Brian Barron, plant manager at Lincolnshire-based Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres Limited, recently graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a degree in World Class Manufacturing Management. Barron’s success comes as a result of a three-year day-release/self-study course which has been supported by Vacu-Lug as part of its commitment to ensure the company and its staff remain at the leading-edge of their industry.
Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres Ltd has renewed its national distribution contract with leading specialist delivery business Nightfreight and further extended its scope to include work previously handled in-house. As part of the new deal Nightfreight has renewed its dedicated 12-strong Vacu-Lug trailer fleet, all of which are fitted with Vacu-Lug Duramold WRE2 super-single tyres. Nightfreight has also taken responsibility for the operation of two specialist crane-equipped vehicles, which offer a nationwide tyre delivery and collection service for operators of earth movers and off-road vehicles.
Lloyd Fraser Supply Chain has renewed its three-year contract for Vacu-Lug to supply tyres for tis Focus DIY distribution contract. The agreement covers a total of 162 items of equipment and features a combination of fixed-price and pence-per-kilometre pricing.
A total of 59 Scania tractor units, 76 Don-Bur double-deck trailers and 27 Lawrence David trailers are included within the agreement, which will see new Yokohama tyres fitted to all steer axles and Vacu-Lug Duramold retreaded tyres on the trailers. Reflecting the nature of the operation, the tractor units are on a pence-per-kilometre tariff while the trailers are charged for at a fixed monthly rate.
Lloyd Fraser Contracts has selected Vacu-Lug as the tyre fleet management solution-provider for its Manor Bakeries contract, which covers the nationwide distribution of bakery products including the well-known Mr Kipling brand.
The agreement will see new Yokohama tyres fitted to all the truck steer-axles of Lloyd Fraser’s 38 Manor Bakeries-dedicated MAN tractor units. Vacu-Lug’s own-brand Duramold retread tyres (predominately super-singles) will be fitted to the 120 permanent trailers. The agreement has been written as a pence-per-kilometre contract based on the truck and trailer fleet’s anticipated monthly mileage.
A total of 17 Vacu-Lug employees, accounting for approximately 12 per cent of the company’s staff, have gained qualifications related to the retread tyre business during 2008. Among these is Craig Caithness, Operations Technician at Vacu-Lug’s Grantham retread tyre factory, who has been awarded the UK’s highest mark in the 2008 City & Guilds Part 1 in Workshop Practice examination organised and operated by the Retread Manufacturers’ Association.
In total six Vacu-Lug employees sat and passed the City & Guilds examination, which is the fundamental qualification for the retread industry and covers every aspect of retreading from initial inspection to final quality control. Of the Vacu-Lug candidates, Craig Caithness was awarded a Distinction, while three of his colleagues gained Passes and two Credits.
Raw material price increases affect every part of the tyre production and distribution chain. At the moment all the new tyre manufacturers (from the largest to the smallest) are feeling the raw materials pinch, which has been reflected in a run of less profitable financial reports. Even the Chinese manufacturers that were able to offer the “economic option” for so long are being forced to restructure their prices. Prior to this the low price of new Chinese made truck and bus radials had been hindering sales of quality retreads, so now that the price differential appears to swinging back against the Far Eastern budget producers, will this provide the opportunity for a resurgence in retread sales?
Take Qingdao, Shandong province-based Aufine Group Co Ltd. In August Tyres & Accessories received notification that the company was bringing in a second “unfortunate” price increase in three months, brought on by the “not small” (23 per cent) increase in Aufine’s natural rubber costs. The fact that the Chinese government clamped down on production in regions adjacent to Qingdao during the last quarter has also affected the distribution of these products. Furthermore, in addition to pressures mentioned above, the supply of Chinese tyres is also described as “inconsistent” since the pound’s value has fallen against the Euro. As a result Chinese manufacturers are increasingly ‘cherry-picking’ sales in the most lucrative international markets.
