The latest news from Michelin,
OLIVERS TRANSPORT ACHIEVES RECORD MILEAGE FROM MICHELIN’S X MULTIWAY 3D STEER TYRES
Eccles-based Olivers Transport has clocked up 220,000 km with 7 mm of tread still remaining after fitting one of its Scania 6x2 twin-steer tractor units with Michelin’s latest 315/80 R 22.5 X MultiWay 3D XZE steer tyres.
The general haulage firm expects the X MultiWay 3D tyres to reach at least 270,000 km before they need to be replaced — 80,000 km more than Michelin’s previous generation XZE2+ steer tyre, and 100,000 km more than a competitor brand recently tested on the fleet.
The outstanding mileage is being recorded on the company’s first tractor unit to be fitted with the X MultiWay 3D tyres and Fleet Engineer Kevin Hawker believes the roll-out of this latest generation of Michelin steer tyre to the rest of the fleet could benefit the business notably.
He explains: “The mileage we’ve seen from the X MultiWay 3D tyres is incredible and we still have a significant amount of tread remaining. We recently ran several sets of steer tyres from another premium tyre brand which came fitted as original equipment, and they only averaged 170,000 km before needing to be replaced. If we hit our 270,000 km projections we will have achieved nearly 60 per cent more mileage. For a busy fleet like ours, on the road seven days a week, any extra tyre life is a huge bonus.”
A family-owned business, Olivers Transport runs a fleet of 30 trucks and 55 trailers which operate throughout the UK. The haulier has specified Michelin as its preferred tyre brand for more than 25 years and Hawker says that the performance of Michelin’s tyres is better than ever before.
He adds: “Michelin has always been our tyre of choice and even though we have tested other brands over the years it is Michelin that we keep coming back to. We keep detailed tyre records and have seen the performance of some mainstream rival brands drop away in recent years, whereas the Michelin tyres are going the other way and we are getting better results than we’ve ever seen before, especially from the X MultiWay 3D.”
Not only is Olivers Transport reaping the advantages of the X MultiWay 3D’s longevity, but Hawker also praises the tyre’s even tread wear. The tyre is designed to resist abnormal tread wear, often the cause of premature tyre replacement.
“The previous XZE2+ tyres were sometimes prone to increased shoulder wear,” said Hawker. “However the new X MultiWay 3D is much more resilient and its revised contact patch with the road has improved wear considerably.”
Due to the X MultiWay 3D’s superior performance, Olivers Transport is now preparing to fit the first 295/80 R 22.5 X MultiWay 3D tyres onto the drive axles of its tractor units, following the tyre’s release onto the UK Market in January 2013.
Established more than 35 years ago, Olivers Transport operates a modern fleet renowned for its striking red, white and blue livery. A member of the Palletline network, the company runs an extensive range of trailers including reefers, curtainsiders, flat-beds, extendable step frames and specialist livestock transporters.
FULL MICHELIN TYRE POLICY FOR TRANSERVICE EXPRESS TRANSPORT
West Bromwich-based haulier Transervice Express Transport Ltd is adopting a full Michelin tyre policy across its HGV fleet after trialling Michelin’s new 295/80 R 22.5 X MultiWay 3D XZE steer tyres.
Transervice Express Transport, which specialises in pallet distribution, will be converting its fleet of 12 rigid trucks and two tractor units onto Michelin’s X MultiWay 3D range of tyres, as wear dictates, after working with Michelin’s local Account Manager to create a bespoke tyre policy.
The haulier, which previously had no formal tyre policy and used a mix of mid-range and premium tyres, fitted its first X MultiWay 3Ds in November 2012 on a newly converted tractor unit. Since then, Managing Director Paul Johnson has had positive feedback from drivers and is expecting significant savings once the Michelin roll-out is completed.
He says: “Over the past 18 months we’ve moved from contract hiring our vehicles, which included full tyre servicing and supply, to purchasing our trucks outright. As a result we found we were buying tyres as and when we needed without any forward planning, which meant potential savings were being missed.
“Michelin approached us when we made our most recent purchase — a Daf CF85 410hp tractor unit which was converted to a 26 tonne 6x2 rigid — and we decided to put the new steer tyres to the test on the vehicle as it would be carrying heavy building materials.
