In the past issues, we have covered several fleet operators who have vouched for Bridgestone’s product performance and end-to-end tyre management solutions. In this article, Rajesh Rajgor interactes with Krishan Kumar Choudhary, Director, Shree Shyam Road Carrier who echoes the thoughts of his peers from the industry and gives a big thumbs up to Bridgestone as a tyre solutions partner
After meeting prominent fleet operators like Prasanna Purple, PMP Group, ACLS and the logistics arm of My Home Group, who heaped praise for Bridgestone’s unmatched tyre performance, lower TCO and overall tyre management solutions, we caught up with Goa’s Shree Shyam Road Carrier (SSRC) who expected the aforementioned benefits but ended up getting much more than desired.
For over 10 years, SSRC has provided a vital link for Indian businesses requiring transportation of consignments within India and has been a leading logistics service provider in the country. Krishan Kumar Choudhary, Director, SSRC, says: “We have built a reputation of reliability in transportation of goods and parcels locally and nationally due to our proactive approach, competitive pricing and large network. With the quality of service rendered by us; right from the inception we have become the most preferred transporters from Goa, North India and vice versa. We have attained the tag of ‘The Most Dynamic Moving Transport Company’ in India and have become a market leader in the road transport industry. Today we are very proud of our presence nationally with overall 20 branches in the country.”
Based in Kundaim, Goa, SSRC offers end-to-end logistics solutions through company-owned trucks for bulk consignments on a pan-India basis. When asked to elaborate about its nature of business, Choudhary shares: “SSRC is equipped with handling equipment like loaders, cranes reach stackers and 700 company-owned vehicles to address a variety of customer requirements. These include 32ft SXL, 32 ft MXL, 35 ft SXL, 35 ft MXL, 40 ft ODC trailer, 40 ft low bed trailer and 19 ft open trailer, 100 refrigerated vehicles (32 ft MXL containers and 40 ft containers) from the stable of Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland. We serve customers from all the industries right from FMCG, electronics and electricals, telecommunication, automobile, construction, oil & gas and cold chain.”
‘Bridgestone is above par’
It is a well-known fact that tyres contribute significantly to the overall operating costs in the transport industry. It is the second biggest cost after fuel. The value of tyres can be understood from the fact that a right tyre can have positive impact on braking, acceleration and several other mechanical aspects of the vehicle. In addition, ‘right tyres to suit the right application’ can improve fuel efficiency, durability and endurance.
Hence when SSRC was looking for a tyre partner that can help them get the above-mentioned benefits, they opted for Bridgestone tyres. Today, SSRC consumes nearly 300 units of tyres on a monthly basis, a major portion of which is sourced from Bridgestone. Commenting on SSRC’s partnership with Bridgestone and their experience with the tyre solutions partner, the fleet owner asserts: “Since the time we joined hands with Bridgestone, 3 years back, things have turned very favorable for us. We have developed a very good relation with them as the majority of our fleet is fitted with Bridgestone tyres. Not only are we being ecstatic with their product offerings but are also experiencing their service quality which is above par. Their product prices are reasonable and their technicians visit our workshop on a regular basis. Furthermore, we have a direct contact with the area head to discuss issues if any. If at all we face some issues and inform their team at an initial stage, we get solutions by their highly-skilled and cooperative fleet management team even before it becomes a big problem for us.”
Talking about the criticality of tyres as a component of its business, Choudhary further explains: “Tyres as a cost, account for 15-20 per cent of our overall cost of operations. In fact, over 80 per cent of the business is dependent on the efficiency of tyres. We therefore make sure that we use correct tyres suited for different applications. The initial tread mileage that we were looking for was in the range of 80,000-90,000 kms. With Bridgestone tyres, the initial tread mileage observed is in the range of 1,00,000 to 1,20,000 kms. We have also been observing a significant rise in fuel mileage, to the tune of 3 to 4 per cent and tyre mileage by around 15-20 percent.”
SSRC vouches for Bridgestone tyres, simply because of its experience with both the brand as well as its workforce. Most of the tyres the company currently uses were recommended by the tyre manufacturer, thus showing the degree of confidence the transporter has placed on Bridgestone and its team.
Contributing to the bottom line
Another aspect that Choudhary feels benefits them and helps score brownie points for Bridgestone is the latter’s periodic vehicle and tyre maintenance as well as driver training programs to ensure excellent upkeep of the fleet. Referring to the special initiatives by Bridgestone, the director sights: “Every penny saved is a penny earned, especially at this time of slowdown and stiff competition. Carelessness towards tyre care and maintenance could mean about 10-15 per cent increase in overall costs, something that we cannot afford. Since there is direct communication between the driver and us along with direct relation between the tyre life and driving patterns, we reward drivers for their right driving habits while ensuring the vehicles are well maintained. We are also benefitted by the regular training programmes offered by Bridgestone and our drivers are also very happy with them.”
Emphasising SSRC’s work on in-house maintenance, he explains: “After every trip, the vehicles come back to the workshop. The tyres are checked, distance covered and tyre pressure are measured and entered into our system. We analyse the data for any abnormal wear and tear of tyres. If there is any major difference between a set parameter and results, then we know that there is a need for help from Bridgestone and they are always just a phone call / email away. They make sure that a tyre does not wear before the expected number of kilometers are covered.”
On similar lines, recommendations from Bridgestone for tubeless radials are appreciated by SSRC. “We have been using tubeless radial tyres for drive axles now. Ever since Bridgestone recommended us 295/80R22.5, R156 and M751 tyres, there has been a marked improvement in fuel efficiency and mileage. At the end of the day, these are significant factors that make a huge difference to our bottom line”, Choudhary beams.
For the long haul, it is important that the partners find value in each other. Given the phenomenal spell of success SSRC has seen since joining hands with Bridgestone, it comes as no surprise that the fleet operator gives a big thumbs up for their association with their long-term tyre solutions partner.
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“Since the time we joined hands with Bridgestone, 3 years back, things have turned very favorable for us. Not only are we being ecstatic with their product offerings but are also experiencing their service quality which is above par.
– Krishan Kumar Choudhary, Director, SSRC
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The Bridgestone difference in numbers
• Initial tread mileage of nearly 120,000 km
• 4% improvement in fuel mileage
• 20% rise in tyre mileage