Profile Tyrecenter UK Ltd aims for 1000 branches in Britain

Tyrenet UK Ltd and Benelux-based Profile Tyrecenter are entering into a joint venture that will see the two companies cooperate in the execution of the ambitious goal of becoming the largest tyre retail network in the UK. The goal is 1000 branches in the UK. And what’s more the partnership of the leading independent tyre dealer network and the award winning tyre retail leader in Benelux is seeking to get a foothold in the lease and fleet services market currently dominated by other leading players, while focusing on service excellence through the deployment of its unique ICT solutions across the new chain.

If you thought that UK tyre market had got all its retail market upheaval out of its system, you would be wrong. True the last couple of years have been eventful to say the least, with the Stapleton’s retail expansion and acquisition of Central Tyre and North Eastern Tyres & Exhausts, before corporate owners Itochu surprised many in the market by purchasing KwikFit in Spring 2011. This market-dominating retail concern was then hived off into a separate entity, leaving Itochu with both the largest tyre wholesaler and retail operation in the market.

Roughly in parallel with all these developments there were changes in the membership and organisation of several Grouptyre members, which themselves controlled significant retail interests. And at the same time as this Point S has been rising to the fore as a viable national retail cooperative. Now it seems there is another option, that not only seeks to provide independent tyre details with an alternative source of stock purchasing, but also marketing and ICT support. In addition, the newly formed Profil Tyrecenter UK concept seeks to offer independent dealers access to the lucrative fleet and lease market that – up till now at least – has been overwhelmingly dominated by a couple of large players.

Introducing Profil Tyrecenters

The new retail concept brings with it a new retail brand. In preparation for the launch, Tyres & Accessories recently learnt of the two companies’ intention to introduce the Profile Tyrecenter brand and concept in the UK market. For those of you unfamiliar with the top-end tyre retail chain that has done so well in the Benelux, the initial focus will be on the independent provision of high quality tyre services to leasing and rental companies.

According to joint venture representatives, Profile Tyrecenter UK has the ambition and indeed the mission to become “the best service solution provider to leasing and rental companies and their drivers in the UK.” And technology seems to be a key part of how they aim to get there, with both parties strongly believers in the competitive advantage of better service and better ICT solutions within the UK market.

As far as corporate structure is concerned, the roll-out of Profile Tyrecenter in the UK will be run by a joint venture, which is begin established by Tyrenet UK Ltd and Profile Tyrecenter “in the coming weeks.” According to the two companies, the new partnership will capitalise on the commercial management, IT and marketing expertise, combined with the “unrivalled fleet customer and business partner portfolio of The Alwaysbemobile Company NV”.

The Alwaysbemobile Company NV is the owning holding company of Profile Tyrecenter and an award winning independent multi-brand automotive group in Europe. Brands in its portfolio include Profile Tyrecenter, James Auto & Service, Autoglaz and AH Car Repair. The company currently has over 300 outlets in the Benelux and is market leader in the tyre service business for commercial vehicles and passenger cars in the Benelux. The success of the company is based on a “local heroes and global strategy” approach that sees the company working only with high quality independent entrepreneurs as part of a franchise network.

Tyrenet UK Ltd and Profile Tyrecenter BV have been working together with others in the TEN group, a company formed from the most powerful European independent tyre dealer networks, for some time. Mike Riley the managing director of Tyrenet UK Ltd and vice president of TEN, commented that Profile Tyrecenter UK Ltd has evolved from building close working relationships with the partners in TEN. This is especially true of the Benelux partner Profile Tyrecenter BV and its parent company The Alwaysbemobile Company NV. According to Riley, this new business venture has been several years in the making “and we feel that the market place is in the ideal position to take our offering.”

The new company will commence trading on 1 January 2013 and will be based at the Liverpool offices of Tyrenet UK Ltd. It aims to build on the existing 650 points of sale in the network by adding an additional 350 sites. All this is designed to make Profile Tyrecenter UK Ltd the largest fleet network provider in the UK.