FAN met Travis and his team from Mobile Tyre Shop at the 2017 Australasian Fleet Conference and Exhibition. They are changing the way fleets and consumers look at tyres with the help of technology.
FAN: You were at the 2017 Australasian Fleet Conference and Exhibition. Are fleets a market you are trying to reach?
Travis: We are 100% focussed on the fleet market. Our service model is ideally suited to fleets by providing the fleet manager with accurate reporting and a convenient onsite service. In a recent case study we have shown that with our 3D laser tyre audits and mobile onsite servicing we have been able to reduce one customer’s tyre costs by more than 20%.
FAN: How long has your business been operating?
Travis: We have been providing services to B2C for the last five years and have recently moved into the B2B market.
FAN: Where are you based and how many vans do you have?
Travis: We are presently based in Melbourne though will be launching Sydney & Brisbane 3rd Quarter this year. We will have 14 vans operational at this point with another 22 vans planned to roll out next financial year.
FAN: How often do you find bald tyres on fleet vehicles?
Travis: Even with well managed fleets we are often surprised by the condition of the tyres we see. In a recent survey it was revealed 89% of drivers don’t know the minimum legal tread depth. Drivers don’t check their tyres. With the increase in vehicle service intervals this leads to cars travelling greater distances on unsafe tyres.
FAN: What are the benefits for organisations when they use your mobile tyre services?
Travis: We provide the fleet manager with four key benefits:
Reduce Costs – Tyres generally account for 1/3 of a fleet manager’s maintenance budget. Changing tyres too early can lead to cost blowouts. 3D tyre scanning allows us to diagnose tyre issues before they lead to premature wear enabling tyres to be changed at the optimal time.
Maximise Safety – The best brakes in the world are only as good as the contact and grip the tyre has to the road. Routine tyre inspections ensure tyres are maintained at a safe level.
Ensure Compliance – Regular tyre inspections are mandatory for OH&S compliance. 3D scanning takes away any subjectivity from this reporting ensuring 100% compliance. Colour coded 3D reports are sent to the fleet manager and can be integrated with most fleet management software.
Convenience and Increased Productivity – Our mobile onsite service ensures staff remain productive as we come to them seven days.
FAN: Does it cost customers anymore for mobile tyre fitting compared to visiting a tyre store?
Travis: We are accredited with most fleet companies so in most cases our prices are exactly the same price as if a customer was to travel to and wait around a store.
FAN: Can you fit tyres to trucks as well?
Travis: Our service caters for cars, 4wds/SUVs and light trucks generally up to 4.5 tonne.
FAN: How often should Fleet Managers conduct a tyre check on the whole fleet?
Travis: To maximise the life of the tyres we generally recommend inspecting the vehicle’s tyres at 10,000km intervals.
