Rotary Lift introduces a new extended height (EH) adapter to enable technicians using any frame-contact Rotary Lift model to properly pick up the Toyota Tundra and other light trucks, SUVs and vans. Additionally, Rotary said it has widened the frame-engaging pad on this and its existing EH auxiliary adapter by half an inch, in order to accommodate new vehicles, many of which have wider frames.
Bristol-based I.J. McGill Transport, a member of the Palletline network, has appointed ATS Euromaster to manage the tyres across its fleet of 40 commercial vehicles and 45 trailers – fitting Michelin tyres as standard. The new agreement reportedly replaces a previous Bridgestone contract managed by a local independent tyre dealer and will see ATS Euromaster work in partnership with I.J. McGill’s in-house maintenance team, supporting the complete fleet spectrum, from panel vans to 44 tonne tractor units.
Ian McGill, Managing Director of I.J. McGill Transport, says: “Tyre management is critical to the efficient running of any commercial vehicle fleet, and through ATS Euromaster’s Web Reporter service we can now view up-to-date details and inspection reports concerning any aspect of our tyre contract at the click of a button.
An affiliation with an organisation boasting 15 million members throughout the UK opens up new doors of opportunity in terms of potential customers, and last year such an opportunity came knocking for Michelin service partner ATS Euromaster. The nation’s second largest fast-fit organisation commenced a significant three-year contract with the AA in October, under which it took on the supply and service of tyres for the association’s roadside and recovery patrol fleet. As part of the three-tier agreement Michelin has become the preferred tyre brand of the AA, and as wear dictates ATS Euromaster will fit the French manufacturer’s products across the company’s fleet of around 2,500 patrol vans and 300 recovery vehicles.
“We have traditionally worked with two tyre suppliers, but during the latest contract negotiations we were able to consolidate supply by using ATS Euromaster’s service centres and mobile service vans to support our roadside and recovery patrol fleet,” commented Andrew Hamilton, AA head of fleet procurement. “Furthermore, a significantly enhanced member benefits package was agreed with ATS Euromaster.”
According to ATS Euromaster, May 2007 was the worst month of last year for commercial vehicle tyre-related breakdowns on the UK roads. The company says that its data shows that, throughout the year, ATS Euromaster’s 24 hour Rapid Response team handled 111,318 calls for roadside assistance from vans to top weight articulated trucks, with 10,242 (or 9.2 per cent) of all call-outs falling in May. The quietest month was December, with just 7,042 (or 6.3 per cent) of calls.
Defective tyres are now the fourth most common reason why motorcycles fail MOT tests in the UK. Statistics released by the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) also indicate that bike maintenance standards are on the decline.
The report showed that between 2006 and 2007, close to 5,000 bikes failed their annual MOT due to being fitted with tyres that were not fit for purpose, compared to nearly 1,700 the year before. This equates to a jump of 66 per cent. Cars and light vans did not fair particularly better during the same period, recording a 54 per cent rise in tyre related MOT failures.
The Bridgestone-brand Duravis M700 HD with exclusive UNI-T technology is the latest addition to the Bridgestone Duravis family of heavy-duty light truck and commercial tyres that deliver strength, durability and reliable performance for tackling the toughest tasks, the company said. A commercial-grade light truck all-terrain tyre, the M700 HD is intended for those who venture off-highway in the line of duty.
“Ambulances, construction trucks, land management fleets – even delivery vans,” noted Phil Pacsi, vice president of consumer marketing for Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire. “The Bridgestone Duravis M700 HD helps the hardest working drivers get the job done and avoid costly downtime.”
Snap-on Tools has unveiled a new design for its 420 UK Franchisee vans. According to the company, the update is aimed at giving its trade customers “a better shopping experience.” Terry Barcham, Managing Director of Snap-on, approached several contract hire and leasing specialists to come up with a new design concept for the very successful Snap-on Franchisee vans which would transform them into hi-tech sales outlets. The winning proposal came from Pendragon Contracts, part of Pendragon plc, the largest multi-franchise motor group in Europe.
The Department for Transport has published National Statistics on Traffic in Great Britain for the fourth quarter of 2007 and for 2007 as a whole. Comparing the whole of 2007 with 2006, traffic is provisionally estimated to have increased by 0.6 per cent. This is lower than the underlying annual rate of increase of 1.3 per cent from 2001 to 2006.
