Commercial Vehicle Tyres
AMP Clean Energy is a distributed energy company which develops, funds and runs low carbon heat and power solutions including biomass heat installations and flexible energy plants. The company has announced that it is switching its commercial vehicle fleet to a full Michelin tyre policy, to reduce downtime and boost the sustainability of its operation.
The European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) judgement that the European Union’s anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs should be annulled has been welcomed by many of those responsible for distributing these products across the continent. Yet for importers of these products in post-Brexit United Kingdom, the truck tyre tariffs introduced by the European Commission appear to be persisting. Speaking to representatives of the Imported Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA), the association whose members are most directly concerned with these tariffs, Tyres & Accessories now understands that the UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) does not intend to annul the tariffs since the ECJ’s judgement does not apply legally in the UK, even considering the view that the tariffs were implemented improperly under EC law. It follows that the status quo on these tariffs will be maintained, at least until the TRA reaches tyres in its review of the lengthy list of trade remedies inherited from the UK’s time as a member of the EU. Until such a review takes place, the tariffs will continue to apply until at least November 2023, and UK importers are effectively blocked from joining European colleagues in ending and recouping duties found to be improperly implemented.
The number of commercial vehicles on Britain’s roads has reached the highest level in history, according to the latest annual Motorparc data, published by the SMMT. Some 5,483,319 vans, trucks, buses and coaches were recorded in operation at the end of 2021, a 4.1 per cent increase on the previous year. Working vehicles now comprise 13.5 per cent of the 40,506,971-strong national fleet following a bumper year for van registrations and a return to growth for trucks and buses.
Michelin has launched a new free-to-use app to help tyre dealers and fleets access the latest technical information about Michelin bus, coach, truck and trailer tyres, plus selected van fitments, on their smartphones, wherever they’re working. Michelin MyTechXpert is available for iOS and Android devices and is an evolution of the well-known Michelin technical data book, which has been a trusted compendium of Michelin commercial vehicle tyre information for decades.
Tyre Maintenance will use the open-access e-jobsheet app for its commercial tyre servicing operations. The company has also introduced a new group call centre, which will support its customer service operations. Operating across five depots employing 70 technicians, Tyre Maintenance will be able to establish an interchange of work with sister-company R & J Strang aligned via the TiDaeX platform, securing intercompany accuracy, and delivering time and admin cost efficiencies.
Wrexham-based haulage firm BJ Clarke is reaping the benefits of Michelin’s accidental tyre damage guarantee following a recent incident which totally wiped out two of its trailer tyres. James Clarke, Director at BJ Clarke and son of owners Brian and Nancy, says: “One of our trucks rolled over a girder that was sticking out near the roadside, at no fault of the driver, completely taking out two of the trailer’s tyres on one side. Usually, we would have been looking at a replacement bill of roughly £900 but thanks to the tyre guarantee we got 75 per cent of that paid back to us, to help fund the new tyres.”
Road Transport Expo is a new commercial vehicle trade show that will take place at the NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire between 30 June and 2 July. More than 90 exhibitors have signed up, including Hankook Tyre UK, which plans to showcase its portfolio of commercial tyres including the new SmartFlex AH51 and SmartFlexDH51. Visitors can find Hankook at Stand F4.
Passenger cars now come with TPMS as standard, and before long this feature will also be required by law in the commercial segment. The European Union’s General Safety Regulation calls for newly homologated heavy commercial vehicle models such as buses and trucks, and their trailers, to be equipped with TPMS from July this year. Starting in 2024, all new vehicles must be equipped with TPMS. Continental is catering to this growth market by expanding its commercial vehicle servicing product range with TPMS Update Plus Transport, which turns its TPMS Pro device into a “comprehensive TPMS service tool for commercial vehicles.”
Prometeon is introducing a new generation of Pirelli-branded truck tyres, with five product lines for long haul, regional, urban and construction site applications arriving in EMEA markets early April. The range includes the first long haul Prometeon tyre with an EU label A rating for fuel efficiency.
Bridgestone has appointed David Almazán as its new commercial business unit director for Bridgestone in the North Region. He fills the role vacated by Greg Ward, who left Bridgestone in January to become Halfords Autocentres commercial sales director. Almazán first joined Bridgestone in April 2016. He moves to the UK from Madrid, where he served as the company’s commercial business unit director for the South West Region, encompassing Spain and Portugal. He previously worked for MAN Trucks & Bus, initially as controlling manager and subsequently as trucks sales director for Spain. He will report to Andrea Manenti, Bridgestone’s North Region vice president, and will take responsibility for developing and executing Bridgestone’s commercial business strategy within the UK and Ireland.
Vipal Rubber’s manufacturing units in southern Brazil have received recognition for sustainable practices. EcoVadis assessed the retreading materials supplier’s Nova Prata facilities, awarding it an additional two points versus its Silver-certificated inspection n 2019. Vipal said the sustainability of its operations, extending beyond the environment to focus on people too.
Kier Highways Solutions is the latest company to embrace Wheely-Safe technology for its transport fleet. The technology is being rolled out across the company’s 25-strong commercial vehicle and trailer fleet, having impressed the business with the system’s flexibility and ease of use.
Bridgestone has published a series of free, downloadable e-books designed to inflate commercial fleet operators’ tyre knowledge. The tyre and mobility solutions supplier has also developed a digital information hub from which to provide insights and tips about tyre maintenance and best practice advice. The Keeping You on the Road e-guides cover a number of common topics including the core functions of tyres; tyre care and maintenance and tyre components and their markings.
After 19 years with the company, Greg Ward’s time as Bridgestone as commercial sales director UK & Ireland has come to an end. Ward revealed the news in a social media post dated 28 January 2022 and Tyres & Accessories understands that he has now completed his last day with the premium brand tyre manufacturer. Prior to joining Bridgestone nearly two decades ago, Greg Ward had experience elsewhere in the tyre and automotive business, including at National Tyres. Details of where the highly-experienced commercial vehicle tyre specialist is headed next have not been confirmed.
UK commercial vehicle (CV) production grew 11.3 per cent in 2021, following the worst year on record (dating back to 1933), with 73,600 of the latest vans, trucks, taxis, buses and coaches leaving factory lines, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Michelin
The Court of Justice of The European Union
Michelin
Tyre Maintenance
Michelin
Prometeon
Bridgestone