Fleet operators are being urged to place winter tyre orders with Kwik-Fit Fleet by the end of September and ensure the tyres are fitted to vehicles during October to guarantee availability.

Following unprecedented corporate sector demand for winter tyres last year, Kwik-Fit Fleet has ordered 200,000 winter tyres this year - four-times more than last year - worth £20 million at retail prices to meet anticipated orders from public and private sector fleets.

Additionally, Kwik-Fit Fleet has established a winter tyre hotline - 0330 1231567 - and email address - fleetcst@kwik-fit.com - through which fleet operators can place their winter tyres order. The tyres will then be ring-fenced for customers on the basis that they are fitted by the end of next month.

As last year, Kwik-Fit Fleet is offering a ‘hotel’ facility that sees it remove, pack, label and store each company car and van’s summer tyres in its National Distribution Centre for £10 per tyre per season. In the spring, the summer tyres will be returned to each customer’s centre of choice for fitment with the winter tyres removed and stored until required again.

Kwik-Fit Fleet sales director Peter Lambert said: “Meteorologists are already warning that the first harsh winter weather could arrive next month. As a result, we are recommending that winter tyres should be fitted to vehicles from the end of September or in the first half of October and remain in place until the end of March.”