Duncan has more than 24 years experience in the tyre industry in a variety of sales and management roles, including most recently working with Bridgestone on its pan European regional and national fleet accounts.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for me,” said Platt, “I’m really looking forward to the challenge of working across all the tyre brands but especially to working with customers to enhance their fuel savings with the benefits of Continental’s fantastic product range and services.”

As part of his new role, Duncan will be responsible for overseeing sales of the Continental, ContiRe, Semperit, Uniroyal and Barum brands in both the UK and Ireland as well as liaising with key account customers in both markets.

Arthur Gregg, Sales and Marketing Director – Commercial, welcomed Duncan on board and commented: “The General Sales Manager role is an extremely important one within the Commercial Vehicle Business Unit. Duncan’s previous experience and knowledge of the industry will be of great help to customers but also when coordinating with our Network Partners”.

Duncan is married with two children and currently lives in St Helens where he was born and raised. He is a keen sportsman and was previously a semi professional rugby player with Widnes and Oldham.

Figures released by Continental suggest that the truck tyre replacement market in Europe is up almost 30 per cent year on year, while the UK market is showing an improvement of almost six per cent.

On a negative note, the company says that the cost of raw materials is increasing, and that price rises in the short term are inevitable.

The strict Euro 6 emissions standards, which come into force at the beginning of 2013, demand that truck engines use more complex exhaust gas treatment technology. Catalytic converters, exhaust gas recirculation, particulate filters and larger cooling systems will all greatly increase the load over the front axle.

To combat these greater load pressures, Continental has increased the load rating of the XL tyre by two load indexes or around 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds) of weight per single tyre axle.

Newly designed steel-cord beads made from special high strength steel and a revised casing structure allows the forces caused by the additional weight and increased temperatures to be absorbed in the most effective way. The tread compound, which runs cooler thanks to the specially developed material composition, also guarantees a very low rolling resistance even when heavily loaded.

In addition to being important for forthcoming truck design, the newly developed long distance tyre HSL 2 ECO-PLUS XL, is an important innovation in vehicles where the load over the front axle is higher. This includes, for example, car transporters, tankers and mixers as well as vehicles carrying containers and swap-bodies. These applications currently account for a fifth of all long distance road traffic and the weight distribution characteristics of the truck and trailer place a particular burden on the steering axle tyres.

The new Continental long distance tyres have an ideal configuration combining increased load rating, economy and comfort with the particularly low fuel consumption characteristics of the new second tyre generation.

The HSL 2 ECO PLUS XL is the first tyre from the second generation to have an upgraded load index and is available in sizes 315/70 R 22.5 for standard applications with a maximum axle load of 8 tonnes and 315/60 R.22.5 for volume-optimized vehicles with an axle load of 7.5 tonnes.

The vehicle electronic is connected wirelessly with the driver’s smart phone, therefore making speedy data exchange possible.

The “Filling Assistant” specifies the exact inflation pressure of each tyre. So when adding air, the optimum tyre pressure can be achieved, even when inflation pumps at the filling station do not measure the pressure accurately.

In addition, a brief honk and blink signal can be given to confirm when the tyre has been inflated to the correct pressure level.

Technical requirements for the system are a tyre pressure monitoring system with the corresponding sensors in the tyres and factory-integrated vehicle electronics with a wireless interface.

First series production of the Filling Assistant in new vehicles is expected from 2013 onwards.

The presentation at booth B05/A06 in hall 17 focuses on the second generation of the SCR line systems, air spring systems with integrated data storage, lightweight components for air spring systems, thin foils for car interiors, a translucent concertina wall with graffiti protection for articulated buses and a lining for fuel tanks that provides a high level of safety in the case of accidents.

With its second generation of hose lines for the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust gas purification technology, ContiTech has assumed a pioneering role. By means of a carbamide solution (AdBlue), noxious nitrogen oxide (NOx) is transformed into water vapor and nitrogen. The new generation of hoses has heated quick connectors with optimized bonding, guaranteeing consistent thawing of the medium, even close up to the plug connector. In the future, three SCR line types will be available: the previous standard solution; an advanced, higher-quality rubber hose; and a plastic solution.

ContiTech Fluid Technology has developed extremely resilient fuel lines especially for high-power truck engines with up to 16 l capacity and reduced fuel consumption. The new lines can withstand pressures of up to 35 bar and operating temperatures of up 130°C. Conventional lines are not able to cope with the requirements of these heavy duty engines.

The company runs 50 tractor units and 110 tri-axle curtainsider trailers on general haulage throughout the UK. These run on almost 1,000 tyres and the fleet covers around 8,000,000 kilometres a year.

