Falken Distributing Ohtsu Truck Tyres in USA

Falken Tire Corp. is back in the medium truck tyre business in the USA, Tire Review reports, once again becoming the North American distributor for Ohtsu brand medium truck radials. Falken will take over marketing, sales and distribution of the Ohtsu brand as of 1 March, 2010. The Ohtsu brand is owned and produced by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which also controls the Falken brand.

Falken had been distributing Ohtsu truck lines until January 2005 when it turned control of the product over to Westlake Village, California-based Itochu International, continues the report. With the change, Falken said it would launch its effort with 14 Ohtsu medium tuck tyre lines, and plans to add three low rolling resistance lines in the second half of 2010.

Falken said it would stock Ohtsu truck products in each of its four US distribution centres in Irving, Texas; Fontana, California; Mount Juliet, Tennessee; and Dayton, New Jersey. The tyre company said it plans open a new distribution center in late 2010/early 2011. “The addition of the Ohtsu medium truck tyres, along with numerous other soon-to-launch new product lines, should serve to demonstrate Falken’s continued commitment to enhancing its product offerings and service levels to its North American customer base,” said Falken president and COO Richard Smallwood.