Nestlé Develops a Sweet Tooth for Michelin Trailer Tyres

Nestlé Logistics is rolling out Michelin's 455/45 R 22.5 X One MaxiTrailer tyres across its fleet following a year-long tyre trial. During the 12-month period, a Montracon trailer in service with Nestlé covered 200,000 kilometres, and at the end was capable of travelling a potential further 20,000 kilometres before re-grooving is performed. The Michelin tyres were fitted as original equipment on the trailer, which has operated since new on busy trunking routes between the Nestlé factory in York and its distribution hubs across the UK.

“As a direct result of this exceptional performance Nestlé Logistics has specified X One MaxiTrailer tyres on a further 12 new Montracon tri-axle trailers which are currently entering service. The company is also extending the policy to its ongoing trailer replacement programme,” reports Michelin. Commenting on the decision to fit Michelin rubber, Nestlé Logistics vehicle engineering manager Ralph Defty said: “Our first set of X One MaxiTrailer tyres has performed very well, clocking up an impressive mileage before needing to be regrooved.  Their low rolling resistance is also enabling us to benefit from improved fuel efficiencies, whilst the unique dimensions of this new tyre size guarantee superior road holding and trailer stability in all conditions.

“As a direct result of the trial we will be specifying X One MaxiTrailer tyres as original equipment on all new trailers which join our fleet,” he added.

Nestlé Logistics’ own team of Michelin-trained technicians maintain all tyres across its fleet of 16 MAN TGX 6×2 tractor units and 197 trailers, which includes 13 specialist Magyar temperature controlled chocolate tankers. As part of its agreement with Michelin, Nestlé also has access to ATS Euromaster’s fleet of 1,000 mobile service vehicles which provide emergency assistance at the roadside in the event of a tyre-related breakdown.

As to the nuts and bolts of the tyres to be fitted, Michelin points out that every X One MaxiTrailer tyre features “Infinicoil” architecture, one of the key innovations of Michelin Durable Technologies. This incorporates a steel cord of up to a 400- metres wrapped continuously around the tyre’s crown – delivering, says Michelin, unrivalled robustness, greater longevity and even wear.  The tyre maker adds that, compared to a regular 385/65 R 22.5 XTE2 trailer tyre, the tread band is also 120 millimetres wider and has 35 per cent more rubber in the compound, which is responsible for increasing the mileage potential by up to 50 per cent.