The decision to move to Continental followed successful trials of the HTR 2 trailer tyre. Their tyre lifecycle policy now includes not only the HTR 2 fitment but also Continental’s HSR 2 on the steer axle and HDR 2 and ContiRe remoulds on the drive axle..

Good performance was not the only reason for the change to Continental, as managing director John Maiden explains.

“Safety, cost and customer satisfaction are the three key priorities in our business,” he says. “As a responsible operator safety has a high priority and in these challenging times we need to look carefully at all our costs. Of equal importance is that we can’t let our customers down because of tyre failures”.

“As a result we operate a strict tyre monitoring and management regime starting with our drivers being required to carry out daily visual inspections and report any signs of faults. This is reinforced by employing a dedicated tyre fitter who carries out more detailed inspections during the six-weekly safety checks, including measuring tread depths and pressures and when necessary, turning tyres on the rim, replacing or repairing them”.

Mr Maiden continued “Last year we put a pair of Continental HTR 2 tyres onto one of our trailers and monitored them very closely. We were very pleased with their performance and this led us to look at the whole Continental range where we found products to suit all our applications from steer axles on our tractor units to Super Singles for our trailers and high quality retreads that we could use on lift axles.

“We also found that Continental’s prices are competitive, their quality is good, and the back-up is first class, both from the local dealer, ATS Euromaster, and nationally should we need repairs or replacements out on the road at any time of day or night. In addition, the ability to hold imprest stock at our premises and to have it checked and updated weekly by ATS, means that we always have the right tyres available.”

Under the new supply deal ATS Euromaster’s Oakengates depot is supplying new Continental and Semperit tyres along with ContiRe remoulds under the proven ContiLifeCycle five stage tyre management process.

Stage one starts with new tyres and is followed by re-grooving to give an additional 3mm of tread. The tyre casing can then be sent for retreading and at stage four a further regroove of the retread can take place. The fifth and final stage is responsible disposal, with perhaps an environmentally friendly end use, such as providing fuel for cement kilns.

Overall the ContiLifeCycle process can reduce the cost of tyres over their entire life by up to 25%.

Established in 1931 Maidens today are a forward thinking independent provider of transport and warehousing who have recently moved to a new purpose built 2.5 million pound centralised Shropshire HQ just one mile off junction 4 of the M54. The company is accredited to the ISO 9001 quality standard and is a member of the Road Haulage Association.

This approach has now led to a change in tyre partner with WH Malcolm’s decision to move to a Pirelli and Vaculug tyre policy.

This decision was made after an intense product test and tender process which saw leading truck tyre manufacturers pitching their best products for performance comparison .

Ultimately, Pirelli fitment for new tyres and Vaculug for retreads were chosen, working hand in hand with ATS as service provider.

Graham Hutchison, Pirelli Director of Truck, UK was obviously pleased with the result: “Tenders can be difficult situations and The Malcolm Group Management team and engineers provided a tough and demanding audience, but Pirelli’s range of new “01” products and Vaculug’s retreads proved to be the best.”

Dave Alsop, Vaculug Sales Director added: “This is a firm stamp of approval for the Vaculug/Pirelli partnership and we are looking forward to a strong, professional relationship where we can only add to the Malcolm’s success story.”

Steve Sugden, Malcolm Group Fleet Engineer agreed: “Change is sometimes difficult and Pirelli had some tough competition to improve upon, but product performance shone through and we’re looking forward to realising the benefits on our bottom line and in our service levels to our other partners, our customers.”

Following a successful six-month trial on an existing curtainside trailer, S&J took the decision to specify the uniquely-sized 455/45 R 22.5 Michelin fitment as original equipment on its two new Schmitz Cargobull tri-axle box trailers.

S&J General Fleet Manager and Engineer, Trevor Atkins, explains: “We’ve combined the move to X One MaxiTrailer tyres with a revised trailer specification incorporating front- and rear-lifting axles. This should ensure we benefit from the same excellent turning circle as our existing rear steer configuration, which forms the mainstay of the fleet, but packaged in a more flexible trailer product using these new Michelin tyres.”

Primarily intended for fitment as original equipment on new trailers, the X One MaxiTrailer has a lower centre of gravity than regular 385/65 trailer tyres, providing improved stability and a larger contact patch, which promotes even tread wear and increases tyre life.

“The trial proved very successful,” says Atkins. “Nearly all the drivers who tried them commented straight away on how stable they felt. I certainly noticeda big difference. This should prove very helpful with the double-deck system, where we could have up to 66 Euro pallets on board.

“We’ve had no sign of damage or punctures either since we fitted the test set in September 2009. It’s still early days, but they look like they’re going to return a very good mileage.”

