A NEW fleet tyre service that aims to shake-up the 'stale' fleet fast-fit sector is to be launched next spring, funded with £2 million from a major tyre industry backer. The new internet-based venture, called Tyreserve, is backed by Stapleton's Tyre Services, a UK wholesaler of car tyres that runs a 50-strong network of retail centres and is a subsidiary of the international Itochu corporation of Japan.

Tyreserve will operate from a head office, sales operation and call centre in Coventry and will formally begin trading in April, creating a trading hub of independent tyre centres to take on the dominant players in the sector.

Retail tyre outlets that are members of Tyreserve will be linked online through a dedicated website, allowing the service to offer fleets one bill for national service, while also allowing fleet managers access to account details and reports online.

David Goodyear, a former national accounts director with Kwik-Fit Fleet, will be managing director and Gary Gibson – previously with Motability Finance Limited - takes up the post of operations director.

Goodyear said: 'We are convinced there is a real opportunity in the market for an independent fleet service that can offer a competitive alternative to the established national operators. The Tyreserve initiative combines proven management expertise in the marketplace with the financial, purchasing and retail power of Stapleton's.'

'Its aim is to provide a national alternative to the existing fast-fit market for fleets, bringing a wider degree of competition to a market that we believe has become stale and needs a shake-up.

He added: 'Tyreserve will use this technology to provide fleet operators and their drivers with a high level of service, elimination of the manual administration process and unrivalled levels of reporting. We have already received strong membership interest from a number of leading independent tyre businesses.'