With more harsh weather expected across the UK over the coming weeks, fleet chiefs are being urged by Kwik-Fit to make their 2011/12 bookings as soon as possible.

Kwik-Fit Fleet launched its first comprehensive winter tyre programme in September last year and demand for cold weather tyres immediately rocketed in the wake of the snow and ice experienced across the UK in the past two winters with businesses not wanting to be caught out for a third year.

Interest from fleets in cold weather tyres accelerated even further in November and December as snow and freezing temperatures swept across the UK making driving hazardous, particularly on standard tyres.

Kwik-Fit Fleet sales director Peter Lambert said: “Demand has significantly exceeded supply this winter particularly on cars. However, whilst we have details of the number and sizes of cold weather tyres we sold, we also know more about customer demand and the range of tyre sizes we could have sold if they were available.

“We would urge fleets that require cold weather tyres for winter 2011/12 to inform us of their requirements as soon as possible to enable orders to be placed with tyre manufacturers. Placing orders with Kwik-Fit Fleet in the first quarter of this year for supply in September or October is not too early.

“Only considering the fitment of cold weather tyres when snow starts falling is too late. Advance planning and order placement by businesses is essential.”

Kwik-Fit Fleet offers a ‘hotel’ facility that sees it remove, pack, label and store each company car and van’s standard tyres in its Northamptonshire National Distribution Centre at a per season charge of £40. In the spring, the standard tyres will be returned to each customer’s centre of choice for fitment with the cold weather tyres removed and stored until required again.