PK Commercial Tyres Diversifies

Ashford-based PK Commercial Tyres is a well-established Bandag franchisee, supplying quality truck retreads for a number of years. Managing director Paul Kuske has experienced both good times and bad, changes in the market and changes in user attitudes and the company has weathered it all, adapting to these changes.Recent changes in the retread market prompted Paul to re-think where the future lay for his company.

The main problem is the increasing demand by customers for management information and a total tyre management service, rather than just product. “We found that we were having to sell the tyre over again – once to the end user and then to the tyre distributor or service provider” said Paul. There were other dangers too – if you use outside companies to provide the services that you are unable to offer, there is always the chance that they might compete for your contracts.

“We lost two fleet contracts to a former service provider partner” he remembers.It was time for a re-appraisal of the company’s objectives. PK Commercial took over a retail tyre depot in Aylesford, near Maidstone, offering fast-fit services and MOTs for car drivers.