From today, Monday July 8, Dominicans will have another option when it comes to purchasing tires, thanks to the realization of Donnie Robinson’s three year dream.
Robinson is the proprietor of D-Treads, a new company which has been established to retread used tires.
A delighted Robinson said at a function Friday, to announce the opening of his company that the business materialized after discussions with his father and uncle who helped him realize that it was both viable and possible.
“I like to believe that everything in life starts with a dream and since then it has been an uphill battle. Of course, without the battle we would not have been here. I want D-Treads to stand out as something that is not just different but is something unique.”
He added that the company will reduce the number of tires going to the landfill.
“We have thousands of tires around the place that need to be taken care of, either disposed or reused or otherwise. We import large quantities of tires and one day we must ask ourselves where are they going to? So, what D-Treads does is it reduces the amount of tires going to the landfill and ensure that by the time a tire is disposed of into the landfill you have gotten maximum use of that tire. We inject new life into a used tire.”
Robinson guaranteed that by sticking to international standards, the tires produced by his company will be safe. He said he is hoping to expand his business “as far as it can go.”
Executive Director of Invest Dominica Rhoda Joseph, said that a company like D-Treads is a fitting choice for Dominica.
“The business he has chosen which is that of retreading tires is aptly suited to Dominica as it will assist in the preservation of the environment through a reduction in the total amount of tires used and disposed off over time.”
Joseph applauded Robinson for investing in Dominica since he is a young professional resident overseas.
Director of Trade Wellsworth Bethelmie, made a call to all Dominicans residing oversees to follow in the footsteps of Robinson and come home.
Bethelmie said, “Come back, invest in your country, give back to your community, after all that your country has invested in you, your up-bringing. Who you are today, is because of the environment that you grew up in.”
Retreading requires only 30% to 35% of the natural resources and energy needed to manufacture a new tire and is considered cost effective, dependable, reliable and safe.
D-Treads is located at the Canefield Industrial Estate.
Congratulation Donnie! Proud of you.I wish you the best. I hope you will continue to contribute to DA well done.
All you all glad because all you want cheap tires. Don’t return them though!! “NO RETURNS/REFUNDS on RETREADS. NO CREDIT NO COMPLAINS.”
Cheaper tires, that last just as long as the expensive ones and sometimes longer, If you dont understand or use retreads made you should’nt say shit @Public ………….
Don’t we all speak our minds? the owners success does not depend on me liking or not liking retreads! Bear in mind, that the “BALD” tires on some passenger Buses were once brand new. Not retread. Retreads don’t have the endurance to get bald. That’s all I’m saying. I’m not crying down the business venture!!!
You are wrong, when you guys buy used tyres they are retreads and you guys run they till they get bald. I have bought trucks that come with retreads and i run them until they are bald. Sometimes in production you get a bad apple out of the bunch, thats just life, Almost anything they make you get a bad apply, just like eletronics, vehicles (refurbished, and recall).
i invested some years ago but will wait for a new administration befor spending any more money
I remember learning about tire retreading on Dirty Jobs a few years ago. Nice to see we can do it here. It cannot be worse than some of the bald tires you see bus drivers using sometimes.
I am delighted to hear good news from DA, where many are giving back to our beloved State. Congats Mr. Robinsons I wish you great success.
Well done Donnie. Make sure your company joins the Dominica Manufacturers Association.
Congrats Donny. Job well done.
we had that there already astaphan had that already lol
Donnie’s father and uncle was in the business thirty years ago and it went very well till their key man had some health issues.The dumper and truck owners were very happy with the product and will be smiling again. well done Donnie dont let JUST LOOKING and the like keep you down they have nothing and will never have anything all they are good at is complaining.
Flap flap flap – tread coming out. I like my tires BRAND NEW. Dominicans to blasted cheap. The Insurance Companies may hesitate to accept an accident claim, if they know the Vehicle involved in the accident had “re-tread” tires on. Bravo.
alu can be negative wi boy..jah..give the man a chance na..if u dont want it dont buy it and shutup
OMG, nothing can please some people, instead of commending and acknowledging the young man in his endeavor you find something negative to bring up. If is drugs he started selling you would say his good for nothing, now that he started a business that can create employment and help the economy you have some other s… to bring up, smh grow up!!!
Thanks Frabo… I was thinking the same thing too (shhhhh)but let’s hope that the highest manufacturing practices are used.
This venture will be good for the environment, I hope.
fooooool
Just discovered that they do not retread all size tyres. hope they will be able to do someday.
This a great move the only thing i have to ask some one in DMV is,is there a law in place for there being no recaps on steer axel cause the worst thing is if theres a blow out most drivers will over steer with a great chance of rolling over.
