Figures published last week by the SMMT show truck registrations grew 9.6 per cent for the rolling year, despite the massive distortion caused by the introduction of digital tachographs. If vans and other light commercial vehicles are included in the picture, the rolling year total drops, down 1.4 per cent to 390,202 units, but the total for the month of May is up 1.4 per cent to 31,293.
On 25th April 2006 Mr. Kari-Pekka Laaksonen, Vice-President Sales and Logistics of the Finnish tyre manufacturer Nokian and Mr Jan J. Proos of De Klok Banden, laid the foundation stone for the new De Klok logistic centres in Oud-Beijerland.
With a record number of visitors expected at this year’s Essen tyre show, PCL has created what it describes as “a must-see portfolio of new and existing products.” UK-based PCL is renowned for its market-leading products for tyre inflation, and Reifen is the ideal platform to demonstrate them to representatives of tyre shops, mobile tyre vans, garages, car dealers, fleet and transport managers, automotive OEMs as well as tyre suppliers – basically anyone responsible for supplying, fitting and maintaining tyres.
Continental has today confirmed its plans to further expand the ContiNetwork beyond the UK through the appointment of Advance Pitstop as the ContiNetwork Partner responsible for the Republic of Ireland. This move facilitates ContiNetwork’s growth into Ireland and marks the second phase of increased geographical coverage – the first being the recent appointment of Modern Tyre Group in Northern Ireland.
In this age of high fuel prices, commercial users will be pleased to learn that the new Bandag BDLT is a cost saving and reliable alternative to even the best new tyres on the market. It is an application-specific design for all wheel positions on mid-range to light trucks and vans, operating in busy city centres or covering regional distances on a variety of road types, in all seasons.
The tread is designed to deliver good traction and responsive handling in all weather conditions without sacrificing tread wear. It has been approved by customers in its target market as a top-quality and cost-saving substitute for new tyres.
Kwik-Fit Fleet has been named “Best Fast-Fit Company” by weekly fleet industry newspaper Fleet News at a prestigious awards ceremony held recently at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. This is the second accolade for the company this year, having taken first prize in the Fleet Excellence Awards – voted for by the fleet professionals who read Fleet Week and Fleet Management – for an unprecedented 13th year in succession.
New 500kg and 1000kg capacity Swing Lift vehicle mounted cranes will be presented by Penny Hydraulics at CV Show 2006, Stand 4501.
The new 1000kg capacity Swing Lift vehicle mounted crane incorporates hydraulic slew for precise, controlled load handling on pick-ups, drop sides, flat beds and box vans. Its electric winch enables loads to be handled with even greater precision and is especially useful if items need to be lowered below ground, for example in civil engineering applications. The boom height and extension can be selected manually for added versatility. A completely new sub-frame design is even more compact than the previous model to maximise the available floor space.
Tyre inflation specialist, PCL, has teamed up with Hi-Q to provide a fast and accurate unit for its mobile tyre fitting vans. PCL’s fixed digital tyre inflator unit has so far been installed in 50 of Hi-Q’s nationwide fleet of over 300 – and has already earned an enviable track record amongst its operators as a reliable, timesaving device. Launched in 2002, PCL’s fixed digital unit is designed for depots, tyre shops, fleets, car dealers, and racing outfits that need fast and accurate inflation.
MAK Wheels recently announced that it has made the “strategic and commercial choice” to produce a wheel for Van, Light Truck and Campers. The company reports that demand for this type of wheels has “come from society.” The new MAK HD! is intended to be attractive in terms of both its aesthetical and technical features and to be dedicated to this new group of end-users that MAK has decided to address.
Ashford-based independent retailer Commercial Tyres has become the first truck tyre dealer in the UK to pass a series of stringent quality checks laid down by Michelin Tyre plc.
Commercial Tyres, which also operates branches in Aylesford and Crawley, specialises in supplying road transport operators with a full range of tyre services, ranging from fitment through to fleet management.
An Essex-based alloy wheels repair business is a polished act when it comes to keeping up appearances and it has just returned to Mercedes-Benz for a new fleet of vans. Wicked Wheels UK, of Toppesfield Road, Great Yeldham, Halstead, started life as a one-man operation with a Mercedes Sprinter van five years ago. As the company has expanded, so its fleet has grown. Today, Wicked Wheels operates more than 40 vehicles across 24 UK locations and has a turnover of nearly £3 million.
With operating costs – particularly fuel prices – constantly rising, operators of vans and light trucks have seen margins sharply diminished. Remaining competitive with no reduction in customer service levels is a constant challenge, whether a small fleet or one or two vehicles, and one in which tyres can play an important part.
Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc has announced that its Commercial Highway operations in Akron, Ohio and Berea, Kentucky have received the 2005 Supplier of the Year Award from Strick Trailer for their exceptional effort in providing quality products and services.
Varta is to introduce AGM technology to the aftermarket, with its premium range of Ultra Dynamic batteries. Varta is the European market leader in OE Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery technology, claiming a share in this sector of over 90 per cent.
AGM uses special micro-glass fibres in between the battery plates to fix the electrolyte. This increases the bonding of the active plate material between the plates and the electrolyte, which increases both the life span and the electrical performance of the battery, as well as making it spill proof.
Mobile tyre safety checks on company cars and vans, instigated by fleet managers and carried out by Kwik-Fit technicians, reveal that around 20 per cent of vehicles “require attention”.
Typical findings include tyres that are wrongly inflated, the tread depth may be close to, or below, the legal minimum, tyre wear may be irregular, indicating alignment problems, or the sidewall may be damaged. The analysis is based on a month of safety checks – in a typical month, some 490 site visits are made, with 22,500 vehicles inspected.
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