Ashcourt Group has cut its running costs by 20% after developing a tyre management strategy with local Continental tyres dealer, Adams Tyres.

Having previously used economy tyres, the move to Continental was initially more costly but reportedly saved Ashcourt Group money.

Ashcourt’s transport manager Ian Donkin said: "They cost a little more than the budget/economy tyres, as you’d expect, but they are much better.

“I am confident the move to Continental has saved us a good 20% in terms of tyre costs and associated downtime.”

Today’s Ashcourt fleet is fit with Continental Tyres’ hybrid range.

However, a departure from standard fitting behaviour comes with Ian Donkin’s decision to run Conti Hybrid HSC1 tyres on the steer axles, with ContiRe HDC1 tyres on drive axles across the tippers, hook-loaders, tankers, mixers and skip elements of his fleet.

He said: “On our on/off road fleet, we know we are going to be operating on a wide range of surfaces, from the quite rough to the really extreme.

“The maximum impact of these conditions always falls on the drive axles, so we anticipate greatest wear and potential for punctures on those, even with Conti tyres in place.

"For that reason, I decided to go with the ContiRe retread products."

In addition Donkin recently joined the ContiCasingManagement programme. “Adams Tyres take away all our worn casings and we receive credit towards ContiRe tyres, as and when we take them,” said Donkin.

“Continental Tyres recognises that even worn Continental Truck Tyres have a value. So, through the local dealer, they take care of the complete casing handling: collection, inspection, purchasing, retreading and proper disposal, if necessary. It’s good for us and it has to be good for the environment as well.

“In addition to our normal daily drivers’ checks on tyres, the Adams team come in every Saturday afternoon when the fleet is back in the yard and run a full check for uneven wear, damage and any other problems.

“This is a key element of the safety aspect of our tyre selection. We need to be fully compliant to ensure we meet our O Licence demands, but we also recognise our broader social responsibilities to our staff and the wider public. Good tyres in good condition are a vital part of that.”