Retreads do nothing to the steel. Just as a new tyre gets a blow out same way it is for a retread. For a retread it is just a worn out tire, thats not showing any tread and putting new tread on, it is not stiched, it is actually cured at high temp, to make a new tire it also has to be baked and cured at high temp.
A much needed service. No more excuses now for driving with bald tyres.
It sound good to me ,my concern is consideration our local business regarding prices if you guys come home to give back to your country and still have product high price it make no since to me,locally product should be cheaper than import product thats the fact,
You guys always want something cheap. When you are buying a mobile phone, a watch, a vehicle or jewellery for your girlfriend are you always looking for cheap? Man, in that case we would never sell imported drinks either. Some people look for quality you know and are prepared to pay for it. Give the man a break and let him make some profit, so his business can survive and thrive.
Okay dumb, dumb. I don’t know the price of the retread tires, but everything is imported, all the materials!! Plus you need to take into account that Donnie has to pay salaries, electric, water, even the equipment has to be considered. Even if (I don’t know this but …) it was paid for out right, he has to recoup this cost.
Like the MetLife commercial says, “Everything can’t be 5 cents!”
If that is your logic…things made in country should be cheaper than imported, please explain to me why Chinese made goods are cheaper in the US than products made in america
Contact information please!!!!!
Admin: D-Treads is located at the Canefield industrial estate. Tel # 4409411
Thanks much Admin
Good move. Any idea on potential employment opportunities, and whether there will be a reduction in the price of tires?
verry good move
This is a good thing for D/ca
Most of us wanna come home and try something, but not while Skerrit there
Good luck. This business make so much sense. Excellent initiative.
congrats…good business…
All the best.God bless you.
Blessings Donnie. I pray success for you. Amen!
Excellent move Donny and more employment for our nationals.
Good job Mr Robinson, I hope we all support your efforts and please people find another Niche, don’t try to compete with him, let his enterprise get grounded because that’s why some of these initiatives don’t last, we do not have the population to sustain more than one of its kind. Wish you good luck young man.
DNO. A picture of Mr Robinson would have complemented the news. Thanks.
Nonsense, competition is healthy. Otherwise you end up like Liat.
Donnie must have gone through hell to get this business off the ground. Congrats are in order! This means we will have a few young men gainfully employed and off the streets. Hope the Government gave you at least 10 years tax free break. I am so happy when I see young Dominicans doing something so honorable.
All the best!
Lovely! Finally something is being done about these tyres. Truck tyres, car tyres all kinds of tyres being thrown out all over the place. Congrats Donnie. Great move. I hope the local importers will buy from you wholesale and supoport what is ours.
that is agood move my youte,good luck and i hope 6 more people doe try toget into this business,to me this is a potential success story,with the help and the determination this young man expressed.support local!!Dominican..
Wow so moved. Proud to be a Dominican!
Congratulations are in order for these young Dominicans. Great Move guys! Good luck and all the best for a successful journey. I need four tires right now. How soon will they be available?
Howe many jobs will be created? Even is three I give God thanks.
“Retreading” Tires again? well, expect more blow-outs and Vehicular accidents. Why can’t Dominica have anything good? I don’t believe in no “RETREAD” Tires, and I won’t buy them not for a dime a dozen.
Frabo shut up and go and educate yourself! Tonneh man!
“SMDH” you do not deserve an answer. This one too will be deleted. Who cares?
Question for you Frabo?
What is a retread? Why are they used worldide? If they wernt safe why 90% of the airlines use retreads including the military? Most of the retreads they refer to are light trucks and heavy trucks and buses not cars! Car tires are already cheap.
Nice move and good luck.
Congrats Donnie
Excellent idea! Hope it is a great success and will help us save because it would be cheaper to re-thread the tire than purcahse a brand new one..good luck!
way to go Donnie, Edgar,and Ken for the smart move
Good move!! Best of luck.
I love the way they use the environment to fatten thier pockets. We all know for you to get a loan in Dominica you need a last name like Robinson, Nasif or Karam. I know people with better business plans but because they don’t have the last name or the connection they are not even given an appointment to have a meeting muchless obtain a loan. The trend started before I was born and I am sure it will continue way after I am gone. My wish is one day the opportunity made available to John the same opportunity will be made available to Paul. Mr Robinson nothing against you personally so congrats.
you are so correct, hit the nail on the head
Well if that is the case my friend I should be rich because my last name happens to be(one of the big ones) but I still struggling financially to finish study. I hope when I do come home to make my contribution they will listen to me so at least the last name will count for something.
