Heavy Duty Trucking, July 2018

HDT JULY 2018 22 WWW TRUCKINGINFO COM Michelin eyes global market beyond tires These days the tires that have made Michelin a leading global brand over the course of well over 100 years are just one aspect of its worldwide operations Reflecting that reality is the France based companys new global services and solutions unit According to Ralph Dimenna the aim is to provide solutions that are based on customer feedback Hotlineglobal TRUCKINGS WORLDWIDE BUSINESS REPORT and accurate information Named Michelin Groups senior vice president of Global Services and Solutions in January he heads up the newly formed worldwide business line out of Greenville South Carolina Dimenna spoke with HDT in Montreal on May 31 amidst Movin On the second annual Michelin global mobility summit The 25 year veteran of Michelin whose prior position was COO of Michelin Americas Truck Tires said he was at the event to learn how we can package different technologies for the benefit of customers Comparing making tires to offering services and solutions Dimenna said the key difference is a tire must be engineered specifically for its fitment while many of the other needs of customers across markets are absolutely the same whether thats increasing fuel efficiency or reducing other operating costs or improving safety He said the operation he leads is charged with developing services and solutions for any need that is beyond tires in markets across the globe As Dimenna sees it this greater emphasis on non tire offerings reflects Michelin Groups decision to put the customer back in the center of what the company does and to do that quickly He added that the mandate is to bring out new solutions not in years but in months or just weeks Because many of these customer needs are universal our solutions may only need to be adjusted slightly from one place to another That means we can expand services fairly easily So far in North America alone the business units offerings are as diverse as a targeted telematics solution and a suite of trailer aerodynamic devices He said the value of telematics is that it leverages data to give fleets the value that comes from actionable information Wanting to aid customers Michelin felt were underserved last year it acquired NexTraq a provider of GPS based Ralph Dimenna says tire maker aims to be a thought leader in the advancement of sustainable mobility 11880 THE AVERAGE EMPLOYER COST PER INCIDENT DUE TO INJURY WHILE RAISING LOWERING LANDING GEAR Watch the video at hadleyadvantage com smartvalve SmartValveTM addresses a top source of trucking injuries and dramatically reduces workers compensation claims Utilizing the existing air suspension the SmartValveTM allows the driver to raise the landing off the ground thus alleviating the pressure created with a loaded trailer and reducing the effort required to wind up the landing gear Eliminates injuries due to drop and hook operations Less cranking effort ease stress and aches from physical exertion Fewer trips out of cab Reduce workers compensation premiums Recruit drivers and keep them happy based on data from fleets OSHA and insurance industry interviews