15 minute read
Focus on the Tyre Market
Michelin Truck Tyres Deliver for Dublin Haulier
Hendrick European, provider of customised logistics and transportation services across Ireland and Europe, has reportedly seen exceptional mileage from the Michelin X Multi D tyres it runs across its fleet – with one set clocking 500,000 km.
The Dublin-based firm, which specialises in road transport, groupage and distribution of all types of goods, operates 95 trucks and 150 trailers from depots in Ireland, UK and Poland. Paul Hendrick, European Director and Maintenance Manager, hailed the longevity of the Michelin X Multi D tyres fitted on one of his Scania trucks used in continental Europe which was regrooved after 500,000 km and ran for another 50,000 km. “We have 40 years’ experience in supply chain management, and I’ve never seen anything like that before,” he says. “Most of the Michelin drive tyres will see 400- to 450,000 km, which is exceptional. The big win is that there’s very little downtime so we’re improving the sustainability of our operations.” Hendrick has also seen impressive results from the Michelin X Multi tyres specified as original equipment on 20 new trucks which have joined his fleet in recent months. The mixed fleet of trucks are fitted with Michelin 315/70 R22.5 X Multi Z and D tyres on the steer and drive axles respectively and are pulling trailers utilising 385/65 R22.5 X Multi T fitments. In total, 90 per cent of the company’s growing commercial vehicle fleet, including Euroliners, tautliners, flat beds and refrigerated trailers, now operate on Michelin tyres. Having previously conducted its tyre maintenance in-house, Hendrick European is benefiting from the services provided by Michelin advocate dealer Midland Tyre Services (MTS) – one of Ireland’s largest fleet mobility businesses. After the company partnered with MTS to service its Irish operations, its fleet has suffered fewer breakdowns and incidents of accidental damage than ever before. “They are doing a great job. The technicians come into our yard and check our trucks and trailers and give us a comprehensive picture of any issues they might have so problems can be quickly resolved,” Hendrick says. “For the size of our fleet, our tyre bill is very modest. I’ve had people asking how I manage to cut costs of managing the tyres, but if you put a premium Michelin product on, there’s no need to replace it. You are really getting the life out of the tyre and that’s what we pay for.”
Giti GSR236 Combi Road brings latest technology to small and medium CVs
Available now in 215/75R17.5, the all-new Giti GSR236 Combi Road is the first steer tyre to bring the manufacturer’s latest regional and long-haul technology to small and medium commercial vehicles.
Compared to the popular all-position Giti GAR820, the new tyre is superior in every aspect with 30% increases in mileage and wet braking performance, a 20% reduction in noise and single digit improvements in crack, chipping and sidewall protection, enhanced rolling resistance and snow performance. The results have been achieved through Giti Tire’s latest robust construction and compound technology developed into an innovative threegroove pattern design for extreme stiffness. Wide shoulder ribs prevent irregular wear and improve cornering stability while robust sidewall protection bands prevent scuffing and damage due to kerb impacts. The tyre possesses high wet grip properties confirmed with a B rated EU label, it also carries the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. Sizes 235/75R17.5 and 245/70R17.5 are planned by the end of the year, with 205/75R17.5 and 225/75R17.5 arriving in the first quarter of 2023. Size 265/70R17.5 is expected by quarter three. Development of the Giti GSR236 Combi Road was led by Giti Tire’s European Research & Development Centre in Hannover, Germany. Antonio Palummo, TBR Senior Engineer- Europe for Giti Tire, said: “The Giti GSR236 is the outcome of three years intensive work by our R&D facilities which included virtual simulation, design tuning and extended real-life testing on British and German roads with selected fleet partners. Tony McHugh, TBR Sales and Marketing Director - UK at Giti Tire, added: “The results speak for themselves, the performance improvements across all key measurable targets are a great achievement and proof of the high technology capabilities of our research and manufacturing facilities. “As a steer tyre we will offer the Giti GSR236 alongside the all-position Giti GAR820, which remains a very popular tyre among fleet operators. This way fleets can continue to use Giti on all axles while having access to the latest tyre and all its associated benefits.”
