Kwik-Fit Fleet has reported a marked increase in tyre safety checks being requested by company operators, with the number undertaken increasing by 25 per cent during the past year. In 2006 the company carried out 200,000 tyre safety checks on company cars and vans, compared with 150,000 the year before. This year Kwik-Fit Fleet technicians expect to carry out a quarter of a million of these inspections.
Continental Tyres will once again exhibit at the CV Show at the NEC in Birmingham in three months time. “We’re really excited to be back at the CV Show, it will give us a great opportunity to continue building our business links with operators,” said Arthur Gregg, business director, commercial tyres. “We’ve many ways to help them cut running costs and want develop much closer links with end users through our cradle to grave tyre management services, for instance.” While the tyre manufacturer will primarily launch new truck and van tyres, Tyres & Accessories has learnt that the company will exhibit a type of rolling resistance calculator designed to illustrate the kind of savings that can be made with low rolling resistance products. Summing up the company’s motivation for involvement with the exhibition Arthur Gregg commented: “The van market is particularly important and already one in three vans new has our tyres and we want to build on that.”
As Harvie Prema enters its third year under new ownership, the company’s planned expansion continues with the employment of a new Sales Manager, Mark Prince. Mark brings with him a number of years’ experience in the tyre industry. Additionally, new area salesmen Neil Clatworthy is taking responsibility for the Gloucestershire, Wiltshire. Hampshire and Berkshire regions. Richard Stevenson will service the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Neil Bale will represent South London, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Surrey.
(Akron/Tire Review) At the 2006 SEMA Show, a panel of international journalists presented Firestone Industrial Products Co. (FSIP) with an International New Products Award for its new Air-Rite digital air command and Red Label air springs.
Vicki Butler-Henderson, former racing car driver and presenter of the popular channel five motoring programme Fifth Gear, has put her support behind online tyre franchise etyres.
Kwik-Fit Fleet, the fleet division of Britain and Europe’s largest independent fast-fit supplier, expects to see an increasing number of car and light commercial vehicle fleets use its network for service, maintenance MoT and repair work. Meanwhile, the fast-fit giant has warned fleet operators to brace themselves for an increase in tyre costs as more vehicle manufacturers choose to fit run-flat tyres to cars.
Chesterfield-based independent drinks company Global Brands Ltd has adopted a joint ATS Euromaster and Michelin tyre policy across its fleet of 61 company cars and 24 commercial vehicles, replacing an agreement with a local independent tyre dealer. ATS Euromaster was appointed for its ability to provide a professional tyre management service for the company’s van and truck fleet, coupled with its expertise as one of the country’s largest fast-fit networks for the car market.
Stapletons has added 40 brand new Renault Master Panel Vans to its delivery fleet, a move the company says signals its commitment to improving its “fast, efficient and reliable delivery service.” Through its six distribution centres in Letchworth, Wakefield, Coatbridge, Bristol, Burton and Warrington, Stapletons stocks over 500,000 tyres and delivers to over 6,000 customers making the van fleet a vital aspect of the business. Stapletons representatives told Tyres & Accessories that the company is committed to ensuring customers have a wholesaler they can rely on and is a vital link in the tyre industry supply chain.
Earlier this year NGK Spark Plugs launched its Wholesaler “Milesmore” promotion, whereby wholesalers could redeem points earned for a variety of gifts, ranging from home entertainment systems, luxury holidays or items to support their business.
Keeping hands clean can be a problem for mobile tyre fitters, but McConechy’s Tyre Services has come up with the answer by fitting its vans with hot water hand wash units from Teal.
Northwich-based Roberts Bakery has appointed ATS Euromaster as its sole commercial vehicle tyre services provider, responsible for a 90-strong fleet, which includes car-derived vans, rigids and tractor units and trailers. The new agreement will see ATS Euromaster’s truck centre in Warrington fit Michelin tyres across the Roberts Bakery fleet – replacing a previous Bridgestone policy which was managed by a local independent tyre dealer.
“We wanted higher service levels from our supplier and ATS Euromaster was able to offer a range of additional benefits,” says Nick Crank, Transport Manager at Roberts Bakery. “These include fortnightly fleet checks, together with the ability to regroove and turn tyres on the rim to ensure maximum mileage performance.
The North Eastern Purchasing Organisation (NEPO) has selected ATS Euromaster as one of two preferred suppliers of tyre services to local authorities participating in this contract stretching from the Scottish borders through to Tyneside, Wearside, County Durham and Teesside.
This marks the first occasion ATS Euromaster has been awarded preferred supplier status by NEPO in over 10 years and sees ATS Euromaster share the contract with Hi-Q Tyre Services. The contract runs until September 2008, with the option of a further two 12 month extensions.
ATS Euromaster has ordered 100 more Penny Hydraulics Single Wheel Lifts to promote safe and efficient tyre handling on its fleet of commercial dual purpose and truck service vehicles. According to Penny Hydraulics, the Single Wheel Lift has become the preferred choice by ATS Euromaster because it allows all sorts of tyres and wheels to be lifted on and off service vans without the need for manual handling which helps reduce the risk of personal injury to service technicians and enables the company to comply with health and safety regulations.
Quinton Tyres, a Michelin MBA dealer covering Cheshire and most of Lancashire, has unveiled a striking new livery for its fleet of eight mobile tyre fitting vans which operate from branches in Dukinfield in Cheshire and Chorley in Lancashire. The livery incorporates life-size images of The Michelin Man waving to motorists on both sides and rear doors of each of the company’s Mercedes-Benz Sprinter panel vans.
National fast fit operator, Hi-Q Fleet, has secured a major contract to supply the tyre management service to an expanding contract hire and lease company. Business & Vehicle Finance Ltd, based in Swansea, provides contract hire and vehicle leasing to local and national companies with a current fleet of over 100 cars and vans – and a plan to expand this to over 500 by the end of the year.
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