CONTAINERSHIPS TRIALS FOUR TYRE BRANDS TO FIND THE BEST FIT
Stoke-on-Trent – October 29, 2013
Teesport-based Containerships has moved to a Michelin policy for its tractor units after running an in-house tyre trial comparing the cost per 1,000 km between fitments from four different manufacturers.
Fleet Engineer Gordon Aitchison set-up the trial to determine the optimum tyre policy for his 60-strong fleet of 6x2 mid-lifts, and says the results have identified significant annual cost differences of more than 20 per cent between different 295/80 R 22.5 premium brand tyres.
“You have to look at the total value of ownership – not just the purchase price,” says Aitchison. “We ran this trial on our own vehicles, doing regular daily work, and the results were conclusive – fitting Michelin tyres will save us money.”
The trial found fitting the latest generation Michelin regional steer tyres would deliver 32 per cent more mileage (an extra 64,326 km) compared with the average of the competitor tyres trialled. The Michelin drive tyres – using a regional tread pattern which has since been superseded – were found to return 38 per cent more mileage (an extra 78,404 km) compared with the average of the competitor brands.
“When we evaluate tyre costs we look at the total casing value,” explains Aitchison. “With a steer tyre you are not just investing in a tyre for one life; you are buying a casing which should be capable of being remoulded and used again. If you can feed the drive axle with Remix tyres, it can have a very positive impact on vehicle operating costs.”
The trial saw Containerships running test sets of Michelin X MultiWay 3D XZE steer tyres and XDN2 Grip drive tyres, the latter of which has now been superseded by the X MultiWay 3D XDE to complete the latest Michelin regional tyre offer.
Containerships source its truck tyres from ATS Euromaster in Middlesbrough, which also handles its tyre fitting and servicing requirements. This sees Containerships, Michelin and ATS Euromaster working collectively towards joint tyre management targets which will help to further reduce vehicle operating costs. It involves a mobile ATS Euromaster tyre technician visiting the Containerships depot every Saturday to check pressures, regroove, twin and turn tyres on the rim – helping to maximise tyre life.
The Containerships fleet comprises predominantly of Volvo and Mercedes-Benz tractor units covering up to 160,000 km a year. They are used for the movement of containers from port to their final destination, and vice versa, handling cargo between Russia and the Baltic, Europe, UK and Ireland, as well as between North Africa and the Mediterranean.
The fleet spends the majority of its time operating at up to 44 tonnes with skeletal trailers, plus some general haulage work with curtainsiders. All of the company’s trailers are supplied on full-service lease agreements which include tyres.
ends
Michelin (www.michelintransport.com / @MichelinTruckUK)
Michelin, the leading tyre company, is dedicated to sustainably improving the mobility of goods and people by manufacturing and marketing tyres for every type of vehicle, including aircraft, bicycles/motorcycles, cars, earthmovers, farm equipment and trucks. It also offers electronic mobility support services on ViaMichelin.com and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in more than 170 countries, has 113,400 employees and operates 69 production plants in 18 different countries. The Group has a Technology Center in charge of research and development with supporting operations in Europe, North America and Asia. (www.michelin.com)
For further press information please contact:
David Johnson, Michelin Press Office
Tel: + 44 (0) 1782 402341 Email: d.johnson@uk.michelin.com
James Keeler, 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: james.keeler@garnettkeeler.com
MICHT/159/13
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