“We received great feedback from our drivers so we’ve continued to work with Michelin and our local ATS Euromaster centre to develop a detailed policy for the rest of our fleet.”
Transervice Express Transport, which is a member of The Pallet Network (TPN), operates between five and six days a week. Its 18 tonne rigids and 44 tonne tractor units and trailers carry out predominantly local and regional distribution, while its 26 tonners operate throughout the UK.
Johnson adds: “Michelin has gone beyond the call of duty in their assistance to us and, as a result, we have a much clearer policy across the fleet, which I am confident will reduce our operating costs in the long-run.”
Johnson, who is also Chairman of the Road Haulage Association Central Sub Region, is expecting further savings to be made by implementing Michelin’s Four Lives Policy.
He says: “In the past we were losing out as we didn’t have a strategy on casings, however we now have a much more cost-effective plan in place where we will have our tyres re-grooved, then re-manufactured into Michelin Remix tyres, and then re-grooved again, to maximise longevity.”
Michelin’s X MultiWay 3D tyre is designed for both national and regional operators, and completed its 295/80 R 22.5 launch into the UK market in January 2013, with the introduction of the X MultiWay 3D XDE drive axle tyre.
MICHELIN TYRE DEALERS VISIT BALLYMENA PRODUCTION SITE
A group of 27 independent truck and bus tyre dealers visited Michelin’s factory in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, on Friday 10 May
2013.
The Michelin Truck Professional (MTP) dealers were invited to see Michelin’s new X MultiWay 3D steer and drive tyres being manufactured.
The visit follows an unprecedented nine month period which has seen multiple new
Michelin tyres launched, including the high-grip X MultiWay 3D regional tyre and the
X Line Energy long distance fuel saving range which offers a low total cost of
ownership to fleet operators.
Guy Heywood, Commercial Director of Michelin’s truck tyre division, told assembled
dealers: “We’re competing in a fiercely competitive market, but one in which we have
grown Michelin Group market share by three per cent in the last three years.
“Operator confidence following a prolonged and difficult economic period is rising
and we’re going to market with the strongest product line-up in our history,
combining fuel efficiency and longevity with high levels of safety. We call this
Michelin Total Performance.”
The MTP network is central to Michelin’s future growth strategy in the UK and
Republic of Ireland (ROI), representing 110 accredited service points, supported by a
fleet of 350 service vans.
Richard Bezzant, MTP Programme Manager, welcomed two new dealer groups to
the network; Lodge Tyre in the West Midlands, and Huw Lewis in mid-Wales. He
said: “During the second half of this year we are targeting further network expansion
with plans to add additional dealer partners in the North of England and the ROI.”
Any new MTP partners will be audited to ensure they meet the high standards
demanded of the network. The independent inspection programme is conducted
annually to guarantee the highest standards of customer service and tyre
proficiency. Consistent across Europe, the audit recognises approved specialists as
Michelin Certified Centres.
MTP dealers enjoy full access to Michelin’s extensive training programmes covering
everything from health and safety to customer care and team management — rated
amongst the best in the tyre industry. MTP dealers also get exclusive rights to sell
Kormoran tyres — a mid-range brand manufactured by the Michelin Group.
In addition, MTP dealers are supported by the largest team of truck and bus-specific
Account Managers of any tyre manufacturer in the UK. This customer-facing
Michelin team work closely with accredited dealers’ own staff to drive their business
forward, making joint customer visits.
MICHELIN BEGINS COMPREHENSIVE TYRE TRIAL WITH SUCKLING TRANSPORT AHEAD OF EURO VI
Michelin has kicked off an extensive 12-month trial comparing the wear rate of three key truck tyre sizes to determine the best fitment strategy for petroleum haulage contractor Suckling Transport, prior to its first Euro VI vehicles joining the fleet.
Based in West Thurrock, Essex, Suckling Transport currently specifies 295/80 R 22.5 Michelin tyres as original equipment on its steer and drive axles. However, with the introduction of Euro VI, the company anticipates a larger tyre size will be fitted as standard by manufacturers to cope with the increased weight — expected to be around 200kg per vehicle.
