Page 28 - CTB N15 - 2016-03

AGRICULTURAL
Farmers Go for Firestone Tyre-Pressure App
and covers the whole of East Anglia for agricultural and commercial vehicle tyre advice and support. The company, operating from its site in Elmswell, Bury St Edmunds, employs six technicians certified for agricultural work and runs a fleet of six mobile service vans. A 24/7 breakdown service is on offer to farmers during peak farming periods, such as harvest time.
Prior to qualifying for Exelagri status the dealer had to pass an independent 48-point quality audit, which looks at key aspects of the
business, from the cleanliness of the workshop and the standard of equipment used, to levels of staff training and the quality of advice given to its customers.
Mark Bond, Director at K&M Tyres, says: “We’re thrilled to have yet again earned Michelin’s stamp of approval. Having this industry- recognised standard further demonstrates to our customers, who associate Michelin with professionalism, that one of the world’s biggest brands is willing to give us their backing.”
Farmers across Europe have been downloading the Firestone smartphone tyre-pressure calculator application, with more than 43,000 downloads since the launch of the
new Firestone Maxi Traction 65 tyre, which offers longer tyre life and lower operating costs to owners of medium-sized tractors.
Operating a tractor on the correct tyre pressure is important for farmers. The wrong pressure shortens tyre life and can increase soil compaction, which reduces crop yield.
Many farmers over-inflate their tyres to compensate for the bulge that occurs at the bottom of a large radial. Unfortunately, this habit also reduces tyre life and increases soil compaction. “Firestone’s phone app solves this problem by enabling farmers to correctly match inflation pressure to the load, helping them to improve farm efficiency” says Mark Sanders, General Manager Agricultural Tyre Sales Europe, Bridgestone Europe, “and it does this in a fast, easy way that is friendly for the user and the environment.”
The Firestone app is also useful when farmers change activity during the day – for example between field work and road transport – helping them maximise tyre life and safety by adjusting to the recommended tyre pressure.
The Firestone tyre-pressure calculator app is available in IOS and Android in English, French, German, Dutch, Italian and Spanish languages across Europe.
CommercialTyre
Management
and Fleet Business
Mitas Earns Recognition as a John Deere “Partner-Level Supplier”
Agricultural tyre manufacturer Mitas has earned recognition as a Partner- level supplier in the John Deere Achieving Excellence Programme. The Partner-level status is Deere & Company’s highest supplier rating. The Prague based company was selected for the honour in recognition of its dedication to providing products and service of outstanding quality as well as its commitment to continuous improvement. Company employees accepted the recognition during formal ceremonies held on 13 April 2016 in Zweibrücken, Germany. Mitas is a supplier of radial agricultural tyres to John Deere’s operation in Europe, Russia, United States and Mexico.
“Mitas has received the Partner-level award five times since 2004,” said Jaroslav Čechura, Mitas’ CEO. Mitas supplies radial agricultural tyres to John Deere factories in Mannheim
and Zweibrücken in Germany, Domodedovo in Russia, Waterloo and Augusta in the United States and Saltillo in Mexico.
“The Partner-level award from John Deere is an important acknowledgment of the quality of Mitas tyres and moreover the service beyond the product provided by the Mitas team,” added Lutz Rose, Mitas' key account manager for John Deere.
Suppliers who participate in the Achieving Excellence programme are evaluated annually in several key performance categories, including quality, cost management, delivery, technical support and wavelength, which is a measure of responsiveness. John Deere Supply Management created the programme in 1991 to provide a supplier evaluation and feedback process that promotes continuous improvement.
The Firestone App reading tyre pressures
service in 2011. This is accounted for by almost 21,000 to IOS iPhones and other Apple devices, and over 22,000 to Android smartphone users.
Firestone now expects this demand to continue to grow with the inclusion of pressure data for the
K&M Tyres Joins Michelin’s Partnership Network
Obo Banden Appointed
Magna Tyres Distributor
Suffolk-based K&M Tyres has earned Michelin’s seal of approval for its agricultural tyre work, becoming the latest member of Michelin’s Exelagri dealer partnership programme. The Michelin Exelagri dealer network was created in 2004 and boasts almost 800 farm tyre specialists selected by
Michelin across Europe – including 47 across the UK and Republic of Ireland. As part of the programme Michelin pledges to support its members with tools and services such as City & Guilds accredited training courses.
K&M Tyres was established in 2005
for Benelux
Following the launch of the new agricultural tyre line for tractors by Magna Tyres, OBO Banden has announced that it has become the brand’s exclusive distributor for the Benelux.
The new radial tractor tyre from Magna Tyre is designed according to the latest technology for modern tractors and available in 21 sizes, spread over 3 section heights 85, 70 and 65 and for applications of 40 km or 50 km per hour. The high- quality tractor tyre line is a welcome addition to the ever-growing range of new, used and retreaded tyres plus accessories marketed by the Dutch retreader.
Pictured are Michael de Ruijter from Magna Tyres Group and Herman
Hutten from OBO Banden signing the contract.
28 Commercial Tyre Business