Suckling Transport Signs 3-Year Deal with Michelin

Independent petrol haulage contractor Suckling Transport has signed a three-year PPK (pence per kilometre) contract with Michelin and ATS Euromaster. The deal sees all of Suckling’s 86 vehicles and 96 petroleum tanker trailers adopt a 100 per cent Michelin Group tyre policy.

West Thurrock-based Suckling Transport worked with Michelin for many years before awarding a three-year contract to another manufacturer in 2005. According to the French manufacturer, the decision to reappoint Michelin followed a national tyre audit which highlighted key areas of improvement.

“Michelin’s ability to offer a PPK solution fits directly with our method of charging tyre costs to our customers,” says Peter Larner, Managing Director of Suckling Transport. “Through working with Michelin and ATS Euromaster we benefit from regular fleet inspections and professional tyre management, which can have a bigger impact on tyre costs than the price alone.

The fitment policy will see Michelin’s XZE2+ regional tyres fitted to the front axles, with the drive axles shod with Michelin’s latest XDN2 Grip tyres. XDN2 Grip tyres also incorporate a durable casing which offers improved damage resistance and excellent retread acceptance. Trailers in the fleet are being fitted with XTE3 tyres, which are designed for both regional and national haulage.

As a bulk haulier of dangerous goods, Suckling Transport has extensive safety procedures in place at its sites, and one of the key reasons for switching service providers to ATS Euromaster was its experience in supporting this sector of the road transport industry. Mr Larner explains: “When new tyres are fitted onto our vehicles the wheel nuts need to be tightened to specific torque settings which our previous service provider could not meet. ATS Euromaster has the latest equipment in all of its mobile service vans, which is regularly calibrated, and this helps to meet our stringent demands for maximum safety in everything we do.”