Business Customers > Business Case Studies > West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue

OGC Contract Delivers Significant Savings and Premium Service

"We need high-quality tyres that deliver the very best safety on the road. Our front-line drivers often need to move at high speeds under blue lights and sirens to get to the scene of an emergency. This can involve hard cornering and heavy braking in fully laden appliances, so having well-maintained premium brand tyres is critical.

Our preferred tyre brand is Michelin, and through the Office of Government Commerce's (OGC's) tyre sourcing initiative this gives us full access to the ATS Euromaster service network.

With ATS Euromaster we get the tyres we want, maintained to the highest standards - and still save money. Since ATS Euromaster was appointed to supply our tyres we have seen our average monthly tyre expenditure drop significantly, as a direct result of improved contract management.

The nature of our work means the fleet is primarily used for rescue and emergency operations, where time is critical, and unexpected vehicle downtime can prove costly. ATS Euromaster’s 24/7 roadside rapid response service ensures that in the event of a tyre-related breakdown, our fleet is back on the road with the minimum of delay."

Mike Walker, Fleet Controller
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service

The West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (WYFRS) operates from 48 fire stations across West Yorkshire. Its fleet comprises 75 14-tonne fire appliances, six 18-tonne turntable ladders, seven demountable body vehicles for transporting rescue appliances, three Land Rover 4x4s for off-road use and two mobile control units for major incidents.

Business Requirement
Ensuring the highest standards of maintenance for blue-light vehicles is critical - and tyres are no exception. WYFRS does not have time to warm its rescue vehicles up before they hit the road at high speeds, so it is crucial they are fitted with well-maintained tyres which will both enhance handling capabilities and maximise fleet safety.

Michelin has been the service's preferred tyre brand for over thirty years, with the tyres renowned for their durability, longevity and unrivalled vehicle handling. Making the most of these qualities maximises the fleet’s performance – so WYFRS requires a supplier able to maintain and manage its tyres to their full potential.

Value for money is also critical. Many of the specialist vehicles on fleet are bespoke-built and carry a high capital cost - so making every penny count boosts the fleet's life-saving potential. Ensuring WYFRS spends no more than necessary on tyres and tyre management, while still benefiting from the best tyre policy on the market, is a key requirement.

In selecting a tyre supplier, WYFRS sought a partner which could offer:

  • Unrivalled speed and competence in the event of a tyre-related breakdown
  • Expert advice on tyre fitting, including pressures
  • Professional tyre management
  • Proven ability to regroove tyres, for best value
  • A mobile service fleet offering on-site tyre fitment and repair


ATS Euromaster's Approach
Together, the combined strengths of Michelin and ATS Euromaster were available to WYFRS through the OGC and Buying Solutions. This pan-government tyre framework agreement enables them to benefit from significant efficiencies as a result of combined volumes, additional leverage and collaborative working between central government departments and wider public bodies nationwide.

ATS Euromaster trains its technicians to the highest standards in the tyre industry. Their tyre husbandry skills are second to none - and they are experts in identifying the best possible tyres for specific vehicles, from off-road 4x4’s to turntable ladders.

The company's 24/7 rapid response emergency breakdown service operates day and night across the UK. Average response times* are just 65 minutes.

ATS Euromaster’s Solution
ATS Euromaster’s contract with the WYFRS includes:

  • Complete tyre management, fitting only Michelin tyres (as defined by the brand policy)
  • Professional support services, including:
  • Fleet inspections
  • Pressure maintenance
  • Wheel balancing
  • Wheel alignment
  • A free-phone, roadside rapid response service
  • 24/7 around-the-clock support
  • Professional account management and customer service

* January - August 2010 average