Animal feed wholesaler Armstrong Richardson is moving its 50-strong truck fleet to a Michelin new and Remix tyre policy after a side-by-side comparison projected savings of £60,000 a year.

The company ran the trial following a visit to Michelin’s retread factory in Stoke-on-Trent, pitting a set of Michelin Remix X Multi D tyres against a competitor’s new fitment on two Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor units.

While the Michelins remain in service and are expected to achieve more than 200,000km after a regroove, the other manufacturer’s tyres had to be removed at 134,000km.

With the same Michelin policy rolled out across the fleet, projections showed Armstrong Richardson, along with its sister company C&C Horse Transport, will save more than £17,000 a year in tyre costs as a result of fitting fewer tyres.

It is also expected to save a further £43,000 a year in fuel through the improved rolling resistance of the Michelin X Multi range.

Steve Whitehead, transport manager at Armstrong Richardson, says: “This is our first experience with Michelin and we’ve noticed a huge difference in pretty much all areas of performance – the Michelin tyres have given us complete peace of mind that our fleet is running more safely and efficiently.”

Under the policy, Armstrong Richardson’s worn tyres are returned to Michelin’s UK retread factory for remanufacture as Michelin Remix tyres.

For each casing returned and accepted for Remix, the firm receives a credit in its casing bank – allowing it to fit a Remix when one of its vehicles needs a replacement tyre.

Once the new and Remix tyres reach 3-4mm of remaining tread they will be removed and regrooved by the local Tructyre ATS technician.

This process extends each tyre’s life by around 25% in its most fuel-efficient state.

Picture caption: From left, Gary Scott, truck sales account manager, Michelin; Edward Lamb, regional account manager, Michelin; Steve Whitehead, national transport manager, Armstrong Richardson; Jamie Courtnage, area sales manager, Tructyre ATS.