ATS Euromaster prepares for snow in next 8 weeks

With fevered anticipation – to use an inappropriate idiom – developing in the UK tyre business about the next winter season and the growth opportunities it may offer, ATS Euromaster has seized upon the predictions of meteorologist James Madden at Exacta Weather. He predicts October will see below average temperatures and snow in places, with heavier and more widespread snow storms in November and worse to come in December and January. ATS-E has taken the opportunity to remind businesses to prepare for difficult travelling conditions.

Madden correctly forecast the previous two harsh winters well in advance, and he warns that the pattern is likely to continue: “No region is likely to escape the harsh winter, not even the South. However, we expect Scotland, North East England, Northern England and Northern Ireland will be the worst hit. I’d be very surprised if we don’t see weather records being broken. A winter of this magnitude poses huge implications for the infrastructure of the UK transportation system.”

ATS-E doubled its investment in cold weather tyres this year to £6 million across price segments earlier in the year. The ATS-E network has “tyre hotels” where summer tyres can be inspected and securely stored until next March or April. Peter Fairlie, ATS-E’s group sales director, says: “The last few winters have really taken their toll on businesses in the UK, but there’s a real risk the worst is yet to come.

“If drivers can’t get their vehicles out on the road, staff will struggle to get to work, goods won’t be delivered and services will be delayed. The knock-on effect means invoicing and cash-flow are disrupted. We have seen this happen in the UK for three years now – I suppose we should be getting used to it!

“The key is to think ahead and plan early. There’s no point waiting until your fleet is stuck to consider cold weather tyres. Companies have been changing tyres on the continent for decades, but it’s now become a business-critical issue for the UK too.”

Related news:

• Four options? The whys and wherefores of winter tyres in the UK
• ATS Euromaster doubles winter tyre order