Bridgestone reduces Ryder’s tyre-related call outs by 28%

Having tied up its tyre partnership for the next five years with Bridgestone in April, commercial fleet operator Ryder says that tyre-related breakdowns for its customers have fallen by 28 per cent. The new contract heralded the introduction of a range of initiatives aimed at maximising fleet uptime and lowering running costs, Bridgestone states.

Ryder is the manufacturer’s largest UK commercial fleet customer, having worked together for 20 years. The relationship evolved into a strategic partnership in 2013 with the implementation of a joint framework that aims to reduce tyre wastage through closer collaboration and improved working practices. These strategies include:

• a major focus on tyre husbandry;
• increased emphasis on setting correct tyre pressure  – this not only protects the tyre but also helps with fuel economy;
• and a detailed review of removed tyres – to avoid premature removal and to ensure that all parties are properly managing the use of tyres throughout their life.

The fleet management programme was developed jointly by Ryder and Bridgestone. Under the programme Ryder employees receive specialist training from Bridgestone to enable them to take a more hands-on role in the maintenance and management of tyres. Ryder’s maintenance teams are supported by Bridgestone’s fleet managers who offer specialist advice and consultation.

The programme is backed by a dedicated 24/7 phone line, run and administered by Ryder. If a customer experiences tyre failure, Ryder will manage and monitor the call out and replacement process through Bridgestone’s Truckpoint dealer network, which has 355 outlets across the UK. Over the past year Truckpoint has achieved industry-leading response times for customer call outs, typically reaching customers within 76 minutes. Ryder and Bridgestone are also committed to on-site coaching and monthly performance reviews to identify and implement service improvements.

Ryder’s head of maintenance strategy, Philip Martin, said: “We are delighted that this partnership is proving so beneficial for our customers. Ryder is committed to a process of continuous improvement in all areas of the business. We will continue to monitor and measure tyre performance to ensure that we are providing the best, most reliable and cost effective service possible.

“Our ongoing relationship with Bridgestone is helping us to raise industry standards and we look forward to building on this joint collaboration.”

Bridgestone’s fleet manager, Ian Baker, said: “Bridgestone has spent a great deal of time in developing a more consultative, partnership-based relationship with Ryder and this is where we can see the biggest change in commercial tyre support.

“We provide bespoke training modules for Ryder to share our knowledge at the outset and this is then supplemented by regular dialogue and more formal monthly meetings.

“The word ‘partnership’ is overused in the commercial fleet world but with Ryder this is genuinely the case as we have reduced volume, improved tyre longevity and overall productivity.

“We expect this new way of working to underpin our offering in the future, which is a prospect that genuinely excites us.”