Project TREE is the first attempt to establish natural rubber traceability using blockchain, and the UK is the first market where consumers can buy tyres containing verifiable sustainable rubber. Following the launch of traceable Pirelli tyres earlier this month, Hankook Tire & Technology is now distributing tyres manufactured through the project.
European Tyre Enterprise Ltd (ETEL), which owns leading tyre retail and wholesale operations Kwik-Fit and Stapleton’s, has agreed the acquisition of Murfitts Industries, the country’s leading tyre recycling company. ETEL is buying 100 per cent of Murfitts Group Ltd, the parent company of Murfitts Industries. Murfitts operates a national network recycling the equivalent of around 20 million car tyres per year. Murfitts, which processes and recycles tyres into granulate, has been a long-term provider of post-consumer tyre collection and recycling services to ETEL.
So far, the majority of our ongoing Torque from the Top series of interviews with leading players in the UK tyre business have been with executives hailing from the manufacturing side of things. This month we redress the balance by engaging with Andy Fern who is the managing director of one of the UK’s largest tyre wholesale businesses, Stapleton’s. Here he talks us through the resilience of staff and customers during the turbulent couple of years we have all experience and details the “seismic shift in the market” that has come with increase online demand from consumers.
Japan’s Itochu Corporation announced today the commercial launch of Project TREE, an initiative that uses a blockchain-based traceability system to ensure the sustainability and traceability of natural rubber. Partners participating in the Project include Itochu subsidiaries and tyre manufacturers, and the UK will be the first market to benefit.
Stevenage Starlets’ under 14 team were recently presented with a new football kit by Harry Redknapp after winning a Nexen Tyre UK competition. Unbeknownst to them not only did they win Nexen-branded sportswear, well-known football manager, sporting pundit and King of the Jungle 2018 was also on-hand to make the presentation and help kick off the game with a pre-match team talk.
Stapleton’s is relaunching Continental group brand Matador onto the market. The UK’s largest tyre wholesaler said it is bringing in a new Matador Customer Key Dealer Programme “designed with forward-thinking initiatives and has retailers at the centre of its strategy.” In the current trading environment, the brand has several advantages, one being the proximity of its production to the UK; all the brand’s car, van and 4×4 tyres are manufactured in Europe. Combined with Conti’s strong European supply chain infrastructure, Stapleton’s makes the point that Matador “has excellent availability with fast shipping into the UK from European factories.”
The National Tyre Distributors Association has presented a bumper crop of awards during its 92nd Annual Dinner in Birmingham. In the headline awards, Merityre was made the Overall Tyre Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Pirelli Tyres, Bridgestone took first place in Tyre Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by The Commercial Vehicle Show, while Stapleton’s Tyre Services became 2021’s Tyre Wholesaler of the Year, sponsored by Compilator / Team Systems. Tyrepress reported the announcement of the award winners, in addition to the day’s Tyre Industry Conference, live via Twitter.
Stapleton’s (Tyre Services) is conservatively optimistic for the summer months thanks to its exclusive brands, which offer particularly strong UHP tyres in the mid-range. Korean manufacturer Nexen Tire is due to begin shipping new N’Fera and N’Blue tyres to the UK imminently, while the latest tyres from Maxxis have helped the Taiwan-based brand to its best year of independent tyre test results ever in 2020.
Stapleton’s and Nexen have combined with Harry Redknapp to produce a fun Christmas video. With the likes of McDonald’s, Walkers crisps and much-revered John Lewis adverts launching in early November, Stapleton’s and Nexen along with brand ambassador Harry Redknapp have joined them to bring some light relief at the end of a tough year.
ETEL Group, Kwik Fit and Stapletons Tyre Services tyre retail brands, has made Wagestream available to its 7,000 staff. Wagestream offers a suite of financial education solutions including real-time access to earned pay.
European Tyre Enterprise Limited (ETEL) has appointed Andy Fern as managing director of its Stapleton’s Tyre Services tyre wholesale business.
Fern, who is currently group fleet sales director, replaces Wataru Goroku (‘Go’), who is taking on a new role with ETEL’s parent company Itochu. Go will provide continuity by taking the role of chairman of Stapleton’s during a transition period to ensure a smooth handover.
Since October is Tyre Safety month, Stapleton’s (Tyre Services) Ltd in association with Nexen Tyre, Harry Redknapp and TyreSafe have released the latest video in their campaign, which focusses on the key messages of tyre safety.
Nexen Tyre and Stapleton’s (Tyre Services) Ltd have appointed ex-professional footballer, premier league manager and “I’m a celebrity get me out of here” champion Harry Redknapp as brand ambassador.
Nexen has held its second Nexen Point Driving Experience in association with UK distributor Stapleton’s at Palmersport Autodrome in Bedfordshire, UK. The key draw at the 5 September 2019 event, which was attended by around 70 tyre dealers, was the presence of the new N’blue 4Season.
Stapleton’s has worked with Nottingham-based digital marketing agency, Adtrak, to “improve the brand’s digital presence, create a more efficient tyre booking system, and expand its audience reach.” Specifically this means Adtrak has developed a new corporate site, refreshed branding and brand guidelines, new stationery and promotional folders as well as making a new social media presence and strategy.
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Murfitts Industries
Stapleton’s
Stapleton's
Stapleton’s; Nexen