Michelin will monitor the mileage performance of its latest X MultiWay 3D XZE (steer) and XDE (drive) tyres in the company’s current fitment size as well as 315/70 R 22.5 and 315/80 R 22.5 to determine which option will provide the best results for its petroleum tanker fleet.
The tyres will be tested on three new 6x2 MAN TGS 440 tractor units, which each underwent a vehicle weighing exercise conducted by a Michelin Technical Manager ahead of the trial, to determine optimum inflation pressures. The tyres were fitted by ATS Euromaster at MAN dealer, PCL, in Grays, Essex.
The data will be particularly important to Suckling Transport to determine the company’s future tyre strategy, as well as providing Michelin with vital performance data to share with other customers.
Dan Bauckham, Suckling Transport’s Director of Engineering, says: “We decided to work with Michelin to trial all three tyre sizes as it’s critical for us to have the optimum size and load rating for the liquids we are transporting.
“Although we have found the wear and fuel consumption of Michelin’s 295/80 R 22.5 tyres very impressive, when we start taking delivery of Euro VI vehicles we’ll have to choose between 315/70 and 315/80 fitments. This trial will help us decide which, whilst providing an accurate benchmark against our existing 295/80 preference.”
Suckling Transport operates a fleet of 60 tractor units and 64 tankers delivering petroleum products nationwide to customers including Shell and Phillips 66. Its vehicles are double shifted seven days a week, and collectively the fleet covers more than 10 million kilometres every year.
Bauckham adds: “It’s important for us to operate the safest possible fleet which is why we fit Michelins. However, it’s a fine balance in deciding precisely which tyre size will give us the best combination of tyre life, fuel-efficiency and payload potential. On paper we expect the 315/80 tyres will offer slightly increased longevity, but that carries a reduction in payload capacity of approximately 50kg compared with fitting a set of 315/70s. The results of the trial are going to prove very interesting.”
Guy Heywood, Commercial Director of Michelin’s truck division in the UK, says: “We’re widely expecting tyre sizes to change as manufacturers open up their order books for right-hand drive Euro VI trucks. 315/70s and 315/80s have long been the tyre of choice for operators on the Continent, whilst many UK fleets have tended to prefer 295/80 steer and drive tyres.
“Despite the changes with the new emissions legislation, the 295/80 will remain the top selling tyre in the UK for many years to come, driven by significant demand on the replacement market for pre-Euro VI vehicles.”
Michelin’s X MultiWay 3D range benefits from three-dimensional tread sipes which generate grip in difficult driving conditions, locking together when needed to maintain the stability of the tread, whilst helping to provide lasting safety and mobility on dry, damp and wet surfaces.
Designed for both national and regional operators, the tyre completed its 295/80 R 22.5 launch into the UK market in January 2013. The 315/70 and 315/80 X MultiWay 3D steer and drive tyres have already quickly established themselves amongst the top-selling Michelin commercial vehicle tyres in Europe, and have been on the market since 2011.
The trial is one of many joint projects between Suckling Transport and Michelin since the haulier re-signed its pence per kilometre (PPK) contract with Michelin in July 2008
International logistics company Hoyer has extended its Michelin tyre contract across its 400-strong UK tanker fleet following a competitive tender.
Hoyer, which specialises in bulk liquid distribution of petroleum, food, gas and chemicals across Europe, America and Asia, offered its UK business to three premium manufacturers to ensure it had the safest and most cost-effective policy in place.
As a result, the company has decided to continue its 15-year relationship with Michelin, agreeing a three year pence-per-kilometre (PPK) deal for its 400 tractor units and 400 tankers which service both its Hoyer Petrolog UK Ltd and Hoyer UK Ltd operations.
Allan Davison, Operations Director for Hoyer Petrolog UK Ltd, says: “We have a strong relationship with Michelin and have always been happy with the service and products they provide, however we thought the time was right to hold a full tender review to ensure we were getting the best tyres at the best price.
“Because we are transporting hazardous goods on a daily basis, reliable tyres are key in ensuring the safest possible environment for our staff, customers and the general public, which is why we have decided to stick with Michelin.
