In a major initiative, the MAI Group has appointed Netherlands-based wholesaler Heuver Bandengroothandel as the exclusive distributor of its MAXAM range of OTR and earthmover tyres in no fewer than 18 European countries. Speaking from the company's Verona headquarters, MAI Group’s European Sales manager Kevin Buckley described the agreement as "a fantastic deal for both parties".
For more than 30 years Manbat has been the primary distributor of Varta batteries to the UK aftermarket. The Varta brand has developed a strong reputation and is the preferred OEM supplier for numerous European vehicle manufacturers. Alongside Varta, Manbat is also the sole supplier of the Lucas and Numax brands.
Middlesex-based Universal Tyres & Spares Ltd (UTSL) have announced plans to exhibit the company’s Radar range of tyres at the UK’s only dedicated tyre show, Brityrex 2010, next week (5 – 7 October). UTSL are sharing a stand with Singapore-based Omni United Pte Ltd at the show in Manchester’s GMEX (now known as Manchester Central) exhibition centre.
Bridgestone/Bandag in Brazil has purchased RFID tyre badges and UHF RFID readers from Advanced ID Corporation. According to a company statement announcing the news, this first order has been shipped, delivered and paid for. Advanced ID expects to receive larger additional orders from Bridgestone for tyre badges and readers as the program is rolled out. This initial deal is said to be the result of a year of Advanced ID and Bridgestone working together to ensure that “the Bridgestone RFID tyre management system is ready for full commercial introduction.”
Eurotire’s Romania manufacturing facility and its employees recently achieved ISO9001-2008 certification. The challenge of achieving ISO certification was heightened by the fact that the Romania facility is new and this was the first attempt at ISO certification there. Simtex-OC, the first private Romanian certification company to receive international accreditation to audit for the ISO9001-2008 Quality Management System, performed the audit.
Pro-Align has appointed three new field-based sales executives and one further addition to the company’s headquarters support team, stating that the roles were “created… in order to cope with an increased level of demand”. The company has long argued that its premium range of Hunter equipment provides garages and workshops with additional revenue opportunities due to factors such as the wider range of services they allow garages to offer and the increased speed with which they allow tasks such as four-wheel alignment to be completed. “Advanced wheel alignment systems are being increasingly recognised by the trade as an excellent source of revenue and new business,” explains Paul Beaurain, managing director, Pro-Align.
New York-Based Eurotire Inc. has commenced operations at its new office in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. According to the company Balikpapan was selected by Eurotire for PT Eurotire Indonesia because of its strategic position in Indonesia’s central mining region. In addition to being Eurotire’s primary business office for Indonesia, this location also serves as Eurotire’s OTR tyre services and support centre for its local mining customers.
Stapleton’s has significantly increased its stock capacity with the company’s official opening of a new 100,000 square foot warehousing facility in Birmingham. The new warehouse, which is reportedly already stocked, is designed to hold over 250,000 tyres. Company representatives told Tyres & Accessories that the site will utilise “the latest technology and picking systems to ensure the best possible efficiency and delivery turnaround, reinforcing Stapleton’s commitment to being a fast, reliable and efficient distributor.”
Following the signing of a definitive agreement, Eurotire Inc. has become a global distributor for the PressurePro range of TPMS products produced by Advantage PressurePro. According to Advantage PressurePro, distribution of its TPMS product line is a “natural extension of Eurotire’s focus on providing their mining customers with the OTR tyre service and support tools they need to maximise tyre productivity.” The US headquartered company lists facilities in every continent amongst its worldwide operations.
Cutting-edge research expeditions may not be the first thing to spring to mind when UK battery distributor Manbat’s name is mentioned. However, a group of medical researchers have employed Lucas LG75 batteries supplied by the company to keep vital blood samples at the correct temperature while staying at a hut in the Alps. The Xtreme Alps project is designed to test the effectiveness of a dietary supplement taken to improve the body’s tolerance for lack of oxygen.
Following its promotion last autumn that the wholesaler described as “highly successful”, Grouptyre is again teaming up with tyre manufacturer Federal for another national incentive which will see six lucky retailers win an exciting Red Letter Day experience. Grouptyre is the exclusive UK distributor of Federal, which offers high performance, light truck, 4×4 and SUV tyres. Grouptyre’s 2010 Red Letter Day runs as two consecutive promotions, from 1 September to 31 October and from 1 November to 31 December, and the winners will be chosen at random from all the entries received. For each promotion there are three Red Letter Day experiences to be won: a first prize valued at £500 and two runners up prizes worth £250.
The Sumo Firenza brand is continuing on its strategy of being a competitive option within the truck tyre market in both Europe and the UK, according to global distributor Singapore-based Stamford Tyres. In the UK Sumo Firenza truck tyres are exclusively distributed by West Midlands based International Tyres.
Company representatives attribute the brand’s progression to face that its products incorporate Japanese technology and are manufactured in the Far East. In addition Sumo Firenza’s truck tyre portfolio offers a growing size range plus a broadening choice for the Super Singles market.
Stapleton’s Tyre Services has confirmed that it has agreed terms with Pirelli Tyre UK to purchase its CPK Auto Products Ltd business. Asked what the strategic intention behind the firm’s latest acquisition is, Stapleton’s representatives said “Pirelli’s CPK strengthens Stapleton’s position as the UK’s number one tyre distributor” and said the move sees the tyre distribution specialist “expand its trade distribution operation enabling a further improvement in efficiencies and customer service” in an official statement. No details of the terms of the sale have been released.
Commenting on the acquisition, Stapleton’s chief executive, Kenji Murai, said: “We are a growing business and this latest acquisition allows us to further improve our market position. Our aim is to provide excellent value for money alongside great customer service, across all our B2B sectors. This philosophy will be at the heart of everything we do.”
The UK distributor for Yokohama tyres, Yokohama HPT Ltd, has announced it will supply the market with a selection of the company’s W.drive winter tyres; this is the first time Yokohama winter tyres have been available here. Adopted by manufacturers such as Audi, Bentley, Lotus and Mercedes AMG as winter options and recommended by motoring organisations around Europe, the W.drive range is designed to provide grip and safety on snow and ice and allow drivers to maintain control in all conditions.
Recognising R H Claydon as “the leading UK truck tyre distributor,” Infinity Tyres has appointed the well-known wholesaler as the exclusive distributor for Infinity Truck (TBR) tyres in the UK. The news follows “a couple of months of discussion and negotiation,” which resulted in the new agreement being concluded. Infinity truck tyres will now be available from all of Claydon’s UK branches – Bury St Edmunds, Falkirk, Scunthorpe, Stockport and Swindon.
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