Stapleton’s Acquires WSTyremasters
The news is now official; Letchworth-based Stapleton’s Tyre Services has completed the acquisition of WSTyremasters (WST), one of its largest competitors. This makes Stapleton’s by far the largest UK car tyre wholesaler. Neither side would reveal any financial details of the transaction. The agreement, reached between Stapleton’s and ATS Ltd, WST’s parent company, covers all of WST’s trading interests. It has also been fully supported and endorsed by Michelin, which owns ATS. The deal includes six WST distribution centres in Bristol, Watford, Dereham, Burton, Manchester and Glasgow, 115 members of staff and the exclusive UK distribution rights to the Ambassador budget tyre brand. The agreement has been rumoured for some time, but was only formally concluded on Tuesday. “This is a highly significant strategic acquisition for Stapleton’s which gives a very clear demonstration of our ambitious expansion and development plans for the UK,” said managing director Ashley Croft.