Focus on South Island for Kiwi Truck Tyres
Kiwi Truck Tyres has big plans for the South Island and has welcomed a new team member to lead the charge. Hamish Campbell, South Island account manager, has been in the role since May, having worked in the tyre industry for the past 10 years. He is tasked with driving Kiwi Truck Tyres’ sales and business development from Farewell Split to Bluff.
Campbell himself is based in Rangiora, Christchurch, or “pretty much wherever I need to be”, he said. His main goal is to promote the product and build up certification and performance stats from operations within the South Island.
“The South Island is pretty much uncharted territory for Kiwi Truck Tyres at the moment. The product is known here through internal and external counterparts and word of mouth. The customers who are aware of the product love it – but there is still a lot of untapped growth potential,” he said.
Campbell said that one of the strengths of Kiwi Truck Tyres was the company’s ability to work with any provider. “Our products are not exclusive to anyone. If the end users want to use our product, they can continue business with whoever services their fleet. We have a good reputation with service providers in the South Island.”
One of the reasons Kiwi Truck Tyres enjoys a strong reputation with New Zealand truck operators is the fact that each tyre model is designed by the company in New Zealand for New Zealand operating conditions.
Campbell said: “Research and development is done by us locally. Having the ability to work with the end-users and get their feedback on the product – and adapt them – gives us a key advantage.”
The best examples include the newly introduced KIWI17 in 235/75 R17.5 for trailers and the KIWI20 super singles in 385/55 R22.5 and 385/65 R22.5 for steerers. With the 385/55 R22.5 specifically, Kiwi Truck Tyres boasts the only mixed-service super single currently on the market in this size.
“That’s what makes Kiwi Truck Tyres unique,” said Campbell. “No other tyre on the market has had the R&D phase of its development done in New Zealand. Kiwi Truck Tyres are designed for local conditions and for longevity of treadwear when operating on Kiwi chip-seal.”