As fleet operators search for greater efficiency, OTR Tyres is helping to lift tyre management standards across the truck, transport and mining sectors.
For many years, construction, transport and extractive industries have viewed tyres as a consumable. That view is changing, as more operators recognise that tyres are a lever in cost efficiency and overall fleet performance.
Rising variability in pricing and lead times for Ultra-Class tyres has reinforced this shift, with many Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) and mining operators now adopting disciplined approaches to managing these high-value components.
One of the main drivers of this change is the growing focus on cost per hour, rather than simple purchase price. Measuring performance in this way has highlighted tyre management as one of the most effective strategies available to increase profitability.
As a result, tyre management and servicing have moved from a background maintenance task to a core function in controlling cost per hour and sustaining fleet productivity.
OTR Tyres Sales Manager, Luke Slywa, said OTR Tyres has built its service offering around this principle, embracing the cost per hour methodology.
“Rather than responding only when failures occur, OTR Tyres focuses on maintaining tyres within defined performance parameters throughout their life cycle,” he said.
OTR Tyres supplies and services wheels and tyres for the construction, earthmoving, transport, industrial, agricultural, recreational, passenger and mining markets. Backed by a nationwide network of sales, distribution and service hubs, OTR Tyres provides solutions designed to make a genuine difference to an operation’s bottom line.
“Our commercial rationale is modelled on the structure of mining costs,” Luke said.
“In that market, haulage can account for more than 50 per cent of operating expenditure in open-cut operations. Together with fuel consumption, tyre performance has emerged as a driver of cost per hour, with underperforming tyres shown to impact the efficiency of the entire site.”
OTR Tyres cost-per-hour approach has sharpened attention on payload discipline, heat management, and haul-road quality – factors in maximising tyre life and performance. The OTR Tyres model provides a practical framework for delivering a balanced, site-specific tyre management strategy.
“Our teams are trained to operate on site, delivering consistent monitoring, pressure management, fitment, and rotation programs that keep tyres within defined performance parameters,” Luke said.
“We also apply custom management processes that synchronise tyre capability with the conditions on each site. These processes are integrated with our servicing programs, ensuring tyres run within their designed limits and are aligned with haul profiles, payloads and operating speeds.
“When tyres operate in this optimal zone, rolling resistance is reduced, fuel consumption stabilises, and stress on engines and drivetrains is minimised. The result is more predictable, reliable performance across the fleet.”
As part of its process, OTR Tyres inspects and assesses tyres for cracks, punctures, incorrect pressure, bald areas, and uneven tread wear. The company offers service packages to optimise tyre performance across a range of applications.
Beyond the tyre itself, OTR Tyres on-site servicing teams provide ongoing feedback on factors that influence tyre performance, including haul road conditions and payload practices.
“This integrated approach improves operational outcomes,” Luke said.
“Industry data shows that improved tyre management can reduce tyre-related downtime by around 20 per cent, and extend tyre life on average by up to 30 per cent. Gains in these areas translate directly into lower cost per hour and improved fleet profitability.
“For operators managing large fleets, this means increased equipment availability and more consistent production, achieved through servicing and management rather than capital investment.
“In a market where new tyre supply can be unpredictable, it is essential to maximise the performance of existing assets. This provides a more immediate and controllable path to cost reduction.
“By combining tyre supply with embedded on-site servicing, we give operators a continuous view of tyre performance and the ability to act on it. This shifts tyre management from a reactive maintenance task to an ongoing optimisation function.”
To learn more about optimising your tyre needs, contact your nearest OTR Tyres branch today.
