Avon Gets “Best Suppliers Rep” and Product Nod at British Dealer Awards

Avon Tyres has reported a “double success” in the recent British Dealer News Industry Awards, with UK Motorcycle sales manager Gary Bretherton winning Best Suppliers Representative. The Avon Roadrider tyre received a Certificate of Merit in the Best Aftermarket Product category. These awards follow a good year for Avon Tyres’ motorcycle division, in which it reports sales have increased by 24 per cent.

The awards ceremony followed the opening day of the Motorcycle Trade Expo at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Presented at The Belfry Hotel, Sutton Coldfield, the awards are now in their seventh year and represented votes from more than 500 motorcycle dealerships in the UK in seven different categories; including New Machine of the Year, Used Machine of the Year and Best Aftermarket Product of 2009.

Speaking about the double success, Avon’s global motorcycle sales manager Graham Matcham said: “This really caps a tremendous year for our motorcycle division. Despite tough financial times, we’ve increased sales and improved both our range of tyres and how we work with our dealer network. 

“Gary was part of a two-man sales force covering the whole of the UK, which later was reduced to just one person. He had a tough task to cover the whole of the UK, but he’s gone about it in an organised and professional manner to ensure he’s covered the ground.

“For Roadrider to also receive a Certificate of Merit is real credit to our technical product manager for motorcycle tyres Peter McNally and his team. We decided to produce a comprehensive range of crossply tyres called Roadrider, which fit a large number of new and old motorcycles. The benefit of this product is that they are all V speed rated, with a number of universal fitments, which allows the retailer to carry a lower amount of stock, but still service and supply a large number of bikes. This certificate shows that the dealers and retailers appreciate this.”

Bretherton – who has more than 20 years experience in the tyre industry – said: “It’s always nice to be recognised for hard work, but I do believe that Avon Tyres are in a stronger position in the UK market than we’ve been for many years. This is thanks to the excellent new product ranges and to a long-term strategic plan we have in place to work with the whole spectrum of retailers we have in the UK.”