A long-term trial which saw tyre operating costs reduce by 30 percent per hour has resulted in Vacu-Lug being awarded a container handling equipment tyre supply agreement by W. H. Malcolm Limited.

The agreement covers a total of seven mechanical handling machines. Three of these are located at the W. H. Malcolm-managed premises at the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) in Northamptonshire operation, with four located in Scotland; two at the Elderslie Terminal in Linwood and two at the Fouldubs Terminal in Grangemouth.

Under the agreement, each machine's two steer tyres will be either Yokohama or Bridgestone, with Mortrak MTK 4, Industrial 110 pattern (half-track) self-cleaning retread tyres fitted to the four drive wheels.

With regular tyre management being an essential factor to ensure maximum tyre life and performance in this type of operation, all on-site support will be handled by specialist service provider T&C Site Services Limited.

"The long-term trial demonstrated the cost-effectiveness and savings which can be achieved using a premium tyre and a premium support service," comments Steve Sugden, Fleet Engineer for W. H. Malcolm Limited. "We are delighted at the outcome and now look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Vacu-Lug."