Talking winter tyres in the desert with Deldo

With temperatures ranging between 39 and 47’C during the week of this year’s Automechanika Middle East, Dubai might seem like a bizarre place to talk about winter tyres, but that’s the position Tyres & Accessories found itself in during a conversation with Deldo Autobanden NV’s international sales and marketing manager, Rutger Veerman. In addition there was also news of a new Deldo private brand tyre.

But first the winter tyres. According to Veerman, 2011 is the first year the well-known Belgian tyre wholesaler has pre-sold winter tyres to distributors in the UK. Sales of the ironically cold weather products are also said to be booming in general with many companies across Europe failing to get enough stock during the last winter season.

So why the sudden increase in winter tyres in the UK market, which has witnessed a surge in demand over the past two winters? Availability, pricing and an overall mentality change are said to have all been important factors. Nevertheless the ever-ambitious Belgian wholesale (like many firms aiming to supply winter tyres into the European markets) is confident that we have seen the end of the winter spike. “There is still more potential in France, the Benelux countries and the UK,” said Veerman.

However, no matter how optimistic you are about the recent growth of the winter tyre market in the UK and other European states that haven’t quite reached the maturity of leader countries such as Germany in this respect, there is no denying that meteorology has much to do with the recent growth as well. “Weather is a key promoter,” Veerman conceded. So, despite ATS Euromaster’s recent predictions for another frozen winter in the UK this year, what will happen if there isn’t any snow when winter comes? Few disagree with the suggestion that this would slow down the winter tyre market’s sharp growth curve. In addition sales in the Nordic, German, Austrian and Swiss markets are already predicted to return to more sedate trends owing to their maturity in this area. Some sources even warn that those in the German market are perhaps being too optimistic about the size of demand this season.

New private label

As far as Deldo’s well-stocked product range is concenred. Rutger Veerman revealed that the company is about to release a new private label brand aimed into the economy sector of the market – a strategy the company has significant experience of. There is also said to be the potential to introduce a second product, but details have not yet been released. At this early stage the only details that are being released are that there are confirmed plans for a new private brand called “Imperial”. Look out for further details in future issues of Tyres & Accessories and online at www.tyrepress.com.

Related news:

• Light truck ranges added to Minerva, Rockstone portfolios, reports Deldo

• Deldo ready for the coming year

• Demand for Private Brands Growing, Deldo Reports