Peter McMartin 1932 – 2011

With great sadness Maxxis International (UK) PLC has announced the loss of Peter McMartin the company’s founder and chairman. Peter McMartin passed away peacefully with family at his side, late in the evening of Monday 14 February, following a short battle with cancer.

Born in Falkirk, in 1932, Peter McMartin’s entrepreneurial career took off in the early 1970s when he began importing car and motorcycle parts from Japan. He then went on to focus exclusively on motorcycle parts before merging his company with distributor Bickers Anglia (Accessories) Limited in 1986. In 1998 Peter successfully completed the purchase of the company and went on to develop the business with the support of his directors and committed, loyal workforce. The company converted into PLC status for a short time before a new joint venture company was formed in March 2005, Maxxis International UK plc. Maxxis still uses the Bickers name to continue trading in the motorcycle industry, while using the Maxxis brand to trade in the automotive tyre sector. Peter had remained active as chairman until just a few weeks prior to his death, always maintaining a positive hands-on approach to the company he loved.

Peter will be fondly remembered throughout the Motorcycle Industry. Steve Kenward, chief executive of the Motorcycle Industry Association gave this tribute: “Peter McMartin joined the MCI’s Board in January 1998, while he was managing director of Bickers Anglia (Accessories) Ltd. He was an active supporter of the MCI’s Factors Group and provided a much-needed steadying influence when required. Peter’s commitment to the MCI saw him elected to be chairman of the governing Board in October 2002, where his guidance to the MCI team was both decisive and objective, enabling him to restore morale to staff and the membership at a critical period in the association’s history. Peter McMartin was one of the industry’s “old school” entrepreneurs, who not only ran a successful business but also made a major contribution to the wider industry as a member and chairman of its trade association.”

The McMartin family have invited friends and colleagues – old and new – to a remembrance service, which takes place at 10:30, Friday 25 February – Seven Hills Crematorium, Felixstowe Road, Nacton, Suffolk, IP10 0FG – to be followed by a celebration of his life and achievements at The Elizabeth Orwell Hotel, Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 7DX. The family kindly requests that mourners send donations in lieu of flowers for the Royal British Legion and Macmillan Cancer Support – C/O Co-operative Funeral Services 213 High Street, Walton, Felixstowe IP11 9BQ.