Outsourcing to ContiNetwork Brings Transporter Significant Savings

Purfleet, Essex-based logistics company, FP Young Transport Limited has been experiencing significant savings and greater ease of use following the company’s decision to outsource the management of its fleet’s tyres to ContiNetwork partner TAB Tyres.

Since handing over its tyre administration to TAB, FP Young’s progressive shift to Continental’s rubbers is resulting in longer tyre life, resulting in fewer tyres being fitted and vehicle downtime being reduced. The structured tyre management process based on the five-stage ContiLifeCycle is ensuring that optimum life is obtained from every tyre through specifying the correct tyre from the outset and then re-grooving and re-treading when the time comes.

The company also gained peace of mind from knowing that the tyres on its 100 trucks and 60 trailers are being properly maintained. There are fewer on-road tyre changes; fuel efficiency is better because the right tyres are being used and correct pressures maintained; and safety is improved.

Managing director Rob Hollyman says of the outsourcing that: “TAB provides us with a complete management system that follows best practice and which offers opportunities to extend tyre life and make significant cost savings.

“Our fleet uses well over 1,000 tyres and the ability to place their management in the hands of an experienced specialist like TAB Tyres allows us to focus on our core business activities.”

Every weekend TAB Tyres’ staff carries out a full visual inspection of the fleet’s tyres, checking for signs of damage, under-inflation, missing valve caps and extensions. Youngs are advised of any remedial action required and, as TAB Tyres are co-located on their Purfleet site, this can be carried out quickly to get vehicles back into service with minimal delay. Action taken includes repairing or replacing tyres, turning them on the rim, swapping across an axle, or moving from front to back.

Tyres fitted to their best application

FP Young’s decision to use TAB’s services don’t merely cover the tyres’ maintenance; the ContiNetwork partner also work to ensure the correct tyre is used for its chosen application. Continental HSR1 tyres are specified for steer axles and HDR for drive axles. Trailers use Continental’s HTR2. All three types are designed for regional traffic applications – in FP Young’s case that means motorway work throughout the UK.

The compound used on the HSR1, along with its wide contour, ensures a precise steering response and the wide contour gives even wear leading to high mileage. The HDR used on drive axles has a central row of tread blocks to cope with the high torque outputs of modern trucks and to provide good traction in all weather conditions.

On the trailers the HTR2 is a highly durable tyre capable of coping with high loads. It has a tread that uses a patented groove to prevent stone trapping to protect the high quality casing for a second life following re-treading.

The tyres are put through the re-grooving process when tread depths reach 3mm. This can add a further 30% to the tyre life as well as improving performance, particularly in the wet.

Following re-grooving tyres are sent for re-treading using ContiRe. This full bead-to-bead hot retread process uses the very latest technology in casing examination so that the quality of the processed tyre is assured. When tread depth is down it 3mm it’s followed by a further stage; re-grooving to provide further life of up to 30%.

The final stage of the ContiLifeCycle is the responsible disposal of the tyre. It can be recycled and reused in a variety of ways, such as fuel for cement kilns and rubber crumb to create quiet road surfacing.

TAB Tyres also provides FP Young with a full breakdown service through the ContiNetwork, both throughout the UK and on the continent. This 24/7 service operates 365 days of the year providing fast roadside assistance.

FP Young is heavily engaged in container work and serves all the principal UK ports, operating as a freight forwarder, and offering groupage, part, and full load services throughout Western Europe.