Bandag Signs Up New Partner at Reifen ’06 in Essen

At the Reifen ‘06 exhibition in Essen, Germany, Bandag has announced a strategic partnership with one of Austria’s best-known tyre companies, Reifen Wondraschek. The agreement with the tyre specialist from Linz reinforces Bandag’s penetration of the region, bringing its tyre products and services much closer to the existing and potential customer base.

Bandag appreciates the knowledge and expertise build up by Reifen Wondraschek since its foundation back in 1935. The company specialises in the distribution and retreading of tyres across the Austrian market. Their highly trained personnel provide first-class service from five service stations.

“We are happy that Reifen Wondraschek is joining the worldwide Bandag Dealer family,” said Christoph Frost, Key Account Manager of Bandag Germany, Austria and Switzerland. “Just as we will benefit from Reifen Wondraschek’s presence in this market, we are sure that they will also benefit from the strength of the Bandag brand and its worldwide reputation.”

Reifen Wondraschek has grown from a small vulcanisation company in Krumau on the Moldau River, into a well-known tyre firm with multiple service stations. The company has never lost its traditional family roots and is still managed by three brothers from the third generation of Wondrascheks.

As one of the most renowned companies in the Austrian tyre market, Reifen Wondraschek’s decision to enter into this strategic partnership with Bandag is intended to better meet the changing market needs of dealers and fleet operators. The agreement is good news for the many users that have relied on Bandag‘s retreading products for many years. Companies that make extensive use of these products can now enjoy even better service throughout Austria.

“We are confident that this arrangement will fulfil our customers’ demand for high-quality tyres,” said Michael Wondraschek, General Manager of Reifen Wondraschek. “We maintain a large national account base and for that reason it was necessary to form a partnership with a major player like Bandag. This move is customer driven, as the combination of tyre retreading with sales of premium new tyres is the most comfortable situation for them.”

Reifen Wondraschek has a nationwide logistic system in place that will help both parties to serve the entire Austrian market. It will also support the Bandag strategy of further developing the Austrian tyre dealer network. As both Bandag and Reifen Wondraschek are leading players in the tyre industry, their combined forces will be much appreciated by both dealers and fleets as it will help them to reduce operational costs.