Watts Tyre Group Creates New Latin American Business Unit

Watts Tyre Group, the UK-based industrial tyre and wheel producer has announced the creation of Watts America Latina, a new business unit to service the Latin American market (excluding Brazil and Mexico where the group has existing business operations). Watts America Latina is headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay and is headed by director General Carlos Correia. The business services container customers across the region as well as sales from a warehouse operation from which pallet orders can be satisfied enhancing product availability.

Chief executive Jean-Paul Mindermann commented: “For some time we have been looking at how to enhance our market position in the Latin American market, which is expected to grow significantly over the next few years. The creation of a new business unit in the area is a major step in that direction. We have a number of longstanding customers in the region and to be able to offer them region wide sales and support means that we will be able to better service their needs.

“Our strategy for growth has always been based around our customers and we recognise that Latin America as a region represents a significant opportunity for us and that a physical presence in that market would better serve our customers. Our operations in Brazil and Mexico will remain distinct for now due to the size of their respective local markets and we want to offer our customers outside of those countries a dedicated Watts presence.”

Carlos Correia said: “Through Watts America Latina we offer the region a huge choice of quality products and the flexibility that having a local warehouse operation gives. Being based in Montevideo allows me to work closely with customers across the region and I am very much looking forward to continuing to develop our presence here in 2010 and beyond.”