Ryder System
Ryder, a leading independent provider of commercial vehicle contract hire, rental, and maintenance in the UK, and Bridgestone, the world’s largest tyre manufacturer, have renewed their industry-leading strategic partnership, ensuring Ryder customers continue to benefit from operational and cost improvements via industry-leading tyre performance and best practice in tyre husbandry.
Since agreeing the partnership in 2013, Ryder and Bridgestone have together generated measurable benefits, including:
- 29% reduction in customer downtime due to worn-out tyres (compared to 2012);
- 11% reduction in the number of tyres fitted between 2013 and 2018 (set against an increasing fleet portfolio;
- reduction in emergency calls to Ryder’s Independent Tyre Distributors Network (ITDN) by 46% over the same period; and
- industry-leading response rates for roadside calls – down from between 60 and 90 minutes in 2012 to an average of 60 minutes in 2018.
Under the partnership, a dedicated Tyre Team, made up of 12 people from both companies, leads on strategy. A Bridgestone representative is permanently based at Ryder’s national breakdown service call centre, while every Ryder location benefits from a Tyre Responsible Person who has received in-depth training on tyre husbandry and promotes best practice to colleagues. The partnership was shortlisted for the Partnership Award at the Motor Transport Awards in 2016.
Bridgestone
The Bridgestone Partner Network, the tyre manufacturer’s pan-European fleet service network of tyre dealers, is a key factor in the continuation of the partnership, which will see closer collaboration on sustainability and continuous improvements in efficiency and execution of service contracts over the next three years.
Greg Ward, Bridgestone Commercial Sales Director, said: “This contract extension means Ryder is one of our longest-standng fleet customers in the UK and we couldn’t be happier. We have a great product line that performs exceptionally well and we continue to provide solutions that make a tangible difference to the daily operations of Ryder’s customers. Meanwhile, the Bridgestone Partner Network reduces administration and operating costs, while improving efficiency and safety.”
Ryder and Bridgestone
Terry Dillon, Ryder Procurement Director, said: “We’re excited to continue our partnership with Bridgestone. Our mutual focus on continuous improvement and our willingness to challenge and collaborate on solutions means our customers will continue to benefit from industry-leading tyre husbandry and the operational improvements that brings.”
