SUPPLYING QUALITY TYRES

For fleets and dealerships, tyre spend hides in downtime. The tyre itself is one cost; off-road time, missed handovers, and repeat visits are the bigger bill. This guide shows how to lower total cost with a supply model built for availability, fast drops, and the right SKU mix.

Start With Policy: What You Approve, You Control

  • Approved brand ladder: premium for safety-critical or warranty cases; strong mid-range for routine replacements; value lines for older vehicles or de-fleet.

  • Van/C-tyre policy: reinforced load ratings and reliable wet grip.

  • Seasonality: pre-plan winter and all-season peaks.

Availability First: Multi-Site Warehousing + Multi-Drop Vans

Large UK wholesalers promote multi-depot networks and high-frequency deliveries; leverage that. Ask for postcode-specific delivery matrices and cut-off times you can schedule against.

Stock Planning for Vans and Light Commercial

Create an A/B/C list for van sizes and hold a small “buffer” on site:

  • A-sizes: keep 4–8 per branch.

  • B-sizes: rely on wholesaler’s next run.

  • C-sizes: special order, but pre-agree alternatives.

Data You Actually Need (and How to Use It)

  • Fill-rate reports: % of lines delivered first attempt.

  • Back-order time: average hours to fill.

  • SKU rationalisation: top 30 SKUs drive most demand—trim the rest.

  • Comeback rate: track per brand/size to spot patterns.

Delivery Playbook

  • Morning drops for vehicles due out same day.

  • Mid-day top-ups for surprise approvals.

  • Last-run safety net for urgent handovers.

Tyre Choices That Protect Reputation

  • Premium where customer promise or warranty demands it (common OEM names: Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Pirelli, Hankook, etc.).

  • Mid-range/value with solid wet-grip and mileage for day-to-day replacements.

  • Consider exclusive labels offered by some wholesalers for cost control.

Warranty & Returns Process

Pre-agree photo standards, tread-depth capture, damage codes, and turnaround times. The faster claims clear, the less admin you carry.

Training and TPMS

Build a simple playbook for TPMS valve service, resets, and common error codes to avoid repeat visits.

KPIs That Matter

  • Vehicles back on road within X hours

  • First-time-right fit %

  • Average cost per tyre by segment

  • Comeback % and cause

Result: fewer missed handovers, tighter cost control, happier customers—without betting everything on the cheapest casing.