Reg Bond (1943 – 2021)

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Reg Bond on 15 March 2021, at the age of 77. Reg had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2010 and had been battling it ever since, ultimately succumbing to complications from the illness. It is testament to Reg’s character that he fought so long and so hard against the tumour.

Reg was the founder of tyre wholesaler Bond International and was the driving force behind it becoming a well-respected and successful independent business and one of the largest tyre wholesalers in the UK. Reg was the Chairman of the business, set up in 1966, until his death and was actively involved in the business for over 50 years, although he had handed over the day-to-day running of the business to his sons Greg and Charlie. Over the years the company has grown from a one-man band to its current size, where it employs over 450 people and sells more than 5 million tyres a year. Reg was immensely proud of the strides that Greg and Charlie had made in recent years in taking the business forward. He delighted in the fact that his sons and his business, continued to challenge the competition as he has done and always encouraged that sort of healthy competition.

From its foundation in 1966, at Pocklington, near York, the company has grown by developing lasting relationships and trust with suppliers and customers in the UK and around the World, with a large number of these long-standing relationships established by Reg Bond himself. In many respects Reg’s reputation abroad is even stronger than in the UK and Bond International has become a truly international business on the back of those relationships.

Reg Bond was also a great supporter of the tyre industry, taking part in numerous exhibitions, both at home and overseas, and in many industry events. He was one of the tyre industry’s best-known characters and, despite indifferent health in later years, he was always cheerful. He will be greatly missed by his many friends, both at home and overseas.

His support for the tyre industry extended to the development of tyres and brands. Reg built his business “selling the best quality tyres at the best prices” and over the last 30 years had assisted with the development of many tyres and the registering of various brand names as trademarks around the World. The first of the Reg brands to be produced is Bond’s Churchill tyre, which is now being sold in the UK and round the World, in a wide range of sizes, to great acclaim. More “high quality, blockbuster brands” are expected to follow. Sadly, Reg won’t get to see those but like the Churchill tyres they will all have the legend “RCB007” stamped on the sidewall so that there can be no doubt who’s tyres they are.

Reg had four passions in life: his family, tyres, horse racing and Liverpool Football Club. When asked recently by someone whether he actually liked tyres, his face lit up with a big grin and his head nodded enthusiastically and he simply said “oh yes, I like tyres”. A true tyre man! Reg infected his business and his sons Charlie and Greg with the same love of tyres and this is reflected in the caring and enthusiastic ethos that he leaves behind, in the business he loved.

Many people in the tyre trade will also know Reg for his love of horse racing and many customers and suppliers will have enjoyed a day out at York races with Reg and the Bond family and staff. Reg was personally involved in the breeding of many of his horses and took added pleasure from watching them run and win as a result.

Reg is survived by four children and five grandchildren. Our thoughts and condolences are with them at this very difficult time.