Just saying
You don’t need a “recognized” last name. Don’t let that notion hinder your progress. What you need is a solid business plan and some money in the bank. That money is called EQUITY and it is the money that you are contributing to your project. Most banks will not finance 100% of your plan so you need to bring in some money. You can get equity from investors – friends, family, start-up financiers, grants and so on. Explore different avenues and of course, free your mind.
Boy, you stupid!!
People don’t get loans b/c of their last name. They get loans b/c they have the securities, and a well laid out PLAN.
To many people want to come home with ideas. NO plan, mind you, just ideas and expect to get a loan, or to get their idea making money for them. It is not a bed of roses. You have to work at getting even the plan approved. Most people give up once they see the red tape.
@ Just Looking, very sad comments. When making such bold statements one must ensure they have facts to back it up. As to the Surname it is very easy to create a name change and become one of the elite class by choice and see if life becomes easier then, as it seems you do not like what you were born into. The concessions are available to all both here and abroad, both local and foreign. Some of us are just more wealthy then the other so our hands and imagination can stretch much further. Like everything in life one must meet the requirements/criteria to obtain whatever is desired. Please don’t blame the banks or the Government because I am sure Donnie can give you a long list of challenges he had with both the banks and other institutions working with him.
Donnie I applaud this initiative, I commend you for taking such a bold step and God be with you always as you help with the further development of our economy.
I am a Dominican overseas who is pursuing a studies. I is my desire to return home and contribute to nation-building not just in words but in a very practical way. I have been following trends and development in Dominica and understand the plight of persons who are jobless. I have a few ideas as to what we can do to help the situation . I hope that when I approach certain offices, the government and key stakeholders to assist I will get a positive response and we can put our monies where our mouth is.
Good going Mr. Robinson. And I certainly agree that more of us Dominicans must return home and build the country. It can be done and there is alot of potential. The first thing I would want to know is what came of the employment(something to that effect) survey that was carried out a few months ago-what were the results and what is the next step.
DNO I hope that this contribution will reach the eyes and ears of someone who can take heed.
well done brothers.keep the business going, any room for investment into the company?
Congratulations Donnie, you have done well, reach beyond the stars.
Great…. idea…as it was in the beginning, so shall it be in the end. I remember a Mr. Robinson having such a business some years ago… I hope he knows of the mistakes that caused it to end… I will be one of those to give support to it if he is doing 225/15 tires….. I wish you the best
No Mistake was made why Robinson’s retreading tire business closed. Get facts before you post. There was nothing negative for you to say so you had to find something. Mr. Robinson had to close as his key worker got injured and no one else could run the plant. This was the only factory of it’s kind and finding a replacement proved to be very difficult.
Valley Engineering had a tire re-tread plant back in the 1970’s. Astaphan also had a brand called Bandagh back then.
I have seen the process of re-treading tires and if Robos process is the very same or somewhat similar then this is gonna be good program. He will save people money.
good luck young man,all the best and dont let negetive comments get you down,one thing you have to be in DA is strong and i am sure you are that and i will gladly be one of your customers,enjoy your business journey
This is a very good thing. The more resources that can be recycled the better.
that’s a good business for d/a. could cut down the cost of tires in the place.
I think that this is a good idea, knowing the cost of living these days, drivers will be able to spend less on purchasing new tyres
Wow, Great idea, my best wishes to Robinson. Good luck with this.
Congrats Donnie! That’s the kind of positive interaction we require from the Diaspora Dominicans. Many others just stay out-there and boast or criticise, but u have put you money/expertise where your mouth is. It is really inspiring. Hoping all Dominicans drivers will patronise your enterprising effort.
congats to the investor… wish you well with your operations.
for those persons unaware, there was a tire retreading plant here before operated by robinson’s retread tires in canefield i think. i am calling on people to support business. at the same time, i am asking the business to produce quality, long lasting and affordable tires for the market… and your business will survive, we call that being sustainable
Robinsons retread tire company was started in freedom party days and received concessions from the then national development corporation(NDC), this is therefore not a first time initiative as a similar type of business was done before.
looks like it might be the same family … trying this… good luck and best wishes
thank you i will patronize
i prefer to economise and buy new tyres!!!!
Economise and buy new tires?? Do you even know what you are saying??
The man may be right you know. Cheap is not always best and mostly will cost you more in the long run.
Yes! he/she knows what they are saying. New Tires are more economical because they will out live the retread 10 times and more. Good economics.
Everytime is see these dumb comments i have to reply. How the hell can a new tire outlive a retread, its basically the same thing, same rubber. The process they use now is far different from what they used to do, Utilize google.com and go do homework
hope it’s a success and we patronise his business..