Mike Lawton has been appointed head of communications for Europe North at Michelin Tyre. Lawton joined Michelin as UK customer services manager in 1999 after stints at ceramics giant Wedgwood and fashion brand Austin Reed. For the last five years, he has been commercial director for Michelin Tyre’s agriculture and construction division, a position which was been taken up by Martyn Pointer.
Michelin has appointed Martyn Pointer as its new commercial director of agriculture, with responsibility for the UK, Ireland and the Nordics. He replaces Mike Lawton, who has taken on the position of head of communications, after five years in the role.
K&M Tyres is the newest member of Michelin’s Exelagri dealer partnership programme. The Suffolk-based business gained this status after passing an independent 48-point quality audit that looked at key aspects of its operation, and as an Exelagri partner it has pledged to offer an extensive range of Michelin agricultural sector products and services, 24/7 breakdown support, quality tyre repairs, wheel alignment checks and the ability to fit tyres both on-site and in the field. Exelagri status also includes a commitment to offering customers a tyre delivery service, backed up by the provision of expert technical advice and aftersales support.
Michelin’s free agricultural tyre pressure calculator app is now available for iOS devices, giving even more farmers and contractors access to on-the-spot bespoke tyre pressure advice. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices, the Michelin Pressure Calculator app instantly works out the most appropriate tyre pressure settings for desired load and speed on any farm tractor in just three easy steps.
The Michelin BibLoad Hard Surface tyre range, which was first introduced last year, has been extended to include a new size popular on telehandlers used by farmers across the UK and Ireland: the 500/70 R24.
As reported last month, Michelin is gearing up to make some changes to its Exelagri dealer network in Europe. In a UK-market press release, the tyre maker describes these changes to its agricultural tyre dealer programme as “ambitious growth plans” and says its enlarged, 1,000 outlet network aims to gain a 50 per cent share of the agricultural tyre market by 2024. While the release does not specify where this growth will take place, Tyres & Accessories understands that Exelagri growth efforts will focus on Eastern Europe.
Michelin has expanded its range of Ultraflex technology tyres with the launch of the CargoXBib High Flotation tyre for trailers and farm machinery. The product is the first trailer tyre containing the technology, which is designed to offer farmers increased productivity and profitability through lower operating pressures. The manufacturer says dedicated agricultural trailer tyres could be an attractive alternative to remould truck products, as farmers come under increasing pressure to increase yields with greater efficiency.
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