Our story
From humble roots in outback Australia to groundbreaking software in the world’s largest mines. KLINGE have forged a path of innovation driven by passion for the industry.
Since 1971
a record of passion and excellence.
52
Years
Experience
300+
people in
the field
0
fatalities
Beginning in the small country town of St. George in Queensland, Australia KLINGE was founded by Tom & Dianne Klinge an ambitious young couple aged 19. Transforming over the years into a tire dealer in Brisbane and other cities and by 1975 they were servicing mining fleets around the country. Inventing the first version of “Total Tire Control” software in 1980 to prove their service was better by digitally managing tires individually by serial number, a world first.
Today the KLINGE team is led by Alexander Klinge and his team who continue to work in the manner and spirit that made the company a success. KLINGE is a key part of MICHELIN® Better Mining, offering unique Services and Solutions to help solve safety and productivity problems for miners globally.
1971 – 1985
The Founding
Small town tire service, discovering mining, commercial dealer success and world first software innovation.
1971.
Tom and Dianne Klinge found the company at 19 years old based around the concept of selling service to trucking companies (not tires) scheduled around planned downtime.
1975.
KLINGE wins a bid to work at BHP Gemco Groote Eylandt mine, having limited OTR exposure and not even knowing how far this mine was from Brisbane (2,268km/1,409mi).
1980.
Dianne Klinge develops prototype Tire Management System (early Total Tire Control) for use by KLINGE at Groote Eylandt after Tom Klinge realises need for innovation.
1982.
First Total Tire Control service begins with mines paying for data entry, data insights and advice from central computer system (various states, Australia)
1986 – 2000
international ambitions
After getting a taste of the mining tire life, Tom Klinge chased success and found it meeting François Michelin in the USA among others, foreshadowing the company’s future and international success.
1986.
BMA Peakdowns Mine becomes the world first on-site Total Tire Control installation.
1987.
Tom Klinge is president of the Australian Tire Dealers & Retread Association (ATDRA), built training curriculum for tire technicians under the Government’s “Priority 1” scheme.
1989.
KLINGE exhibit at NTDRA (National Tire Dealers Association) expo in USA meeting Francois Michelin.
1993.
First Total Tire Control install in USA at BHP San Juan mine (NM, USA)
1994.
First mining tire management and consulting service in Indonesia at BHP Satui and Senarkin mine (South Kalimantan, Indonesia)
1995.
KLINGE seek and attain certification for OTR tire service course by Kangan Batmann institute (VIC, Australia)
1997.
First Total Tire Control installed in South America at Southern Peru Copper, Cuajone mine (Moquegua, Peru)
1998.
Creation of KLINGE United States entity (NV, USA)
1999.
Winners of Australian Maintenance Engineering Excellence Award for Total Tire Control at the institution of Engineers’ 1999 National Engineering Excellence Awards.
1999.
KLINGE hold first OTR tire service class held at Michelin Sales Training Center (MSTC) Greenville (SC, USA)
2001 – 2015
SeRVICE & Scale Up
The KLINGE on-site mining business thrived as well as consulting, training and software with permanent people in Indonesia, Canada, Papua New Guinea, South Africa and New Zealand.
2001.
First Total Tire Control installation in Canada at Ekati Diamond Mine (NT, Canada)
2003.
KLINGE provide Procedures (SOPs) & OTR Training packages to Tire Industry Association (TIA) USA to begin the creation of Earthmover Tire Service training package.
2004.
KLINGE exhibit for first time at MINExpo International (Las Vegas, USA)
2004.
World first Total Tire Control and ERP integration (Ellipse) complete in USA at Newmont Twin Creeks mine. (NV, USA)
2006.
Tire Industry Association (TIA) USA officially partners with KLINGE to develop & release Earthmover Tire Service 200 level training globally. (TirePress Article).
2007.
TOLAPS.live software that integrates TKPH/FMS/TMS data to proactively manage fleets is deployed at Mount Arthur Mine (NSW, AUS).
2007.
Largest single rollout of Total Tire Control rollout for Barrick at 23 sites across 7 countries.
2009.
First commercial version Total Tire Control Web released.
2010.
KLINGE Group acquires Muswellbrook OTR Service & Repair center from Goodyear Earthmover.
2012.
World first Total Tire Control and SAP integration complete for Newmont all sites globally.
2015.
Australian mining tire service business reaches 15 mine sites with permanent people conducting OTR tire maintenance.
2015.
KLINGE assist in development of 300 and 400 Level TIA Earthmover Tire Service training packages.
left to right (Roy Galyer, Al Klinge, Yolanda Waltrip, John Funke, Emilio Ferreira, Greg Remley & Tom Klinge)
2016 – NOW
FuTUre Focus
The end of an era for KLINGE exiting the on-site tire service supply component of the industry as well as a change in company ownership and working through COVID-19.
2016.
KLINGE Mining tire service providing business sold to KalTire Australia capping their run of 41 years with zero fatalities, an unrivalled achievement.
2018.
KLINGE entity is acquired by Michelin as an independent subsidiary, enabling Michelin to offer the world’s best tire management software, mining tire consulting & training to their customer via KLINGE. While maintaining the KLINGE team to develop new services and technology, support their clients and grow the business.
2020.
First Virtual TireARM audit conducted from Hobart Australia to Oyu Tolgoi Mine Mongolia (10,363 km/6,439 mi away) underground at a depth of over 1,000m/3,280ft.
2022.
Release of first versions of MEMS4 and Total Tire Control integration at Mesquite Mine (AZ, USA) designed to improve safety, reliability and productivity for tire technicians on mines.
2024.
Launch of new website & RTO Training
