Michelin Flexelagri finance programme funds £1.3 million-plus in tyres

Michelin has financed more than £1.3 million in agricultural tyres and rims across the past 18 months with its 0 per cent finance credit scheme. More than 270 farmers have used the Flexelagri finance programme, launched in early 2013, which helps qualifying farmers and contractors from the UK purchase agricultural drive, materials handling and trailer tyres by spreading the cost over 24 monthly payments.

After its 2013 launch Michelin expanded the offer in 2014 to include wheel rims, like the specialist rims required for Michelin’s range of Ultraflex technology tyres, before adding the full Kleber range of agricultural tyres in 2015.

Barry Read, owner of Northern Ireland’s Read Agri Contracts, harnesses the programme to finance replacement tyres for his fleet, which includes eight Valtra tractors, one Manitou telehandler and a Krone Big M 420 self-propelled mower.

He says: “Michelin’s Flexelagri finance programme is an excellent way to manage cash flow, and allows us to invest in premium tyres without having to find the initial up-front cash. With Flexelagri’s interest-free option I can buy precisely the tyres I need, not simply what I can afford at the time.

“From experience, fitting budget tyres is a false economy, as the money you save at the outset is quickly lost to the need to replace failed tyres sooner than anticipated.”

Tobermore-based Exelagri-accredited dealer JB Tyres supplies all Read Agri Contracts’ tyres, which includes a mix of Michelin MachXBib, MultiBib and OmniBib fitments.

Sales manager at JB Tyres, Phillip Armstrong, adds: “We’ve seen incredible uptake of the credit offer since it launched – particularly as budgets have become tighter, and farmers look to help machinery reach its full performance potential. Although the initial cost of tyres can sometimes put farmers off, they’re becoming savvier about the positive impact premium tyres can have on yields and long-term expenditure.

“Thanks to this offer, in addition to benefitting from premium fitments, farmers can also afford to purchase multiple tyres for their machines, ensuring they always have the correct tyres for each application.”

Michelin’s Flexelagri finance offer covers its patented Ultraflex technology tyres, designed to run at lower pressures without compromising on load capacity. The full Ultraflex technology range includes AxioBib, XeoBib and YieldBib tyres for tractors, SprayBib tyres for agricultural sprayers, CerexBib tyres for combines and forage harvesters and CargoXBib High Flotation tyres for trailers.

To qualify for the interest-free Flexelagri payment plan, a single Michelin or Kleber transaction must total at least £3,000, but less than £20,000. All tyres must be purchased through one of Michelin’s participating Exelagri-accredited dealers and all transactions are subject to credit checks. The sum is payable in 24 monthly direct debit payments and a £100 processing fee paid directly to BNP Paribas is applicable.