In a world of intense competition in consumer industries, the Saudi Quality Mark stands out as the trusted guardian of quality and precautionary standards for safety and viability. This institution, established by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, acts as a barrier between low-quality, substandard products and the financial and life safety of its citizens. This certificate is not merely a logo printed on a product or a paper hung on a company's walls; it is a commitment to integrity and high trust, and an expression of the strong relationship between Saudi citizens and the government in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This certificate is not easily obtained or quickly bypassed, as the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has implemented rigorous tests that challenge poor and weak products, and these tests are compatible with the environmental and climatic requirements of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
If truck tires represent the first line of defense for trucks, and the primary and direct interface between the truck and the road, then Darbk Tires presents itself as an authentic Saudi champion, dominating the Saudi market and competing in global arenas. This is all built upon the trust of consumers, including drivers and logistics fleet owners, in the quality of Darbk's products, and supported by the stringent tests of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). The success story of Darbk Tires is inseparable from the evolution of the Saudi Quality Mark; rather, both reflect the diligent efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its people and government, to develop industrial sectors and enter global markets, while contributing to achieving self-sufficiency with locally manufactured products. All of this aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
In this article, we will explore the comprehensive developments of the Saudi Quality Mark and its impact on local products. An example of this is Darbk Tires' products, which are considered the leading pioneer in the tire manufacturing sector in Saudi Arabia. We will also examine the significance of this matter and its industrial and investment implications for the Saudi market, which is considered one of the best and largest markets in the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf. Furthermore, we will highlight the competitive foundations that have enabled Darbk Tires to enter the market and compete with established global products.
What is the Saudi Quality Mark?
The Saudi Quality Mark (SQM) represents an integrated system of mandatory technical control. This comprehensive system has been overseen by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) since its establishment by Royal Decree No. (10/M) in the year 1392 AH. This mark is not an optional luxury; rather, it is a mandatory legal requirement, without which products entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are not granted access to the Saudi market. This is especially true for vital sectors such as truck tires, which represent the largest commercial artery in Saudi Arabia, as the local and regional economy relies on land trade. This greatly enhances the importance of focusing on tire quality and operational efficiency, a matter that concerns the lives of millions of people daily, and millions of dollars and riyals circulating within Saudi Arabia's commercial road network.
The philosophy of the Saudi Quality Mark is embodied in its pursuit of a three-dimensional balance: Human safety, technical quality, and environmental protection. When SASO grants a conformity certificate to Darbk tires, it assures the consumer that the product has passed a complex series of tests simulating the harshest road conditions in Saudi Arabia. This includes continuous high-temperature tests, which exceed half the boiling point on many summer days in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, considering the diversity of natural environments and different operating areas, trucks operating in the oil sector differ entirely from those transporting commercial goods. This helps us understand the importance of the Saudi Quality Mark, by recognizing the significance of these conditions and their impact on the performance of tires and other products.
The Saudi Quality Mark is based on a robust regulatory framework, where Saudi standard specifications are integrated with Gulf Technical Regulations (GSO) in harmony that respects local and regional specificities, thereby maintaining global and regional consistency. This is particularly important as many trucks traveling on Saudi road networks are connected to Gulf commercial routes. For instance, the "Technical Regulation for Tires GSO 249/2018" does not only cover basic performance requirements but also imposes additional supplementary conditions, such as tire resistance to penetration by sharp stones on rough roads, among others. It also stipulates that the minimum tread depth for new truck tires must be no less than 8 mm, with added requirements related to reducing tire noise levels. This regulatory integration between Saudi standards and their counterparts in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries reflects a forward-looking vision for developing the shared commercial sector among the region's nations.
Who is Darbk Tires?
