Tyres giant, NTS to leverage on new import regulation

National Tyre Services (NTS) says it will leverage new import regulations on suspension of duty on commercial tyres and of duty in foreign currency to gain market share.

NTS is a Zimbabwe-based company, which is engaged in retailing and retreading of tires, wheel alignment, wheel balancing and related services.

The Company has 16 retail outlets situated across the country with five of these being located in Harare.

Rutenhuro Moyo, the company’s chairman in a statement of financials for the year ended September 30, 2022 said the company is also capitalising on current farming season demand for tyres and tubes complemented by the festive season demand to grow sales.

“We remain confident that measures being implemented by the Government will maintain current exchange rate stability and continue to reduce inflation to enable full business recovery,” he said.

During the year under review, sales grew by 12 percent to $1,885 billion from $1,651 billion in 2021 due to the continued implementation of the turnaround strategy.

Gross profit increased by 45 percent to $1,147 billion while total operating expenses increased by 33 percent to $1,137 billion due to cost cutting measures implemented by management in a bid to manage cash flows.

Moyo said the company’s premium tyre sales volumes grew by 26 percent during the opening six months of the year compared to the same period prior year due to strong supplier relations.

“The company managed to retain customers through improved premium Dunlop stocks required in the market,” he said.

However, he noted the business continues to be affected by power outages and inadequate foreign currency required to import budget tyres from China and India to meet market demand.

Moyo said power outages due to depressed electricity generation affected retreading for the first half of the year.

He said factory efficiency decreased with tyre volumes falling by 16 percent when compared to the same period last year.

“Although power cuts were severe, the company managed to keep retreading factories running to support transport operators in the economy,” he said.

The company said faced with a fluid outlook, could not declare a dividend to ensure adequate service delivery for long term sustainability.-ebusinessweekly