don’t want to rely on a single brand in case supply becomes constrained. Using multiple approved brands allows them to replace tyres more quickly if one product line is temporarily unavailable.
“The performance gap between Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 brands has narrowed in recent years.
“Manufacturing quality has improved across the board. Many brands are now being tested and approved for use on mine sites,” he said. “That gives operators more flexibility. They can run multiple brands that meet specification requirements and still deliver the performance they need.
”These changes are helping mining operators manage supply risk more effectively.
“In simple terms, tyres are easier to source in 2026 than they were during the tight market conditions following COVID,” he said. “The industry learned valuable lessons during that period, particularly around communication, demand forecasting, and supplier collaboration. Those practices have now become standard across the sector.”
For more information about OTR’s nationwide tyre services, contact OTR – Tyres Wheels Axles on 1300 CALL OTR or visit www.otrtyreswheelsaxles.com
