US a 2012 focus for SD International

SD International was established ten years ago and in headquartered in Shanghai, with sales offices in the UK France, Slovakia, Argentina and Dubai. The contract tyre manufacturing specialist has a wide portfolio of private brands, including Maxtrek, Pace, Briland, Zeta and Autoguard.

When Tyres & Accessories met up with sales and marketing director Peter Nicholls during CITExpo, he talked us through the company’s latest products. “Our focus here at CITExpo is similar to at the Essen show earlier this year,” he explained. “Amongst the products we’re showing here are our new Pace and Zeta winter ranges. We’re constantly investing in new sizes. We’re also promoting the Briland range of passenger car tyres, which is new for 2012. These are produced by Briland at its plant near Shanghai. SD International has global exclusive rights for the brand.”

As already mentioned, SD International operates offices and employs local sales staff in a number of regions. Nicholls says this is one important difference between the company and its Chinese competitors. SD International’s current regional focus sees it looking towards a greater presence in North America. “As a company, we’ll be focusing on the US later in the year, and will open an office there,” shared Nicholls. “It is a market where we’ve historically not been active.”

Tony, regional sales manager for Maxtrek, was also at CITExpo, and he added that the company works together with SD International throughout all of Europe with the Maxtrek brand. The Chinese tyre maker also intends to introduce the Sonny tyre brand. “We will sell this to other distributors in each country directly,” he commented.