Ainscough Crane Hire, the UK’s largest crane hire company, now has all tyre needs managed by Michelin CXS. The partnership, starting in 2023, upgrades its fleet to MICHELIN X Crane 2 tyres for safety and fuel efficiency.
Michelin and Ainscough Crane Hire Extend Strategic Partnership
The UK’s largest crane hire business has put its trust in Michelin, formalising and extending a relationship that has already delivered high-quality products, improved efficiency and maximised operational uptime.
Working from 30 locations nationwide, the contract covers more than 350 Liebherr cranes – many 16-wheelers – and 199 vans. There are also 135 trucks and trailers, including 40 Scania HGVs operating under the heavy-haulage regime.
“Michelin has become our latest highly valued strategic supplier relationship,” says Chris Britton, Head of Operations Support at Ainscough Crane Hire.
“Being the number one operator in our field, we only go with trusted and number one brands as our suppliers.”
Michelin Connected Solutions Now Manages Complete Tyre Fleet
Under the expanded deal, CXS is now managing the totality of the operator’s tyre requirements via a national network of service providers supplying circa 1,000 tyres annually. The service includes detailed sustainability reporting to help Ainscough Crane Hire achieve its ambitious ESG commitments.
Michelin began handling Ainscough Crane Hire’s truck tyre requirements in 2023 and demonstrated the value proposition of its technology, with MICHELIN X Multi fitments delivering three times the longevity of a premium competitor in a benchmarking exercise. Today, most of the trucks run on 385/65 R22.5 MICHELIN X Multi HL Z steers and 315/80 R22.5 MICHELIN X Multi HD D drives.
MICHELIN X Crane 2 Tyres Enhance Efficiency and Safety
As part of the latest partnership, Michelin is introducing its MICHELIN X Crane 2 tyres (445/95 R25) across the fleet. The new tyres replace older ones approaching the end of their service life.
“The fuel savings of £130 per 10,000km will save us £100,000s across the lifetime of the machines, and reduce their environmental impact. Likewise, the increased load factor of the fitments and the 20% improvement in braking distances really impressed us. It means safety margins will increase, and safety is at the heart of everything we do,” says Britton.
Innovative Tyre Technology Boosts Performance and Sustainability
The X Crane 2 tyres feature a new tread pattern inspired by Michelin truck tyres to improve braking and grip. A new load and speed index allows 800kg more weight per tyre at 80km/h. Additionally, the X Crane 2 is 13.3% more fuel-efficient than its main competitor, thanks to lower rolling resistance, Dekra-certified.
Aligning with its sustainability efforts, Ainscough Crane Hire makes use of Michelin’s multi-life tyre policy for its truck and Nooteboom ballast trailers, the latter wearing MICHELIN XZY 3 fitments. Michelin regrooves tyres once the tread depth reaches 3–4mm, extending each casing’s life at peak fuel efficiency. Once the regrooved tyres wear, Michelin retreads them at the Remix plant in Stoke. After retreading, Michelin can regroove the tyres again.
Versatile Tyres and World-Class Service Streamline Crane Operations
The company’s Mercedes-Benz service van fleet, which comprises a range of models, wears the versatile MICHELIN Agilis CrossClimate.
“As a business, we aren’t looking for the cheapest deal, but the best value. We are receiving world-class service from Michelin. It has streamlined procurement and helped us forecast tyre costs better; it has delivered the right products in the right place ensuring maximum uptime for our cranes; we have a ‘best way of working’ when it comes to protocols and tyres being fitted at our sites; and we have full traceability of each tyre and an insight into its environmental impact,” says Britton.