Vacu-Lug has appointed Matt Ball, 31, to the position of Business Development Manager for Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres Limited. Covering an area from Cheshire through to the Midlands, Wales and the South West, Matt will be responsible for further increasing and developing Vacu-Lug’s penetration within the region’s major fleets.
Ball began his career with a Modern Apprenticeship at alloy wheel and performance tyre manufacturer Rimstock, with whom he later progressed into sales. Thereafter, he spent five years working in light and heavy commercial vehicle sales with Volkswagen and Renault respectively before moving to Ravenstock MSG, a container hire operation, from where he joined Vacu-Lug.
Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres Limited has launched an online fleet tyre management system that introduces the ability to merge third-party tyre inspections into a single web-based reporting format.
“VFM is the outcome of a major research and development project which through its extensive monitoring and reporting capabilities redefines the state-of-the-art,” Vacu-Lug’s Managing Director, Tim Hercock commented: “The system’s focus is fixed on providing our customers with the best possible service while ensuring best practice is adhered to throughout, both within our own organisation and by our third-party service providers.
Kraiburg and Vacu-Lug have reaffirmed their long running partnership with agreement to expand their business relationship. Currently Vacu-Lug, Europe’s largest independent retreader, sources over 70 per cent of its compound requirements from Kraiburg. “Our customers are more than satisfied with the quality of Kraiburg compounds for the hot cure process,” said Vacu-Lug managing director, Tim Hercock. “We are delighted that we will be able to offer this quality level also in the future.”
Vacu-Lug has appointed Dave Alsop as its new Fleet Sales Director. Alsop has spent the majority of his career in the truck industry including 10 years in the contracts division of Scania (GB) Ltd. He has also worked for the RAC and latterly at Euro Auctions UK Ltd where he was involved in the sales of truck, trailer and heavy earth moving equipment. “I am really looking forward to joining the team at Vacu-Lug and growing their extensive Fleet Business” he said “The wide range and type of fleets they manage gives us a great advantage in the market.”
The Retread Manufacturers Association has announced the appointment of Tim Hercock of Vacu-Lug as the Association’s Chairman. Hercock succeeds Patrick O’Connell of Bandvulc who has stepped down after two years in office. The appointment took effect on 21 June.
Commenting on the appointment, David Wilson, Director of the Retread Manufacturers’ Association said: “We welcome the appointment of Tim Hercock as our new Chairman and I look forward to working with him over the course of the coming two years. Patrick O’Connell has made a valuable and active contribution to the role during his term of office and on behalf of the association I would like to thank him for his efforts.”
Following the earlier publication of an article featuring details of the recently announced Pirelli/Vacu-Lug cooperation, Tyres & Accessories would like to clarify that Vacu-Lug will be responsible for the production and distribution of Pirelli’s Novateck brand of commercial vehicle retreads and not the sales and marketing of these products.
The original article (first published 14/03/2007) stated: “the agreement is about much more than just retread production. According to managing director, Tim Hercock, Vacu-Lug will also take on sales, marketing and distribution responsibilities.” This was incorrect and the text should have read: “Vacu-Lug will take on production and distribution responsibilities.”
Pirelli UK Tyres Ltd is joining forces with Vacu-Lug, the UK’s largest independent retread manufacturer, in a strategic alliance that stands to strengthen the position of both companies.
Congratulations to Richard Royle from retreader Vacu-Lug, who has been awarded “Best Overall Paper” in this year’s City and Guilds of London Part 1 – Workshop Practice Examinations. RMA Director David Wilson presented Richard with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his achievement at a Technical Committee Meeting held by the Association. In total 28 candidates passed this year’s City and Guilds Examinations, six of whom were awarded distinctions.
Independent retreader Vacu-Lug recently announced that it is “back on track,” reporting half a million pounds of operating profit for 2005. Speaking at the company’s AGM, managing director Tim Hercock, who was appointed in 2002 following a £2.5 million loss, commented that he was delighted with the progress the company had made. “It is testament to the hard work of all our employees” he stated, adding: “We have been through a major change process and have come out in much better shape”.
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