Darbk Company was founded on the principle of developing industrial sectors in Saudi Arabia. With this ambitious goal, the company sought to provide truck tires compatible with the Saudi environment, while working towards a vision of localizing tire manufacturing within Saudi Arabia. By 2030, Darbk aims to be the first national Saudi factory to produce tires entirely with Saudi materials and expertise. This ambition is not merely unrealistic speculation; Darbk has already surpassed others by designing tires specifically for each region of Saudi Arabia, customizing them to be compatible with the Kingdom's varied and diverse environment. This has enabled the company to achieve a significant accomplishment as a startup that independently engineers its products.
What are global quality marks and standard specifications?
To understand the excellence achieved by the Saudi Quality Mark and the added value it offers to products and consumers, it is essential to briefly discuss the types of quality certificates and how they vary from region to region, adapting to different environments across Europe, America, China, and elsewhere.
- European (ECE R30) Certificate: This accredited certificate forms the backbone of European product quality, both within Europe and beyond. It focuses on three indispensable key areas: wet road safety, reduction of environmental noise, and minimization of rolling resistance to improve energy efficiency. These standards are characterized by their highly precise measurements, especially concerning grip on wet surfaces or handling accumulated snow or frozen ground. European standards mandate a stopping distance of less than 20 meters when braking from a speed of 80 kilometers per hour. However, European standards are limited in that they do not address the effects of high temperatures, as the European climate is considered temperate. This leads them to prioritize dealing with humidity and ice.
- American (DOT) Certificate: This certificate is issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and specializes in tires. It focuses on tire durability and strength during long-distance travel at high speeds. Tires are tested under high speeds and excessive loads. This American certificate is characterized by its focus on dynamic thermal endurance, where the tire is heated to 100 degrees Celsius under a load exceeding the maximum by 150%, reflecting the strength the United States wants its tires to possess. However, these tests do not include handling desert environments, but they are excellent for very long journeys and heavy loads.
- Brazilian (NMETRO) Certificate: Specifically designed to tackle the challenges of tropical roads and extremely high temperatures, these tires undergo rigorous testing in muddy, swampy, and water-submerged conditions. This ensures their quality in handling slippery surfaces, reflecting the expertise of Brazilian specialists in assessing tire quality and distinguishing between tires capable of managing floods and torrential currents and those that cannot withstand such harsh conditions.
- Saudi Quality Mark (SASO): It represents a unique technical and engineering application that combines the strictness of international standards and specifications with the specific characteristics of the local environment in Saudi Arabia. This is tailored to the natural requirements of the Saudi road network, which is characterized by extremely high temperatures, long distances, and external roads connecting major cities and GCC countries. This environmental adaptation, which the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) strives to achieve, is what makes obtaining the Saudi Quality Mark certification significant for many companies and products.
Tests Conducted by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization
In Saudi Arabia, products, especially tires, undergo a rigorous testing journey in the laboratories of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization. This extensive journey begins immediately after tires leave the production line and continues until they have passed over fifty tests in accordance with international specifications (ISO\IEC 17025). This journey is divided into four main stages, each presenting a unique challenge for quality and optimal performance.
First Stage: Structural Safety Tests
In this stage, tires are placed on giant devices and machines that simulate road conditions, testing them under various circumstances. Among these challenges is the High-Speed Test, where a tire is placed in a sealed chamber and rotated at increasing speeds, starting from 100 kilometers per hour and reaching 180 kilometers per hour. Loads and weights are gradually added until they reach 150% of the tire's maximum permissible limit, to determine its bursting point. This process continues for up to 120 continuous minutes, while temperature and pressure inside the test chamber are monitored, and any changes are identified and tracked until it is confirmed that the tire has passed the speed and load test. This indicates that the tire can handle sudden pressure and high speeds for a relatively long period, clearly demonstrating the high reliability of the Saudi Quality Mark, which subjects tires to real, high-precision tests.
Following this, the Endurance Test is conducted. Here, tires are exposed to conditions similar to crossing the Empty Quarter desert in mid-summer. The test chamber temperature is raised to half boiling point, with the tire load increased to 130%, and the test continues for 72 continuous hours without interruption. Measuring devices determine the rate of deterioration of rubber properties under severe and continuous thermal stress, which tires would naturally be exposed to for longer periods on commercial road networks within Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Gulf.