As the first trailer tyres to incorporate innovations from Michelin Durable Technologies, the X One MaxiTrailer tyre was voted winner of the Motor Transport Innovation Award 2009 and Fleet Safety Product of the Year 2010 at the Fleet Safety Forum awards for excellence. One of the key innovative features is InfiniCoil, a continuous steel cable with a length of up to 400m which spans the inside of the tyre’s circumference, significantly improving endurance and wear.

The new tyres have been found to increase mileage potential by up to 50 per cent over Michelin’s traditional XTE2 range, with key differences including a 120mm increase in tread width and 35 per cent more usable tread rubber. They are also built with more robust shoulders, to resist lateral scrubbing.

S&J’s two new trailers will be clocking up approximately 120,000km a year, travelling between the UK and Belgium delivering adhesives for MACtac. “As well as offering improvements in safety and longevity, I’m hoping this new trailer specification will make our fleet really stand out,” adds Atkins. “As far as we know, it’s a first for the UK.”

All of Continentals long distance tyres are labelled with the ECO-PLUS mark on the sidewall, which symbolises the company’s commitment to providing operators with the lowest overall driving costs. The special material compound and elaborate tread design of the HTL 2 allow for reductions in rolling resistance of up to 15 percent. This translates to significant fuel savings of up to 5 percent when compared with conventional trailer tyres and also an increase of up to 20 percent more mileage from each tyre.

The extra wide shoulders and broad tread between the four straight circumferential grooves compress the tread pattern as far as possible to the inside of the tyre contact surface, lessening rolling resistance considerably. The very narrow grooves are supported by pyramid-shaped inner elements that prevent unwanted movement in the tread. The trailer tyre thus runs just as lightly as it does quietly.

The result of this intelligent tread design is fewer flexing movements in the tread, reduced operating temperatures and a stiffer tyre structure that helps to prevent deformation. The stiff backbone of the new trailer tyre also withstands the high side forces arising when a rigid trailer axle unit is manoeuvred.

As with all tyres from the new second generation, the L range features unique AirKeep® technology, a special inner layer which reduces slow air loss and keeps inflation pressure at the right levels for up to 50 percent longer.

The new HTL 2 product completes the high-tech second generation package for long-distance trucks and trailers. The new product perfectly compliments the existing HDL 2 drive axle tyre and the HSL 2 steer axle tyre

The HSL 2 is available in two versions in certain sizes, one of which has a higher load rating than the other, allowing heavier loads on the front axles.

The HTL 2 ECO-PLUS trailer tyre is available in size 385/65R22.5. Further sizes including 385/55R22.5 will also be available from 2011.

Brake’s decision to reward Michelin was supported by data recorded on a tilt- table at QinetiQ’s Chobham-based test facility which found that a fully laden 44 tonne tractor unit and trailer fitted with 455/45 R 22.5 X One MaxiTrailer tyres achieved a 6.5 per cent improvement in tilt angle (the angle at which a vehicle will overturn) compared to the standard 385/65 R22.5 fitment.

The judging panel’s comments were: “The X One MaxiTrailer tyre was selected as the winner for its innovative design and demonstrable results in improving the safety of truck trailers through a reduced risk of rollovers. Michelin’s commitment to continually improving the safety performance of its products really shone through in its entry.”

The painting was commissioned by oil and car care company, Comma, to launch a £2 million motorsport giveaway at www.commaoil.com/tickets.

Cook swapped his signature paint-covered, radio-controlled cars for real vehicles for the first time in his career to generate the giant image which celebrates British motorsport.

After more than 40 hours painting with radio controlled cars in his studio, Cook spent a further eight hours at Brands Hatch circuit delicately directing the Avon tyres of a Caterham R300 sportscar and a Formula Two racer. He also used a racing bike and a 6-tonne truck to complete the art.

Comma’s £2 million motorsport promotion has been launched to celebrate the Company’s continuing technical partnership to the FIA Formula Two Championship, which, like all Caterham motorsport series, employs Avon rubber.

Tickets for more than 100 different race events between June and November are included in the offer at MotorSport Vision circuits – Brands Hatch in Kent, Oulton Park in Cheshire, Snetterton in Norfolk and Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire – when customers buy selected packs of Comma’s Performance Motor Oil range.

Avon Tyre’s European marketing communications manager, Sarah McRoberts, said, “Our tyres are tested thoroughly on the road and track but this was a first for us. It was great to play our small part in helping Ian create his art work, while also supporting Comma’s campaign.”

By supporting the scheme, TyreSafe hopes to help cut the number of illegal part-worn tyres entering the market and also encourage safer worker practices within tyre dealers, garages and workshops.

“The Responsible Recycler Scheme is of significant importance to the tyre industry and we are delighted to offer our support,” comments Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “In addition to the detrimental impact to the environment and cost caused by illegal disposal, tyres that are not properly recycled pose a serious safety threat to motorists if they re-enter the market as illegal part-worn tyres.”

