Sapphire Gains Contract With ATS Euromaster

The first load of end of life tyres processed at Sapphire Energy Recovery’s new Manchester facility coincided with the signing of a major contract with ATS Euromaster. Now that the site is practically up and running the company has invited a number of tyre retailers and distributors to a special open day on 29 June, followed by the official press and VIP opening on 30 June.

The ATS Euromaster agreement sees Sapphire enter into a parallel contract with Vellco Tyre Control for the collection and delivery of all scrap tyres from ATS tyre replacement centres into Sapphire’s seven nation-wide processing facilities. Roy Hinde from ATS Euromaster explained the recent developments: “Sapphire’s Manchester operation is set to become an integral part of our business, ensuring a secure, environmentally superior disposal route for our used tyres. We are proud to be the first to provide tyres for Sapphire’s new Manchester facility.”

Ryan Mifflin, sales and marketing manager for Sapphire commented: “The new deals with ATS and Vellco will benefit all parties. ATS and Vellco will have guaranteed access to a secure disposal route, while we will be better able to forecast and plan supplies into our principal outlet, the cement industry.”

The new facility at Manchester represents an investment by Sapphire Energy Recovery of £1 million, the latest part of a £12 million investment programme completed over the last six years. The site will be officially opened by local MP, Beverley Hughes, on 30 and will be capable of handling up to 7 million car and van tyres annually from across the north west. Operations at the new 2.5-acre site are covered by an environmental management system registered under ISO 14001.

Ryan Mifflin continued: “The Manchester site, our seventh nationwide, now means we can accommodate the processing and disposal of used tyres from most of the UK’s major conurbations. This additional facility means that Sapphire can now process and supply disposal to more than 200,000 tonnes (30 million tyres) each year. Collectors from the Manchester region now have the satisfaction of knowing that there is a secure, economic and environmentally sustainable disposal route on their doorstep.”

The new Manchester site brings Sapphire’s total capacity to more than 200,000 tonnes per annum (roughly 30 million tyres) and features a range of specialist equipment. This includes a Columbus McKinnon shredder and a Weightron Bilanciai 50 tonne Eurodeck pit-mounted weighbridge.