“We believe in terms of safety and quality Michelin is the best, and the PPK agreement we have in place has proven to be the best option for us to manage a large number of trucks in the most cost-effective way.”
More than 50 per cent of Hoyer’s fleet operates 24/7 with each vehicle travelling an average of 200,000 kilometres per year. Its tractor units consist predominantly of MAN TGS 440s, as well as a number of Scania, Volvo and Renault models. The renewal policy specifies Michelin’s latest 295/80 R 22.5 X MultiWay 3D XZE steer tyres and Michelin XDE2 Remix tyres on the drive axles. Trailers will be fitted with 385/65 R 22.5 XTE3 tyres.
Hoyer takes full advantage of Michelin’s Four Lives policy — a process which involves tyres being regrooved, then remanufactured into Michelin Remix tyres, and then regrooved again, to maximise longevity.
Davison adds: “Michelin’s Four Lives policy means we are able to get the maximum wear from our tyres. What’s more, because the Remix tyres are remanufactured in the UK by Michelin, we are confident the quality and performance is of the highest standard.”
Based in Huddersfield, Hoyer has been fitting Michelin tyres since the late 1990s and has approximately 30 depots throughout the UK. The company is part of the Hoyer Group, based in Hamburg, which specialises in road-based and intermodal transport and operates a fleet of 2,500 tractor units and 3,100 trailers worldwide.
MICHELIN POLICY ENDS FREQUENT TYRE FAILURES AND SAVES DAVIES TURNER THOUSANDS OF POUNDS
International logistics specialist Davies Turner estimates it has saved more than £20,000 over two years following a significant decrease in tyre failures after switching to a full Michelin policy for its trailer fleet in July 2011.
Davies Turner had previously experienced at least one tyre-related breakdown per month from competitor remould tyres, until Michelin’s Technical Manager Dan Lamb recommended a Michelin Four Lives policy across its 385/55 R 22.5 shod fleet of Krone trailers. The haulier’s 42 trailers collect hanging garments from North Africa, transporting them through Europe to the UK, with third party hauliers providing the traction. Each tyre failure that occurred overseas cost approximately £900 in call-out charges, tyre replacement and associated downtime.
Since implementing its Michelin policy Davies Turner has experienced no tyre failures across any of its Michelin-shod trailers — significantly increasing uptime, enhancing tyre longevity, and reducing fleet running costs.
John Lucy, Moroccan Services Manager at Davies Turner, says: “We noticed in 2011 that the quality of our remould tyres was deteriorating and tyre-related breakdowns were occurring at least once every four weeks, particularly when our fleet was abroad in hotter climates. That simply wasn’t safe or financially viable, and we were keen to resolve the problem promptly.
“We spoke to Michelin and Dan Lamb recommended a Michelin Four Lives policy to us; he wasn’t at all fazed by the demanding nature of our operation, and was keen to let the Michelin products do the talking and prove themselves in service. The results we have seen since have been fantastic. Whereas our previous tyres couldn’t cope with the heat in Spain and Morocco, Michelin’s new and Remix tyres have lasted time and time again, making our vehicles safer and saving us time and money.”
ATS Euromaster is responsible for servicing and maintaining Davies Turner’s tyres, ensuring they are regrooved when worn to 3mm and then sent to Michelin’s Remix factory in Stoke-on-Trent to be comprehensively remanufactured, before being regrooved again, giving the haulier maximum longevity and performance.
In addition to improved tyre life and robustness, Davies Turner’s sub-contracted hauliers benefit from reduced fuel consumption thanks to Michelin’s low rolling resistance trailer tyres. Since the beginning of 2013, this has included a move to fitting X Line Energy T fitments, Michelin’s latest low rolling resistance trailer tyre, which replaces the previous generation X Energy SaverGreen XTs.
The X Line Energy T is designed for trailers operating at high average speeds on motorways and major trunk roads, and is Michelin’s first truck tyre rated ‘A’ in rolling resistance under the European tyre labelling programme.
Founded in 1870 and based in Manchester, Davies Turner’s trailers operate seven days a week, travelling up to 100,000 kilometres a year.
