The strength of ATS Euromaster's nationwide rapid response service has helped to
secure a new agreement to fit tyres across Acumen's 40-strong fleet of car
transporters. It puts each of the company's drivers a single call away from
roadside assistance in the event of a tyre-related breakdown, 24 hours a day,
seven days a week.
Prior to appointing ATS Euromaster, Acumen sourced tyres for its Automotive
Division from a local independent tyre dealer, which would coordinate requests
for roadside assistance via other independent agents.
"This proved fairly hit and miss," says Barry Raybould, Fleet Manager at
Northampton-based Acumen. "By appointing ATS Euromaster we have access to the
single largest fleet of mobile support vehicles in the tyre industry. It means
our drivers can get rapid assistance at the roadside, regardless of their
location or the time of day."
Acumen is also combining the appointment of ATS Euromaster with the move to a
100 per cent Michelin-based policy, with consistency of brand fitment a key
factor in its decision to appoint a national supplier.
"Dealing with different local agents meant there was no consistency in the tyre
brand being fitted. In contrast, every ATS Euromaster service centre and rapid
response vehicle has immediate access to our agreed policy. So if a driver
calls in with a puncture from the roadside, the mobile technician should arrive
with the exact replacement tyre already loaded in his van," he adds.
Acumen is also trialling 'Euromaster Inspector', ATS Euromaster's electronic
tyre inspection service which is designed to ensure safety and compliance. It
sees monthly tyre safety checks carried out across the fleet to record each
tyre's condition and tread depth. Once completed, the data is automatically
sent to both Acumen and the local ATS Euromaster centre, advising of any
remedial action required and the agreed timescale for completion. It also
provides a system for checking that service work has been completed and signed
off.
Acumen Logistics Group has recently completed two strategic acquisitions to
further increase its penetration into the automotive logistics sector. This saw
it acquire Auto UK Logistics in June 2009, followed by Grayston Automotive UK in
January 2010.
Acumen delivers finished vehicles on behalf of a number of manufacturers and
auction houses. This includes contracts to deliver export Land Rover vehicles
to UK ports of exit, using a fleet of trailers designed specifically for the
transportation of large 4x4s. It also carries out a significant volume of work
for customers including Toyota and Manheim.