The 198-page report goes into significant detail, but reveals that, comparing 2007 with 2006 as a whole, car traffic decreased by 1 per cent.; light van traffic was 9 per cent higher; and heavy goods vehicle traffic was 1 per cent higher. This means, according to the report, cars account for 78 per cent of all motor vehicle traffic, light vans (14 per cent), good vehicles (6 per cent) and other vehicles (2 per cent).
HiQ reports that it is to expand its fleet customer base with the purchase of 25 new LDV MAXUS vans. The new black long wheel base hi-roof vans are all fully liveried and will support HiQ’s customers across the UK. The 25 vehicles will soon be joined by further vans as HiQ ramps up its fleet service in 2008.
Tony Lewis, LDV’s sales and marketing director handed over the new vehicles to Neil Burrows, HiQ’s managing director, and commented: “HiQ’s aspirations to transform the face of fast-fit are fantastic and it’s great to be supporting an expanding brand. The new vans will ensure that should HiQ’s customers require roadside assistance, support is never far away.”
Castle Morpeth Council has awarded a contract to supply tyres and associated services across its 148-strong fleet to ATS Euromaster, as part of a framework agreement created by the North Eastern Purchasing Organisation (NEPO). The 2+2 year deal covers a diverse mix of vehicles including the Mayoral car, vans, dropsides, road sweepers, other items of plant and a fleet of more than 14 refuse collection and recycling vehicles. As part of the new contract, ATS Euromaster is also fitting the refuse fleet with Taurus tyres, manufactured by Michelin.
A Quality Protocol, aimed at making the reprocessing of tyres into products such as flooring, road surfacing, aggregates and footwear a more straightforward and affordable process for industry, has been released for public consultation by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and the Environment Agency.
Since the EU Landfill Directive came into effect alternate waste management options have been sought for the more than 100,000 end of life tyres removed from UK vehicles every day – a quantity that over the course of the year accumulates to an amount that Martin Brocklehurst, head of external waste programmes at the Environment Agency, attempts to illustrate: “Placed end to end, the annual tyre waste of England and Wales would stretch from London to Cardiff more than 100 times,” he said. “With so many cars, vans and trucks discarding tyres, we have potential to access more than 40,000 tonnes of recycled rubber.”
One thing that almost everybody agrees on in the UK tyre industry is the lack of readily available, meaningful statistics on the size and value of the tyre market. The NTDA has teamed up with research company GfK to produce the "World of Tyres" – an exclusive members' newsletter which includes a regular review of retail sales data on the passenger car, 4X4 and light commercial tyre market.
Effective 1st January, Kwik-Fit Fleet has won a solus multi-million pound contract to supply a range of fast-fit services, including tyre repair, replacement and management, to Masterlease. The previous fast-fit agreement was with a number of suppliers, including Kwik-Fit Fleet.
Masterlease is one of the UK’s largest leasing and fleet management specialists with more than 100,000 cars and vans on its books and the company will benefit from Kwik-Fit Fleet’s new web-based ‘intelligent’ tyre management authorisation and reporting system, which is being rolled out to Britain’s biggest fleet operators.
Following the relocation of two of its regional distribution centres to larger premises and the opening of a brand new warehouse, Stapleton’s has expanded its fleet of delivery vans. The 20 Renault Master and six Isuzu 7.5 ton vans will join the 40 vans that were introduced at the end 2006, bringing the Company’s delivery fleet to 179 vehicles. Commenting on the additional vans, Steve Parker, Stapleton’s trading director says: “By relocating stock to larger facilities and commissioning a brand new warehouse in Biggleswade, we have increased our capacity and improved stock levels. With increased stock, we can offer customers improved availability so it is vital that we are able to continue to deliver a fast, efficient and reliable delivery service with greater flexibility in terms of delivery options.” Stapleton’s fleet of vehicles offers nationwide deliveries on a twice-a-day, same-day or next-day delivery basis depending on individual customer requirements. Steve Parker continued: “During the warehouse moves, we also implemented new technology and picking systems further improving efficiency and delivery turnaround for customers.”
At the end of 2007 the Enhance Capital Fund provided £133,000 to help Edmonton-based London Tyre Recycling (LTR) become established. According to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), every day over 131,000 worn tyres are taken off cars, vans and trucks accounting for more than 48 million tyres (487,000 tonnes) per year. Hugh Smith, programme manager, London Remade, said: “The Enhance programme has awarded London Tyre Recycling (LTR) with a capital grant for tyre shredding equipment to work in response to the EU Landfill Directive that bans most tyres from being sent to landfill. The funding will enable LTR to take used tyres from this priority waste stream and reprocess them into rubber chips that can be used to manufacture many new products.”
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