Kirkby Reports Sales Growth of 20%

Kirkby Tyres and Wheels is one of Europe’s oldest established tyre and wheel wholesalers and distributors, having been in the business for roughly half a century. At Reifen 2008 the company chose to use the popular exhibition as a platform for further enhancing the company’s progression in a number of market sectors, including truck, agricultural, OTR and mining and quarry tyres. And this progress is going well; Kirkby achieved a sales growth of 20 per cent during 2007.

Managing director, Dave Dorrity commented, “Reifen 2008 is the ideal event for us to meet all our existing customers in the UK and Ireland who attend the show and perhaps meet up with potential new customers as well. There is no doubt that a great deal of UK and Irish companies visit during the course of the four day event so it is important that Kirkby are on hand to promote their tyre brands and services.”

On display was a comprehensive selection of most manufacturers and brands for whom the company acts as distributors throughout the UK and Ireland. In the truck tyre sector these companies included Double Coin, and the UK and Ireland sole agent displayed numerous examples of a range that incorporates sizes for all applications, including 17.5, 19.5, 20, 225 and 24.5-inch fitments. A second truck range on display was Protector. Again Kirkby act as sole UK agents for this line of steer, drive and trainer tyres, all of which are produced to strict ETRTO specifications. Finally in the truck sector was the Triangle range which, commented Kirkby, now hold a respected presence in the market as a budget choice for both distributors and fleet operators. And of course all major ‘A’ brands are also stocked in the company’s sizeable Liverpool headquarters.

In The OTR sector Kirkby supply the full Double coin line-up, ranging from 17.5 up to 29.5 inch and are now also supplying giant OTR Radial from Double coin 2400R35 and 35/65R33. A further company represented is Belshina; Kirkby supply the Belarusian company’s non-radial giant OTR tyres in sizes up to 2700-49.

In the agricultural sector Kirkby can offer tyres, tubes and rims for virtually every possible application from the smallest implement through to the largest harvester tyre and hold one of the most comprehensive ranges in the UK and Ireland. The long standing sole agents for the Alliance brand are able to meet any order on an impressive number of agricultural tyres, including the standard 80 series radial and cross ply R1 Open Centres – 65, 70 and 85 series, high speed row crop (ranging from 32 through to 54 inches), grassland R3 plus industrial tractor R4 tyres.

The Alliance product range also incorporates an extensive wide flotation programme including sizes 20, 22.5, 26.6 and 30.5 inches in rib, drive and grassland, which are available in both cross-ply and radial high speed options. Kirkby are also agents for a number of Chinese manufactured agricultural patterns, including Protector, who offer a range of front rib and rear open centre options in all popular sizes from 24 to 34 inches. Another popular agricultural brand, reports Kirkby, is Petlas. This brand is manufactured in Turkey and offers a budget tractor range; the company also deals in a number of various Indian brands, available in both front and rear size options.

Representatives from Kirkby added that the company remains one of the leading specialists in tractor conversions, offering expert advice and guidance on all tyre and wheel fitments along with a full range of high flotation, low compaction tyres including both free rolling and drive options in most sizes. This service, given the ongoing development of high flotation tyres.

Not to be overlooked is wheels; these items play a very important role in Kirkby’s trading activities and the company can provide an extensive selection of wheels and wheel assemblies for virtually all fitments across all sectors of the market with the added option of wheels being produced in either small batch runs or high volume of OE specification and delivered in their colour of choice.

Dave Dorrity concludes, “With fifty years of successful experience, Kirkby Tyres and Wheels are confident of providing a fully responsive ‘one stop shop’ facility for all tyre and wheel requirements.”