Rotala has extended its partnership with Michelin by signing a new five-year Effitires contract with Michelin Services and Solutions. It will cover the group’s 650-strong fleet of buses, along with 50 minibuses, across four subsidiaries: Diamond Bus, Diamond Bus North West, Hallmark Connections and Preston Bus.
Under the Effitires contract, Michelin will supply Rotala predominantly with X InCity fitments. That includes the new 275/70 R22.5 X InCity EV Z, which has been designed for electric vehicles but also suits diesel buses on both urban and suburban routes. The latest-generation X Multi Z and D tyres will be fitted to some of Rotala’s smaller single-deck buses and Agilis CrossClimate will be supplied for the operator’s minibus fleet.
Michelin has been Rotala’s exclusive tyre supplier since 2016. Says Rotala CEO Simon Dunn: “We have a long working relationship with Michelin. The product is excellent and the durability of the tyres is second to none. We regard Michelin very much as the premier tyre manufacturer in the market. It is exactly the type of brand we want to be associated with.
“The team at Michelin have a superb hands-on approach. Their support over the past five years has been invaluable and we are very pleased to be extending our partnership.”
As part of the contract, Michelin will supply its Remix brand of retreaded tyres, many of which are produced in Stoke-on-Trent. The policy also includes regrooving for all tyres of 17.5in and above. Together, those actions will help to substantially reduce the use of raw materials and cut CO2 emissions.
Adds Simon: “Michelin continues to show its dedication to sustainable mobility, which is also a fundamental principle for us at Rotala. We are continually looking for ways to reduce the carbon emissions of our fleet, and the proven fuel efficiency and mileage qualities of Michelin’s products play an important part in that.”
