Mitas Buys Trelleborg Motorcycle Tyre Business

The Czech tyre manufacturer Mitas has announced that it has signed a contract to buy the motorcycle tyre manufacturing business from Trelleborg. The deal includes manufacturing equipment and the license of the trade mark ‘Trelleborg’, as it applies to motorcycle tyres. The purchase enhances the Mitas product range by fifteen new designs, in 57 sizes, mainly in off-road tyres.

This year, the Mitas factory at Zlin plans to produce special winter tyres under the name ‘Winter Friction’, which are very popular in Scandinavian countries. Production of enduro tyres will follow and it is planned to offer these new tyres around October/November this year. Before the end of the year, Mitas intends to manufacture special tyres for the Swedish Army and this will be followed by production of motocross tyres.

The two trade marks, Mitas and Trelleborg, will be in competition in the market place, although aimed at different price segments. Mitas, with its historic trade mark of Barum, has carved out a niche for itself, while Trelleborg motorcycle tyres will be marketed at prices comparable with those of Michelin, Dunlop, Metzeler and Pirelli, says Mitas. Having the Trelleborg trade mark will allow Mitas to strengthen its position in the world’s market and the company expects to attract a new customer base, especially in Scandinavia, the USA, Brazil and the Republic of South Africa.