Combining Premium and Basic for Better Service

Q: Why should companies prioritize tire maintenance and repair in their projects?

A: Tires can represent a large chunk of a project’s budget. For example, in transportation, tires are the fourth largest element in the budget after equipment, oil and salaries. In mining, tires also represent a similar portion of the budget, representing one of the top five expenses of the total value of the operation. It makes sense considering that this industry runs 24 hours a day all year long. This makes maintenance an essential part of the sector that can help mines save a great deal of money and time. Massive tire service can take a few hours and it is beneficial for mines to carefully plan tire maintenance to avoid any accidents that could affect the mine’s productivity. Operators can take advantage of our services since we collaborate with the mines to improve their driving habits and help them optimize their equipment’s loading, which is one of the key factors in material handling. We work hard to maintain our position in the market by staying ahead of the pack and investing in innovation and development.

Q: What added value does Grimaldi provide to the market?

A: The market has many tire and accessory distributors but we stand out by offering a total package service. Our goal is not to merely supply companies with our products but also to achieve maximum efficiency for an operator by meeting additional needs such as tire care and maintenance. Our success lies in our ability to combine high-quality and basic products with an efficient provision of services. We used to only offer premium tires but we realized that not all industries prioritize quality over cost. Grimaldi found that the right number of additional services can make both premium and basic products equally effective. We adapted to the needs of the industry by expanding our portfolio and offering low-cost bias ply tires in addition to Michelin products. The key is knowing when and how to use premium and basic products. The price of the tire can also vary greatly among sectors. In infrastructure, the market is still dominated by lower cost products over quality while mining is quite specialized and is willing to pay more for a product that can provide a fair balance between cost, quality, performance and safety.

Q: What role does the mining industry play in your business strategy?

A: We offer a specialized set of services to the mining industry because it is quite a rough segment with long hours. Grimaldi guarantees durability throughout the year. 231 Considering that operations run without stopping, we cannot just install a tire and check it in 15 days. It takes constant supervision and maintenance to ensure safety and efficiency. We serve both open-pit and underground mines. Open pit mines require bigger and heavier tires as loaders and trucks are extremely large. Some tires even weigh 3 tons or more. On the other hand, underground mines are lighter and range up to 900kg. No matter what kind of mine we serve, our priority is always the operator’s safety. We find that the mining industry tends to prefer long term alliances with trustworthy providers to ensure high quality service for these companies. We prove to operators that they can trust us by providing positive results at a fair cost with more productivity. We have relationships with operators such as Goldcorp, Coeur Mining, Don David Gold, Nukay, Nyrstar and Aranzazú Holding.

Q: How is the company adapting to the Internet of Things (IoT) and digitalization?

A: Digitalization and IoT are creating important waves in the Mexican market. Software allows clients to manage and register information about the efficiency of the tires and their lifecycle, helping companies make smarter decisions, optimize and reduce costs. Gathering information about tires and their performance allows us to measure and improve our services as well. We work hard to always be up to date with technology and look for the best in the market. For example, TIRE SENS technology allows us to place sensors inside tires and constantly track their pressure and temperature, whereas ESTUDIOS DE VBOX software provides us with reliable information, enabling mines to use tires efficiently.