Continental has published an updated summary of winter tyre regulations for 2022/23 covering a total of 39 countries in Europe and around the world. The regulations serve as an aid for haulage companies and fleet operators.
The Conti Scandinavia family of tyres are an ideal choice for winter driving anywhere in the world. The haulage company Auto Siegl PkwSpezial transporte has been operating in Finland and Sweden for many years now and recently switched to Continental’s line of winter tyres. “I’m extremely impressed by the tyre,” praised truck driver Rene Munke. “This is the first time I’ve driven with the Scandinavia tyre and I’m really pleased because the grip is just exceptional.” Fellow truck driver Sami Pyöränen, who works for Finnish haulage company Pohjaset Oy, agrees. “The tyres offer excellent controllability and you know your vehicle is going to follow the movements of the steering wheel,” he says, before telling how wild animals sometimes cross the snow-covered roads and trails. “Up here in the North especially, there are a lot of reindeer and you might have to brake suddenly and take evasive action. The Scandinavia tyres bring the truck safely to a stop, even under heavy braking. They even give you enough confidence to swerve out of the way.”
Design behind performance
The Conti Scandinavia tyres are renowned for their safe handling characteristics even in adverse road conditions. The tyre line employs a special two-stage siping technology designed to ensure sure-footed performance. Optimised rubber compounds provide particularly high levels of grip on snow, ice and in the wet, while the high natural rubber content of the tyres gives them optimum rolling resistance and the required flexibility at low temperatures. Another point in their favour is that the tyres are relatively quiet, as they demonstrate in practice. “When driving I listen to audio books rather than music, and I do so for hours on end,” recounts Rene Munke. “The Scandinavia tyres run notably more quietly. That’s really great for driving comfort.” The innovative sniping technology used in the Conti Scandinavia family of tyres promises sure road-holding in winter and low, fuelsaving rolling resistance in summer. At the same time, optimised filler and oil content enhances the tyres’ wear properties and increases their mileage. The Conti Scandinavia tread pattern changes from a more open structure for superior grip to a closed tread optimised for low rolling resistance, while still providing good adhesion to the road surface. Once the winter tread has worn away, you are left with a steering and trailer axle tyre offering very good consumption figures for the summer season. Continental has brought out a brochure entitled “Tackle winter with confidence” containing a compilation of tyre expertise for the winter season. As an international provider of solutions and services, the company offers a vast portfolio of premium tyres for the winter, including a large number of retreads. The brochure and the summary of the regulations currently in force for winter tyres can be found at www.conti-truck-tires.com/winter together with further winter-related information.
Continental data reveals common truck tyre pressure issue
Data collected by Continental Tyres has revealed that approximately one in every five truck tyres is found to be operating outside of the correct tyre pressure window.
The statistic, based on anonymised results from tyre inspections undertaken by Conti360 Solutions service providers, reinforces the need for operators to routinely check their tyre pressures to maximise the safety and the longevity of their rubber. Tyres that are either under or over inflated can pose a significant risk to the safety of the driver and that of other road users. An underinflated tyre is more susceptible to picking up damage from rough terrain and potholes. Running with insufficient air can lead to excessive sidewall flexing, which can result in a blowout. Fuel efficiency will also be impacted, as low pressures increase a tyre’s rolling resistance. An overinflated tyre can cause uneven wear and impact a vehicle’s grip and handling characteristics. Too much air can also make the tyre more prone to avoidable damage as their comparative stiffness can make them less able to absorb the impacts of kerbs and potholes. Tony Stapleton, Head of Fleet Sales at Continental Tyres, commented: “Vehicle safety, reliability and efficiency are so closely linked to the operation of correctly inflated tyres. It’s vital that fleet managers and technicians are aware of the dangers associated with under or over inflated tyres and take steps to mitigate the risk by performing regular visual inspections and by checking pressures.” Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said: “Tyre checks are a fundamental element in road risk management for all HGV operators, fleet managers and their drivers. Failure to ensure the largest and heaviest vehicles on our roads are running safely and on safe tyres is a grave concern and wastes money. Managers and directors should also be aware of their duty of care and of their responsibility under current legislation if an incident leads to death or injury due to failure in their operational policies and fleet management procedures. “There are plenty of support solutions for HGV and commercial operators of every size, including the latest breakthrough technologies - there is no excuse for poor tyre maintenance. We ask all to ACT – think Air pressure, Condition and Tread - to reduce their risk on our roads.”
