Page 12 - CTB N7 - 2014-03

COMPANY NEWS
Pirelli Approaches Truck Market with Integrated Package of Products and Services
Alberto Viganò
In March last year Pirelli presented a newly integrated package of products and services at a high profile dealer event called Driving Innovation. At that event, the Italian manufacturer combined its flagship 01 Series range of commercial vehicle tyres with its second line brand, Formula and a Fleet Solutions package including the Cyber Fleet, the solution that, through TMS sensor mounted inside the tyre, allows measurement of tyre pressures and temperatures. In addition, Pirelli also provided solutions that offer tyre roadside assistance, as well as maintenance, management and retreading: Fleet Check, Fleet Management, CQ24 International, and Novateck. These integrated packages, said the company at the time, were developed to reduce the overall costs of fleet management. According to Alberto Viganò, Marketing Director for the company’s Business Unit Industrial, the reason for the increased focus on service lies in Pirelli’s realisation that its 01
Series of truck tyres has now given the company a complete range of products with a combination of durability, rolling resistance and retreadability that can compete with the best. Viganò makes no secret of the fact that Pirelli has aimed to close the gap to Best in Class in terms of product performance and retreadability of its truck products. “Now we have achieved that,” he says, “our focus is on demonstrating this to the market.”
“To achieve this,” says Viganò, “it’s not possible to focus only on the product. We must concentrate more on optimising our service offering.”
In developing its European approach to the European market, Pirelli has followed a different approach to much of its competition, in that the impetus for the company’s truck tyre strategy comes from South America, where Pirelli is a leader in the truck sector. “We are very strong in the truck market in South America,” says Viganò. According to Viganò, Pirelli’s priority for developing its share
of the truck tyre market is the UK and Germany – largely because its distributors in those countries offer enhanced opportunities for Pirelli to improve their service package to fleets. In the UK, the company works closely with Grantham based retreader Vacu-Lug, who took over the contract manufacturing from Pirelli’s now defunct retread plant at Burton several years ago (pre-cured retreads manufactured under Pirelli’s Novateck brand).
“The advantage of this,” points out Viganò, “is that Vacu-Lug’s status as a significant fleet provider has enabled us to offer a complete PPK offering to fleets.”
The 01 Series:
The 01 Series forms part of Pirelli’s green performance strategy and is distinguished by innovative profiles, structures and materials that allow a long tyre life, low rolling resistance with consequently reduced fuel consumption, easy retreadability, energy efficiency and respect for the environment, thanks to low noise levels and the elimination of highly aromatic oils (HAOF). Produced using SATT technology (a trademarked process that stands for Spiral Advanced Technology for Truck), this range is equipped with an innovative system of belts that ensures optimal durability and reliability without compromising comfort or the environment. The system is based on the 3SB (Three Sandwich Belts) principle: three superimposed belts that help to guarantee a longer tyre life. It also has a Dual Layer Tread Compound (DLTC) system: a dual compound layer with high silica content. The Hexagonal Bead Wire (HBW) makes the tyre a lot easier to mount – while Fully Rubberized Cords (FRC) prevent oxidisation of the cords and give the tyre greater strength and durability.
One of the key tyres in the range is the ST:01 Neverending Energy, which was developed specifically for trailers and semi-trailers. Launched in October 2012, it is the first Pirelli truck tyre to score an ‘AA’ rating from the new European tyre label for rolling
resistance and wet grip.
A dual compound tread with high silica content (patent pending) reduces heat build up and therefore rolling resistance. Furthermore, it has a greater resistance to cuts and a longer overall tyre life. About 60% of the European truck tyre market is for semi-trailers, and so the advantages for fleets are notable as in a vehicle composed of a tractor and trailer unit, the tyres on the trailer unit generate 50% of the rolling resistance of all the tyres put together.
Other tyres in the 01 range are the FW:01 and TW:01 winter tyres for steer axle and drive axle respectively, the long-range H:01 line-up - FH:01 for the steer axle and the TH:01 for the
drive axle, the R:01 series for use on medium to long-range routes on road surfaces that are moderately abrasive and finally the G:01 range for mixed use on roads and in construction
sites.
During Essen International tyre exhibition (May 2014) Pirelli announced further development of 01 Series range with the introduction of R:01 II, H:01 Coach, XL (extra load).
R:01 II (in sizes 295/80 R 22.5, 315/80 R 22.5 and 315/70 R 22.5) represents a step ahead (vs R:01II) in terms or mileage, retreadability and road holding on wet and drive surfaces.
H:01 Coach line is specifically designed for people transport: the optimum balance of safety standards and efficiency combined with maximum comfort.
Responding to recent market trends, the FH:01 COACH in 295/80R22.5 size has an increased load index (154/149 M). The FH:01 in 315/70R22.5 and 315/60R22.5 sizes will also shortly be made available in this XL (extra load) specification.
Pirelli Cyber Fleet
Pirelli Cyber Fleet is the most recent innovation from the integrated package of services and solutions for better fleet management. The state-of-the-art management system – which is already a well-established reality for European and South
12 Commercial Tyre Business