Under the industry’s RRS, tyres are collected, handled and reprocessed by licensed operators in line with all UK and EU regulations. Members of the scheme are independently audited and full traceability means that tyres handled by RRS member companies can be tracked throughout the disposal chain. More than 45 million used tyres are processed each year through the scheme, making it the largest voluntary tyre recovery programme in Europe.

TyreSafe recently warned drivers about the dangers of part worn tyres following an investigation by Birmingham Trading Standards. The study found that nine out of ten part worn tyres being sold in the City, failed to meet minimum legal standards.

The trial took place at QinetiQ’s automotive test facility in Chobham, Surrey, using the only tilt-table in the country capable of accommodating a fully loaded 13.6m commercial vehicle.

The first stage of the trial saw a MAN 6×2 tractor unit and Kel-Berg tri-axle tipping trailer, belonging to Parsons Nationwide Distribution Ltd (a Bardon Aggregates Contractor), drive onto the tilt-table fitted with Michelin’s award winning 455/45 R 22.5 X One MaxiTrailer tyres, which the company has been

trialling for six months. Staff from QinetiQ then tilted the table until the tyres began to lose contact at an angle of 26.2 degrees.

The Michelin X One MaxiTrailer tyres were then removed and replaced with (standard) Michelin 385/65 R 22.5 XTE3 trailer tyres. The test was repeated, but the vehicle only achieved an angle of 24.6 degrees before the tyres lost contact. This demonstrated that the low profile construction of the X One MaxiTrailer tyre can increases a vehicle’s overturn angle by as much as 6.5 per cent

Paul Kendrick, Michelin’s truck product marketing manager, says: “The trial proved to be yet another tick in the box for the X One MaxiTrailer, confirming the anecdotal feedback we get from drivers who say they really notice an improvement in vehicle stability when driving on our 455/45 R 22.5 trailer tyres.

Michelin’s X One MaxiTrailer tyres are already used by more than 75 different operators around the UK – with one firm, Boughey Distribution, fitting them to more than 100 trailers in its fleet. Compared with a 385/65 R 22.5 XTE3 trailer tyre, an X One MaxiTrailer offers a 120mm increase in tread width, 35 per cent more usable tread rubber, a larger contact patch to reduce tread wear and more robust shoulders to resist lateral scrubbing – all of which help to increase overall longevity by up to 50 per cent.

Technologies will be incorporated into nearly every new Michelin truck tyre sold in Europe.

The tyres were removed at 723,417 km, with 4mm of tread remaining, and regrooved for a second life.  It is expected that the regrooved tyres will cover up to an additional 180,000 km before being returned to Michelin for remoulding into Remix tyres.

Samworth Brothers reports that a great number of its vehicles achieve this sort of drive axle tyre performance, an achievement it puts down to its long-standing commitment to good tyre management and the strength of Michelin’s Four Lives package which it has followed for ten years.

The MAN entered operation in July 2007 and, like the majority of the vehicles in the 140-strong fleet, is plated at 44 tonnes and can run for up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, clocking up approximately 300,000 km a year.  Running primarily on motorways, the fleet is used to deliver payloads ranging from chilled pasties to sacks of potatoes.

Samworth Brothers’ Fleet Manager, Graeme Hawker, says: “The secret to clocking up such an exceptional mileage is using high quality tyres, and having a good tyre management policy in place.”

Once the regrooved drive axle tyres have worn, they will be sent to Michelin’s Remix facility in Stoke-on-Trent, where any existing tread rubber is stripped away and the casing remoulded with a new layer of rubber in a process which closely mirrors the way in which a new tyre is built.

Remix tyres are specially designed by Michelin to deliver similar performance to that of a new tyre, thanks to the strength of the original Michelin casing and the high quality of the Michelin Remix process.  A Remix tyre can also be regrooved to offer a fourth life on the fleet.

“We always send our worn Michelin tyres back to the Remix plant, rather than to any other remoulding company,” added Hawker. “Once a Remix tyre is mounted on a rim, everything you can see is new rubber and the performance we get is just as good as a brand new Michelin tyre.”

Samworth Brothers has tested other tyre brands in its fleet, but experience has shown that Michelin rubber enjoys a longer life than any other tyre brand it has trialled.  Its Michelin policy also supports the company’s environmental targets, with the exceptional longevity ensuring fewer tyres are fitted.

La Rinnova Del Pneumatico – Arké s.r.l, of Podenzano, Italy, and Juva SIA of Riga, Latvia, have both signed Bandag franchise contracts, bringing the total number of Bandag dealers in Europe to more than 140.

La Rinnova Del Pneumatico has been operating for 45 years in the Piacenza area, a busy traffic corridor 80 km south of Milan, and is a major regional provider of truck fleet tyre services. As an experienced retreader, the company is convinced that the comprehensive Bandag package of products, equipment technical services and sales support will better equip the business for profitable growth.