Solutions
Continental has a number of solutions to help fleet customers to stay on top of their tyre maintenance requirements. Though customers are encouraged to check their tyre pressures frequently, customers of the Conti360 Solutions tyre management programme can specify regular fleet inspection checks by an experienced tyre professional. In the event of a puncture at the side of the road, Continental’s Europe-wide, 24/7 breakdown service is on hand to get you moving with minimal downtime. Commercial vehicle operators also have the option of utilising Continental’s own tyre pressure monitoring system, ContiPressureCheck, and its virtual tyre management platform, ContiConnect 2.0. Drivers can monitor their current tyre pressures and temperatures using the in-cab display and fleet managers can access the same information remotely through the ContiConnect 2.0 desktop site or mobile app. Continental recently launched its new second generation tyre sensor, which by using the ContiConnect 2.0 platform will be able to provide data on mileage forecasts.
Michelin Tyre plc has been recognised for its commitment to decarbonisation, winning the prestigious Tyre Industry Environmental and Sustainable Solution of the Year Award for the second year running at the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) Awards. The award was collected by Michelin UK Managing Director John Howe (centre left) and B2B Sales Director Andrew French (centre right).
Announcing the winner,
television presenter and event host Louise Minchin said: “Michelin’s entry was considered visionary and a template for an approach to long-term sustainability in manufacturing within the context of the circular economy.” Commenting on the win, Michelin UK Managing Director said: “In a world where raw materials are finite, and during a climate emergency, our key focus is on using less energy and fewer raw materials, whilst continuing to do what we do best – maximising performance and efficacy over the lifespan of our products, and the safety of goods and people”. The NTDA Awards were held at the VOX Conference Centre, Birmingham recently in front of some 600 senior tyre industry representatives.
Continental Tyre Group Ltd receives RoSPA Gold Award
Continental Tyre Group Ltd is celebrating after landing an internationally recognised award for demonstrating high health and safety standards.
Continental Tyre Group Ltd has received a RoSPA Gold Health and Safety Award for working hard to ensure its staff all get home safely to their families at the end of every working day. Organisations receiving a RoSPA Award are recognised as being world-leaders in health and safety practice. Every year, nearly 2,000 entrants vie to achieve the highest possible accolade in what is the UK’s longest-running H&S industry awards. Stewart Jackson, Supply Chain Director at Continental Tyres said: “Continental is immensely proud to receive the RoSPA Gold Award, building on our silver accreditation, awarded last year. Health and safety practices are integral to all areas of Continental’s operations, so adhering to the guidelines set out by RoSPA is something that everyone at Continental takes incredibly seriously. We share our success not only within the Continental family, but alongside our fellow award winners who strive to maximise safety in the workplace.” Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “This is a fantastic and well-deserved accomplishment. All our award entrants demonstrate their unwavering commitment and passion for keeping people safe at work. By receiving this recognition Continental Tyre Group Ltd join like-minded businesses and organisations worldwide, who represent the very best in their approach to Health and Safety. “I would like to add my personal thanks for all the work that it has taken to secure this well-deserved award – congratulations to all those involved, who champion and drive up Health and Safety standards every day. You are a fantastic example to others in your sector.”
