Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Showen and Derrest Williams, Jr.
Anthony and Derrest, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2014, Anthony Showen, former Navy nuclear submarine engineer, and leader of Goodyear’s commercial operations group purchased the TreadWright Tires with investors. This family man, Pokemon playing and little league baseball advocate Anthony Showen moved down to TreadWrights new facility in Houston, TX and began making the branded remolds that were both structurally and cosmetically indistinguishable from new tires. As an outdoor enthusiast, Anthony sees the importance of offering a solution to combat the epidemic of tire waste. Annually, more than 300 million tires are scrapped, and 111 million find their way to stockpiles.
To dispute, this problem companies like TreadWright are delaying the process by generating new life in tires by reusing premium casings and applying new rubber to the casings with the Mold Cure Process. TreadWrights unique Mold Cure process uses only 25% of rubber used on a new tire and only 6 gallons of oil compared to 18 gallons helping TreadWright make a difference int he tire dumping epidemic. To date, TreadWright has saved millions of tires from entering the tire scrapping process and over 7 million gallons of oil.
Anthony has been amazed at what he and his team of local Houstonians have been able to accomplish in such a short period.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Sometimes times it just feels like Murphy’s law is in full effect when obstacles seem to be suited for a manufacturing business that sales B2B and B2C.
Since we sale massive amounts of volume it is important to keep our plant running at full capacity. However, maintenance issues, routine checks or mother nature can have the facility operation below capacity. For instance, being hit by an outlier of a storm in Hurricane Harvey our manufacturing resiliency has been tested by stopping operations for days at a time and putting us two weeks behind schedule.
Another obstacle is educating the public on the difference between Mold Cure and Pre Cure retreading. Our Mold Cure process is very similar to brand new tire with the same defect rate. It has been a challenge to educate people about how safe remolds.
Despite all the struggles that pop up in the day to day operations there is nothing more fulfilling than knowing we are changing the lives and environment of so many people.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Treadwright Tires – what should we know?
TreadWright Tires realized that the cost of high quality, performance tires was going to be out of reach for many businesses, farmers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Armed with many years of experience with commercial and passenger tire remolding, TreadWright set out to create the most environmentally responsible and affordable light truck tire here in the United States. TreadWright was blazing a trail in the light truck tire market before being environmentally responsible was in vogue. TreadWright has been remolding LT/SUV tires in the USA and saving money for hard-working Americans and small business owner’s ever since. To date, TreadWright has sold 1,000,000+ remolded LT/SUV tires; saving an estimated 20 million dollars for hard-working Americans, solidifying TreadWrights position as a leader in the ever-growing remanufacturing tire business.
TreadWright Specializes in remolding Tires:
TreadWright uses a remold manufacturing process that is nearly identical to new tire manufacturing. The process starts with a premium casing (Goodyear, Michelin etc.) that has passed a complete integrity inspection. The used tread is buffed off the casing and then completely rebuilt with a new commercial grade tread compound (better off-road wear characteristics). The rebuilt casing is then remolded with the same presses and manufacturing processes used to cure new tires. Recycled/remolded tires are used in 80% of commercial airlines, emergency response vehicles and school buses all across the US. The Department of Transportation has determined that remolded tires and new tires have the exact same defect rate. Yes, you are extremely safe with TreadWright Tires too.
What Sets up Apart From Others:
TreadWright tires are produced with 70% recycled materials including premium brand tire casings. With the same quality, durability, and better mileage than similar tires in its class, TreadWrights are better for your car and better for the environment. Each TreadWright tire uses approximately 6 gallons of oil compared to 18 gallons for a new tire. In addition to the obvious 12 gallons of oil saved per tire produced, TreadWright ensures used tires are not taking up space in landfills or polluting our nation’s lakes and rivers. However, the best benefit from recycling is the price advantage and enhanced engineering we can rebuild into each TreadWright tire. We can invest more in our rubber compounds to create improved wear characteristics in off-road applications without sacrificing our price point. The Ski Industry demands performance and profitability and TreadWright delivers!
American Manufacturing:
Chinese manufacturers have saturated the US domestic market driving down prices in the middle and lower tier segments of the tire market. While premium tires such as Goodyear, Michelin, and BF Goodrich do not compete directly with Chinese brands, the entire industry feels the effect. The Chinese manufacturers have surged in the light truck replacement tire market despite tariffs imposed in 2015 through 2020. With state-supported Chinese manufacturers selling below cost, domestic producers of “price point” lower tier tires are unable to compete. This is where Treadwright provides an American made option for consumers seeking performance tires at a competitive price. As an example, Treadwright sells it’s 20” Mud Terrain tire at $185 — $20 below Federal’s Couragia M/T Mud-Terrain Radial Tire – 35×12.5R20. A Goodyear Wrangler of the same size retails for $530/tire. Treadwrights are made only on the casing of premier tire manufacturers such as Goodyear and use only the highest quality commercial grade tread rubber that exceeds passenger OEM specification. Because Treadwright is only using a small amount of new material, it prices are very competitive. Thus, Treadwright’s blue-collar customer can enjoy an American made product with premium performance, below imported Chinese tire prices.
Safety:
The Department of Transportation has determined that remolded tires and new tires have the exact same defect rate. Since our inception we have held a valid DOT number – DOT – R – BTW – XXYY (XX is the week of the year and YY is the year).
Retread VS. Remold
Unlike Retreading where they use the Precure Technology (Treads are installed already cured/hardened and glued to the casing, which means the curing process uses flues in an oven chamber with 20 tires at a time) TreadWright tires are remolded and cured using Moldcure Technology (soft mold cure compounds that are cured in the press, same curing process used in new tire manufacturing) in the same processes used to produce new tires. Our remanufacturing process creates a tire superior to the traditional re-treading processes, allowing us to offer our customers better value without compromising quality. For more information about to differences please visit here
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Our the entire team of investors, sales, manufacturing to marketing all deserve credit for our current success. Everyone has worked equally hard and has put in the sweat equity to ensure TreadWright is in the right direction. Without our team of blue collar hard working individuals, we would not be where we are today.
Pricing:
- Mud Terrain Tires Starting at $130
- All Terrain Tires Starting at $89
- Snow Tires Tires Starting at $100
Contact Info:
- Address: 6501 Navigation Blvd, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77011
- Website: www.TreadWright.com
- Phone: (713) 487-4661
- Email: info@treadwright.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadwright/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TreadWrightTires
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/treadwright
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
