Page 26 - CTB N16 - 2016-04

WHEELS
Alcoa Wheels Unveils Product Range Expansion
Motor Wheel Service Distribution Launches MWheels GmbH
Alcoa Wheels has widened its European product portfolio through the launch of wheels with the LvL ONE finish and Dura-Bright EVO surface treatment for the European
and trailers across Europe, helping customers carry more payload, save fuel and reduce maintenance costs,” said Randall Scheps, Vice President and General Manager Alcoa Wheel
Products Europe, Africa and Middle East.
Alcoa’s 17.5” X 6.75” low-deck trailer wheel has a maximum load of 3 tonnes and weighs only 13.7 kg, which is on average 41 percent lighter than steel wheels in the market. This represents a weight saving of 117 kg on a three-axle dual mounted low-deck trailer. As mentioned previously, Alcoa additionally revealed during their press conference at the IAA show in Hanover the introduction of the Ultra
ONETM wheel with MagnaForceTM alloy. Production is due to
start in early 2017 at their new facility in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. The Ultra ONETM wheel is a forged aluminium wheel made from Alcoa’s patented MagnaForceTM alloy, which is on average 17 percent stronger than the industry standard 6061 alloy. Further to this, it is corrosion- resistant and does not require stripping and repainting, and so therefore lowers maintenance and operating costs
“The new-to-Europe Ultra ONETM wheel with the MagnaForceTM alloy
is heavy-duty without the ‘heavy,’” said Merrick Murphy, Global President, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, at the product’s unveiling in Hanover. “Like all Alcoa Wheels, it gives our customers the ability to carry more payload, more efficiently and spend less on maintenance – it’s a win- win-win.”
The European Ultra ONETM wheel with MagnaForceTM alloy design is compatible with tyre pressure
monitoring systems. The maximum load
index has been increased from 4125 kg to 4250 kg. The unified rim horn allows for adhesive and clip-on weights. The Ultra ONETM 22.5” x 9.00” wheel with MagnaForceTM alloy is 7.5 percent lighter than the Company’s current 22.5” x 9.00” wheel.
UK-based Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) launched MWheels GmbH at the IAA 2016, as it looks to create strong retail ties to connect with the German aftermarket. The company displayed a selection of Xlite and Xbrite+ forged aluminium wheels, for which it owns exclusive European distribution rights, as well as
well as independent specialist truck tyre and wheel dealers, to develop close strategic and sustainable business relationships.”
“We want to work with companies and provide them with extensive technical training and services to support sales,” added MWSD technical director, Kevin Ryan. “By truly understanding a customer’s
Alcoa 22.5x9.00 Ultra ONE Dura-Bright
The MWheels Stand at the 66th IAA Show for Commercial Vehicles in Hanover
low deck trailer market. These products join the new-to-Europe Ultra ONETM wheel with the MagnaForceTM alloy, which were also released at the 66th IAA Commercial Vehicles trade show. LvL ONE wheels undergo a manufacturing and production process that enhances strength, gives the wheels greater brightness, cooler running temperatures and convenient flexibility. This is all whilst simultaneously minimising weight.
promote its Chevron brand of quality steel wheels. All products are TÜV marked for quality assurance.
The new limited liability company will officially commence trading on January 1st, 2017 and is currently securing headquarters in the Cologne region. Initially three-to-four jobs will be created, and the company is finalising warehouse and distribution logistics with a third-party provider. This market position and technical knowledge has seen the company lead a wheel safety campaign, which has resulted in commercial vehicle wheels being classed as safety critical items in the imminent EU Roadworthiness Act, which comes into force throughout Europe in May 2017. Following adoption by both the European Parliament and European Council the new law states ‘compatibility between parts and components, such as between wheels and wheel hubs, should be treated as a critical safety item and should be checked during roadworthiness testing’.
MWSD operations director, Matthew Mardle said: “The EU Roadworthiness Act comes into force in May 2017, and it’s our role to educate the market. To achieve this, we need to establish contact with networks and larger retail chains, as
operational requirements and the technical benefits of our Xlite and Xbrite+ forged aluminium wheels, or our Chevron steel wheels, a total solution can be reached to improve the financial performance and legal obligation of every business in the procurement chain.”
Xlite and Xbrite+, which are five times stronger and 40 percent lighter than the standard steel equivalent, are spin forged from a single aluminium billet, a manufacturing process using a CNC machine to produce a higher-degree of production accuracy and a truer running wheel.
Xlite is available in machined and polished finishes, while Xbrite+ goes through several automated treatment stages which permeate the metal deeper to deliver a wheel with the highest levels of corrosion resistance and shine. Wheels are available in 17.5, 19.5 and 22.5 inch sizes.
The ultimate advantages of operating with forged aluminium wheels including extra payloads, reduced diesel usage, decreased CO2 emissions and less wear on surrounding parts, including expensive components such as tyres and brakes.
Alcoa 22.5x9.00 Ultra ONE LvL ONE
Dura-Bright EVO is a patented surface treatment that unlike other coatings does not chip, crack, peel or corrode. Dura-Bright EVO wheels keep their shine and do not require costly maintenance.
“Alcoa is proud that our light, strong, reliable wheels are on trucks, buses
26 Commercial Tyre Business
CommercialTyre
Management
and Fleet Business