HEAVY HAULAGE FIRM TO SWITCH ENTIRE FLEET TO MICHELIN TYRES
Stoke-on-Trent – October 11, 2012
Bridgend-based heavy haulage firm Smiths Mechanical is switching to Michelin tyres across its fleet of six high horsepower tractor units and 10 heavy haulage trailers.
“We need the best tyre performance because we pride ourselves on being able to take the most difficult loads to the most difficult sites,” says Smiths Director Simon Griffiths. “We have suffered some problems with our current tyre choice, so we’re investing in Michelin tyres across our entire fleet, and we expect to save money in the long run.”
To kick start the transition, Griffiths has specified Michelin rubber as original equipment on a new Volvo FH13 6x4 tractor and six-axle extendable Faymonville step frame trailer. This will be used to carry vessels, crushers and excavators for customers across the UK, with a payload capacity of 82.5 tonne and GTW of 110 tonne. Smiths Mechanical runs a specialist fleet, and worked with local dealer Celtic Tyres to access special technical advice from Michelin on making the switch.
The Volvo tractor is shod with Michelin 315/80 R 22.5 X MultiWay 3D XDE tyres on the drive axles, and 315/80 R 22.5 XZY3 steer tyres. Michelin launched the X MultiWay 3D range in summer 2011, offering a 30 per cent increase in total mileage performance compared with its previous XDE2+ fitments, along with superior traction, comfort, and cost-effectiveness. Griffiths is also especially pleased with the look and durability of the XZY3 super singles on the new 540 hp tractor unit.
“The super singles have a much nicer appearance than we’re used to, they’ve got a chunky tread pattern and the driver says steering response is excellent,” says Griffiths.
The trailer is fitted with 245/70 R 19.5 Michelin XTE2 tyres, which offer exceptional mileage potential and damage resistance. That’s key, because Griffiths’ team has had some issues with rival tyres.
“We were getting a lot of stone retention on our previous trailer tyres when we were doing quarry work and it was resulting in damage to the tread blocks and cuts in the rubber,” says Griffiths.
“Our tractor tyres were suffering too; our last set of original equipment drive axle tyres only lasted 60,000 km. This simply isn’t viable, so we’re only going to fit Michelin now.”
On pricing, Griffiths is convinced that an initial investment in specifying Michelin on new equipment, coupled with fitting replacement Michelin tyres as wear dictates will pay off thanks to the Michelin Four Lives policy.
“I could buy two sets of some competitors’ tyres for the price of one set of Michelin, but you have to look at whole life costs, not the purchase price,” says Griffiths. “With Michelin, you’re buying a premium casing built to deliver multiple lives because the tyres can be re-grooved, remixed, and then re-grooved again. So we’re actually expecting to save money in the long run, as well as enjoying superior performance.”
Celtic Tyres is a member of the Michelin Truck Professional network in the UK, which means the dealership has passed a rigorous independent quality audit to ensure it meets the highest standards of customer service and tyre proficiency. The audit – which is used throughout Europe – recognises each approved tyre specialist as a ‘Michelin Certified Centre’.
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
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/075/12
Tags:
