Marc Preedy – formerly director Commercial PBU UK & Ireland at Goodyear for five years – has been appointed as director Truck Sales Replacement Europe. David Howe has stepped up from Fleet & Retail channel manager to the position of Commercial Sales general manager UK & Ireland.
During the last year or so everyone selling truck tyres had to face the reality that raw material costs had been increasing. The specific impact that this reality had and is having on the truck fleet business varies from company to company because it depends on terms, conditions and when contract deadlines fall. However, in general there are indications that the market is moving away from short term purchase price-only thinking as long-term value becomes a more critical criteria. Tyres & Accessories spoke with Marc Preedy, commercial director Goodyear UK and Ireland, in order to find out more.
Fulda has launched the Ecotonn 2 HL high load trailer tyre to meet the demands of truck operators to increase payloads. Nearly 80 per cent of European countries now permit maximum permitted vehicle weights in excess of 40 tonnes, and operators naturally want to optimise the capacity of their vehicles. The Goodyear Dunlop brand has therefore introduced the new 385/65R22.5, allowing 10-tonne axle weights so that trailers can carry greater payloads.
Goodyear Dunlop brand Fulda will continue to be available to commercial fleets exclusively at Central Tyre in the UK, after extending its exclusive supply agreement to a second year. Central said this is an important part of the wider strategic partnership between Goodyear Dunlop and the ETEL group, which spans several UK market sectors.
A new, higher load capacity HGV trailer tyre has joined the Sava portfolio. The new size 385/65R22.5 Sava Cargo 4 HL has a 5,000 kilogramme load capacity that allows for 10 tonne axle loads. The tyre has a load rating of 164K/158L and comes with a EU tyre label rating of ‘C’ for wet grip, ‘B’ for fuel efficiency and, at 69 dB, a single soundwave. The retreadable and regroovable Cargo 4 HL is M+S marked and features a tread with six wide ribs and zigzag pattern grooves.
Goodyear will supply tyres and fleet management services to Cumbria based haulage firm, Dent Logistics, having signed a new five-year agreement. Dent’s new 100 per cent Goodyear tyre policy will see the haulage firm fit Goodyear’s longevity-focused Kmax and its robust mixed service tyre, the Omitrac, to suit the company’s varied operations.
Greenergy Flexigrid, the fuel haulage service company within the Greenergy Group, has signed a new deal with Goodyear that will see the company fit its 100-plus vehicles with the tyre supplier’s Fuelmax commercial tyre. The tyre has been tested extensively by several European fleets since its 2014 launch. Andy Darling, business development manager at Greenergy Flexigrid, said: “Goodyear already operate within our sector, which means that they understand the challenges and nature of our business.
Goodyear Dunlop has signed up to international transport development charity Transaid’s corporate membership scheme. As a result, the manufacturer will support a number of Transaid’s projects including professional driver training programmes and maternal health projects. Its annual membership contribution will provide the charity with essential unrestricted funds, which can be put towards the testing and implementation of new programmes and transport systems in Africa, aimed at improving road safety and access to healthcare and livelihoods.
Dunlop and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) are partnering to raise awareness of what they say is a looming transport crisis, which threatens to bring industries such as manufacturing, retail and logistics to a grinding halt in the UK. The HGV Heroes campaign highlights the impact that HGV driver shortage is going to have across the country.
Cartwright, a leading UK commercial vehicle body and trailer manufacturer, has renewed its contract with Goodyear. The family business will now continue with its 100 per cent Goodyear tyre policy, fitting both new and retread products. The new two year deal is the first of its length to be handed to a tyre manufacturer by Cartwright.
Looking around the 2015 CV Show, it’s easy to see that there is a significant amount of Goodyear-shod vehicles being exhibited. One particular example that Goodyear representatives pointed Tyres & Accessories to is the well-known truck manufacturer DAF, which brought a particularly high number of Goodyear-equipped trucks to the show. So, with this in mind, can such a strong showing in the exhibition fitment stakes be seen as a metaphor for the company’s ongoing growth? T&A met with Marc Preedy, Goodyear commercial director UK & Ireland, to find out.
Dunlop has introduced the new SP 344*, renewing its SP 344 regional haul steer tyre range in 17.5” rim sizes. The latest generation of the series is designed for demanding delivery and regional haul service requirements. Dunlop says the new iteration features increased robustness combined with good mileage, even wear, excellent handling and wet braking performance.
Following the completion of a period of transition, and with market volumes on the up, Goodyear Dunlop is aggressively pursuing sales growth, including winning some of the biggest fleets in the UK. Tyrepress spoke about the company’s expansion strategy with Goodyear UK and Ireland commercial director, Marc Preedy at the end of August.
More than 17 fleets have fitted the Goodyear Marathon Coach tyre, an all-position tyre for year-round use and the first tyre Goodyear designed specifically for coaches, launched in 2012.
Goodyear Dunlop has announced two new senior management appointments in its Commercial division. Bob Mason will take up the position of TruckForce business manager for the UK hub network, while Craig Sprigmore will be appointed customer strategy manager, replacing Marc Preedy following his appointment to Commercial director. The firm says the appointments are in line with its “intention to improve consistency across the nationwide TruckForce network”.
