Last Updated on October 9, 2024
Unraveling the Intricate Process of Crafting Your Tires
Make, Made, Manufactured: How and Where Your Tires Are Created
Tires. They cradle our vehicles, ensuring safety, performance, and comfort. Yet, how often do we pause to think about their origin? The tire manufacturing process combines art and science, innovation, and tradition. Let’s journey through the intricate stages of tire creation, shedding light on the craft and expertise involved.
According to Consumer Reports, nearly 8 out of 10 Americans prefer to buy American-made products. Moreover, 60 percent say they will pay 10 percent more for domestically manufactured goods. Yet, according to an Associated Press poll, it’s the other way around in practice. That study found that 3 out of 4 would prefer American-made items, but they like the less expensive, foreign-made ones. What explains these contradictory reports?
There’s a push and pull for American-made versus foreign-made products. People may like buying a domestically manufactured product, but in the end, their pocketbooks say otherwise. Plenty of American-made goods cost more. Is the higher price worth it? At the heart of this debate is the idea of value.
Merriam-Webster defines value as “A fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged.” You want a fair return for what you spend. This is particularly true for the tires you count on for everyday mobility. American-made or not, you’re not going anywhere if a tire breaks down fast. This hurts your cash flow and your livelihood.
There are many options, and “Which tire should I buy?” can be daunting. Should you buy foreign or domestic, all-season or specialized? To help simplify your decision, let’s start with the basics.
The Birth of the Tire
In 1888, Benz invented the first gasoline car, which included pneumatic tires on its wheels. Robert Thomson, a Scotsman, invented the pneumatic tire in 1845, but it didn’t attract much attention until another Scotsman, John Boyd Dunlop, made one for his son’s tricycle in 1888. This revolutionary concept replaced metal wheels with an air-filled rubber tire mounted on a metal wheel. 1905 saw the first pneumatic tire equipped with treads, which helped increase traction.
Henry Ford invented the assembly line in 1913, and when the American company Du Pont industrialized synthetic rubber in 1931, mass production became possible, and the age of the modern tire began.
- Other advancements in tire tech followed, including the radial tire (1949), which vertically arranged the cords in the tire to increase fuel efficiency through uniform tread contact with the road. The RunFlat tire (1980) keeps going despite scratches or holes, and in 2000, an increased concentration was observed on environmentally-friendly Eco Tuning tires to accompany eco-friendly cars.
- All these advancements mean you have many choices in design, but in terms of materials, all tires are made from a combination of natural and synthetic rubber and carbon black. Natural rubber comes from the rubber tree Hevea Brasiliensis, which is native to South America and cultivated on tropical plantations, especially in Southeast Asia and Western Africa.
- Tire manufacturing in America or elsewhere, any tire containing natural rubber will rely on trees from tropical plantations outside America. Synthetic rubber comes from crude oil polymers; carbon black also consists of crude oil (or natural gas) combined with oxygen in a combustion process.
Tire manufacturing consumes 70 percent of the world’s rubber, and scientists are now looking into an alternative to the rubber tree. Around 93 percent of these trees come from Asia, where they want to preserve rainforests. To that end, the guayule shrub may be the answer. A desert plant can grow in the US, requires relatively little water, and is disease-resistant. Efforts to produce enough rubber from guayule are still underway.
Where Tires Are Made?
In terms of the tire itself, all manufacturers are on common ground. They rely on rubber from tropical rubber trees and crude oil. They also manufacture their tires in multiple countries, although the US produces the most overall. Of the 72 tires tested by Consumer Reports in 2016, none of the manufacturers made them exclusively in the US.
This graph shows the production spread:
Over the last decade, American manufacturing has been pushed to increase. Part of this comes from increased cheap energy; the other amount comes from decreased labor costs. The Department of Commerce reports a 45 percent increase in US manufacturing jobs between 2009 and 2014.
Consumer Reports says, “It is possible the production balance could shift stateside in the future, as several new tire plants are slated for construction in the US in the next couple of years.” One example of this is the new Hankook plant in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Made in the USA
A South Korean company and the seventh largest tire manufacturer in the world, Hankook is bringing thousands of jobs to Tennessee with its new plant. The $800 million facility is 1.5 million square feet, adding about 1,600 jobs to the local economy. “We will be able to provide our customers, consumers, and car makers with high-quality tires and industry-leading service to meet the demands of the American market,” says Hankook CEO Mr.
Seung Hwa Suh. The new plant shows that Hankook is prepared to meet the quality standards that accompany American manufacturing.
