Fleet Business
Keen-eyed motorists may have already spotted the first examples of a sight set to become much more familiar; ATS Euromaster has launched a new livery for its 1,000-vehicle mobile service fleet. The company decided upon a new colour scheme – including more prominent chevron safety markings – in order to enhance safety while raising brand awareness and highlighting the company’s expertise.
Last year a new name appeared in the UK tyre retail scene. At the start of June 2010 point S Development, together with UK Tyre Group, announced the establishment of a local point S network. At the time the UK based point S operation was the 19th national network to be set up in Europe (this number has since grown to 20), with the 50 or so outlets operated by the independent members of UK Tyre Group forming the new network’s initial core. At the time, UK Tyre Group directors shared with Tyres & Accessories that the plan was to increase this network to 100 outlets within two years. This has been achieved in half the anticipated time; after almost a year in the local market, Point S UK reports its plans are progressing very well.
Bath and North East Somerset Council is the latest to sign up to a Michelin and ATS Euromaster tyre contract, designed to reduce the monthly cost of tyre maintenance and replacement on its 200-strong mixed fleet. The Council used a public sector tyre sourcing initiative via the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) to hook up with the French manufacturer and retailer, fitting Michelin products to its 50 cars, 100 vans, 30 buses (ranging from minibuses to 24 seaters) and 25 trucks – including 8X4 hookloaders and the council’s refuse collection and recycling vehicles. All tyre servicing and supply is provided by ATS Euromaster.
Michelin North America has extended its ‘Advantage Program’ to truck owner-operators. Initially established for smaller-sized fleets, the Advantage Program offers operators consistent programme pricing on both new tyre and Michelin Retread Technologies products plus no-fee access to the tyre maker’s ‘ONCall’ emergency road service and access to Michelin’s Commercial Service Network. Further stated benefits are resources available through the Advantage Program website, regular e-newsletter updates and – new for 2011 – quarterly webcasts on important tyre topics.
ATS Euromaster is aiming to help fleet managers gain greater control over tyre management with new software developed in-house, combined with its proven electronic tyre inspection tool, to analyse the condition of tyres in such detail that managers can use the resulting report to reduce operating costs and improve tyre life, safety and uptime. The company calls its new analysis tool FleetMax, and it is offering an initial fleet-wide analysis free, and without obligation, to prospective new customers with more than 50 vehicles.
Bridgestone UK Ltd has announced that it has extended its tyre supply agreement with NR Evans, based at Cross Hands. NR Evans Distribution is one of the biggest temperature controlled distribution companies in the UK, operating over 300 commercial vehicles and trailers from eight depots across the UK. They deliver over £500 million of chilled products every year.
National and international haulier Massey Wilcox Transport has signed a deal to fit Michelin tyres across its entire fleet. Michelin’s price per kilometre (PPK) contract, with tyres serviced by ATS Euromaster, has been adopted by the haulier. Massey Wilcox Transport’s managing director, Robert Wilcox, says: “The quality of Michelin’s tyres will improve fleet performance and give us cost savings on fuel and tyres. We are confident that this is the start of a long relationship with Michelin.”
Kwik Fit Group’s fleet division has added its voice to Stapleton’s in saying that, following the tyre retail giant’s takeover by Itochu, it is business as usual. In a press statement the fleet business said: “following the sale agreement it is ‘business as usual’ for fleet and retail customers across its network in the UK as well as in the Netherlands and France where the company also operates.”
Essex-based Ovenden Papers has used Michelin tyres on its delivery vehicles for a while, but chose to fit budget brand solid rubber tyres across its industrial fleet – until now, following a puncture-free 12 month trial of the XZM radial tyre. Joint managing director James Ovenden says: “We have been both surprised and impressed by the differences between economy tyres and Michelin fitments for our forklifts. The trial that Michelin set up lasted 750 hours, which is much longer than we are used to, and there were no punctures at all – even though we operate on high-risk surfaces.
Fuel cards are vital in the fight against fraudulent fuel claims which are expected to rise as austerity measures kick in, says leading fuel card reseller The Fuelcard Company.
New research has revealed that around 25 per cent of all fuel claims could be exaggerated, costing fleet businesses millions of pounds every year at a time when budgets are already stretched.
National haulier James Nuttall (Transport) is moving its truck fleet on to Michelin’s Energy tyres following outstanding results from a year-long trial. The company is seeking ways to reduce costs, and with the increases in fuel prices, the company has devoted some attention to ways in which consumption can be lowered. The transport operator reports that it recorded a 5.08 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency when using Michelin’s XZA 2 Energy and XDA 2 Energy tyres compared to the fleet’s existing XZE 2+ and XDE 2+ fitments, which are principally designed for regional haulage. Performance was measured using two identical Scania R 420 6×2 tractor units.
Walsall based Parry’s International’s transport manager Mark Ramsden has reported a marked reduction in noise levels and a softer ride from coaches fitted with Continental’s HSL and HDL tyres, took careful note. Parry’s International runs an 11-strong fleet is made up of 14-metre, tri-axle Van Hool T917 Astron touring coaches specified to the highest level of luxury and its latest investment is worth in the region of half a million pounds.
“We had been using another premium tyre brand but supply problems led Van Hool to ask us if they could fit Continentals,” Ramsden explained, adding: “This provided an opportunity to compare performance and we were immediately impressed. Our drivers said that they noticed a significant lowering of noise levels and they also felt that the overall ride was better.
Haulier David Murray reports that Bridgestone’s M729 drive tyre has achieved twice the performance of a standard competitor. David Murray Transport has been a customer to Bridgestone for over 12 years now and tyre performance and reliability has been a significant contributing factor to the loyalty shown. Managing director, David Murray, commented: “It is vital that all our components meet the high standards required, to provide a first-class service to our customers. Good quality, good wearing tyres provided by Bridgestone play a key role in delivering this.”
Leading utilities sector service provider Morrison Utility Services has selected ATS Euromaster to supply, fit and service tyres across its 2,000-strong commercial vehicle and plant fleet, following a tender process the ATS-E described as “competitive”. The agreement covers 1,300 vans, 150 trucks, 350 plant trailers and 250 compressor trailers, onto which ATS-E will fit Avon and Taurus tyres, with specialist tyres selected for plant items.
ATS Euromaster has launched a pilot mobile service designed to help large truck fleets save on fuel costs and as a result reduce carbon emissions. The “Carbon Cutter” service uses technicians with purpose-built vans to visit customers’ sites across the UK to check, and if necessary adjust, the tyre pressures of every vehicle and trailer in the fleet. The technicians will also look for wheel alignment problems. They will also offer green valve caps as an indication of checked vehicles. Simon Tattersall, head of National Truck at ATS Euromaster, explains: “It’s no secret that correctly inflated and aligned tyres reduce rolling resistance on the road, yet in many cases we’re finding significant potential for fleets to further improve the accuracy of their pressures and alignment.
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