Few would disagree that the rapid growth of the 4×4/SUV tyre space represents a good retail opportunity. On the other hand, retailers are obliged to maintain an unprecedented breadth of stock to cope with the particular demands of this specialist sector, which can be quite a challenge. And it’s on this point that Stapleton’s believes […]
Having been fitting tyres at its site in Bakewell, Derbyshire, since 2009, Tyre Specialists recently got a lick of paint as part of its partnership in the Maxxis Centre of Excellence programme. Company director, David Slater said it was an easy decision to sign up to the reward programme as he explains: “Having stocked Maxxis […]
Stapleton’s says that availability, affordability, customer focus and safety remain at the top of the agenda in the passenger car tyre market, a philosophy that inspires its stable of exclusive brands, including Maxxis, Nexen, Matador, Primewell and Event. “It’s a matter of horses for courses really… and when the economic going’s tough as it has been for the last few years, our retailers tell us they need to offer hard-pressed drivers a choice of brands and products that covers all sizes, sectors and price points,” says Nigel O’Hara, Stapleton’s head of general wholesale. “If the retailer doesn’t have the right tyre for the customer at the right time and at the right price, chances are they’ll lose the sale. At the same time, neither we nor our retail partners are willing to sacrifice performance or safety just to stay competitive.”
Maxxis has revealed a new strategy in marketing its passenger car tyre range in 2015. The manufacturer will focus its operational and marketing efforts on core products, with the aim of increasing their fitments and availability across the board. The move will also see less popular ranges phased out, with the ultimate effect of simplifying the Maxxis offering for both dealers and their customers.
At the end of 2014 Maxxis, in conjunction with Stapletons Tyre Services, recently rewarded its top dealers with a five-star, all-expenses trip to Rome as part of the Maxxis Dealer Rewards Programme.
Fifteen dealers and their partners were treated to a three night stay in the luxury five-star Hotel Eden, located in the heart of the Old City of Rome, just a short walk from the legendary Spanish Steps and picturesque Villa Borghese.
Visitors to this year’s Motorcycle Trade Expo at Stoneleigh Park have the chance to preview Maxxis’ latest innovation for Sports Touring riders, the Supermaxx ST. The manufacturer’s latest tyre was developed with the help of British Superbike and World Superbike star, Chris “Stalker” Walker, and Maxxis promises riders high levels of comfort and performance in equal measure with the tyre.
This year Maxxis’ Autosport International stand feature the “Maxxis Experience”, the tyre manufacturer’s very own on-stand cinema. The “Maxxis Experience” will give fans the opportunity to enjoy a high quality film showcasing the very best of the tyre manufacturer and its sponsored motorsport teams and series. The movie produced by filmmaker and motorsport enthusiast, Stephen Brooks, features scenes from different Maxxis sponsored motorsport competitions and championships including drifting, 4×4, cycle, superbike and motocross.
Despite other whole market figures saying the UK annual passenger car tyre replacement demand fell back during 2014 (Gfk) or was stable (Continental), Maxxis reports that the last 12 months actually represented examples of “good growth”. While not exclusively for this reason, this is likely to be a result of the company’s successful growth of its fitting network – not to mention increases in OE sales and product development and strategic sponsorship.
Maxxis managing director, Derek McMartin says that the company’s established motorsport partnerships give it a great platform for the development of its range of off-road and high performance tyres. “Being able to support some of the greatest motorsport drivers in Europe means that we are able to push our tyres to their limits, whilst continuing […]
A group of “leading rubber processors from China” are set to visit Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar to survey sites to establish rubber plants in the next week or so. Thailand’s The Nation reports that about 10 rubber processors from Shandong province and representatives from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade are scheduled to visit Indonesia, Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand between 19 and 25 November.
The group reportedly consists of around 50 representatives from both companies and government agencies. It will reach Thailand on 23 November where it will stay for two to three days with a view to considering “opportunities to invest in the South and Northeast, the country’s major rubber tree growing areas”.
Multiple Indian news sources are reporting that Taiwanese tyre maker Cheng Shin/Maxxis is planning to invest in an Indian factory. According to one Business Standard report, group president Dr. Wally Chen called upon Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel on 15 October.
Indonesia’s newly elected president promised support for Maxxis’ planned tyre factory in the country in a meeting with company officials in Jakarta at the end of September. Accompanied by members of the company’s Indonesia management team and a representative of Taipei’s Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, Maxxis president Dr Wally Chen met with president-elect Joko Widodo 29 September.
Cooper Tire is the world’s leading tyre company in terms of global social media influence, according to research conducted by Tyres & Accessories. Meanwhile the 2014 rankings also show that Michelin went up one place and held off Continental to top our UK chart. There has been significant change in both cases as well as a strengthening in the online presence of mid-range brands, something we also found in our online brand equity research (see separate article).
French manufacturer Michelin has won our global online tyre brand value rankings for the seventh consecutive year. However, while Michelin deserves credit for the unparalleled achievement. This year’s research also shows significant growth from Korean manufacturers/mid-range brands. Tyres & Accessories once again partnered with NetNames, a partnership that this year celebrates its 10th set of annual results and 10 years of assessing tyre brands’ online prominence and sentiment.
According to a report in the Taipei Times, Cheng Shin Rubber has ambitions to overtake Yokohama rubber and become the world’s eighth largest tyre manufacturer.
The company hopes to achieve this by tapping into the fast growing Chinese car market and it has already signalled its intention to increase expenditure at its R&D operation in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, China.
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