SAS Logistics opts to fit Michelin tyres across commercial fleet

SAS Logistics is switching to an exclusive Michelin tyre policy across its commercial vehicle fleet – including eight biomethane-fuelled tractor units – as part of the company’s ongoing sustainability drive.

The Avonmouth-based operator is transitioning its Volvo and Scania trucks, as well as its mixed trailer fleet, onto products from the Michelin X Multi and Michelin X Works ranges. “We put our first natural gas truck, a Volvo FH LNG, into operation in 2020 and we haven’t looked back in our push to be a greener business. Adopting a Michelin tyre policy is the latest step in our efforts to cut CO2 emissions and reduce our environmental impact,” says SAS Logistics director Adam Spratt.

“We are seeing improvements in fuel economy with the Michelin tyres on the diesel trucks due to their low rolling resistance and, although it’s harder to quantify, there are signs that the Michelin tyres on the gas tractor units will also deliver fuel savings in the years ahead.”

SAS Logistics hauls industrial roundwood, as well as handling peat and horticultural products, construction materials, recycled plastics and scrap metal. The firm deploys its gas trucks for a contract with south-west recycling and waste management company, Viridor Polymer Recycling, transporting recycled polymers and providing storage for 6,000 pallets in three of its Avonmouth facilities.

Spratt says: “Equipping our trucks and trailers with premium tyres is important for the business and our image in the eyes of customers like Viridor Polymer Recycling. Michelin products are a significant improvement on what we had before, when tyres were delaminating, treads were coming off and tyres were being cut to the cords.”

After multiple problems with the previous tyres on its timber trailers and tippers – including the need to replace six tyres during MOTs over the summer – SAS Logistics reports that the Michelin X Works replacements are performing exceptionally well and reducing downtime. Tructyre is the company’s tyre service provider.

“The X Works’ chunky tread pattern holds up better than anything else we have used,” Spratt adds. “The longevity of Michelin tyres and the support package from the manufacturer is just fantastic. With increased uptime on our vehicles and trailers, we have a more sustainable business than ever before.”

The Michelin X Works range is designed for operators which do most of their mileage on roads but need traction and robustness on rough tracks and construction sites for deliveries.