The OTR specialist is one of more than 20 Chinese companies who have helped swell exhibitor numbers, which have also been supported by increased interest from India and host nation, Singapore.

Newera Equipment and its subsidiary, Kayel Rubber Products, is one Singaporean business that will be making a major statement of intent. Working with its supplier partners from around the world, Newera will be exhibiting on no-less than five stands.

The company is Asia’s largest supplier of tyre-related equipment and will be displaying the latest computerised buffing machine from Matteuzzi. It will also be showcasing the Double Envelope System from Italian supplier MAE and another highlight will be the advanced Shearography Non Destructive Testing technology from German company, Steinbichler.

Esther Lee, the company’s marketing executive, says that September’s show will be a major focus for both technology and customer service: “We have greatly increased our presence at this year’s show and see it as a major opportunity to build awareness of the extensive ranges of equipment and other services that we offer, particularly to the retreading industry. We are working closely with many of our international suppliers, particularly Matteuzzi and Steinbichler, who will be exhibiting jointly this year to create real impact at the exhibition. But we will also be promoting other services, such as our retreading school in Malaysia, the only facility of its kind in Asia with Spectra nail hole detector, shearography and high pressure tyre testing equipment,” she said.    

With a high proportion of returning exhibitors and a healthy influx of first-timers, the 10th anniversary Tyrexpo Asia has taken a significant step forward. “The Asian market is growing so quickly that manufacturers and suppliers are looking for further expansion in new territories and with international customers around the world,” said Rowena Suthers, sales director with show organiser ECI International.

“It’s very encouraging to see that TyrexpoAsia is being recognised as the show which can deliver the leads and introductions to achieve business expansion. We’re very confident that this will be a landmark show for exhibitors and visitors,” she added.  

Hercules Tire International is a company that has exhibited at every TyrexpoAsia since 1996, and will be returning again in September. “We always meet new potential customers at the show, who provide us with world wide opportunities. We’re looking forward to introducing several new passenger and light truck tyres this year. For example the Hercules MRIV SUV, the Merit All Country AT and the Ironman Radial AP," confirmed Joe Recchia, the Canadian company’s President.

By contrast, Balkrishna Tires, one of India’s leading manufacturers of OTR products, is a first-time exhibitor, also seeking a wider market for its products. Vikash Naithani explains further: “BKT already has a strong customer base in more than 100 countries and is well established in the European and American markets. Asia has been identified as a priority market for us in 2007-08, so TyrexpoAsia will provide a platform to display our latest agricultural, industrial, OTR, lawn & garden and ATV tyres.”

Balkrishna has the capability to develop over 150 new sizes every year and claims to offer the world’s fastest new product development turn around time, of between 8 and 10 weeks. The company will be looking for OE customers as well as distributors at the show.

Although Singapore, China and India are particularly strongly represented, the international nature of the exhibition is demonstrated by its ability to attract exhibitors from Belgium, Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, U.K. and the U.S.

Success with exhibitors is being matched with marketing activity to attract increased numbers of trade visitors to the three-day show. “ECI is supporting the show with a substantial international marketing campaign that includes advertising, editorial and web-based activities, as well as distribution of more than 100,000 visitor tickets through exhibitors, media and direct mail,” said Rowena Suthers.