Juva SIA is a major player in the Latvian truck and automobile tyre market, operating three service outlets and supplying more than 50 independent tyre dealers throughout the country.

The dealer already works closely with Bridgestone and is a top-level member of the Truck Point network. By joining up with Bandag, Juva can now offer its truck customers total fleet solutions with a combined Bridgestone-Bandag range of new tyres, retreads and services.

“Bandag retread business is expanding in Europe” says Akihito Ishii, Director, TBR & Retread Bridgestone Europe. “These two new members of the Bandag family will increase our penetration in Italy and Latvia – and strengthen their own businesses as well.”

At a Michelin sponsored event tyre retailers, fleet operators, journalists and consumer organisations expressed their views on the forthcoming tyre regulations.

The discussions covered various aspects of the forthcoming EU legislation concerning tyre labelling including the likely effects on the tyre retail industry, both in-store and on the internet, and fleet operations.

Speaking after the event, Jianni Geras, Michelin’s head of car tyre marketing said: ‘This event has been a great success based on the feedback from the participants and rightfully positions Michelin as the leader in this area.

‘We have brought together some of the biggest players in tyre retailing and fleet operations and the information which came out of the discussion will enable us to strategically plan how we communicate this subject to the tyre trade and consumers’.

The full report from the panel discussion was published in the Society supplement of The Guardian on Wednesday 9 June.

The posters and leaflets focus on the wide range of uses and applications for recycled tyre materials such as synthetic sports pitches, children’s playground surfaces and fuel sources for cement kilns.

“Many motorists do not understand the complex operations and infrastructure that is required to dispose of used tyres in a safe, legal and environmentally sound manner,” explains Peter Taylor OBE, secretary general, Tyre Recovery Association.

“Consequently, many dealers face resentment from customers when they have to pay a recycling fee. These materials will help the trade explain to customers why the charge is levied, the processes involved and the many uses that the industry has devised for its waste materials.”

Since 2006, the disposal of tyres in landfill sites has been completely banned and currently, more than 45 million used tyres are correctly recycled and disposed of each year under the industry’s Responsible Recycler Scheme (RRS). The scheme is the largest voluntary tyre recovery programme in Europe and ensures that used tyres are collected, handled and reprocessed in line with all UK and European regulations.

The first poster to be made available taps into the current World Cup frenzy and explains how 42,000 used tyres are recycled into an Astroturf football pitch.

The warning has been issued by the Tyre Recovery Association following the recent prosecution of nine individuals who were fined nearly £75,000 for illegally dumping rubbish which included used tyres.

“Garages have a legal duty of care to ensure that any used tyres they remove from vehicles are disposed of in a legal and environmentally sound manner,” explains Peter Taylor OBE, secretary general, Tyre Recovery Association (TRA). “These recent prosecutions show that any collectors operating illegally will be tracked down and prosecuted. In addition, any retail premises that are complicit in the operation may also find themselves open to prosecution.”

Since 2006, the disposal of tyres in landfill sites has been completely banned and currently, more than 45 million used tyres are correctly recycled and disposed of each year under the industry’s Responsible Recycler Scheme (RRS). The scheme is the largest voluntary tyre recovery programme in Europe and ensures that used tyres are collected, handled and reprocessed in line with all UK and European regulations. Independent audits and full traceability means that tyres handled by RRS member companies can be tracked throughout the disposal chain.

Despite the industry’s successes in this area, illegal dumping of tyres continues to cost legitimate businesses, communities and the environment. In response to this, the Environment Agency have launched a campaign together with the tyre industry to ‘Get a Grip’ on illegal tyre activities. Phil Gibbons of the Environment Agency comments, “In particular we are working with the TRA to raise awareness on how best to deal with waste tyres legally and responsibly.  However, key to tackling this crime is the gathering of information and intelligence on illegal operators and activity. We are asking for support from businesses to report any information to us that could indicate illegal tyre activity.” All information provided to the Agency is done so in complete confidence. The Environment Agency’s national contact centre can be reached by calling 08708 506 506.

To ensure they do not support the illegal dumping of waste tyres, retailers and others should ensure that their tyre collector has a waste carriers licence, they are issued with a waste transfer note, the tyres go to a licensed recycling facility and that the waste trail is fully audited. Garages who are unsure if their tyre collector meets these criteria can find the details of their closet RRS registered collector by visiting the Tyre Recovery Association website (www.tyrerecovery.org.uk).

Multi-function tyres, like the latest “HD HYBRID”, will dominate on the drive axle. This tyre can be used both for long-distance and regional transport.

