UK Fleet Success Keeps Bridgestone Growth Consistent

In contrast with some other premium manufacturers Bridgestone’s 2006 and first half 2007 sales both grew 1 – 2 per cent. According to Bridgestone UK’s commercial sales director, Greg Ward, the key to the company’s continued growth in the mature market is consistency and continuity. From his perspective, the recent news that the company has retained the Ryder contract for another three years is case in point. (In this instance Bridgestone beat off early competition from another competitor to retain the 10-year long working relationship it has with the Ryder fleet). “If the second half is as good as the first half, I will be delighted,” added Ward.

Most sources agree that the influence and volume of Chinese products grew during 2006, but at the same time premium manufacturers like Bridgestone appear unfazed by their rapid growth. In response to the question of increased competition from the Far East Greg Ward commented: “Chinese & Budget brands may be trialling their products on fleets, but the biggest, most professional fleets need professional service providers in addition to tyres. The Truck Point Network is a real winner in this respect.” In addition, the recent US recall situation should be take as a warning, Ward added.

With this emphasis on the service aspect of the business in mind, Tyres & Accessories was keen to find out what, if any, effect there would be on the retreading element of Bridgestone’s business following the global acquisition of Bandag. According to Greg Ward, the two companies are at the earliest stages of meeting together to discuss possible synergies, which means it could still be another year before the two new partners get beyond the planning phase. As a result, the commercial director was unable to share any more concrete details at this stage.

However, Ward did speak of the numerous developments that have taken place at Bridgestone’s Bulldog retread production plant: “Bulldog has added a lot of new plant and equipment in order to make premium qualitread products.” The pleasant problem of over demand for Bridgestone retread products led to the recent investments in Bulldog, a fact that demonstrates Bridgestone’s decision to make the retread market a new priority.

Ryder Awards Bridgestone UK & Truck Point network three-year contract

Ryder has awarded Bridgestone UK and its Truck Point network partners a new three-year contract. Under the arrangement, Bridgestone UK will supply new replacement and original equipment tyres, Qualitread retread truck tyres and tyre services though its national Truck Point service network.

Greg Ward, Bridgestone UK Commercial Director, said: “We are delighted that Ryder have awarded Bridgestone and Truck Point a new three year contract. We have been in partnership for over ten years and the new contract extends this even further. We share the same beliefs and hold the same values, the new contract is a great vote of confidence in our products and services.”

Chris Deevey, head of purchasing, Ryder Europe, said: “We are very happy to award this contract to Bridgestone and its Truck Point network, the fleet management package offers the most comprehensive tyre management programme. Bridgestone are focused on providing added value to Ryder and its customers.”

Bridgestone offers a complete range of products and services to leading rental, logistics and distribution fleets, including a full range of original equipment and replacement tyres. In addition, the company’s cradle-to-grave tyre solutions and Truck Point service network includes responsive pan-European break down service, retreading and tyre management tools.

Bridgestone’s renewed emphasis on this side of the business was also evident at the end of April when Bridgestone UK announced details of its Expert Level Truck Point Dealer Audit Programme, naming the first three recipients. The accreditation scheme is the latest stage in the multi-million-pound total tyre management investment programme Bridgestone has been engaged in for the last three years. A further 46 external “Expert Level” audits were scheduled to have been completed at the end of April. Bridgestone plan to hold an official awards ceremony for the remaining Expert Level dealers at the annual Truck Point conference in October.

This scheme is the first to employ LRQA (Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance), a leading management systems assessment body, to carry out the necessary quality checks independently. Developed in partnership with LRQA and Truck Point dealer partners, the programme was implemented during the first half of this year. After the first run of external audits have been completed, Bridgestone has identified another for the second wave of audits.

News of the audit scheme came at the same time as Bridgestone promoted its now-completed, “New Generation of Bridgestone truck tyres.” Giving details of the advances made with the R249 steer, R168 trailer and M749 drive-axle tyres, marketing manager for Commercial Products at Bridgestone UK Roger Moulding announced that new 295/60 and 315/60 sizes will be available for the M749 range from around October this year.