Tire Group International: Looking Further Afield

In its 15 years of existence, TGI has developed into a fast-growing company in the worldwide distribution of tyres and tubes. At Tyrexpo Asia, James Eiriz, Vice President of International Sales, told T&A that last year the company experienced a 15 per cent growth in sales.

This was mainly in the Caribbean and Latin America; areas where TGI is particularly strong. Indeed, some 65 per cent of the company’s turnover is achieved in Hispanic countries and now TGI is setting its sights further afield, with plans to expand into the USA (majoring on high performance and truck tyres) as well as targeting Western Europe and Asia, hence the presence at Tyrexpo Asia. Freight costs – especially from China – are increasing, says Eiriz, but he nevertheless expects business volumes to increase this year.

Despite being family-owned, TGI is truly cosmopolitan, with a multi-national management team, sales in more than 70 countries and an inventory valued at US$10 million. This stock includes all leading brands and budget offerings (over 40 brands), plus TGI has its own, well-established private brands Astro and Cosmo. These were joined recently by another private brand – Luna – which is a range of light truck and truck bias tyres. While Eiriz accepts that the global market for bias ply tyres is shrinking rapidly, he makes the point that there is still huge demand in South America. So much so that this month TGI is introducing another brand – Industar – which is a high quality bias ply light truck and truck tyre for customers who are reluctant to pay radial prices.
November will also see the introduction of yet another new private brand, called Jaguar, which consists of passenger car and light truck tyres, in sizes from 13″ to 20″.