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The tyre business is keeping countries rolling
By the time you read this a quarter of the world will be on some kind of lockdown along with virtually every car plant in Europe and many tyre factories. We are in uncharted territory. And, as ETRMA secretary general Fazilet Cinaralp said recently, we have to brace ourselves for “one of the biggest challenges our industry has ever faced”. And yet there have already been numerous examples of endeavour, enterprise and generosity in the face of such adversity.
Bibby chose Bandvulc for third consecutive contract
Prior to Bandvulc’s contract with CSG, in autumn 2019, the fleet tyre and retread specialist entered its third contract term with distribution giant Bibby.
CSG renews two-year tyre contract with Bandvulc
Waste management group, CSG, has committed to a further two years with Bandvulc, the retread subsidiary of Continental. The decision takes the tyre management contract between the two companies into its seventh year, at a time when fleet numbers across CSG and sister company J&G have risen to close to 150 vehicles.
Michelin wins back fuel tanker fleet policy within two years
Newton Abbot-based heating oil and fuel specialist Heltor has returned to a full Michelin tyre policy across its fleet of more than 50 commercial vehicles. Michelin states that the move comes less than two years after switching to a competing premium tyre brand. Following the move, Heltor closely monitored the performance of the new tyres against existing Michelin fitments within the fleet and was able to track the precise tyre cost per kilometre between the two brands.
Positive reactions – UK automotive industry upbeat about 2020 budget
As we have seen, when the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, presented his first Budget to Parliament it contained a number of potential automotive demand drivers. But how has the industry responded to the proposals? Here are some of the reactions of the various sectors of the automotive industry.
2020 budget brings biggest inward investment in 30 years
In what has, for obvious reasons, been dubbed a Covid-19 budget, new UK Chancellor the Exchequer (the Right Honorable Rishi Sunak MP) promised the highest levels of inward investment for 30 years including a number of initiatives that will help small and medium-sized business such as tyre retailers and garages.
Andy Fern becomes MD of Stapleton’s
European Tyre Enterprise Limited (ETEL) has appointed Andy Fern as managing director of its Stapleton’s Tyre Services tyre wholesale business.
Fern, who is currently group fleet sales director, replaces Wataru Goroku (‘Go’), who is taking on a new role with ETEL’s parent company Itochu. Go will provide continuity by taking the role of chairman of Stapleton’s during a transition period to ensure a smooth handover.
David Smith returns as Continental UK country manager
Following the purchase of Bandvulc in the summer of 2016, then managing director David Smith was promoted into the wider international role of Head of Channel Management Distribution and Region, North Europe for Continental. His 2018 promotion followed a 12-year tenure as UK MD that saw turnover at the UK business more than double. The latest news is that he has returned to the UK, so with all this in mind, Tyres & Accessories recently caught up with David Smith in order to talk about his return as well as both Continental and Bandvulc in the UK.
Goodyear signs two-year deal with H. Parkinson Haulage Ltd
Goodyear Tyres has announced a new two-year partnership with H. Parkinson Haulage Ltd. With over 60 years’ experience in the haulage industry, H. Parkinson Haulage Ltd provides logistics solutions for a multitude of commercial sectors. The company boasts a 300-strong fleet and over 300,000 sq ft of warehousing, strategically located across five sites in the North West of England.
Goodyear and Halfords moves represent the virtualization of the tyre distribution chain
The ongoing effects of import tariffs, Brexit uncertainty and structural changes in the distribution chain have all affected the tyre business this year. As well as featuring the latest motorsport news and covering market developments in our regular features, this month’s Tyres & Accessories focuses on a number of key examples of changes in the marketplace in our Review of the Year feature. But one trend stands out above the others – virtualization. In short, increasing moves towards electric and autonomous vehicles (complete with their inherent sensorisation tendencies), coupled with changes in vehicle (and tyre) ownership models such as MaaS (Mobility as a Service) are driving changes in the tyre market that are resulting in the virtualizing of parts of the distribution chain.
Michelin: training programme helps Midland Tyre Services
Midland Tyre Services (MTS)’s frontline team recently received a series of in-depth Michelin training courses tailored to its business. MTS, based in Borris-in-Ossory, County Laois, is one of Ireland’s largest and most recognised fleet mobility businesses. Operating 24 mobile service vans, all equipped with the latest tyre management technology – including real-time digital inspection and reporting tools – MTS supports thousands of commercial vehicles operating across Ireland.
BPW offers AirSave tyre pressure system
BPW is now delivering the AirSave tyre pressure system, claiming that it pays for itself in the first year. The effectiveness of the company’s intelligent tyre pressure control system saves costs was tested in practice with transport companies: “The purchase pays for itself astonishingly quickly”, said Alfred Weyres, owner and managing director of Alfred Weyres Spedition GmbH. “The system ensures a permanently optimised roll resistance; fuel economy is clear – and added is the considerably longer tyre mileage. Because the fabric carcass is conserved, the system also optimises retreadability.”