NEW POLICY HALVES TYRE COSTS FOR BRIAN YEARDLEY CONTINENTAL
Stoke-on-Trent – March 21, 2012
West Yorkshire-based international logistics specialist Brian Yeardley Continental says that it has halved its tyre costs over an 18 month period, following a visit from the Michelin technical team and a subsequent change in tyre policy.
The company, which operates a core fleet of 27 (4x2) tractor units and 40 tri-axle MEGA trailers, first contacted Michelin for advice after its previous tyre brand of choice continually suffered excessive shoulder wear, forcing replacements to be fitted to the steer axles at six-monthly intervals.
Michelin Technical Manager, Dan Lamb, carried out a vehicle weighing exercise and also ruled out any wheel alignment issues, before suggesting a change in steer axle tyre size to 315/60 R 22.5 (from 295/60 R 22.5) and the fitment of Michelin X Energy XF tyres, operating at suggested tyre pressures tailored to their specific conditions of use. The suggested changes were made to three vehicles and the uneven shoulder wear was eradicated.
“As a result of the trial we now fit Michelin tyres across the fleet and we’ve been able to cut our tyre bill in half,” says Kevin Hopper, Managing Director.
“Previously we’d focused on the unit cost of tyres. This experience has taught me that paying a little bit more per tyre up-front can actually save you significant time and money over the life of the tyre. In a climate where industry-wide price increases mean most fleets are paying more for their tyres, we’re bucking the trend with our spend-to-save approach.”
Brian Yeardley Continental now specifies Michelin low rolling resistance Energy tyres as original equipment on all new tractor units, with the X Energy XF steer axle fitments matched with 295/60 R 22.5 XDA2+ Energy new and Remix tyres on the drive axle. The trailer fleet has also moved from 245/70 R 19.5 twin fitments to Michelin 445/45 R 19.5 XTA2 Energy new and Remix tyres.
“The change in trailer tyre performance has been revolutionary,” adds Hopper. “The twins we used to specify suffered unbelievable scrub and were forever failing in hot climates such as southern Spain. The Michelin 445/45s have doubled our tyre life and mean we’re only fitting six tyres per trailer as opposed to 12.”
In addition to the increase in mileage potential, the change to Michelin Energy tyres also ensures that Brian Yeardley Continental benefit from the fuel saving characteristics of these tyres.
“Without doubt, I’ve learned more about tyres in the last 18 months from Michelin than I had in more than 25 years in the industry,” he says.
The Michelin tyres are supplied by ATS Euromaster in Castleford, for fitment onsite by Yorkshire Commercials, which undertakes vehicle maintenance and servicing for the fleet following Michelin advice. All tyres follow Michelin’s popular ‘Four Lives’ policy, being regrooved, Remixed and then regrooved again, to guarantee the maximum longevity from every tyre casing.
The Brian Yeardley Continental fleet is easily recognisable for its striking red and white Volvo and DAF tractor units which operate exclusively between the UK and mainland Europe. With tractor and trailer combinations operating at up to 40 tonnes, it carries predominantly groupage and chemicals outbound, returning with white goods and automotive parts.
The company was established in 1975 as a family owned business and says it operates one of the most advanced fleets of international MEGA trailers in Europe. Its head office in Featherstone, near Wakefield, is supported by a satellite operation in Ashford, Kent, which is conveniently situated for the channel ports and Channel Tunnel.
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MICHT/058/12
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
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