Tyre manufacturer Apollo Vredestein has been selected as tyre supplier of choice by Lowland Rescue and Kent Central Ambulance services.

Vredestein’s Quatrac 5 all-season car tyres and Comtrac 2 all-season van tyres, already chosen by Medi 4’s fleet, as well as the newest winter tyre, Wintrac Pro, are now being used by national charity Lowland Rescue. It has 36 teams of more than 1,800 volunteers and 85 vehicles across the UK, specialising in life-saving services from ‘Search’ to ‘Water Rescue’. 

“When time is of the essence, and great distances are covered, it is important to rely on tyres which will not let our vehicles and volunteers down, perform in all kinds of weather, and last the course,” said Séamus Kearns, search operations manager at Lowland Rescue.

Kent Central Ambulance Service’s fleet has similar requirements. In 2018, it trialled both Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season and the Apollo Altrust summer tyres.

It has now adopted Apollo as the main brand, having been impressed with the tyres’ safety and performance. Vredestein Comtrac 2 All Season tyres have been selected for the services’ European repatriation vehicles. 

“We were looking for maximum performance, longevity and cost-efficiency,” said Nigel Patton, Kent Central Ambulance Service managing director. “The trial showed us that Apollo Vredestein had the perfect combination, matching our criteria.” 

Ricky Mitchell, Apollo Vredestein fleet manager, explained: “Our strategy, which has been in place for the last year or so, is to create partnerships with those fleets which provide emergency services across the UK, because Apollo Vredestein’s product range fulfils their need for highly reliable tyres in all circumstances.

“It is a strategy which is paying off, as fleets are won over by our tyres’ performance in trials.”