Fleet Business
Bridgestone says it sold more original equipment truck and bus radials during June than at any other time during the last seven years. The company hasn’t released specific sales volume information, however it reports that “thousands” of Bridgestone-brand original equipment tyres were sold during the month. Sales have been driven upwards by increasing requests from fleets, adds Bridgestone.
Vehicle leasing specialist Arval has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GE Capital to acquire the latter’s European fleet management business. The scope of this acquisition covers more than 160,000 vehicles in 12 European countries, of which France, Germany and the UK represent more than three quarters; vehicle assets amount to €2.4bn as of Q1 2015. Parent company BNP Paribas states that the transaction will “significantly reinforce” Arval’s leading market position in Europe.
Yesterday Goodyear Dunlop unveiled a new dedicated fleet management service, HiQ Fleet Service (HiQFS).
Offering tailored, full service fleet management and 24/7, 365 mobile solutions, the new HiQFS network will be delivered through established, fast fit HiQ centres and partners with a dedicated contracted mobile network. This full service offering gives fleets an expert and reliable service, ensuring peace of mind for fleet operators and their drivers.
Lodge Tyre Company Ltd has opened its 21st depot, with the unveiling on a new branch in Salford. The family run and Birmingham-based business is celebrating its 80th year of trading during 2015.
The new depot, which situated in Lord Byron Square, Salford and close to the M56, M60, M61, M62 and M67 motorway network is located to service Lodge’s expanding business to business customer list as well as its mobile response service. The depot will initially be used as a stocking unit employing three people and managed by long-time Lodge employee Jamie Davies.
Falcon Vehicle Solutions has praised the performance of its Michelin X MultiWay 3D tyres. Mark Waite, operations director at Falcon Vehicle Solutions, says: “We operate in a competitive market, and we find our premium Michelin policy helps to differentiate us from much of the competition.”
One of the UK’s leading transport operators has extended a fleet agreement with Bridgestone. The tyre manufacturer will supply First Bus with its range of premium products to cover different regions in the UK, predominantly Yorkshire and the south west. The deal covers around 40 per cent of the overall First Bus fleet, which represents growth for Bridgestone.
Directors at Hereford-based bulk haulier, Clive Price Transport, contest the idea there is “no such thing as a free ride” after winning a new Euro VI Scania R-Series truck in a Michelin competition.
Temperature-controlled logistics specialist Nagel Langdons is extending the tyre replacement intervals on its four 14.6m longer semi-trailers (LSTs) by more than 80,000km after moving them onto Michelin’s new X Multi T trailer tyres.
Pirelli has made two key appointments to its UK truck department to enhance its offering and ensure more customer focus. Dean Burrells (South East) and Alan Young (North and Scotland) have joined Pirelli as new fleet sales managers.
Fleet Hire has signed a new three year agreement to fit premium Michelin tyres across more than 4,500 cars and vans within its growing fleet. The contract covers the 65 per cent of vehicles supplied by Fleet Hire with a full repair and maintenance package and was won following a competitive tender.
One of Britain’s largest bus operators, First Bus, has renewed its Effitires contract with Michelin Solutions. In signing, First commits to fitting premium Michelin tyres on a price-per-kilometre basis across 65 per cent of its fleet. The new two-year contract will see tyre management experts from Michelin Solutions supply, fit and service Michelin tyres on more than 4,000 buses operating from garages nationwide.
Bridgestone exhibited from a large stand at this year’s CV Show, saying that the annual event reaped “a number of quantifiable rewards with many new relationships forged”. A contract extension with Axis Fleet Management. Bridgestone also commented that visitor numbers had risen on 2014 figures, suggesting that its Bridgestone Partner network, which promises greater support to dealers and increased reductions in fleet operating costs, was an attractive proposition. The show represented the European launch of Bridgestone Partner, which will consist of over 350 truck tyre specialists across the UK and Ireland implementing Bridgestone’s ‘Total Tyre Care’ approach.
Whippet Coaches has moved its fleet on to a rolling Effitires contract with Michelin Solutions. The outsourced tyre management deal is the first pence-per-kilometre agreement to be implemented by the coach operator.
Pets at Home has signed a new contract with ATS Euromaster. The tyre management firm will seek to provide longer tyre life and greater visibility of running costs, handling all aspects of Pets at Home’s tyre management. This follows a comprehensive tyre audit carried out by ATS Euromaster across the customer’s truck and trailer assets, which identified opportunities to reduce operating costs and improve tyre life, safety and uptime.
New research from Go Ultra Low has shown that commercial vehicle operators and fleet managers are missing out on a share of more than £2.6 billion potential fuel savings, accessible by opting for an ultra-low emission van.
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Lodge Tyres