Firm to set up tyre safety equipment plant in Nairobi

By Standard Reporter

A South African maker of tyre safety equipment plans to start selling a tyre safety band in Kenyan, with plans to put a plant in the course of next year.

Protectall makes and markets an aluminium strip that is fitted around the rim of a car wheel to enhance stability of the vehicle in case of a puncture or tyre burst.  It is currently selling the Protectall Tyre Safety Band across Southern African countries and now says it is ready to start marketing it to the rest of Africa.

“We will initially be exporting to Kenya but the plan is to set up a manufacturing plant in Nairobi that we hope will service East and Central African markets,” said Mike Wilkins managing director Protectall.

He added that the firm is evaluating the prospects of producing the Protectall Tyre Band in Kenya to service the Kenyan and East African market. These are however long-term plans, which Wilkins would be initiated once it is able to market at least 10,000 sets of the safety band.

A set comprises of four tyre bands, which Wilkins said would retail at about $500 (Sh42,500) in Kenya. In Kenya, the firm is making attempts to interest the government and public service vehicle operators.