Bond acquisition Birkenshaw Distributors forms Scottish Highlands wholesale JV with Goodtread Tyre Co

JV will access Bond Group’s 1.6 million tyres, while helping Bond ‘modernise’ Birkenshaw Distributors operation

The Inverness based tyre wholesaler acquired as part of Bond International’s recent deal to acquire Stepgrades Motor Accessories Limited from Halfords Group is forming a joint venture with long term Bond customer Goodtread Tyre Co, based in Alness in the Scottish Highlands. The two parties said the JV would strengthen their tyre distribution operations covering north and west Scotland and the islands, increasing the availability of stock as a result of Bond’s large stockholding, improving warehousing, and modernising Bond’s newly acquired Birkenshaw Distributors Ltd. Sandy MacKenzie and Mark Kelman from Goodtread Tyre Co will head the joint Inverness operation.

Goodtread Tyre Co managing director Sandy MacKenzie said: “When we received the offer of a joint venture from Bond International it was too good of an opportunity to miss. We are very excited and looking forward to working with the BDL team. We will bring more opportunities to both businesses through greater warehousing capabilities and through modernisation. Working as part of the Bond International group also gives us access to 1.6M tyres across their network, which will be a huge benefit to all the customers in the Highlands and Islands.”

Bond International CEO Charlie Bond said: “This JV is hugely beneficial for all concerned. Goodtread have been a customer of Bond International for many years, and we have a fantastic relationship with Sandy and Mark. This gives us the opportunity to modernise the BDL side of our business and gives us a strong management team with local knowledge and relationships to ensure all the customers in the Highlands and Islands receive a first-class service.”