Page 12 - CTB N12 - 2015-04

NEWS
L.E. Jones on the Right Road with Bridgestone
generation regional tread pattern, which offers a strong combination of fuel efficiency and mileage performance, plus an improved resistance to accidental shoulder damage. Trailers will benefit from Michelin’s sturdy X Multi T tyres. Michelin solutions adopted a joint approach to Morgan McLernon’s EFFITIRES programme alongside local service provider A One Tyres, a Michelin Durable Partner, which will remain responsible for
supporting the company’s fleet. Founded in 1970, Morgan McLernon specialises in ambient, chilled and frozen produce distribution throughout the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe using a fleet of dry freight and temperature-controlled assets. The firm counts big-name supermarkets Aldi, Lidl and Tesco among its customers, as well as global logistics provider DHL.
One of the largest independent haulage companies in Wales is on the right road to significant tyre savings after agreeing a fleet agreement with Bridgestone. The world’s largest tyre manufacturer has responded to the needs of
consultant Lee Christian said the secret to the fleet win could be found in the bespoke levels of service guaranteed for L.E. Jones, including customised reporting to provide a clear breakdown on costs and maintenance at all
times.
He said: “We are thrilled to be working with L.E. Jones, who we have been in close dialogue with for some time now.
“Our flexible approach to meet their specific needs seemed to resonate during discussions, which was
really encouraging.
“In addition, our premium product also played a critical part in the eventual decision. The feedback we received was that the M729 and RS01 were top performing products. A big difference was reported in both the wet and dr y, which also worked in our favour.”
Omission of Funding from Chancellor’s Statement Threatens to ‘Put the Brakes on the Economic Recovery’
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is extremely disappointed that, once again, the Chancellor has failed to address the urgent need for £150 million to fund truck driver training and considers the omission to be a threat to economic recovery. RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “Our industry is suffering a chronic shortage of 45,000-50,000 drivers. This is jeopardising supply chains and threatens to put the brakes on the economic recovery. This crisis will only get worse as 1 in 5 of the current HGV workforce will reach retirement age in the next 10 years. “We are doubly disappointed as we have figures that clearly show the £150 million would be more than recouped through taxes paid by the new drivers. The new driving jobs created by this funding would generate additional income tax, National Insurance, and up to an extra £275 million in fuel duty revenue due to the extra truck miles driven. In addition, the extra investment in UK skills would reduce the industry’s reliance on drivers from abroad, which the
RHA estimates leads to approximately £180 million per annum being sent back to drivers’ home countries. This is money that would otherwise be spent in the UK, supporting employment, generating VAT and boosting UK growth.”
“The Chancellor holds the future of the industry in his hands. By supplying £150 million of funding for driver training he can kick-start a swift and effective reversal in the rapid decline of this essential service industry’s vital skills base. “Despite the news that no funding is to be made available today, we shall continue to press our case until a satisfactory outcome is
reached. We will continue to step up our lobbying in the weeks ahead. For UK hauliers and for the entire UK economy, time is running out.”
In addition, the RHA notes confirmation of an apprenticeship levy rate of 0.5 per cent. Richard Burnett continued: “At present, this industry has no apprenticeship for lorry drivers, the main employment category for transport firms. A third Trailblazer bid is under consideration by the Business Department.
“It is essential that we get a driver apprenticeship, otherwise the levy
is simply a tax on payroll. An apprenticeship without funding for the core element of training ahead of the HGV driving test would be largely meaningless. That is what would happen under current Business Department policy - a policy that makes no sense. “Training for the test lies at the core of any haulage driver apprenticeship and sets the quality platform for the apprenticeship as a whole and the RHA is calling on skills minister Nick Boles to accept that truth and to scrap the opposition to funding driver training.”
RHA chief executive Richard Burnett
L.E. Jones with a holistic package of support within its Total Tyre Care provision of services.
The premium M729 regional tyre will be used predominantly on 25 units and 50 trailers along with the RS01 (front steers), which were seen as perfect products - in the correct sizes - for the company’s transportation work. Bridgestone’s commercial fleet
Morgan McLernon Signs up to EFFITIRES
Chilled and frozen food transportation specialist Morgan McLernon has signed up its 530 commercial vehicle assets to EFFITIRES by Michelin solutions. The new price-per-kilometre (PPK) deal covers the company’s fleet of DAF, MAN, Renault, Scania and Volvo tractor units. The firm’s mixed fleet of Chereau, Gray & Adams, Montracon and Schmitz
Cargobull trailers is also covered, as are the company’s rigid trucks. The agreement replaces a previous arrangement which saw Morgan McLernon operating a mixed tyre policy through a local service provider.
The company’s fleet will fit Michelin X MultiWay 3D XDE drive and XZE all-position tyres – the manufacturer’s latest
12 Commercial Tyre Business