The properties of the HD HYBRID should convince many transport companies because the broad range of applications does not demand any compromises: Continental is promising even higher mileages than the modern sister models HDL2 and HDR2 for long-distance and regional usage.

The same applies for rolling resistance and energy efficiency. “The HD HYBRID is therefore the best choice for fleet operators, who do not exclusively use their vehicles for either long-distance or regional assignments,” emphasises Alexander Chmiel, the brand manager responsible for commercial vehicle tyres at Continental.

The target group defined by Chmiel is growing: Today, transport companies need to use their vehicles more flexibly than ever before. Exclusive long-distance or regional usage is on the decline. The areas of truck transport and grouped goods are growing together and that has led to other requirements for tyres. “We developed the HD HYBRID for exactly this reason. This tyre is suited to both worlds,” says Chmiel.

Against this background, Continental is convinced that the HD HYBRID will, in just a few years, be “our top-selling tyre for the drive axle.” The brand manager estimates that it will also “represent 50 percent of our drive tyre portfolio.”

The site carries a stronger message for end users, with more qualitative retread and product information, including the latest document downloads. The structure is built around Bandag’s Smart Choice marketing concept, which explains why Bandag retreads are the most reliable, economical, natural and dependable retread choice on the tyre market.

Visitors to the site can learn quickly and easily about the retreading process, the comprehensive Bandag and Bridgestone retread product range, and its proven benefits for the environment. They can also read more about some important basic information on tyre management and its fleet solutions supported by franchised Bandag dealers.

Central in the layout is the new Product Selector module, leading customers directly to the most suitable product for their application and needs in their specific market. Adjacent to this is the Bandag Dealer Locator showing the nearest available Bandag dealers on a Google map. A homepage link takes Bandag dealers directly to their dedicated extranet site, Bandag Plaza, which provides them with key day-to-day product, technical and commercial information.

“Bridgestone will manage site content and maintenance in-house, thanks to the use of Smartsite technology” says Amélie Vangermeersch, Business Marketing Specialist, Bridgestone Europe, and project manager of the new site. “This will enable us to provide fleets, dealers, prospects and other visitors with dynamic, up-to-date information at all times.”

Thanks to the use of a high-tech casing and a tread pattern that is specially configured for long-distance transport, this trailer tyre combines further optimised consumption figures with considerably extended life.

In terms of economy and transport safety, the new HTL 2 ECO-PLUS sets new standards on long, pan-European routes.

Ideally complementing the HSL 2 steering axle tyre and HDL 2 drive axle tyre, the new trailer tyre completes a high-tech package for modern long-distance truck-trailers.

The tyres were regrooved in late 2009 at 301,966 km. They currently have 4 mm of tread remaining and are projected to cover a further 10,000 km before being removed and remoulded into Michelin Remix tyres, which offer a level of performance similar to that of a new Michelin tyre.

Fleet Manager Steven Baker chose the 315/70 R 22.5 XDN2 Grip tyres on the recommendation of Michelin. The vehicle, one of seven in the fleet, operates up to six days a week making deliveries to customers nationwide.

“We fit Michelin rubber on all our trucks,” says Baker, “but when we heard about the potential mileage gains and added traction available from the XDN2 Grip tyres we decided to give them a try. We have been astounded at how long they’ve lasted.

“We usually achieve a very respectable 300,000 km from a 70 series Michelin drive-axle tyre, but the new technologies these tyres feature have notched that performance up even higher.”

The XDN2 Grip tyres incorporate Michelin Durable Technologies, which represents a radical breakthrough in tyre manufacturing and design. They offer consistently high levels of traction throughout the tyres’ life, including a self-regenerating tread pattern which sees patented ‘Raindrop’ sipes open up when the tyres are two-thirds worn, creating similar grip levels to those of a new tyre.

Once these regrooved tyres have worn down to their minimum legal tread depth, they will be sent to Michelin’s Remix plant in Stoke-on-Trent to be remoulded in line with Michelin’s Four Lives package. During this process the old rubber will be stripped from the casing and fitted with a new tread band, together with new sidewall rubber veneer from bead to bead.

“Knowing our tyres will last is a top priority for us,” concludes Baker, “and Michelin’s innovative Durable Technologies combined with its Four Lives package

that we get every last mile out of our tyres.”

[private]This is the first time that Bridgestone has received the award, which is provided only to a select group of suppliers that meet the world-class quality performance demanded by DAF’s parent company, PACCAR Inc.

“Bridgestone Europe is honoured to receive this prestigious Quality Achievement Award from DAF, said Gerry Duffy, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Bridgestone Europe.

“We are proud to meet the high product and service standards demanded by PACCAR and look forward to continuing this partnership in the future.”

