Tipper firm signs fixed price contract with Vacu-Lug

North Yorkshire bulk tipper operator M Kettlewell (Melmerby) has signed a fixed price tyre supply and maintenance contract with Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres. Ripon-based M Kettlewell currently runs 33 units and 36 trailers, transporting raw materials, such as wheat and barley, for animal feed processors nationally.

As part of the tyre deal with Vacu-Lug, the company has fitted 295/80R22.5 Pirelli steers, 235/75R17.5 Pirelli lift, 295/80R22.5 Duramold WDE2+ drive and 385/65R22.5 Westlake AT557 for trailers. The tyres will be managed through Vacu-Lug’s advanced tyre fleet management system VMS, while all fitments and breakdowns will be covered by ATS Euromaster.

Managing director Paul Kettlewell said: “I am very happy so far with the Vacu-Lug tyres supplied and believe that they will help the company keep a lid on costs which is so essential in our type of business.”

Vacu-Lug sales manager Dave Benton said: “I would like to thank M Kettlewell for choosing Vacu-Lug Tyres and having the confidence in both our products and fleet management services, to reduce their overall running costs.”

M Kettlewell took over long-standing competitor Allen Brown Transport, based in Knayton, near Thirsk, in April 2011. This enabled the company to expand its fleet and customer base. At the time M Kettlewell revealed that the acquisition would take staff numbers from 39 to 54 and its turnover from £3 million to £7 million and this remains the same in 2014. M Kettlewell is part of the Kettlewell Group which also includes fuel oil supplier Kettlewell Fuels and Kettlewell Commercials, a registered DAF service and repair centre.