Pictured here (L-R) are Manjit Singh and Stephen McCarthy, Continental.
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CONTINENTAL HELPS FLEET CUSTOMERS MINIMISE COSTS IN CHALLENGING TIMES
A gloomy economic outlook, high fuel and AdBlue prices, as well as disrupted supply chains and driver shortages mean that many transport and logistics companies are currently faced with huge economic challenges. In these times of crisis, Continental is offering its partners an innovative concept for bringing down fleet operating costs and keeping them low.
The tyre manufacturer’s
recipe for cost efficiency is known as LODC – Lowest Overall Driving Costs. It consists of a comprehensive consultancy approach that helps fleet customers minimise their tyrerelated operational costs. “At first glance, tyres would only seem to make up around five percent of a truck’s total operating costs,” explains Ralf Benack, who is responsible for fleet solutions for the EMEA region at Continental. However, tyres also have a significant impact on fuel, maintenance and repair costs, which account for more than 27 percent of total costs. “This makes them a key cost lever, meaning LODC is a genuine success factor for fleet customers in tough times.” It’s no secret that fleet operators are battling against spiralling costs. According to the Freight Transport Association Ireland, fleet transport businesses have seen overhead costs increase by more than 17% on average in the last year. It also reports that fuel costs now make up 41% of the total operating costs. The October market update for Europe from Danish logistics giant Maersk also underlined the fact that the global economic situation and fragile supply chains were having a knock-on effect on road haulage. It’s a sector it describes as being “already stretched” as a result of rising fuel prices and driver shortages. Continental’s in-house fleet expert highlights yet another challenge facing the industry – the European carbon tax on fossil fuels. “Various European and national regulations will force fleet operators to invest heavily in zero-emission vehicles if they wish to avoid toll charges and restrictions or benefit from incentives,” Benack points out, saying this means many companies are going to experience high-cost pressures for the foreseeable future.
ADDED VALUE
With the LODC approach, the tyre experts at Continental are seeking to work closely together with customers in order to minimise their costs – and that applies to fleets of any size and via a broad spectrum of solutions. Optimum tyre selection and data-driven servicing management resulting in tyre checks at exactly the right time are just two of the aspects that generate added value. A 24/7 breakdown service and optimisation of the customer’s ordering, administrative and invoicing processes are further key elements. The overall concept is collaborative in nature, meaning it is based on mutual trust and transparency. For instance, the fleet customer provides telemetry data, which Continental uses to derive proposals for cutting costs before rigorously implementing the measures together with the customer. “Rather than simply calculating the potential savings, we team up with our network of service partners to harness this potential and obtain concrete results,” continues Benack. To fully capitalise on the available potential, a sound LifeCycle solution is needed complete with casing management and a high level of tyre usage transparency based on digital solutions. Benack sums up the concept by saying: “We are the experts when it comes to tyres, tyre servicing, digitalisation, data analysis and process mapping. So, we are now using LODC to create a harmony of economy, environmental protection and safety.”
RETREADED TYRES
Maximising uptime is one way of boosting economy, environmental protection and safety. Intelligent digital solutions and smart sensor technology both inside and on the tyres allow maintenance to be carried out at the right time and ensure the tyres are always inflated to the correct pressure. This has the effect of extending tyre life, reducing downtime and lowering fuel consumption. Retreaded tyres using recycled casings are another cornerstone of the LODC concept. “They are completely safe and very durable, despite being far cheaper than new tyres,” explains Ralf Benack. “The solutions we offer – hot-retreaded ContiRe and Bandvulc tyres, and cold-retreaded ContiTread tyres – can allow fleets to reduce their tyre costs by up to 40 percent.” Ralf also highlights their plus points with regard to sustainability: “When retreading a tyre, we are able to reuse around 70 percent of the original tyre, saving raw materials, water and energy.”
