Goodyear’s tire management support systems – in particular the FleetOnlineSolutions (FOS) program – help Estron, a company specializing in the transport of ship components, maintain quality and delivery punctuality. The solution developed by the American tire manufacturer helps minimize downtime and reduce administrative overhead. The Rotterdam-based logistics company has been working with Goodyear for over 15 years and has been using FleetOnlineSolutions since 2006.
Estron Transport BV offers 24/7 transport services between the Benelux countries, the UK, and Germany. The company specializes in the transport of ship parts, operating on a “just-in-time” basis. As part of its operations, the company uses a modern fleet of vehicles, which includes ten tractors and 280 curtain-sided trailers – all equipped with KMAX T tires in size 385/65R22.5, designed for long mileage. Effective tire management is an important element of the carrier’s business, which is why Estron relies on state-of-the-art technologies and uses a real-time planning process supported by a tracking system.
A large part of the tire management tasks for Estron’s vehicles is carried out in one place, while others are performed via ServiceLine24h, a pan-European roadside assistance network also offered by Goodyear. ServiceLine24h is supported by TruckForce, an international network of tire workshops dedicated to trucks, which includes over 2,000 service providers. Thanks to participation in the FleetOnlineSolutions program, all parties involved in tire-related work have access to the necessary information. This guarantees precise service execution in accordance with requirements and the agreed price. Estron managers can track repair progress in real time, which facilitates monitoring and planning of vehicle work schedules.
– Cooperation with Goodyear and participation in the FleetOnlineSolutions program are key elements ensuring optimal tire management for our fleet. We are firm believers in the theory that relationships are built by people, which is why contact with a Goodyear FleetFirst consultant is so important to us, and FleetOnlineSolutions technology additionally helps increase the efficiency of our operations – said Chris Gerhardt of Estron Transport BV. – Time savings, accuracy, and quality are the three most important advantages of FOS. Another is the significant reduction in administrative work, both by reducing paperwork and eliminating service inquiries.
Estron also welcomed the recently introduced eJob application by Goodyear. Via a tablet, it provides service technicians with immediate access to the database for a given vehicle. It contains technical information about tires, as well as photos and details about repair work performed, which are entered directly into the FOS system. This makes tire management even faster and more efficient.
FleetOnlineSolutions also enables stricter adherence to the company’s tire policies, as all service providers have access to complete data – which tires should be fitted to the fleet’s vehicles, what the pressure should be, and what torque should be used to tighten the bolts. This guarantees faster and more accurate tire service and reduces administrative overhead by minimizing invoicing, which translates into higher efficiency and maximization of vehicle uptime.