Dekk Partner Reports Rapid Growth

Nordic buying group Dekk Partner has reported that its network is growing at a rapid rate. Dekk Partner now has 110 workshops in Norway, close to 90 in Sweden, 60 in Finland and one in Estonia. On top of this group managing director, Leif Kristiansen, predicts that total turnover could peak at 215 million euros this year.

The group’s size is all the more remarkable when compared with its position last year. In terms of turnover, Dekk Partner has grown almost 200 fold from the 1.3 million euros it recorded in 2004. The main reason for such rapid growth is the group’s presence in Finland. Before January this year there were no Dekk Partner workshops in the country, now there are 60.

Mr Kristiansen told Tyres & Accessories that he is pleased to report that “everything is going well” with the new members in Finland. According to the managing director there is no immediate target for growth, but the group is hoping 75 members this year. In Sweden (where there are currently 90 outlets) the group is aiming for a 30 per cent increase to 120 workshops. Last year there were around 75. In Norway the business is said to have grown through what was reportedly a “fantastic last three years.”

From its newfound position in the well known Nordic countries, Dekk Partner’s influence has even managed to spread across the Gulf of Finland to Estonia. The one single member workshop there might not be a huge presence, but it represents a sound strategic move. “The economy in the Baltic markets is interesting at the moment and Dekk Partner wants to be a part of it,” says Mr Kristiansen. And of course Estonia itself borders another so-called emerging market, Russia.

So what is the secret to Dekk Partner’s success? “Our group is different from other groups in other countries. I believe ours is more democratic,” suggests Leif Kristiansen.