Mishma Chakanyuka, Staff Writer 
NATIONAL Tyre Services (NTS) says it has resumed direct procurement of budget tyre brands from China as it seeks to improve product availability, market share retention and enhancing competitiveness.
The company reported a “slight decline” in new tyre volumes during the six months to September 30, 2024 owing to supply chain glitches.
In a statement accompanying the company’s half-year financials, chairman Rutenhuro Moyo said the company has put in place strategies to meet the growing demand for tyres.
“National Tyre Services has a huge customer base and is establishing a model of improved competitiveness to offer satisfactory service through stock availability across all our branches,” Moyo said.
Moyo expressed the company’s optimism of an improved business operating environment, supported by a promising farming season expected to significantly boost agricultural production.
“Prospects of better rainfall for the country from the second sub-season until the end of the forecast period which spans from November to March, bring relief to the economy affected by EL-Nino induced drought. We are optimistic of strong demand for Agriculture tyres as a result,” Moyo said.
He added, “The government’s efforts and strategic initiatives towards vision 2030 will drive the pace of development across several sectors of the economy, consequently, tyre usage will rise.”
The company hopes the country’s power utility will continue to prioritise power availability to the industry as it will minimise factory operating costs.
“As above, Zimbabwe hopes that the upcoming rainy season will improve water levels at Kariba dam and enhance power generation capacity,” Moyo said.
During the half year ended September 30, 2024, NTS recorded a slight decline in new tyre volumes owing to supply chain glitches.
Despite overall volumes being adversely impacted, the light trucks tyres segment grew by 67 percent as compared to the same period last year due to strong demand as the company supplied organizations carrying out drought alleviation programs across the country and companies involved in infrastructure development programs driven by the government.
Under the retreading business, the company’s factories continue to produce highly competitive, quality retreads, and the factories managed to circumvent power supply limitations through flexible operations.
Meanwhile, NTS’s sales for the period declined by 36 percent to ZWG37,6 million from ZWG58,8 million in 2023.
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