Michelin is to implement a tyre policy on the fleet of tea company Ringtons.
The Newcastle-based firm will roll out a winter tyre policy for its fleet of 220 Volkswagen Caddy vans, following a trial during winter 2014/15 which demonstrated a clear improvement in mobility throughout the colder weather.
Commenting on the decision, operations manager of Ringtons, Stephen Killinger, said: “We serve up to 250,000 customers a year and we can’t let winter weather hold up our deliveries, so we were keen to see what difference winter rubber would make to our operation.
“The trial proved a resounding success; our drivers reported improved traction when accelerating, better grip in the corners and reduced stopping distances during winter conditions. Given the importance of our fleet and the crucial role our drivers play in our operation, introducing winter tyres for all vans has made perfect sense.
“Our drivers can make up to 150 drops a day, and our customers know we will deliver no matter what the conditions are outside. Winter tyres have given me further confidence in our ability to deliver and keep our drivers safe.”
Ringtons enjoys an extensive customer base, delivering tea, coffee, biscuits, gifts and homeware from 35 sites to homes throughout the UK, as well as supplying wholesalers, hotels, businesses and restaurants.The company switched to Michelin tyres six years ago.
Ringtons also maintains a fleet of 30 company cars, each specified with fuel-efficient Michelin Energy Saver+ tyres. Killinger says his own car travelled more than 46,000 miles before replacing his front two
Michelin tyres, and he doesn’t expect the rear tyres will need replacing for a further 12 months. Key to this efficiency and durability is Michelin’s Total Performance ethos – a commitment to constantly push the boundaries of tyre performance across a wide range of criteria.
