MICHELIN HELPS ZENITH KICK-START ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN WITH TYRE CHECKS
Stoke-on-Trent – January 14, 2013
One of the UK’s leading vehicle leasing and fleet management companies, Zenith, is working with Michelin to educate its employees about the importance of regular tyre inspections as part of an environmental campaign designed to significantly reduce Zenith’s carbon emissions, whilst also encouraging safer driving.
The business, which manages more than 38,000 vehicles across the UK, has recently launched a new environmental awareness initiative as part of its CSR policy encouraging all employees to play their part in reducing carbon emissions.
As part of the campaign, Zenith invited a team from Michelin to visit its headquarters in Leeds to hold a Fill Up With Air event where technicians check tyre pressures and tread depths, and give advice to drivers on tyre maintenance.
A total of 82 cars were checked at the event – a mix of grey fleet and privately-owned vehicles.
Results showed that 12 per cent of vehicles tested had the correct tyre pressure and a third were under-inflated by between four psi and seven psi – a level considered acceptable for a short period of time.
However 47 per cent had tyre pressures regarded as dangerous, six per cent were at levels considered to be very dangerous, and two per cent had all four tyres over-inflated.
If these cars were driven on tyres at the correct pressure, safety would be significantly improved. Furthermore, Michelin estimates that owners could collectively reduce carbon emissions by 3.2 tonnes each year, and save nearly £2,000 annually in fuel costs because cars with tyres at the correct pressures use less fuel. If the results from the 82 cars tested are indicative of all vehicles driven by Zenith’s 200 employees, the potential savings could be double that amount.
Zenith’s Operations Director, Mark Connor, said that regular tyre inspections are a simple but effective first step to achieving the business’ new environmental targets.
He explained: “We are dedicated to reducing our company’s carbon footprint and we know that having over-inflated or under-inflated tyres can dramatically affect how safe a vehicle is as well as its fuel efficiency.
“Michelin’s Fill Up With Air events are an engaging and practical way to get that information across to our employees and many of them are now more aware of how important regular tyre care is for the environment and for their safety.
“The event has been a great way to start our new environmental campaign and the savings highlighted by Michelin have given us a target for the future.”
Michelin’s Key Account Manager for Zenith, Martin Thompson, said: “It’s encouraging to see companies such as Zenith taking positive steps to reduce their carbon emissions whilst also promoting driver safety.
“Tests show that braking distances increase by up to five metres with tyres that are 15 psi under-inflated, and fuel consumption increases by six per cent, so a simple exercise such as checking your tyres can lead to a much safer journey and save money as well.”
Zenith is exploring the possibility of working with Michelin to hold more Fill Up With Air days with its employees and its fleet customers in the future.
ends
Michelin (www.michelin.co.uk)
Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tyres for every type of vehicle, including aircraft, bicycles, cars, earthmoving machines, farm equipment, trucks and motorcycles. Michelin employs 115,000 people, has sales organisations in more than 170 countries and operates 69 production sites in 18 countries throughout five continents. The Company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases and offers electronic mobility support services on ViaMichelin.com. Research and development is undertaken in technology centres in Asia, Europe and North America.
For further press information please contact:
Paul Cordle, Michelin Press Office
Tel: + 44 (0) 1782 402341 Email: paul-m.cordle@uk.michelin.com
Lucy Harvey or James Keeler at Garnett Keeler PR, Inver House, 37-39 Pound Street,
Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3PG
Tel: +44 (0)20 8647 4467 Fax: +44 (0)20 8544 4711 E-mail: lucy.harvey@garnettkeeler.com
Zenith (www.zenith.co.uk)
Zenith is one of the UK’s leading independent leasing, fleet management and vehicle outsourcing businesses, managing a fleet of over 38,000 vehicles. Zenith's purpose is to deliver innovative and intelligent vehicle solutions to any employee population; whether that's funding company cars, commercial vehicles, providing flexible benefit schemes or delivering fully outsourced fleet management services.
Zenith’s full product and service portfolio includes funding solutions, fleet management solutions, accident management, vehicle hire and Salary Sacrifice. Ancillary products and solutions include online fleet diagnostic tools, risk management, cash allowance management, fuel card management and telematics.
In 2012 Zenith won the Fleet News 'Leasing Company of the Year' Award, after being selected from a shortlist of four of the UK's best leasing companies. The judges commented that ‘Zenith is setting the pace in the leasing and fleet management sector.’ Zenith has also been awarded the Fleet World Honours ‘Internet Award’ 2012 for its Pulse reporting platform, which was described by the judges as ‘the future of fleet management’ and a BusinessCar Techies Award 2012 for ‘Best Fleet Management System.’
For further information on Zenith, please contact:
Alison McCalpin OR Ian Hughes
alison@alisonmccalpinpr.co.uk Commercial Director
Tel 01353 659564 ian.hughes@zenith.co.uk
Mobile 07855 608 573 Tel 0113 256 5565
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