- According to The Balance, “The United States has higher manufacturing and labor standards, ensuring a quality work environment, safe employees, and a better product.” Manufacturing in the US also means Americans can consult personally with the manufacturer if there’s ever a problem, and it cuts down on shipping times. It also reduces shipping costs, making higher-quality tires cheaper for consumers.
- In the American market (and worldwide), Hankook competes with the likes of Michelin, Continental, and Pirelli to create the best tires on the road. The Hankook Dynapro ATM is rated as the best All-Terrain truck tire, meaning it can perform well on and off-road while maintaining tread life.
With the new Tennessee plant, Hankook is competing with other manufacturers who make their tires in America and worldwide. Since that’s the case, the informed consumer may change their line of questioning from, “Where are my tires manufactured?” to “What are the highest quality tires I can buy to get the best value for my dollar?”
The Value of a Good Tire
The more poorly-made a tire is, the sooner it will wear out. Buy a poorly-made, inexpensive, or used tire, and you could find yourself back in the shop searching for a new one far too soon. Buy a poorly-made, expensive tire, and you’ll achieve the same result. Buy a quality tire, and expect a long life combined with peak performance.
The key is to look for the tire that will last the longest because longevity will lower your spending over time. In addition, a well-built tire can improve fuel efficiency, which saves you money at the pump. The tires’ size and design can save you 4 to 7 percent for gas. If you need to buy a larger tire, buy one that’s well-designed.
- A tire with a quality design that provides the exact amount of road resistance, no more than is needed, will serve you the utmost in the long term.
- You only have so much money to spend on tires. But don’t sacrifice value. You may have to pay a bit more for American-made, but domestic manufacturers are working hard to bring you affordable tires that deliver maximum value for your dollar.
Tire Manufacturing: Production Method
Before a tire sees the light of day, it exists as an idea—a solution to a specific driving need. Engineers and designers collaborate, using advanced software and simulations to bring this idea to life. Factors like traction, durability, fuel efficiency, and noise reduction are meticulously considered. Prototypes are created and subjected to rigorous testing, ensuring they meet the high standards set by brands and safety regulators.
Sourcing the Raw Materials
The primary ingredients in your tires are rubber, steel, and fabric. Natural rubber, derived from rubber trees, offers flexibility and strength, while synthetic rubber, a petroleum product, adds specific performance attributes. Steel provides the tire’s skeleton, while fabrics like nylon and polyester grant it flexibility and shape.
Crafting the Components
Tires aren’t monolithic objects but an assembly of various parts, each with its role:
- The Bead: This steel-wire reinforced section ensures the tire stays attached to the rim.
- The inner liner is a synthetic rubber layer that inflates the tire.
- The Carcass Ply: This is the tire’s backbone, often made of fabric, providing its shape and flexibility.
- The Belt: Steel layers that offer stability and impact resistance.
- The Tread: The outermost layer is designed for optimal grip and performance.
Molding and Curing: Giving Shape to the Tire
Once components are crafted, they’re placed in a mold. Here, heat and pressure work in tandem to vulcanize the tire—a process that hardens rubber and melds components. The result? A robust tire, complete with intricate tread patterns and brand markings.
Quality Checks: Ensuring Every Tire Meets the Mark
Post-manufacturing, each tire undergoes thorough inspections. Advanced machines check for imbalances or imperfections, ensuring every tire that leaves the factory is nothing short of perfect.
Conclusion
The journey of tire manufacturing is a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of perfection. It’s a dance of technology and craftsmanship, producing tires that carry us forward, rain, shine, or snow.
Now that you’ve glimpsed the effort and expertise that goes into every tire, isn’t it time to treat your vehicle to the best?
Explore our range of expertly manufactured tires at Tires Easy. Experience the pinnacle of tire craftsmanship with every drive, from design to durability. Shop today and elevate your journey with Tires Easy!
FAQs
What is the tire industry’s manufacturing process?
The tire industry’s manufacturing process involves design, material sourcing, component creation, tire assembly, vulcanization, and rigorous inspection before distribution.
How are the raw materials processed for tires?
Raw materials like rubber are mixed with compounds like carbon black and sulfur. Steel is fashioned into thin strands, and fabrics are woven into sheets, all to be integrated into the tire’s structure.
How are Tyres made step by step?
Tires are conceptualized through design, followed by material procurement, component crafting, assembly, and vulcanization for hardening, and then they undergo thorough quality checks.
What are the raw materials of a tire factory?
The primary raw materials include natural and synthetic rubber, steel, fabric materials like nylon or polyester, and compounds like carbon black and sulfur.
