News from the RMA and its Members

Bandvulc Invests £¼ Million in Second-Generation Tyre Management System

Bandvulc Tyres has committed £1/4 million to upgrading its current tyre management system with the aim of its second generation, semi-intelligent reporting software giving customers real time information over the internet. The move follows the announcement that Bandvulc is to bring much of its software developing expertise in-house and also coincides with the extension of Bandvulc Tyre Contracts (BTC) reach across Europe, with Benelux being added to its coverage of Spain, France and Germany.

"With BTC managing over 250,000 truck wheels a year, it's vital that we have the ability to constantly evolve in line with our customer's changing requirements and modify and update our reporting systems on a daily basis for their benefit". Says Richard O'Connell, sales and marketing director, Bandvulc Tyres. "Bringing our software expertise in-house will enable us to do that effectively whilst our investment in the system itself will ensure we continue to provide accurate, up to date information quicker than before so that our customers can make the maximum out of each km driven." He adds.

Targeted at both accountants and fleet managers alike, BTC offers a comprehensive package of tools, aimed at simplifying the complex issues of tyre management and provides real cost and time savings.

Christian Salvesen uses BTC to manage its operations in the UK, Benelux and France. This equates to the management of some 5,000 pieces of equipment. "The main benefit of using Bandvulc is its independence. It provides us with a managed service, which isn't exclusive to its own manufactured product. This gives us the ability to choose the manufacturer we wish to use as well as the opportunity to use multiple service providers, where appropriate," comments Steve Mercer, Group Fleet Services and Procurement Director for Christian Salvesen.

The tailor made BTC service stems from an agreed tyre policy that is continually safeguarded by the Bandvulc team with a special mix of resources and manpower. Integral to this mix is a means of measuring and monitoring the performance of the system to ensure accountability, best practice and value for money. For the fleet manager, BTC provides a full tyre management package that provides accurate, usable, and easy to read information, whenever it is needed. Bespoke monthly reports include tyre performance monitoring, fleet audits, casing and distributor performance management as well as cost per km figures for individual fleets, vehicles and contracts. For the accountant, BTC also provides a self-financing service, taking over the whole tyre budget with centralised invoicing, operation and administration. (Feb 05)

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