Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) has begun 2018 with the launch of new tyre products into its distribution line-up, with plans to grow the product lines throughout the year. As well as a new Falken tyre, the wholesaler will commence the distribution of the Sumitomo brand, as discussed with Tyres & Accessories in December, with the BC100 pattern.
Micheldever Group has welcomed the Department for Transport’s decision to maintain the existing ‘3-1-1’ MOT regime. The conclusion follows last year’s consultation on extending the date of the first MOT test from three to four years.
In order to clear any consfusion arising from the announcement that Michelin and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) are forming a joint venture to pool tyre wholesale resources in the USA and Mexico, the Micheldever Group has issued a statement stressing that it is not in any way connected with Sumitomo Corporation or its North American subsidiary.
Following the news that Micheldever and Kumho Tyre are ending their 15-year distribution relationship, Kumho Tyre (UK) Ltd. (KTUK) has confirmed that the cooperation will end in May 2018. After that date, KTUK will itself be responsible for distributing Kumho branded car, 4×4 and van products in the UK (excluding Northern Ireland).
Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) has confirmed it is ending its 15-year tyre distribution partnership with Kumho Tyre in the UK. According to the company, the exclusive distribution agreement with Kumho Tyre will “end by mutual agreement” by the end of May 2018. However, MTS says the decision has also been prompted by a “clash of long-term ambition” for the Kumho brand in the UK. It comes at the same time Kumho’s global headquarters is embroiled in a complex ownership and financing struggle.
General Tire, supported by Micheldever Tyre Services, has raised £14,000 for the Children’s Air Ambulance since they formed a partnership two years ago.
The current total has been achieved thanks to an on-going commitment from the MTS network of General Tire independent tyre dealers fundraising at individual business sites, as well as funds donated from various General Tire events.
As we go to print on the December issue of Tyres & Accessories, Micheldever Group is marking a year since Sumitomo Rubber Industries, manufacturer of Falken Tyres for which MTS is UK distributor, bought the UK tyre distributor from previous owner Graphite Capital Management. While the sale was not unexpected, the identity of the new owner may have been somewhat surprising, though SRI’s investment in Falken Tyre Europe following the late-2015 dissolution of its alliance agreement with Goodyear makes the acquisition of a leading distributor a logical move. For Micheldever’s board, SRI was said to be an attractive new owner, with the presumption that it would offer offering longevity, stability, and consistency; as a large, well-established, high quality top-six tyre manufacturer seeking to broaden its knowledge of UK distribution with an already successful business.
Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) reports that recent updates to its TyreClick website have drawn a positive response from the MTS independent dealer network, with many reporting significant increases in sales since the site was revamped.
In one of the biggest and most significant investments into TyreClick since its launch in 2014, the site updates have seen a raft of new design and user functionality features – with the new look site already delivering increased sales for the independent network of tyre dealers using it.
The AlloyGator wheel protector has an opportunity for growth as motorists battle alloy wheel damage caused by hitting potholes. Hitting the side of a pothole can cause scrapes, scuffs and dents to alloy wheels resulting in expensive repair bills or even the need for replacements – all of which can be avoided by fitting AlloyGators, the company states. With the winter months sure to exacerbate the pothole problem, due to frozen water expanding cracks in the road, AlloyGator is increasing its efforts to roll out its product to more tyre retailers.
Almost 60 independent tyre dealers attended two extreme driving experience events organised by Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) to try out General Tire’s Grabber AT3 and Grabber X3 off-road 4×4 tyres. The participating dealers, from MTS’s network of General Tire performance partners, took up the extreme driving challenge at Parkwood Off-Road Centre in Bradford and the Harbour Hill Copse off-road site in Aldermaston near Reading, two of the UK’s most challenging 4×4 proving grounds. The two-day event, which included expert off-road driver training and education about the on and off-road properties of the new 4×4 patterns, was held as a reward for the dealers’ increased sales and customer loyalty.
Micheldever Tyre Services has been voted Tyre Supplier of the Year for the second year running at the Power Awards, organised by Workshop magazine.
The award was voted for by the magazine’s readers, made up of workshop professionals at both independent and franchised dealers.
Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) has joined forces with a leading independent tyre retailer and TyreSafe highlight illegal part worn tyres.
MTS, Steve Andrews Tyres, based in St Austell, and TyreSafe are working to help shine a light on the world of part worn tyres, with their campaigning efforts taking them all the way to Westminster.
Giti Tire has launched the GT Radial WinterPro2, available for the 2017 winter season in the UK from exclusive PCR distributor Micheldever Tyre Services. The manufacturer’s Giti brand commercial range has also received a winter boost with a leading UK coach hire company endorsing its first specific winter marked tyre.
Protyre, the retail division of Micheldever Tyre Services, has been named TyreSafe Retailer of the Year at the now-annual TyreSafe Awards – for the fourth consecutive time.
The company’s continued commitment to raising awareness of tyre safety and the dangers of poorly maintained or part worn tyres was again applauded by the judging panel. Protyre’s initiatives during last year’s Tyre Safety Month included free safety checks, customer email campaigns and a full day of live radio interviews.
TyreClick, the website developed by Micheldever Tyre Services to help its independent customers compete for internet driven business has reported a record 29 per cent surge in sales volumes during May, making May the best recorded since the Tyreclick portal was launched.
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