Swedish tyre distributor and retreader the Colmec Group now operates in Poland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Finland, where it established a new service and sales organisation in May 2013. The company reports it has now taken the next step towards building up a full sales and service organisation there by appointing a sales manager for the Finnish operation.
Singapore’s Stamford Tyres has appointed UAE automobile distributor Al Habtoor Motors as the official dealer and distributor of its Firenza car tyre brand. The Firenza brand is already established throughout Europe and the UK and this latest association is designed to build a sales profile in the Middle East for the future.
Miami-based US tyre wholesaler Tire Group International reports that it was granted ‘Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) 281-4’ status on 9 September. This designation will give TGI the ability to defer, reduce and even eliminate customs duties on products brought into its US distribution centre for re-export.
The manufacturer, Westlake and one of its global distributors, the Al Dobowi Group have launched the new Westlake Wishes foundation. Ge Guorong, the CEO of Westlake, was joined by Al Dobowi’s Harjeev Kandhari and 30 European Westlake distributor partners as the foundation’s first initiative was announced.
Don-Bur, the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of commercial vehicle trailer bodies has taken delivery of more than 450 xlite super single forged aluminium wheels from exclusive distributor Motor Wheel Service Distribution. The wheel, which has a reduced weight and increased load index, has been fitted for several clients on the company’s innovative, aerodynamic Teardrop trailer range during its first six months on the market.
The Tire Repair & Information Bureau reports that US-based company Tesco Italmatic LLC has signed an exclusive agreement with Germany’s Steinbichler to sell and service the company’s passenger car, light commercial vehicle, truck, aviation and OTR shearography machinery in the Americas. Tesco Italmatic is said to be “excited” to supply the retreading industry with the Steinbichler range.
Duncan Wilkes has been appointed chief executive of Micheldever Group, taking up the position in the New Year. First announced last February as part of the Micheldever Board‘s senior management succession plan, current Micheldever chief executive officer Paul Fox’s retirement has been confirmed for 31 December 2013. Fox will remain both as a shareholder and a non-executive director on the Micheldever Board.
Sri Lanka is one of Apollo Tyres’ fastest growing export markets – the company says sales there have increased more than 50 per cent year-on-year since the brand’s introduction into Sri Lanka in June 2011. The Indian tyre maker has now opened its first branded retail outlet within the country.
Wholesaler Micheldever Tyre Services will continue to distribute Kumho products for at least the next three years in mainland Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The distributor and Kumho Tyre (UK) have signed Heads of Agreement with a view to concluding the deal, which will see MTS continue to supply the Ecsta Performance Centre (EPC) network of independent retailers as well as its other key accounts and VMA business.
UK and international tyre wholesaler, Treadsetters has recently been appointed as a UK distributor for the Falken tyre range – a move that it says enhances “significantly” its commercial tyre operation. The company says the Sumitomo-manufactured Falken brand joins Goodride and a number of specially selected mid-range and premium brands. The Shropshire-based wholesaler states that it has enjoyed a “very progressive trading period” in the last couple of years. As well as steadily increasing its product portfolio the company has also received a number of business accolades and were recently placed 59th in the Sunday Times International Track 200 list.
Garage equipment specialist Trade Garage Equipment Limited has been appointed exclusive distributor for Europe’s leading extraction and de-polluting system manufacturers SACATEC.
Based in France, SACATEC has designed and manufactured a comprehensive range of systems for more than 50 years; Thomas Galtie of SACATEC explains how the association with ‘Trade’ developed.
Van den Ban’s private label Novex has been upgraded with a more mature identity and improved assortment. The distributer has displayed great confidence in the Novex brand, produced by what it describes as “a well-known Asian tyre manufacturer” and the range is developing rapidly by introducing new patterns and sizes. With the increased winter and all-season assortment, VDB says Novex is now in a better position to respond to the needs of the market.
Westlake has expanded its distribution network in Spain via an agreement with Spain’s Transcose to distribute its passenger, 4×4 and van tyre ranges in the central provinces of Avila, Soria and Segovia.
Federal-Mogul Corporation has appointed Andrew Bevington as managing director, Vehicle Component Solutions UK & Ireland. Bevington previously worked at EXIDE technologies, where he has honed his skills and expertise over the last five years. During this time he has developed a number of key relationships in becoming a well-known figure in the marketplace, and is relishing the opportunity to apply his insight to the continued delivery of excellence for Federal-Mogul’s established distributor customers.
Micheldever Tyre Services has appointed Lorna Craig as the company’s new Kumho brand manager. Craig was previously charged with the development of Micheldever’s business and brands in Scotland where she was an area sales manager. Wholesale sales director Alan Baldwin stated the company’s delight in her appointment, saying her previous experience had “made her the perfect choice for what is one of the most important roles within the MTS business.” Micheldever says it is Europe’s largest distributor of Kumho tyres, evincing the importance of Craig’s new position.
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