MICHELIN POLICY DELIVERS “TERRIFIC MILEAGE” FOR KNIGHTS OF OLD
Logistics specialist Knights of Old is reaping the benefits of fitting Michelin tyres across its fleet after a trial set of 315/80 R 22.5 X MultiWay 3D XZE steer tyres clocked up more than 300,000 km.
Kettering-based Knights of Old, which operates 196 trucks and 222 trailers from five sites across the UK, fitted a test set of X MultiWay 3D XZE tyres to one of its Scania 6x2 tractor units in August 2011.
After a year of impressive performance, the company decided to switch its entire fleet to Michelin for both its original equipment and replacement needs, with servicing and maintenance being carried out by the company’s tyre service provider, Tyres Northampton.
And a further 12 months on, Knights of Old’s original test tyres have covered more than 300,000 km over two demanding years in service, with 5.5mm of tread still remaining when the vehicle was returned to Scania at the end of its lease. At this stage the tyres had already exceeded the previous fitment’s average mileage by 50,000 km, reaffirming the company’s decision to switch to Michelin.
Technical Director at Knights of Old, Kelvin Gingell, says he couldn’t be happier with the results so far. He explains: “We are a very forward thinking company and are always looking for ways we can improve our service and make our fleet operate more efficiently.
“Since Michelin first approached us about trialling the X MultiWay 3D tyres we’ve seen multiple benefits. This has included terrific mileage performance, topping our previous premium fitment by a significant margin, plus Michelin has also been proactive in working with our local tyre dealer and vehicle suppliers to ensure we get the maximum performance from our rubber.”
All Michelin tyres are designed to offer multiple lives, to ensure they deliver the lowest total cost of ownership. Had the initial Scania remained in service, it is projected its steer tyres would have achieved 355,000 km before needing to be regrooved at 3mm — a process which extends tyre life by up to 25 per cent. Once the regrooved tyres had worn to the legal limit, they would have been sent to Michelin’s Remix factory in Stoke-on-Trent to be comprehensively remanufactured, before being put back into service, and then finally regrooved again, providing exceptional longevity from each new Michelin casing.
The X MultiWay 3D range is designed for regional and national operators where vehicles are using a mix of local and major trunk roads. Available in 295/80 R 22.5, 315/70 R 22.5 and 315/80 R 22.5 sizes, the range includes steer and drive tyres which have quickly established themselves amongst the top-selling Michelin commercial vehicle fitments throughout Europe.
Knights of Old’s fleet consists predominantly of Scania and Iveco vehicles operating at up to 44 tonnes. Its vehicles service the whole of the UK and Ireland, each travelling approximately 165,000 km a year.
Established in 1865, the company has used Tyres Northampton as its service provider for more than 20 years. As a member of the Michelin Truck Professional network, Tyres Northampton is audited annually to ensure its equipment, training, reporting and customer service standards meet Michelin’s high standards — earning the status as a Michelin Certified Centre.
ENERGY SAVING TYRES HELP REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION FOR PARCEL DELIVERY COMPANY
One of the UK’s leading home delivery specialists, Hermes, has renewed a three-year Michelin tyre contract which will see it specifying the latest generation fuel saving tyres on its trunking vehicles.
Leeds-based Hermes, which operates 490 trucks and 450 trailers, traditionally fitted Michelin XTE3 ‘regional’ trailer tyres, before deciding to trial Michelin’s X Energy SaverGreen XT fitments when ordering 300 new aerodynamic Cartwright Cheetah Fastback trailers in September last year.
The combination of low rolling resistance tyres and aerodynamic trailers reduced the fuel consumption of vehicles pulling the trailers by an average of 4.5 per cent compared to standard tyres and trailers, prompting Hermes to renew its tyre contract for a further three years, and specifying Michelin’s low rolling resistance tyres across its long-distance fleet.
Hermes’ Fleet Manager, Rob Elmore, says: “We are always looking for new ways to improve our fleet efficiency and when we placed an order for new aerodynamic trailers Michelin recommended fitting energy saving tyres so we could get the maximum return from our investment.
“A combination of the trailers’ aerodynamic design and the Michelin fuel-saving tyres cut diesel consumption by nearly five per cent. For a fleet of our size, that adds up to significant savings; and as a direct result we have now started to specify Michelin’s latest low rolling resistance tyres on our tractor units too.”