Bridgestone Europe supplies the full range of tyres to DAF as original equipment for its range of medium and heavy trucks, enabling fleet operators to improve environmental performance and meet stricter European emission levels without compromising safety, cost efficiency or vehicle chassis height.[/private]

The company has specified Michelin’s award-winning* X One MaxiTrailer tyres as original equipment on five new Wilson curtainside tri-axle trailers, which will boost business with six additional services each week in France, Belgium and Holland.

With a lower profile sidewall than traditional 385/65 R 22.5 tyres, the new tyres offer a reduced ride height of 20cm, therefore allowing increased volumes of nine cubic metres within 40-tonne limits.

Gerry Jones, Managing Director, comments: “X One MaxiTrailer tyres allow us to operate with additional loads in mainland Europe, where we cannot take our traditional trailers, fitted with 385/65 R 22.5 tyres, because four metre height restrictions apply. The biggest benefit to us in the current climate is that we can now offer customers new services to destinations that we have previously not been able to reach with our fleet.”

Designed by Michelin to deliver up to 50 per cent more mileage than standard 385/65 R 22.5 XTE2 tyres, each new 455/45 R 22.5 X One MaxiTrailer tyre benefits from Infinicoil architecture, one of the key innovations of Michelin Durable Technologies.

This consists of a 400 metre steel cord wrapped continuously around the crown, delivering unrivalled robustness, greater longevity and even wear. Compared to a Michelin 385/65 R 22.5 trailer tyre, the tread band is also 120 millimetres wider and has 35 per cent more rubber in the tread compound, which is responsible for increasing the mileage potential of each tyre by up to 50 per cent.

Jones adds: “Over the years we have looked at so-called budget tyres that claim to save you money, but they never deliver long-term savings.  Michelin tyres always deliver class-leading performance and economy over incredible mileages and are also more resilient to damage – something we expect the X One MaxiTrailer to match.

“We adopted an all-new Michelin policy a few years ago as it gives us total peace of mind. Customers demand a first class service and unexpected downtime is unacceptable.”

[private]Best Tyres are operating the ContiNetwork partnership from their well-equipped depot in Sandyford, Stoke-on-Trent, which is totally focussed on the commercial vehicle sector. The family-run business also has a retail depot at nearby Cobridge, which supplies tyres for cars and vans.

Paul Byrne, who set up Best Tyres in 2003, says that he is delighted to be representing Continental Tyres in the area. “Continental has made a considerable investment in their tyre technology in recent years resulting in the launch of some excellent new products during 2009. They are clearly making their presence felt in the commercial vehicle sector and we are pleased to be contributing to that success.

“At Best Tyres we specialise in maximising the life of tyres used in commercial fleets and this fits well with the ContiLifecycle concept, which aims to extend tyre life by up to 30%. With operators under considerable pressure to contain their costs, adherence with help from us to this simple five-stage tyre husbandry process can result in big savings in overall tyre costs.”

Best Tyres employs 12 people, including four members of the Byrne family. It places a strong emphasis on staff training and its fitters are all well schooled in every aspect of tyre maintenance and repair, including safe roadside tyre changes.

A fleet inspection service is available to routinely check pressures, tread depths and look for signs of damage which can be carried out at the customer’s premises. All types of work can be undertaken including regrooving and retreading to ensure maximum tyre life.

Five fully-equipped service vehicles, with two back-up vans, are available 24/7 to deal with emergency call-outs. The company’s strategic location just off the A500 and midway between junctions 15 and 16 of the M6 means that it can react quickly to call outs. It also holds a comprehensive stock of Continental products to ensure good availability of all types of tyre.

Laura Johnston, who manages ContiNetwork, says that she is pleased to welcome such a highly regarded company into the network. “Best Tyres has a well deserved reputation for the professionalism of its operation and the commitment that it shows to supporting customers. The availability through them of Continental’s unrivalled range of tyres designed specifically for commercial vehicle operations will enable local operators to significantly reduce their tyre costs by up to 25% and to improve their fuel efficiency.”[/private]

Bridgestone already has long-term preferred supplier agreements with Volvo Group in Asia and North and South America.

The terms of the agreement represent a significant increase in market share for Bridgestone and cover a wide range of truck tyres, including new Bridgestone R249 EVO and R297 EVO steer tyres.

The Bridgestone EVO steer-axle tyres enable operators to improve environmental performance without compromising safety, cost efficiency or vehicle chassis height. Their development anticipates increased truck front-axle loads due to the addition of clean technologies in compliance with Euro V and VI emission regulations.

“Bridgestone Europe has been able to meet the high standards set by the Volvo Group, both in products and supply performance, and is delighted to enter into this agreement with a leading global truck group” commented Gerry Duffy, VP Sales & Marketing Bridgestone Europe, after signing the agreement.

