Tokyo-based global tyre and rubber company Bridgestone Corporation will be deploying its BASys tyre tracking system globally starting from April 2017 in Latin America following its successful implementation in Europe in 2016.
BASys is a collection of digital applications designed to track tyres throughout every step of the retreading process: from the point of collection at the customer’s yard, all the way through manufacturing at the retread shop and final delivery.
Tyres are retreaded by removing the worn tread (the part of the tyre that touches the road) and then adding new tread rubber and vulcanising it so that the tyre can be reused. Compared to new tyres, retread tyres can make a major environmental contribution in three ways:
- Retreading contributes to resource conservation. Compared to new tyres, retread tyres can reduce the consumption of raw materials such as natural rubber.
- Compared to new tyre production, the retread process significantly reduces CO2 emissions generated in production.
- Retreading contributes to the reduction of the number of tyres scrapped, thereby maximising the total lifecycle of the tyre.
BASys offers real-time monitoring of information at each step of the retreading process which contributes to the overall improvement of production efficiency and quality. The accumulated data also allows customers to make more accurate and informed decision on their tyre selection and usage. It contributes to safety operation and tyre related cost reduction.
The combination of accumulated big data from BASys with other proprietary technologies from Bridgestone will strengthen the company’s ability to deliver high quality products and services for the wider range of customers.
In January 2017, Bridgestone established a dedicated organisation named “Digital Solution Center” tasked with accelerating the global development and deployment of digital solutions across the value chain.
With BASys, Bridgestone said it is continuing its commitment towards information and communication technology providing its customers with new and innovative business models.