Hermes will continue to fit its trailers with X Energy SaverGreen XT tyres, whilst all new tractor units will come specified on the latest low rolling resistance X Line Energy tyres, as standard.
The two Michelin fuel-saving ranges, which are designed for vehicles operating at high average speeds on motorways and major trunk roads, help to reduce fuel bills, cut emissions, and offer a low total cost of ownership to the customer.
Elmore added: “As a company we have set clear CO2 reduction targets which we’re keen not just to meet, but to exceed. It’s amazing how much a simple exercise such as switching tyres can contribute to lowering carbon emissions and fuel costs.”
Hermes vehicles travel across the UK collecting packages from its clients and delivering them to their customers’ homes. Its vehicles range from 7.5 tonne rigids to tractor unit and trailer combinations travelling up to 180,000 km a year.
MICHELIN DRIVES MAJOR CHANGES IN 17.5” TYRE MARKET
Michelin has launched a new range of high-grip 17.5” drive axle tyres for medium weight trucks and midi-coaches which are safer, more fuel-efficient, quieter and last longer than the XDE2 tyres they replace.
The all-new Michelin X Multi D tyres have been developed at the Michelin Technology Centre in Clermont-Ferrand, France, specifically to ensure end users can focus on their business, having complete peace of mind in their tyre choice.
Available in four sizes — 215/75 R 17.5, 225/75 R 17.5, 235/75 R 17.5 and 245/70 R 17.5 — the new X Multi D marks Michelin’s response to environmental, economic and regulatory changes which have been introduced since the previous generation Michelin XDE2 tyres were launched in 2005.
Michelin designed this drive tyre from the outset to keep 7.5 to 16 tonne commercial vehicles in service year-round on all types of road and in all weather conditions. As a result, the X Multi D is the only truck tyre on the market in these four sizes to give customers the added reassurance of 3PMSF (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) certification — awarded following tests in defined snowy conditions, ensuring better handling on snow-covered roads than tyres which are simply labelled M+S (Mud and Snow).
Extensive pre-launch testing found the X Multi D offers 18 per cent more tyre life than its predecessor and 12 per cent lower rolling resistance for improved fuel consumption. Full-depth sipes offer excellent handling from the first to the last kilometre, whilst new tyre architecture delivers a notable -5dB reduction in noise.
Guy Heywood, Commercial Director of Michelin’s truck tyre division in the UK and Republic of Ireland, says: “Our biggest challenge was designing a tyre which could offer so many improvements, without compromising performance in other areas. It takes cutting-edge technology to successfully combine all these features — we call this Michelin ‘total performance’.
“One of the most notable achievements has been making these tyres 50 per cent quieter than the previous generation. This is a major technological breakthrough, particularly given the number of vehicles in this sector which are used extensively in urban environments.”
The X Multi D range is manufactured in Michelin’s factory in Karlsruhe, Germany, and is available on the original equipment and replacement markets. Like all Michelin truck tyres they are designed to offer multiple lives in service — firstly being regrooved, before being remanufactured into a Remix tyre, and then regrooved again.
Under EU tyre labelling legislation, the new drive tyres score ‘D’ for rolling resistance, ‘C’ for grip on wet surfaces and produce 69dB of noise (rated one) when rolling.
CONTAINERSHIPS TRIALS FOUR TYRE BRANDS TO FIND THE BEST FIT
Teesport-based Containerships has moved to a Michelin policy for its tractor units after running an in-house tyre trial comparing the cost per 1,000 km between fitments from four different manufacturers.
Fleet Engineer Gordon Aitchison set-up the trial to determine the optimum tyre policy for his 60-strong fleet of 6x2 mid-lifts, and says the results have identified significant annual cost differences of more than 20 per cent between different 295/80 R 22.5 premium brand tyres.
“You have to look at the total value of ownership — not just the purchase price,” says Aitchison. “We ran this trial on our own vehicles, doing regular daily work, and the results were conclusive — fitting Michelin tyres will save us money.”
The trial found fitting the latest generation Michelin regional steer tyres would deliver 32 per cent more mileage (an extra 64,326 km) compared with the average of the competitor tyres trialled. The Michelin drive tyres — using a regional tread pattern which has since been superseded — were found to return 38 per cent more mileage (an extra 78,404 km) compared with the average of the competitor brands.
