Fleet Business
Alongside Bridgestone’s efficient tyre range, the company’s integrated tyre and vehicle maintenance solution Fleetcare represents a complete package for commercial vehicle fleets. The integrated tyre and fleet management programme is an evolution of Bridgestone’s Total Tyre Care, combining Bridgestone’s tyre range and tyre management solutions with fleet management solutions from telematics division Webfleet.
Independent public transport operator Go-Coach is Kent’s largest independent bus operator, operating 46 routes and carrying up to 5,500 passengers every day. The company is now rolling out Wheely-Safe technology across its fleet after a trial installation on a single Optare Solo bus flagged a potentially dangerous issue with brake temperatures.
Public transport operator Warrington’s Own Buses has switched to an exclusive Michelin policy with the tyre manufacturer’s Services & Solutions division, as the business prepares to transition its entire bus fleet from diesel to electric. An important part of the new agreement will see 105 new electric buses arrive at the company specified with Michelin X InCity EV Z tyres as original equipment. The X InCity EV Z is Michelin’s first range of bus tyres specifically designed for electric vehicles (EVs).
Birmingham Motor Tyres Ltd (BMTR) is one of four Goodyear TruckForce partners to be awarded for the final quarter of 2022. It joins partners from Germany, Italy and Serbia who have “gone the extra mile” for customers and “demonstrated exceptional customer service.”
Banffshire-based haulage contractor, Ian S Roger, marked the company’s 50th anniversary in style with a new gold liveried Volvo FH 540 6×2 tractor unit, fitted with Michelin X Multi Z and X Works D tyres as original equipment. The eye-catching FH joins a mix of MAN, Renault, Scania and Volvo trucks as part of a 32-strong fleet of vehicles used for a variety of agricultural-based haulage work. Almost the entire fleet now runs on Michelin tyres.
Pallet delivery specialist H&M Distribution has simplified its tachograph administration by adopting a single management system with TruTac. The company operates a fleet of 73 vehicles, comprised predominantly of articulated and rigid trucks, along with a small number of vans. It delivers palletised products to more than 200 customers around the UK from its depots in Bedford, St Neots and Gloucester. It began using TruTac’s TruAnalysis system in July, prior to which it had two separate pieces of software for tacho downloads and analysis.
Northern Ireland’s public transport provider Translink is rolling out Wheely-Safe technology across its entire fleet in one of Wheely Safe’s largest fleet wins to date. As a result, the 1,400 buses and coaches will now use the in-motion wheel loss detection system, which combines brake and hub temperature monitoring with an intelligent tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
Over a period of 12 months, ATS Euromaster piloted an out-of-hours tyre inspection and replacement service for retailer and dotcom fleets. The tyre and maintenance provider recently opened up this night shift service to last-mile delivery operators is already generating over 9,300 servicing jobs per month. It says this service, which complements the existing emergency tyre work service it provides to blue lights fleets, is “already proving a hit for customers and staff.”
Steve Richardson, founder of Direct Tyre Management (DTM) has announced his retirement from a tyre industry career spanning 45 years. A familiar, well-regarded name around the sector, Richardson set up DTM in 2004 having distinguished himself in a rapid ascent in a variety of roles with Central Tyres, ATS Euromaster and Motorway Tyres. He will continue to provide guidance to DTM over the coming months before enjoying his retirement.
Hendrick European, provider of customised logistics and transportation services across Ireland and Europe, has seen exceptional mileage from the Michelin X Multi D tyres it runs across its fleet – with one set clocking 500,000 km. The Dublin-based firm, which specialises in road transport, groupage and distribution of all types of goods, operates 95 trucks and 150 trailers from depots in Ireland, UK and Poland.
Harrow-based Desi Coaches has protected its entire fleet with the latest generation Wheely-Safe technology. The public transport operator has installed the in-motion wheel loss detection system, which combines brake and hub temperature monitoring with an intelligent tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), to maintain best practice in health & safety and compliance across its business.
Cambridgeshire haulier G.Webb is trialling Continental’s new tyre pressure monitoring system platform, ContiConnect 2.0, fitting the latest upgrade to the majority of its fleet. The bulk haulage specialist is a long-term user of Continental Digital Solutions, and fleet engineering director Paul Broker has declared himself “a fan of the ContiConnect platform from the outset.” The new platform moves to the next step by introducing predictive maintenance, while also adding additional options via the app.
Two years after first partnering to develop an intelligent tyre monitoring system, Bridgestone Corporation is extending its collaboration with Microsoft. It will use Microsoft Azure to create value for customers, primarily global fleets and OEMs, by integrating advanced tyre analytics to provide a better overview of treadwear and casing health. By doing so, Bridgestone aims to raise customer productivity and efficiency by maximising retreading and informing when tyre maintenance may be needed.
The haulage industry is facing rising cost pressures and efficient fleet management is becoming an irreplaceable ingredient in many logistics firms’ recipes for success. Continental is now introducing an upgraded version of its ContiConnect tyre management solution that comes complete with a comprehensive tyre asset management offering. It says this system provides made-to-measure tools designed to make fleet management efficient, convenient, sustainable and future-focused.
As of this year, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is accrediting road safety products with two levels of accreditation: DVSA Recognised, for products that are well-designed and have the potential to improve road safety; and DVSA Endorsed, for established products whose contribution to safer roads can be demonstrated. Wheely-Safe reports that its latest generation wheel loss detection system, which combines brake and hub temperature monitoring with an intelligent TPMS, has become one of the first products to become DVSA Recognised.
Bridgestone
Wheely-Safe
Michelin
H&M Distribution
Translink
Continental