Stoke-on-Trent, March 28, 2017
Michelin CrossClimate+ tyres are helping NHS Blood and Transplant to deliver life-saving blood to hospitals and donation equipment for blood donor sessions, after the service selected the unique summer tyre with full winter capabilities for its 45 Ford Focus Estate rapid response vehicles.
The adoption of a CrossClimate+ policy is the first-time in the organisation’s history that NHS Blood and Transplant has nominated a preferred brand and tread pattern of tyre, reflecting Michelin’s unique position in the marketplace. It follows an extensive viability trial which also required endorsement from Fraikin, the sole fleet management provider.
Larry Bannon, National Fleet Manager at NHS Blood and Transplant, says: “When we get a call we have to deliver regardless of the weather conditions. Not reaching our destination because our tyres have let us down simply isn’t an option. If we don’t get there with our vital blood supplies, lives are at stake.”
Commenting on the tyres’ launch, he says: “I was intrigued by the idea of one tyre being capable of handling all weather conditions. We organised some test sets and the feedback from our drivers was universally positive, with particular praise for the superior handling and traction.”
Key to Fraikin’s decision to permit the new tyres as standard fitments was access to real-life test data from within the fleet which showed them to deliver at least the same mileage and performance as the existing tyres found on the fleet, despite the added winter capability.
NHS Blood and Transplant previously operated a mixed-manufacturer summer tyre policy, replacing original equipment tyres like-for-like once worn. Each Focus Estate travels an average of 35,000 miles each year, and is on standby 24/7 to deliver everything from blood, blood products, tissue and samples to hospitals across England. The fleet also completes more than eight ‘blue light’ journeys per day, every day.
Bannon adds: “We’ve never needed dedicated winter tyres because the primary routes to hospitals are the first to be gritted or cleared of snow. However it’s reassuring to know that we can now count on our CrossClimate+ tyres to keep us moving should we face unexpected weather, or journeys on untreated roads.”
Michelin CrossClimate+ tyres are ideally suited to the UK’s often unpredictable weather. The tyres offer the benefits of a summer tyre for dry or wet braking, energy efficiency and total mileage, as well as the braking performance and traction of a winter tyre.
The complete Michelin CrossClimate range now features CrossClimate tyres in 14-inch fitments, CrossClimate+ tyres in 15- to 18-inches, and CrossClimate SUV tyres in 16- to 19-inches. By the end of 2017, Michelin will offer CrossClimate tyres in 95 sizes, with further expansion to come.
NHS Blood and Transplant was established in October 2005 from the merger of the National Blood Service and UK Transplant. Its multi-award winning 360-strong fleet of cars and commercial vehicles is responsible for connecting precious altruistic donations with patients across England.
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Michelin, the leading tyre company, is dedicated to sustainably improving the mobility of goods and people by manufacturing, distributing and marketing tyres for every type of vehicle. It also offers innovative business support services, digital mobility services and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, has 112,300 employees and operates 68 production plants in 17 countries. The Group also has a Technology Centre, responsible for research and development, with operations in Europe, North America and Asia. (www.michelin.com)
For further press information please contact:
David Johnson, Michelin Press Office
Tel: + 44 (0) 1782 402341 Email: d.johnson@michelin.com
Andy Hemphill or Beth Laws, Garnett Keeler PR, Inver House, 37-39 Pound Street,
Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3PG
Tel: +44 (0)20 8647 4467 E-mail: andy.hemphill@garnettkeeler.com or beth.laws@garnettkeeler.com
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