Belfast-based FJM Logistics will more than halve the number of tyres it fits across its 37-strong van fleet over the next 12 months following a move to Michelin Agilis CrossClimate tyres.
The business, which delivers up to 5,000 parcels per day, previously ran a predominantly budget tyre policy and was seeing tread wear of up to 2mm per week recorded on its front axle tyres.
Managing director Fraser Orr turned to Michelin for advice, which arranged for the fleet to trial two sets of 225/65 R16 Michelin Agilis CrossClimate all-season tyres on a pair of 3.5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, organised through local dealer, Charles Hurst Fast Fit.
The tyres averaged 9,705 miles on the front axle in the trials, with no punctures or damage recorded. This compared with 4,104 miles for the firm’s budget tyre of choice, and 5,962 miles for a rival premium brand occasionally fitted.
The business has now switched to the new tyres and is on track for reduced spend as well as improvements in admin time and increased sustainability.
Fraser Orr explained: “We are paying more per tyre with Michelin, but we’re fitting far fewer tyres. We’ve done the calculations and it has reduced our tyre spend, and that’s before we factor in the improvements in uptime. Plus, there’s the environmental savings too, as fitting fewer tyres is reducing both our carbon footprint and consumption of raw materials.”
FJM is also expecting to see operational benefits this winter.
“With the Agilis CrossClimate tyres being an all-season fitment, we are confident they will help us to keep our deliveries on track when we get snow and ice. Being able to deliver, whatever the weather, will be hugely advantageous – particularly as our workload intensifies in winter,” added Orr.
