A group of mobile technicians from ATS Euromaster will be working airside after winning a contract to inspect, fit and service tyres for TCR, provider of turnkey solutions for aviation ground support equipment.

The contract sees nearly 40 technicians from local ATS Euromaster centres working at nine of the UK’s largest airports on a routine basis, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Glasgow and East Midlands.

The technicians conduct comprehensive tyre safety inspections across a range of vehicles from push back tractors, which manoeuvre aircraft around the airport, to baggage tractors and trailers, plus specialist equipment built on regular truck and light commercial vehicle chassis. Once the monthly safety checks are completed ATS Euromaster compiles a report for TCR listing any service work needed, which is then completed by ATS Euromaster at the customer’s fully-equipped workshops, or at the vehicle parking zones within the secure areas of the airport.

In addition to performing monthly inspections the tyre expert also provides a rapid response service for TCR’s fleet of 2,000-plus vehicular assets. This ensures that if any ground handling vehicles or equipment suffers a tyre failure, ATS Euromaster will attend and have it back in service promptly, minimising downtime.

Simon Houlahan, managing director, at TCR, said: “Our fleet operates in some of the busiest airports across the UK, so we needed to find a reliable service partner with a national footprint and the ability to support us 24/7. There are few industries where the pressure to maintain service levels is as intense as in aviation; we’re focused on managing our downtime and optimising tyre performance with the help of ATS Euromaster’s strategic-level consultancy and tactical implementation.”

In order to service TCR, ATS Euromaster must comply with individual airport criteria, which includes airside-cleared technicians undertaking a specialist training course to receive an airport driving licence, allowing them to drive their mobile service vehicles which are granted access to the most sensitive parts of the airfield.

Houlahan added: “We’ve been really impressed with the quality of service provided by ATS Euromaster and their focus on health and safety, which is critical in the environment we’re working in. As we continue to expand our services to more airports we hope to build further on our relationship, tasking ATS Euromaster with the job of fulfilling all of our tyre fitting and servicing requirements.”

ATS Euromaster will fit an assortment of tyres across TCR’s fleet of more than 2,000 vehicles, many of which are high-value and specialist pieces of equipment. To support the contract, ATS Euromaster will hold specific tyre stock on the shelf in the centres closest to the nine airports – ranging from large earthmover tyres to small industrial fitments, ensuring it is always ready to respond in an instant.