The 530 hp Scania 144, operated by the livestock and agricultural haulage specialist, was fitted with Michelin 385/65 R22.5 XZY 3 tyres on its steer axle two years ago and has since covered more than 2,700 km a week.

The Bo’ness-based firm has been a dedicated Michelin user for more than 25 years, with all tyres supplied and fitted by ATS Euromaster.

R.W. Stewart Managing Director, Alan Stewart, comments: “Our core focus is the transportation of livestock, but the fleet is also used by our quarry business, so tyres lead a hard life. Whilst the fleet spends most of its time on motorways, it is also required to operate on a mixture of A and B roads, as well as venturing off-road.

“The entire fleet benefits from high-powered V8 engines which make tyre choice critical in ensuring we maintain good traction at all times. We have found Michelin’s XZY 3 tyres offer us improved steering feel and durability over the mixture of terrain we operate on, combined with the best sidewall and damage protection of any tyre we have found on the market,” he adds.

The steer axle tyres covered approximately 240,000 km during their first life before being regrooved during a routine vehicle maintenance inspection which enabled them to clock-up a further 40,000 km. Once worn, the regrooved tyres were removed and sent to Michelin’s Remix facility in Stoke-on-Trent, where they were remoulded into a set of XZY 3 Remix tyres, which offer virtually the same performance as that of a new Michelin tyre.

Michelin’s 385/65 R22.5 XZY 3 offers operators a lower cost per kilometre and up to 25 per cent more usable tread, whilst also delivering a higher mileage potential, compared to the previous generation Michelin XZY. Its reinforced sidewalls and improved damage protection also ensures a higher acceptance rate for the Remix process.

Highlighting a recent tyre test carried out within its fleet, Stewart adds: “A while back we trialled a set of budget tyres on a vehicle to test the theory that it might save money, but the tyres only delivered around 50,000 km before needing to be replaced, and the vehicle suffered frequent punctures. It proved a false economy in comparison with the superior mileage performance and lower cost per kilometre we enjoy with Michelin.”

R.W. Stewart is a family-run business, founded in 1920, and specialises in livestock transport and agricultural haulage throughout Scotland and the UK. The company operates a fleet of Scania rigids and tractor units and uses the latest Houghton Parkhouse livestock trailers featuring a water and feed supply, together with controlled ventilation in order to achieve the highest standard of animal welfare. It also operates a number of tippers.

The new specification allows the company to increase the load capacity of its palletised milk deliveries by 50 per cent, with room for 36 pallets as opposed to 24.

The Gray & Adams variable deck trailer is being used by Arla Foods to support a major contract, which requires milk to be delivered in palletised loads to a regional distribution centre, from where the retailer amalgamates it with other products prior to delivery to its stores. This process differs from most milk contracts where products are transported in roll cages, which are wheeled directly from the trailer onto the shop floor.

One challenge faced with the new trailer design was tackling the higher centre of gravity caused by loading milk onto a raised floor within each trailer. This was solved by fitting Michelin’s low profile 455/45 R 22.5 X One MaxiTrailer tyres, in place of the regular 385/65 R 22.5 fitment.

This unique dimension, exclusive to Michelin and already operated by more than 80 UK fleets, provides a lower centre of gravity which has been proven in handling trials to improve trailer stability when cornering.

The worrying findings have been issued by TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety group, who has warned that not only could part worn tyres be a false economy, but they could pose a significant safety hazard to drivers and other road users. In 2008, illegal, under-inflated or defective tyres contributed to the deaths of 34 drivers and the injuries of more than 900 other motorists.

“Tyres play a critical role in vehicle safety and consequently, some very strict requirements exist regarding the sale of part worn tyres,” warns Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “If part worn tyres are bought from an unreliable source or do not meet the required standards, drivers could be placing themselves and other road users in significant danger. We understand the financial pressures being faced by many motorists but the risks associated with fitting part worn tyres are too high and we would always recommend fitting brand new tyres.”

One of TyreSafe’s primary concerns with part worn tyres relates to the internal structure of the tyre. Regulations require that part worns must be free from large cuts, bulges and lumps and must not have any of their plies or cords exposed. However, without a thorough examination of the internal components of the tyre using an x-ray machine, TyreSafe claims it is impossible to tell what unseen damage may have occurred.

By ensuring wheels are correctly aligned, drivers can minimise the effects of any pothole damage and ensure they remain as safe as possible.

“The recent bad weather will inevitably increase the number of potholes we see on our roads, which can cause a number of serious safety issues for drivers,” explains Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.

“If a vehicle’s wheels are not correctly aligned it may pull to one side or cause vibrations in the steering wheel which can be distracting and make the vehicle difficult to control. By visiting your local garage or tyre dealer they will be able to perform some simple checks to make sure the wheels are correctly aligned, helping you to stay safe.”