ECI International Reports 5% Rise in Brityrex Visitors

Compared to the 2007 edition of Brityrex, ECI International says that the number of visitors rose by 5 per cent at the 2010 show earlier this month. Exhibitors at the UK tyre trade show told ECI that the show had been a success, with many reporting excellent sales and new business opportunities from the three-day exhibition at the Manchester Central convention centre. Representatives from diverse companies such as Point S, Apaseal and Kings Road Tyres were among those voicing their appreciation for the event.

Martin Saint, managing director of Apaseal, reported a “very successful show” with customers prepared to invest in premium tyre bay equipment. “For us the interest and the sales we achieved made it an excellent exhibition. Our mix of customers were more diversified than expected, with lots of interest from MOT centres and independent garages, along with the traditional tyre shops.

“We also found people investing in premium equipment for new outlets, which reflects a more confident approach to business, taking advantage of the good deals available for investors in commercial property.”

Peter Gaster, managing director of Kings Road Tyres, the largest wholesaler present at the exhibition, was another to declare a “very, very good show”: “We enjoyed good business at the event in 2007 and that has been repeated again this year. We certainly got what we wanted out of the show and on that basis I’m very happy with the way it went.”

Gaster also expressed his personal disappointment with the absence of other major wholesalers present in Manchester: “As far as KRT is concerned, I’m happy that we were the only ‘major’ exhibiting because we picked up business from customers who might otherwise have bought from the competition. But I would have preferred more big names to be there as they would have attracted more visitors and lifted the profile and buzz around the show,” he said.

Richard Edy, director of show sponsor the NTDA, commented: “The decision to go back to Manchester this year has been completely vindicated. We were delighted with the attendance at the show and, both our events, the Dinner and the Health and Safety seminar, were oversubscribed. Those supplier members who were exhibiting were all reporting excellent business with many already committing to return in 2012. Brityrex has now established itself as a key event for companies who want to access the UK tyre trade and aftermarket, well done to the organisers and we look forward to 2012.”

Other exhibitors’ views reported by ECI include Charlie Sunderland, director at Point S: “We came to the show to meet independent distributors interested in joining the Point S network and we leave with more than enough leads to be going on with. Our aim is to launch in the UK with 100 outlets at the beginning of 2011 and I’m confident our presence at Brityrex will contribute to achieving that ambition.”

Tim Davis, managing director, Treadsetters added: “It’s been a brilliant show and we’ll definitely be back again for the next staging in 2012. I also think we have a responsibility to show our commitment to the industry and Brityrex is the best way for us to do that.”

Steve Greaterex, managing director of Team Systems suggested the company’s direct return from the show had been good: “It’s been an absolutely stunning show. I’ve been to every Brityrex since 1992 so generally know what to expect, but this was exceptional. The stand had been paid for in the first hour of the first day!”

Roger Preston of Guizhou Tyre added: “For a company which ranks as the 24th largest tyre manufacturer in the world Guizhou has very limited brand awareness in the UK. So Brityrex was all about building our presence in the market, talking to prospective customers and promoting our products, particularly the Advance and Samson brands. It has been a good experience for us and we’ve got more than I expected from it.”

Mark Bean, sales director of JHM Butt, debuting at the show concluded: “This was our first time at Brityrex and we’ve been so impressed that we’ve already booked the same stand for the next show in 2012. We met the right kind of people from across the trade so it’s been a very worthwhile show indeed.”

Show organiser ECI International also expressed its satisfaction with the exhibition. Managing director Paul Farrant said: “Taking all factors into account, such as a weak economy and tough market, we were very pleased that the show attracted more exhibitors and visitors than the last event before the recession in 2007.”

Commenting on visitor figures, which reached 2,664, representing a five per cent increase on visitors to the 2007 exhibition, Farrant explains: “We always work hard to attract visitors from all sectors of the trade, both in the UK and overseas, but our priority will always be the quality of visitor rather than sheer volume. Of course we would have liked more people to attend but bringing in five per cent more for this show was acceptable given that these are still tough times and not everyone will be in a position to spend time away from their business.”

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