MAINLINE COACHES MOVES BACK TO MICHELIN
Stoke-on-Trent – June 2, 2014
South Wales-based Mainline Coaches has returned its fleet to operating on 100 per cent Michelin tyres after an exercise to reduce running costs ended up costing the fleet money.
The independent coach operator from Evanstown trialled a move away from Michelin three years ago, choosing to fit an alternative premium brand tyre on its coaches and budget brands on contract vehicles.
David Pope, Engineering Director of Mainline Coaches, which was founded in the late 1960s, says: “Back in 2011 industry tyre prices were rising and we looked at alternatives. However, rather than reducing our tyre bills by fitting tyres which cost less up-front, our replacement costs shot up.”
Mainline Coaches also found the tyres it was fitting on its coaches were not suitable for a second or third life on its low-mileage contract vehicles, so it had to acquire new budget tyres to keep its older contract vehicles on the move.
“They were a nightmare,” he says. “We had 80-series budget tyres lasting just 40,000 km. The sidewalls just didn’t last the distance.”
Local Michelin Account Manager Fraser Greer continued to meet regularly with Mainline Coaches and the poor performance of the competitor brand tyres meant Michelin became the tyre of choice again after just 18 months. The customer now specifies Michelin’s latest generation 315/80 R 22.5 X MultiWay 3D XZE multi-position tyres all-round, and the first sets have already covered in excess of
300,000 km.
He adds: “The X MultiWay 3D tyres are tremendous. Without question, they are the best tyre we’ve ever fitted.
“We’re now actively specifying them on all new coaches and fitting them as replacements across our fleet.”
A key advantage of the new X MultiWay 3D XZE tyres are the three-dimensional tread sipes which generate grip in difficult driving conditions, locking together when needed to maintain the stability of the tread. This helps to ensure lasting safety and mobility on dry, damp and wet surfaces. The tyres also feature 3PMSF (3 Peaks Mountain Snow Flake) and M+S (Mud + Snow) sidewall markings which are an indication of excellent grip and traction during winter conditions, making them well suited for European journeys in the winter.
Mainline Coaches receives excellent tyre support from the local Michelin Certified Centre, Celtic Tyres, which supply, fit and service the majority of its rubber. It also uses an account with ATS Euromaster to provide 24/7 roadside assistance for its vehicles across Europe.
The family-run business has a 43-strong fleet of vehicles, ranging from 16-seat minibuses to 70-seat coaches, together with a number of flagship 49-seat platinum executive coaches with full leather upholstery for VIP and corporate hire.
ends
Michelin (www.trucks.michelin.co.uk / @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 airplanes, automobiles, bicycles/motorcycles, 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 111,200 employees and operates 67 production plants in 17 different countries. The Group has a Technology Centre in charge of research and development with 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 E-mail: james.keeler@garnettkeeler.com
MICHT/198/14
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