Vipal to Open Distribution Centre in Hamburg

Vipal Europe is to establish a new distribution centre in Hamburg, Germany. According to the company Vipal Europe’s market share has been substantially increasing in recent years, forcing the company to revise its earlier targets for 2008. Establishing a strong presence has been Vipal’s main concern, hence the decision to set-up the new warehouse. “We believe in the European Market and we are ready to attend all of its needs: quality, competitiveness, logistics and service”, said Leandro Rigon, International Business Manager of Borrachas Vipal.

The announcement comes after Leandro Rigon visited the Vipal Europe team in March to communicate the company’s new Europe strategy. Following board approval for European retreading market ‘macro strategies’ in October 2007, Rigon explained what Vipal Europe needs to do to become “one of the largest suppliers of tyre repair and retread products in Europe.”

Referring to this expansion plan, Alessandro Bottesini Campos, Manager of Vipal Europe, commeneted: “During the last two years we have served the market with two distribution centres (Valencia, Spain and Logatec, Slovenia). The increased sales in Germany, Benelux, Poland and Czech Republic were a determining factor for the decision to open a new distribution centre able to attend this region with quality and efficiency.”

In May 2008, Vipal will participate of the Reifen Essen Fair in Germany, officially launching the start of the new distribution centre. Additionally, Vipal will exhibit new designs and, according to its market strategies, will present its new Ruzi brand.

“We understand that there are two different markets in Europe, one which demands high quality products which we can attend with the Vipal brand, and one of fierce competition, which demands cost. The Ruzi brand of treads will be one more option for this competitive market,” said Mauricio Agustini, Commercial Coordinator of Vipal Europe.

In addition to the newly announced Hamburg operation, Vipal currently runs seven distribution centres located in the main states of its Brazilian home market plus additional international centres in the US, Spain, Slovenia, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Panama.