Thule awarded Technical & Safety Innovation of the Year for their ‘Easy-Fit’ Snow Chain at the 2012 CAT Awards.

Thule are proud to announce that the Easy-fit snow chain, the easiest snow chain ever to fit on the car, has been awarded the prestigious Technical & Safety Innovation of the Year at the 2012 CAT Awards - a respected publication within the UK motor industry.  The award is given to Thule Easy-Fit for its ground breaking technology making the fitting of the snow chain easier than ever before. The commendation of the award is proof for Thule that they are once again at the forefront of innovation and product development.

Thule won its award because its snow chains are so easy to fit to the vehicle. The name says it all: “THULE Easy-Fit” brings the conventional passenger car snow chains standard up to the next level, with a huge step forward in simplicity for the consumer.

The consumer is always looking for ease of use as a key catalyst in their buying decision, this is especially important when it comes to snow chains. The installation of a chain is of course going to be made in sub-zero temperatures and usually at a time when you want to be doing something active and enjoyable, so the quicker the chain is mounted - the quicker you can continue with your active lifestyle. “THULE Easy-Fit” is a true innovation both from a technical and a design perspective.

 “We are very proud to receive the CAT Technical & Safety Innovation of The Year Award says Peter Barker, UK Business Manager at Thule.  It is a testament to our ambition to be at the forefront of innovation and simplicity for the user. It is proof that all the investment in time, money and experience to ensure safe quality product that is technical and innovative is recognised not only by the consumer but also by respected member in the automotive industry. Our products due to the design and quality are recognised around the world and we are fortunate to have many awards, best in test and accreditations given to us. The CAT award is definitely up there with the best”.

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Notes to editor:

Key in the innovation is the new aluminum central bar on the snow chain. This makes the mounting of the snow chain has never been so easy, intui­tive and quick.

Remember – One stop only: fit the chains and go.

Why “THULE Easy-fit” is so “Easy and Intuitive”:

Only 3 operations to get ready to drive

• Extend rigid arch
• Fit the chain on the wheel
• Push the pedal to tension the chain

Effortless:

• No physical power is needed to fit or to remove the chain from the car
• The tensioning system is activated with the foot

Accessibility:

• No need to work behind and above the wheel, where is difficult to see      what you are doing.

Technical innovations:

• Aluminium central bar: represents a unique solution to tension the chain. It contains an integrated pedal, linked to elastomeric device, and release buttons
• Special internal rigid arch.

Design innovation:

• Design is one of the distinctive THULE values and design is one of the distinctive element of the “THULE Easy-fit”.
• The use of selected materials, as the aluminium for the central bar,      offers a unique visual fusion between alloy wheel and snow chain, improving the wheel look when the chain is mounted.

For more information about Thule products: www.thule.com

• Please contact Sofia Costa on 01275 770703/ 07854 779415  or Sofia.Costa@publicitymatters.com for more information about Thule or to arrange an interview with Peter Barker, UK Business Manager.
• Image attached  is of the Thule ‘Easy-Fit’ Snow Chain.