Bridgestone tyre management helps cut TCO
Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone has emphasised the role that a combination of tyre management solutions and premium tyre selection can play in terms of reducing total cost of ownership (TCO).
Premium tyres incorporate notable advances in tyre design, longevity, noise rating, performance and reduced rolling resistance, says the firm.
“Bridgestone believes that more and more fleet operators are seeing the long term benefits of partnering with a premium tyre supplier, as a wider package of savings can be offered, far exceeding the price of the tyre alone,” said Bridgestone commercial business director David Almazán (pictured, right).
“Bridgestone prides itself on being much more than a premium tyre manufacturer in the first place, describing itself as a mobility solutions provider with a commitment to lower total cost of ownership in a number of ways that budget brands can’t compete with.
“Its complete package of fleet commercial support is designed to provide maximum efficiency, convenience and sustainability, with a portfolio of solutions tailor-made to meet a fleet’s daily demands, whilst creating new social and customer value.”
The philosophy begins, says David, with the company’s premium Ecopia and Duravis truck tyres, “which offer superior fuel saving and CO2 reducing performance, which are hugely important characteristics for a fleet to factor in, many of which are placing a greater emphasis on reducing their carbon footprints.”
Bridgestone’s lowest cost of ownership mantra then continues with its retreading processes, which have been boosted with a multi-million-pound investment in recent months. Under the new ‘Bandag Hotread’ name, Bridgestone’s retread solutions are amongst some of the most advanced in the UK, says the company, featuring 17 new products being manufactured from its Bourne-based Bulldog plant.
“Bridgestone is also offering another game-changing solution that complements the rubber that rolls beneath a fleet, known as Fleetcare,” explained David.
“Fleetcare is a unique integrated tyre and fleet management solution that combines Bridgestone’s premium tyres and tyre management solutions with Webfleet. Within this, Bridgestone’s reporting systems and superior levels of management to reduce wastage to the benefit of the fleet is another compelling factor.
“The company boasts excellent reporting on damaged tyres and actively works to identify the root cause and corrective action of damage. It also focuses on pressures and mechanical issues to improve tyre life and fuel economy.
“All of these factors work together as a holistic package of support, designed to lower total cost of ownership.”
Bridgestone runs a pence per kilometre (PPK) scheme for fleets and reports that it continues to be popular, as it enables them to forecast better and manage cashflow more effectively.
“It also provides product and service guarantee,” said David.
“By going down a PPK route, Bridgestone is effectively guaranteeing the not only the product performance, but also the proactive service provision of its tyre providers.
“PPK can work better because of the type of service being offered, including a team of technicians who can come into a depot and deal with the tyres before the vehicles go out for the day.
“As always, Bridgestone’s opening approach is to talk about whole life costs including the benefit of tyres on new vehicles coming into the fleet. Bridgestone’s rates are comparable to the competition because its tyres are proven, premium performers.”