“When we evaluate tyre costs we look at the total casing value,” explains Aitchison. “With a steer tyre you are not just investing in a tyre for one life; you are buying a casing which should be capable of being remoulded and used again. If you can feed the drive axle with Remix tyres, it can have a very positive impact on vehicle operating costs.”
The trial saw Containerships running test sets of Michelin X MultiWay 3D XZE steer tyres and XDN2 Grip drive tyres, the latter of which has now been superseded by the X MultiWay 3D XDE to complete the latest Michelin regional tyre offer.
Containerships source its truck tyres from ATS Euromaster in Middlesbrough, which also handles its tyre fitting and servicing requirements. This sees Containerships, Michelin and ATS Euromaster working collectively towards joint tyre management targets which will help to further reduce vehicle operating costs. It involves a mobile ATS Euromaster tyre technician visiting the Containerships depot every Saturday to check pressures, regroove, twin and turn tyres on the rim — helping to maximise tyre life.
The Containerships fleet comprises predominantly of Volvo and Mercedes-Benz tractor units covering up to 160,000 km a year. They are used for the movement of containers from port to their final destination, and vice versa, handling cargo between Russia and the Baltic, Europe, UK and Ireland, as well as between North Africa and the Mediterranean
MICHELIN X LINE ENERGY AND X MULTIWAY 3D TYRES RATE HIGHEST IN COMPARATIVE TESTS BY INDEPENDENT ORGANISATIONS
In two separate tests, the independent certification organisations TÃœV Sud Automotive and DEKRA have confirmed the performance of two of the latest Michelin truck tyre ranges when compared with premium competitor brand tyres.
The two certification organisations, well respected for their test methodology and high-quality analysis, compared the Michelin X Line Energy long-distance tyres against four competing brands, whilst DEKRA compared the Michelin X MultiWay 3D regional tyre against three competing brands.
Michelin X Line Energy 
At Michelin’s request and in real conditions of use*, TÃœV Sud Automotive organised a comparative energy efficiency test involving five latest-generation, premium truck tyres.
This saw the Michelin X Line Energy range demonstrate superior fuel-saving performance compared with its competitors, recording an average difference in fuel consumption of 1.2 litres** per 100 km against the four competitors — and a difference of 1.84 litres per 100 km compared with the least fuel-efficient competitor. For a tractor unit and trailer combination driven 130,000 km per year in long-haul use, this represents savings of more than €1,750 per vehicle per year.
Michelin launched its X Line Energy fuel-saving range onto the replacement market in February 2013 — four months after its introduction as original equipment on tractor units manufactured by Renault Trucks and Volvo Trucks.
Since 1992, the Michelin Group has been a pioneer in the development of low rolling resistance, fuel-saving tyres and the X Line Energy line-up is the fifth generation of highly energy-efficient tyres to be marketed by Michelin. The company is focused on constantly innovating to ensure it provides road transport fleets with tyres which help to optimise total value of ownership by delivering superior performance over a long life, thanks to their impressive longevity, optimised grip, retreadable casing and regroovable tread.
Michelin X MultiWay 3D
In a test conducted by DEKRA***, the X MultiWay 3D was proven to stop quicker under braking than three other regional-type truck tyre ranges.
At Michelin’s request, DEKRA, the German certification organisation, compared four different latest-generation premium tyres in a test that involved braking on a low-traction surface. All of the tyres in the test were two-thirds worn.
The test showed that the X MultiWay 3D stopped an average of 44.9m shorter than the other brands, and 68.8m shorter than the tyre which took longest to stop.
The X MultiWay 3D range gets its name from the three-dimensional tread sipes which generate grip in difficult climatic conditions, locking together when needed to maintain the stability of the tread band. The design merges excellent traction, longevity and fuel-efficiency with outstanding safety, comfort and cost-effectiveness. The first X MultiWay 3D tyres entered the market in 2011 and have quickly become established amongst the top-selling Michelin commercial vehicle tyres in Europe.