Second Stage: Desert Terrain Tests
Specialized laboratories are equipped to simulate desert and rocky environments with high sand density. Tires undergo a series of tests specifically designed for the varying conditions in Saudi Arabia. One of the most important of these is the sharp sand penetration test, where tires are placed on a rotating cylinder covered with sharp-angled rocks and pressed at a 45-degree angle. A load equivalent to 1.5 tons is then applied, and the rubber's efficiency in resisting stones and rocks scratching the sidewall is measured, along with its resistance to punctures and cracks. This is followed by the braking test on desert sands, which often cover highways in Saudi Arabia. The stopping distance from a speed of 100 kilometers per hour is measured, determining the tire's stopping distance and its lateral deviation. Finally, the stability of tires on sand-covered slopes is tested, providing a detailed result of the tires' endurance and performance efficiency under the varying conditions in Saudi Arabia.
Third Stage: Sustainability and Environmental Impact Tests
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) enforces strict standards to reduce the environmental impact of tires. This is achieved through Rolling Resistance tests, which measure the amount of energy wasted due to friction between the tire and the asphalt road surface. The wasted energy must be less than 10.5 Newton/kilonewton according to SASO standards, which is lower than the European standard (12.5 N/KN). This makes tires with the Saudi Quality Mark more fuel-efficient and environmentally safer. Additionally, external noise measurement tests are conducted in a sound-insulated chamber, recording sounds emitted by tires at different speeds, with a maximum limit of 72 decibels at 80 kilometers per hour. The level of rubber fragmentation during operation is also analyzed to determine residues resulting from friction on the highway. This makes tires safer for the environment and for the quality of the asphalt road, as less scattered rubber reduces the interaction between asphalt and worn rubber particles, making tires with the Saudi Quality Mark very safe.
Fourth Stage: Long-Term Endurance Tests
In this stage, tires are subjected to real-life simulation tests using advanced simulation devices and chambers, including a virtual track device that simulates driving a distance of 100,000 kilometers on a diverse network of different roads. Additionally, thermomechanical load tests are conducted, exposing tires to sudden and fluctuating thermal changes within minutes. Precise measurements are taken to determine the exact rate of tread wear on natural roads, enabling experts to determine the tires' lifespan based on this information and data. These comprehensive tests ensure that all tires conform to the models that have been fully inspected through monitoring the manufacturing process and maintaining consistent quality throughout the production process.
Four stages of intensive tire testing are required for approval by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.
What are the most important tires offered by Darbk Saudi Tire Company?
- Da'sat Khutoot
The "Da'sat Khutoot" tire is considered the ideal and most reliable partner for drivers on commercial highways. This truck tire is characterized by its strength and durability, with the ability to withstand the difficult challenges associated with long roads and continuous commercial journeys. Thanks to systems like the Cushioning System, the driving experience on these tires is incredibly exceptional, featuring a unique design of grooves and channels carved into the tread. This design provides a contact patch with the road suitable for the tasks performed by the Da'sat Khutoot tire, with the tread pattern resembling a zigzag, like the letter Z.
- Da'sat Seer
Tires from the "Da'sat Seer" category represent the pinnacle of Saudi innovation in developing tires suitable for internal roads. They feature technologies that reduce heat generated by friction, along with a geometrically designed groove distribution that provides additional cooling. This makes them smoother and more fuel-efficient on roads, thanks to the low rolling resistance that Darbk Company has worked to achieve in all its tires.
- Field Tread
Our engineering teams developed the Field Tread to be the most balanced on diverse roads, while enhancing high heat resistance. This was achieved by reinforcing the chemical composition of the rubber used, making it quieter and longer-lasting. The steel belts have been reinforced to consist of four belts and four layers, which means significantly doubled protection against punctures and separation, in addition to superior resistance to wear and cracking.
Darbk Company's tires are reliable for challenging tasks, as they are specially developed for the Saudi Arabian environment.
