Tireco Sues Canadian Distributors

Importer Tireco has filed suit against two Canadian firms alleging they infringed on Tireco’s distribution deal with Taiwan’s Nankang Rubber Tire Co. Tireco named Fastco Cananda and YHI Canada Inc. in the suit, claiming the two “intentionally” purchased and sold “Nankang-made products in Tireco’s exclusive territory.” Tireco claims it “has an exclusive distribution agreement with Nankang Rubber Tire Company for all Nankang-made products that covers the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. territories.” The suits were filed separately in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. In the suits, Tireco seeks injunctive relief and punitive damages.

Tireco said it has previously had “other successful lawsuits filed in the United States against unauthorized distributors including Turbo Wholesale Tires Inc., Zisser Tire Company, and Sentaida International.” In a statement, Tireco General Counsel Tom Mills said: “We want the industry to be on clear notice: we are the exclusive distributor in North America for Nankang-made products. If you purchase Nankang-made product from someone other than Tireco and their authorized dealers and sell that product in North America, you will be sued. We will continue to aggressively enforce our exclusive distribution rights to protect our dealers and the integrity of the Nankang brand.” (Tire Review/Akron)