Energas Ltd Choose Michelin Tyres

Hull-based Energas Ltd, together with its sister-company Engineering & Welding Supplies Ltd, has adopted a 100 per cent Michelin tyre policy managed by ATS Euromaster, following a brief from the Managing Director to reduce the cost of transport.

The agreement covers all vehicles operated by the two companies, including nearly 50 trucks, 16 trailers, 16 vans and 55 cars, together with 15 forklift trucks – using ATS Euromaster’s skills as the only nationwide fast-fit network to be able to support such a wide-ranging fleet of vehicles.

The fleet is spread across 11 depots throughout the Midlands and North East of England, supported by a further four satellites, with the commercial vehicles used primarily for delivering compressed, bulk and liquefied industrial gases, together with a range of welding products.

Dave Richards, Group Distribution Manager at Energas, says: “We’ve moved from a mixed tyre policy to an exclusive agreement with ATS Euromaster which sees them provide a complete tyre solution. This ranges from supplying and fitting new Michelin tyres through to regular fleet inspections, as well as managing our regrooves, remoulds and casing bank, in line with Michelin’s Four Lives tyre policy.”

ATS Euromaster is also assisting the customer in selecting the most suitable tyres on new vehicle orders. As an example, the three latest 18 tonne DAF rigid vehicles to join the fleet have been specified with 315/80 R22.5 tyres on both axles as original equipment, as opposed to the standard fitment of 295/80 R22.5 tyres on the steer axle.

“This will enable us to make best use of the casing bank we are developing, by removing the steer axle tyres after they have been regrooved and then remoulding them for fitment to the drive axle. Ensuring we get the maximum mileage potential from each tyre is a key step to reducing overall costs,” he explains.

The monthly fleet checks are performed by ATS Euromaster utilising an electronic data capture (EDC) system, which allows the technicians to record each tyre’s condition and tread depth onto a small handheld computer, before uploading the results via mobile phone to a central database.

Energas and Engineering & Welding Supplies collectively spend between £45,000 and £50,000 on tyres each year. It is aiming to reduce this figure by at least 10-15 per cent over the coming 12 months, as it benefits from the extended performance of the Michelin product combined with a professional tyre management service.