Following work overseas as a rubber specialist advising remould tyre manufacturers John O?Connell reasoned that remoulding tyres was the most logical product on which to concentrate. 

The company was then established in 1971 by John and his brother, Richard, producing remould tyres for the commercial vehicle market.  Initial output was 25 tyres per week, but typically production is now in the region of 3,500.  Staffing levels have increased dramatically from 4 people in 1971 to 250 today.  

The company started life as the Kingsbridge Tyre & Rubber Company and its birthplace is just a few miles away from today's headquarters.  The contrast between the humble garden shed and today's state-of-art modern factory and premises demonstrate just how far it has progressed. 
 

Bandvulc is now the second largest manufacturer of remoulded truck tyres in the United Kingdom. It is still very much a family firm with other members of the family playing active roles in the running of the company.  Patrick O'Connell manages the daily aspects of running the company while his sister, Jane, looks after the financial side of the business.  In 2005 Ryan (Richard's son) joined the company and is currently within Sales Operations.

The current factory occupies a 3-hectare 'green field' site, which was acquired with a view to future expansion. A continuous programme of investment is evident at all levels of production and inside the purpose built premises the production lines are modern, clean and well organised.   

In 2003 over £1 million was invested in new factory machinery and equipment for Bandvulc?s state of the art tyre processing facility in order to improve manufacturing efficiency.  This included eight tyre preparation bays, five buffing bays, an ultrasonic inspection machine and a new extraction system.  This has streamlined the planning and helped reduce waste.