Page 32 - CTB N16 - 2016-04

NEWS EXTRA
CommercialTyre
Management
and Fleet Business
Hankook Celebrates
the Opening of its
New Global R&D Centre
Hankook Tire have announced the opening of ‘Hankook Technodome’, a new central R&D center in Daejeon, Korea. The Hankook Technodome aims to show the
centre.
The R&D centre has introduced a Driving Simulation system as well as a SPMM (Suspension Parameter Measuring Machine) to carry out
The Hankook Technodome is the result of approximately 220 Million Euros worth of investment.
FUELMAX on the routes selected by Marcotran, the company could save a total of €964 per vehicle per year. However, the high mileage that the KMAX tyres gave, showed that in applications where mileage is the main performance criteria this tyre
could be a preferred choice. The resulting feedback from the Marcotran’s trials highlighted that the FUELMAX and KMAX brands contribute to reducing Total Cost of Ownership to fleets.
Celebrations Mark Pro-Align’s 25th Anniversary
A day of celebrations were held on the 1st October for staff at Pro-Align in Towcester, who gathered at the company’s HQ to mark its 25th anniversary.
The day began with the unveiling of a new slate sign outside the company’s offices with further presentations throughout the day, including the gift of a 25th anniversary decanter and 1991 bottle of vintage port for each member of staff, to mark their contribution to the firm’s growth and success.
Retaining the nostalgic theme, Pro- Align’s aftersales team even recommissioned one of the first wheel alignment systems that the company ever sold back in 1991. “From small beginnings in 1991 with just five employees, we entered an aftermarket not only in recession, but at a time where four-wheel alignment was a ‘dust-gathering’ and forgotten service,” commented Paul Beaurain, managing director, Pro- Align.
“Starting out was certainly a challenge that we relished. However, having spent 25 years promoting
wheel alignment through education, to the trade and motorists alike, it’s gratifying to see how drivers are now asking for Hunter wheel alignment servicing and how workshops are embracing the business opportunities available.”
Today, Pro-Align has grown to be one of the most recognisable and respected names in the aftermarket with its Hunter systems being used by most major vehicle manufacturers, franchise dealerships, independent workshops, tyre shops and bodyshops. In line with its ethos of education, the firm’s systems are even used by many further education colleges and the company has played an active role in the Skills Show since 2012
Workshops looking to share Pro- Align’s success from wheel alignment servicing are being encouraged to enter the company’s 25th anniversary competition where one lucky business will win a Hunter PA200 alignment system. To find out more and enter the competition simply visit: www.pro-align.co.uk/win.
company’s commitment to R&D innovation, and will act as a core part of the company’s global R&D infrastructure.
Hankook Technodome, designed by Foster + Partners, an architectural firm founded by Sir Norman Foster, represents a total investment of KRW 266.4 billion (an equivalent of approx. 220 Million EURO). The R&D centre stands on a floor space of 96,328 square metres, with a 6 floor R&D building and a residence building consisting of 8 floors, equipped with employee accommodation that includes a gym, medical clinics, cafés and a day-care
virtual tests and record digital results. At the Hankook Technodome, the company will look to showcase future technology which integrates eco-friendly material, new material development and simulation technology, as well as networking technology.
Mr. Seung Hwa Suh, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hankook Tire said, “Hankook Technodome is equipped with the high tech facilities and the optimal work environment to strengthen our global competitiveness through innovation.”
Marcotran Tests Prove Goodyear Savings
Spanish haulier Marcotran is claimed to have proved the savings that Goodyear FUELMAX and KMAX truck tyres offer. Comparative tests run internally by Marcotran show that on certain routes almost €1,000 per vehicle per year can be saved by using FUELMAX tyres, whilst the high mileage offered by KMAX tyres makes them more economical on other routes.
Marcotran is a Spanish international freight company, whose pan- European fleet comprises about 700 trucks and 1,200 trailers, with routes varying from regional runs to international runs between Spain and Russia. The fleet currently uses mainly Goodyear’s low rolling resistance FUELMAX truck tyres. However, Marcotran wanted to discover the difference that using Goodyear’s mileage-optimised KMAX tyres could make.
Estimated mileage for the KMAX tyres averaged about 240,000 km for
the drive tyres and 450,000 km for the trailer tyres. The FUELMAX tyres fluctuated around 220,000 km for the drive tyres and 350,000 km for the trailer tyres. This resulted in possible savings for KMAX tyres in relation to mileage of €287.70 per year per vehicle compared with the FUELMAX tyre combination, following calculations based on an annual mileage of 150,000 km, a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm and a fuel price of €0.70 per litre. Fuel consumption with the FUELMAX tyres was 30.38 litres/100km and 31.58 for the KMAX combination, representing an annual saving in fuel costs of €1,252 with FUELMAX tyres compared to KMAX based on findings by Macrotran. This illuminated the comparative savings in terms of mileage that the KMAX tyres offered and the fuel savings thanks to the FUELMAX tyres.
The conclusion was that by using
32 Commercial Tyre Business