Westlake wins first UK fleet deal

Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire-based transport operator Charles Brown & Son Haulage Limited has become the first UK operator to fit Westlake tyres to its fleet since Vacu-Lug was appointed sole UK distributorship for the brand, which is produced by China’s largest domestic tyre manufacturer.

To date, Charles Brown & Son has fitted Westlake units to the steer axles of six Scania tractor units out of its fleet of 16.  As the initial batch have now proven themselves in service across a variety of demanding transport applications, the company’s remaining vehicles will also be equipped with Westlake tyres as replacements become due.

“We undertake general haulage, fridge work, waste and bulk tipper work and run our fleet hard, with some vehicles covering up to 3,000 kilometres a week,” says Charles Brown & Son Transport Manager Paddy Conboy.  “Consequently we need tyres which are versatile, durable, reliable and competitively priced.  In Westlake, we have found all these demands are met by a single tyre range, hence our commitment to them for the future.”

Westlake tyres span a wide variety of operation types and with a choice of 17.5″, 19.5″ and 22.5″ rim diameters its products are suitable for drive and steer axle applications for light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles.

In terms of its environmental credentials, Westlake reports that is one of the first global manufacturers to produce an entirely aromatic-free range of tyres. This means all Westlake tyres are fully REACH compliant.  Standing for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, the (REACH) Reach Directive EC/1907-2006 identifies and defines chemicals of concern contained in products for use in the European Union. The standard details the registration obligations of manufacturers and suppliers to ensure compliance.  

Charles Brown & Son Haulage Limited is an old-established transport operator. In addition to its haulage operations, the company also operates Melton Mowbray Tyre Recycling, a tyre recycling company which shreds tyres primarily for use in the equestrian industry. In addition, a proportion of its output is reprocessed for use as fuel.