EMAP Automotive, the parent company of Fleet News and Fleet NewsNet, practised what it preaches last week with a tyre check on all its company cars in an exercise that extended to employees' privately-owned cars.

The two-day programme, in association with sister division Emap Active, saw the tyres of more than 800 cars checked for their tread depth and any sidewall damage by ATS Euromaster.

The fast-fit specialist brought a fleet of mobile tyre-fitting vans to the Emap car park, with employees given advance notice to request checks on their own cars. Each car checked received a certificate identifying whether its tyres were safe, or whether they required remedial action. For the company car fleet, ATS notified the company's fleet manager and authorisation was sought from the relevant leasing company to change the tyre, with much of the work carried out on the day in the car park. Drivers of privately-owned cars were notified of any work required, and then had the choice of appointing ATS to do the work or of taking their cars to their preferred fast-fit outlet.

Debbie Floyde, Emap Automotive fleet manager, said the tyre check initiative carried a strong health and safety message.

'Health and safety is a very important issue for all employees and we have coincided this tyre check with the launch of our new company car policy which has a specific health and safety section,' she said.

As part of an ongoing programme, ATS will visit the Emap car park on a regular basis to check the tyres and carry out requested work. Drivers can even book work via the web.

The initiative ties in with a major push by ATS to develop its mobile service and deliver convenience to time-pressed employees. It believes mobile tyre services could account for 50% of its fleet business within the next three years, and plans to launch a fully centralised tyre fitting service early in 2003.