Page 20 - CTB N8 - 2014-04

IAA REVIEW
Bridgestone Enhances Total Tyre Care Programme
Bridgestone has announced that its Total Tyre Care programme has been enhanced with the addition of three new customised tyre management and maintenance service packages, each adapted to the different needs of its customers. Introduced as part of a new comprehensive fleet management strategy unveiled at the IAA
“We are not here to sell tyres,” said Codron. “We’re here to sell solutions.” Codron then went on to talk on a theme which is currently at the forefront of the leading tyre manufacturers’ thinking at the moment, namely how to manage the three different customer sectors in the truck fleet market, these being the pure price buyer, the buyer
tyres, improve fuel efficiency and fleet safety, and boost the efficiency and productivity of their business.
In addition to the Monitoring Programme, the “Premium Tyre Maintenance Programme” provides a tailor-made, total tyre maintenance package designed to achieve the very best tyre performance by taking over the
task of tyre maintenance. A clear and comprehensive tyre policy and Key Performance Indicators focus on generating continuous improvements in maintenance activities, ensuring the customer’s tyres are always in good hands.
The “Elite Tyre Management Programme” allows TCO-oriented customers to
outsource their entire tyre and service requirements, ensuring the best possible service at all times and at any location. Customised service packages enable fleet owners to extract maximum value from their tyres together with the added convenience of predetermined pricing solutions. So they can focus entirely on their core business with total freedom and total peace of mind.
Also on display in Hannover was Bridgestone’s so-called ToolBox software application, which forms an integral part of the Total
Tyre Care programme.
ToolBox is a powerful yet user- friendly package of software- based solutions for tyre management, which allow the comprehensive and accurate collection, analysis and reporting of a wide range of tyre management data.
For example, the ToolBox suite enables users to follow tyre consumption and maintenance standards, monitor and compare performance levels/operating costs and implement comparative tyre trials, fuel optimisation practices and wear and damage reduction measures, thereby representing a powerful package of value-added solutions that can have a significant impact on the operational costs and competitiveness of any fleet.
Mat Wilkinson, Solution Business Europe, Bridgestone Europe commented; “Our goal is to provide fleet customers with first class products and services that improve both the efficiency of their day-to-day operations and their bottom line. Our ToolBox application is designed to empower our teams in the field with the tools and information they need to boost productivity and deliver great customer service.”
The application has been in use in Europe since October 2013 and is currently available in multiple languages. The Web version is fully compatible with all standard browsers (IE, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) while ToolBox Touch, the tablet version, runs as an application in Windows 8.
Commercial Vehicle exhibition in Hannover, the “Advanced Tyre Monitoring Programme”, “Premium Tyre Maintenance Programme” and “Elite Tyre Management Programme” will provide fleet owners with effective solutions to manage tyre-related costs, maximise their value and thereby reduce the total cost of ownership of their tyres throughout their entire lifetime.
The new updated package was introduced in Hannover by Michael Codron, Managing Director of Bridgestone Europe’s Commercial Business Unit, who spoke about the challenges currently being faced by today’s fleets. Fleet operating costs are increasing and will continue to do so, Codron pointed out. However, despite the rising costs, the price of transport has remained flat in recent years. The need to help fleets cope with this challenge is at the centre of the Total Tyre Care Programme. The actual tyre cost, he pointed out, is only 2-4% of total fleet operating costs. However tyres have an impact on 4-50% of a fleet’s costs – so proper pressure testing and the like can have a major impact on cost.
purchasing according to the best CPK, and the buyer concentrating on the best total cost of ownership (TCO). As a result Bridgestone is now following a customised approach to its Total Tyre Care programme by introducing three new levels of customised tyre management and maintenance service packages, each providing an effective solution adapted to the needs of every fleet:
The “Advanced Tyre Monitoring Programme” gives fleet owners the added peace of mind of regular fleet visits by Bridgestone tyre
professionals. Periodical assessments of the condition of the fleet’s tyres enable significant improvements in tyre maintenance by identifying the best products and services for each operation. As a consequence, fleet operators are able to maximise the usage of their
20 Commercial Tyre Business