Analysis
Commenting on the results of the two trials, Guy Heywood, Commercial Director of Michelin’s truck tyre division in the UK and Republic of Ireland, says: “Michelin consistently invests more in research and development any other tyre manufacturer in the world; so it is naturally reassuring to see this investment paying off in the performance of our latest generation products.”
Every year, more than 6,600 researchers in 350 different job categories, working on three continents and backed by a budget of €622 million, design and develop new generations of Michelin tyres that are safer, more efficient and more environmentally responsible. Longevity and endurance tests cover some 1.8 billion kilometres a year — equivalent to Michelin completing one full lap of the Earth every 12 minutes.
Michelin’s extensive product development makes it possible for its truck tyres to simultaneously offer impressive levels of safety, longevity, fuel efficiency and traction — something Michelin calls ‘total performance’.
*Tests conducted in June 2013 on a Mercedes Benz Actros 1842, with a gross train weight of 40 tonnes and equipped with new tyres. The test vehicle was driven 238km northeast of Munich at an altitude ranging from 320 to 480m. Each set of tyres was tested twice on this long haul-type route. The tractor unit was fitted with 315/70 R 22.5 tyres and 385/55 R 22.5 tyres on the trailer, with a tyre pressure of 8.4 bar for the steer axle, 7.7 bar for the drive axle and 9.0 bar for the trailer axles.
**Data calculated for an average difference in consumption of 1.2 liters per 100 km, based on annual mileage of 130,000 km and a fuel price of €1.15 per litre. The formula is as follows: 1.2 times (130,000/100) times 1.15 = 1,794 euros.
***Tests conducted in July 2013 on a Mercedes Benz 1820, loaded to a gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes and equipped with new tyres that were two-thirds worn. The pressure for the 315/80 R 22.5 tyres used was 8.5 bar for the steer axle and 7.5 bar for the drive axle. Comparison of braking distance on a low-traction wet surface (friction coefficient of 0.27) using an anti-lock braking system.
MICHELIN TYRES DELIVER TWICE THE LIFE FOR INTER-HAUL
The delivery of an SDC trailer on Michelin tyres two years ago has helped define a new tyre strategy for South Wales-based Inter-Haul Pallet Services, which is helping the company reduce its operating costs.
The double-deck trailer arrived from the factory on 265/70 R 19.5 Michelin XTE2 tyres as original equipment and is used for night-time trunking to the Pallet Track hub in Wolverhampton — a round journey of nearly 400 km. Fitted with a hubodometer, the customer has been able to compare tyre performance between the Michelin-shod trailer and other double-deckers in the fleet.
Julian Larking, Transport & Procurement Manager at Inter-Haul Pallet Services, says: “We’d previously been fitting cheaper tyres and we thought the mileage we were getting was pretty good, until we made comparisons with the Michelins. They have out-lasted the Hankooks by a year.”
The Michelin XTE2 rubber remained in service for 22 months on the third axle, whilst the tyres on the first and second axle are still in service after two years. In comparison, Inter-Haul reports the competitor tyres on its double-deck trailers last a maximum of 12 months.
Larking explains: “We pay more for a Michelin, but they are helping to bring our tyre costs down. You’ve got to consider total value of ownership, as when you factor in the additional tyre life, they help us save money. It’s made enough of a difference for us to start specifying Michelin for all replacement tyres, and as original equipment wherever possible.”
As part of the customer’s move to a new tyre policy, Michelin has made tyre pressure suggestions for each vehicle type in the whole fleet which it expects will help to deliver fuel savings of approximately £5,000 in the first year.
Inter-Haul has also engaged ATS Euromaster to increase its level of tyre support. As well as fitting new tyres, mobile ATS Euromaster technicians from the Treforest centre now carry out monthly fleet inspections which aim to inspect every single tyre on the fleet, whilst also checking and adjusting pressures. Technicians also schedule any service work required, such as regrooving, twinning and turning tyres on the rim.
The Inter-Haul fleet comprises 17 commercial vehicles, including seven tractor units and 10 rigids, together with 15 trailers. As well as the night-time trunking, the tractors also operate during the daytime with a fleet of urban trailers, supporting the rigids in making deliveries and collecting freight locally for overnight transfer via the hub.