Page 4 - CTB N14 - 2016-02

NEWS
CommercialTyre
Management
and Fleet Business
Guy Heywood
Hämmerling with Two Stands at Essen Show
and selected dealers. This will be designed and delivered by both the MAXAM Engineering and Sales teams.
Dave Dorrity, Managing Director, Kirkby Tyres (UK and Ireland) added: “We have been impressed with the product quality, value and support offered by the MAXAM team and its
manufacturing facilities. As part of this, the MAXAM OTR product range represents a great opportunity for us to add to the Kirkby portfolio of great value brands. We look forward to working with Martin and his team throughout the UK and Ireland, and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”
Truck Tyre Size Shift Continues, Reports Michelin
Hämmerling - The Tyre Company GmbH will exhibit from two stands at the specialist trade fair Reifen 2016 in Essen, Germany. On one stand the company will focus on its role as an Internationally active tyre wholesaler for all brands, sizes and alignments and its position as a high-performance partner specifically for the truck area. As a manufacturer of the Athos truck tyre brand, Talas steel wheels for trucks and truck trailers, and Sämm branded retreads, Hämmerling will also present its highlights and new products at a dedicated Athos trade fair stand. The two stands of the company are in hall 2.0/ 2D32 and 2D36.
Founded 37 years ago, the German company is now one of the important and leading tyre wholesalers in Europe – entirely family-owned. With a storage area of approx. 20,000 sqm, about 50,000 items continually in stock
and a dedicated logistics company in 11 sites, the company offers service to its customers via its 500 employees, online and around the clock on 365 days a year. The range covers all brands, from retreaded tyres from the company’s production to budget and premium tyres. Another strength is the ability to deliver small quantities on a Europe-wide basis.
Athos truck tyres are particularly characterised by a high running output, a look comparable to premium brands and a unique price-performance ratio. The company is presenting two important innovations in Essen: The first is the Athos-Eco tyre in size 385/65 R 22.5, which offers fuel savings of up to 0.50 l/100 km, and the second is a range of four Athos trailer sizes with eight profiles, with a carrying load increased by 500 kg to 5000 kg.
Michelin has reported that demand for truck tyres on the UK replacement market is continuing to show a steady shift to 315/70 R 22.5 fitments – driven by the growth of Euro VI registrations and operators realising the total cost of ownership benefits offered over traditional low aspect ratio 295/80 R 22.5 tyres.
The premium tyre manufacturer points to figures released by the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association which show the 295/80 R 22.5 – the long-time favourite of UK hauliers– has decreased its share of the UK's replacement market by 3 points since 2010. Meanwhile, over the same time scale, the 315/70 R 22.5 has increased its share by 3.4 points, and the 315/80 R 22.5 by 0.6 points. Michelin says this trend is strengthening year on year, with the 295/80 decreasing by 1 point between 2014 and 2015 and the 315/70 growing by 1.7 points – figures closely mirroring its own new tyre sales.
Guy Heywood, Commercial Director of Michelin Tyre plc, says: “More and more operators are realising that moving to 315/70
tyres can reduce their running costs and open access to the very latest generations of products, which tend to be developed in this size first due to its popularity across Europe.
“Our own surveys, and trials we've carried out in conjunction with truck manufacturers, have shown the benefits offered by 315/70 tyres – particularly in terms of fuel efficiency and tyre longevity. Now operators are experiencing these benefits in their own fleets too, it’s driving one of the most notable changes in tyre buying habits we’ve seen this side of the millennium.”
Michelin offers an extensive line- up of tyres in the most popular sizes, with its 315/70 R 22.5 range featuring the very latest technology used in tyre design and construction. The X Line Energy range combines optimum fuel-efficiency for long distance operations with great mileage potential, whilst its popular X MultiWay 3D tyres are designed for maximum mileage potential and traction on regional or national work, whilst still being very competitive on fuel.
Kirkby Tyres Appointed as UK and Ireland Distributor for MAXAM OTR Tyres
With immediate effect, MAXAM Tire International have appointed Liverpool-based Kirkby Tyres as their distributor for their Off-The- Road tyre range, covering both the UK and Ireland.
This appointment is an indirect consequence of a wide-ranging MAXAM strategic review – which also resulted in the relocation of their Global HQ to Birmingham and the appointment of Martin West as Managing Director. Mr West commented: “As we seek to drive forward the MAXAM business globally, and seek to raise the profile of the brand, it is imperative that we review and re- structure elements of our distribution channels. Kirkby are
a highly-regarded, well-respected professional distributor in this sector and an excellent company to partner with in this segment. We look forward to working closely with them over the coming months, developing brand- building programmes and growing MAXAM OTR market share.
These are exciting times for MAXAM – we are developing the range extensively, adding skill sets to our personnel and raising the profile of the brand – Kirkby’s appointment is a positive step in this direction.”
MAXAM will be prioritising the imminent delivery of an extensive training and education programme for Kirkby personnel
4 Commercial Tyre Business