Speedline brings aluminium truck wheels to UK with SP Holding

Commercial vehicle venture Speedline Truck, created by global wheel manufacturer Ronal, has appointed SP Holding as the UK aftermarket agent for its new range of forged truck wheels. Marketed through an independent sales and distribution centre based in Italy, the new range represents the Ronal group’s response to what it perceives as a growing demand for forged aluminium truck wheels.

Steve Holding, Managing Director of SP Holding, said: “The creation of a new company, Speedline Truck, to manufacture and market these products is one of the most exciting developments in the truck wheel market in the last year. Ronal has said its objective is to become, through Speedline Truck, a leading player in the European truck market– and it has decided to develop its presence first through the aftermarket.

 “Both Ronal and Speedline Truck have the very strongest reputations for quality, innovation and design so we are delighted to support Speedline Truck’s marketing strategy in the UK. SP Holding provides a total truck and trailer care service, including logistics support, repairs, maintenance and spare parts, so we are perfectly placed to support Speedline Truck’s expansion in the UK.”

Ronal “responding to market shift”

Ronal, based in Haerkingen, Switzerland, acquired Italian wheel manufacturer Speedline in 2007. Demand for forged truck wheels has grown in recent years because they are lighter and less prone to corrosion than cast wheels. Holding continued: “Ronal has decided to respond very positively to the shift in the market demand to forged wheels. Their determination to enter the market in forged truck wheels makes this a very exciting development and we will play our part in making it a success in the UK.

“Ronal has said it will initially offer its products in the aftermarket and to trailer builders, then will targeting the OEM market.”

Initially, three wheel sizes are being offered, both in diamond cut or mirror polished finish:
•    22.5 x 9.00 – with a payload of 4,250 kg, it is designed to meet future industry demands with the introduction of Euro 6.
•    22.5 x 11.75 – with offset 120, it exceeds all required limits with a payload of 5,000 kg, combining the advantages of load reserves and low wheel weight.
•    22.5 x 11.75 – with offset 0, to round up the product range with a full proposal to all major demands of the trailer segment.

Ronal plans to extend the range in the upcoming months. All products are TÜV-approved and supplied with German ABE certification. The SP Holding Group has created a new company, SP Holding Ltd, to develop its fast expanding truck and logistics operations. It operates a Renault Trucks dealership and, in November 2011, acquired Wolverhampton-based trailer fleet management company Trailercare which is now part of an integrated operation to provide a total truck and trailer care service.

SP Holding is also becoming increasingly active in the logistics market, providing logistics support and contract hire services for a range of clients across the UK.