Toyo Tires Agrees UK Distribution Terms with Micheldever and N.E. Wholesale

Toyo Tires has announced the agreement of distribution deals with Micheldever Tyre Services and N.E. Wholesale. The manufacturer says that the move is designed specifically to further assist its sales efforts in the UK for 2010 and beyond by increasing the presence of Toyo products among a wider number of UK tyre dealers. The deals are not exclusive brand arrangements with either distributor, but are designed to provide greater coverage for Toyo products. It says the deals will seek to present Toyo Tires in regions currently without Toyo dealers, with both Micheldever and N.E. Wholesale increasing the number of stocking points for the brand.

Speaking of his delight at this latest development, Nick Manning, sales and marketing director at Toyo Tyres UK, suggests, “this will prove to be an important milestone for the growth and long term success of Toyo Tires in the UK. We have known for some time that our brand simply did not have sufficient geographical penetration necessary to be accessible by the wider end consumer groups. With this agreement in place, I am confident that we can stimulate greater demand for Toyo Tires from more and more end consumers. I am also confident that some of that increased demand will benefit our existing dealer network, all of whom remain of strategic importance to our long term business plans for the UK.”

Manning also stressed that the agreement is not an exclusive brand arrangement with either distributor. Instead, he continued, “its foundations are built on a principle of distribution synergies and mutually beneficial geographical coverage. That means that whilst our two distribution partners will establish a network of Toyo Tires dealers that they will serve, this will only be done in areas where Toyo UK does not have any existing direct dealers.”

A Toyo press release states that due to “the successful and progressive nature of both Micheldever Tyre Services and N.E. Wholesale, specifically with regard to stock holding, the number of stocking points for Toyo Tires will increase dramatically. Combine this with the fact that many of Toyo Tires’ existing dealers use both distribution partners for supply of other brands it is probably safe to assume that the existing network of Toyo Tires dealers may choose to benefit from having access to greater stocks.

Toyo’s agreement with Micheldever Tyre Services was signed by Paul Fox, chief executive of Micheldever, and Manning. A ceremonial signing took place in the drivers lounge at The Goodwood Revival, with Lord March officiating (pictured).

Micheldever operates out of 12 distribution centres nationally, with a guaranteed next day delivery service anywhere in the UK and a second same day afternoon delivery in many areas. It said it is very excited about the prospect of distributing the Toyo brand. Wholesale director Alan Baldwin commented, “The partnership will yield significant benefits for all parties and will offer a significant improvement in service levels for retailers and consumers alike. Toyo, as one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers, fully acknowledge and recognize the logistics advantage that a national distributor like MTS can offer and we are of course delighted to be able to assist in the distribution of this leading quality brand in the UK market.”
 
The agreement with N.E. Wholesale was signed by Gavin Marshall, managing director, N.E. Wholesale, and Koji Toyoda, managing director at Toyo UK. A ceremonial signing took place at N.E. Wholesale’s flagship retail depot in Knaresborough (pictured).

Marshall explains how this strategic distribution partnership will further benefit tyre dealers in the North: “We are particularly excited about the niche opportunities this provides us to target dealers of Ultra High Performance and 4×4 tyres. We see both these sectors growing in the future. The severe winter conditions have highlighted the benefit of 4×4 driving options.

He continued, “We are in a unique position to provide Toyo Tires with the perfect solution to achieve their brand penetration aspirations. With six warehouses across the region, flexible storage, excellent fill rates and an extensive fleet of distribution vehicles, we can guarantee continued supply across the range, at a time when many manufacturers in this market sector appear to be struggling to meet demand.

“This partnership will provide benefit to N.E. Wholesale, Toyo Tires and our customers. Greater profit opportunities will be available to dealers taking up the Toyo brand due to the price positioning, quality and range of the brand. This will be further supported by our exceptional service offering,” concluded Marshall, “including on demand and multi-drop daily deliveries to the North East, Scottish Borders, Cumbria and Yorkshire. N.E. Wholesale is proud to be associated with the Toyo brand and look forward to a long and successful partnership with Toyo Tires and the growing dealer network.”
 
Information on how to become a Toyo Tires dealer can be found on the company’s website and by contacting the brand’s sales team.