Maxxis UK managing director offers 2015 market insights, looks forward to 2016 “For retailers it is about selling something,” Maxxis UK managing director Derek McMartin told Tyres & Accessories during an interview in October. But what? The point is that, in the present market situation we are all currently experiencing, dealers are forever in a […]
The Maxxis Premitra HP5 was named ‘Tyre of the Year’ at the 2015 Motor Trend magazine award ceremony in Shanghai in August. The new tyre is not available in the UK yet, but is expected to arrive on these shores in the first quarter of 2016 when it will be exclusively distributed by Stapleton’s. Maxxis reports that it made the decision to initially launch the HP5 tyre in China in May due to the size and therefore importance of the Chinese market.
Winning the National Tyre Distributors Association Wholesaler of the year award in 2015 was “an extra special achievement”, according to leading tyre wholesaler Stapleton’s. This is said to have especially been the case as it was the first year in the awards history that all the awards were judged by a panel of independent adjudicators from the wider tyre and automoteive industry community.
Stapleton’s investment in recent years has been focused on its nationwide distribution operation – including new regional hubs and a larger delivery fleet – the wholesaler said. “It’s all been in response to the retailers’ needs – and we’re gratified by their response to the flexible and responsive operation we’ve created, with faster and more frequent deliveries,” comments Nigel O’Hara, Stapleton’s wholesale director. Retailer feedback has confirmed Stapleton’s customers want to stock a variety of tyre solutions at every price point, but especially in the fiercely competitive mid-market sector. The wholesaler has a range of exclusive brands in this segment, including Maxxis, Nexen, Matador, Event and Riken.
The winners of the 2015 Tyre Industry Awards were announced during the 86th NTDA Annual Dinner on 1 October following the new one-day Tyre Industry Conference at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Birmingham. Attendance at the dinner set a new record, with 60 tables sold out. The speaker and presenter of the awards was former England Rugby Union international, amateur dancer and current television pundit, Austin Healey, who added some trademark irreverence to proceedings. The Awards were also live-tweeted as they were announced on the @Tyrepress Twitter feed. The awards were sponsored this year by Sailun Tyres.
The expansion of the four-wheel drive market has resulted in an increased choice of tyres, as manufacturers launch products to service the needs of retailers and consumers across the UK, wholesaler Stapleton’s states. This creates a window of opportunity as well as a challenge for the tyre retailer: a fast-growing market for high quality replacement tyres, and a wider breadth of stock required to cope with the specialist sector. This, Stapleton’s says, is where the wholesaler comes in.
County Tyres is the latest dealership to have had a complete makeover courtesy of Maxxis, after demonstrating its commitment to the tyre manufacturer. The Newport Centre of Excellence will now have all of its external signage updated courtesy of the tyre maker and Stapleton’s.
High performance cars call for high performance tyres – and understandably motorists who have invested in an expensive vehicle are among the most discerning of customers. Reluctant to compromise performance or safety, they have tended to favour major global brands such as Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Pirelli and Michelin – but over the years Stapleton’s have been developing and introducing a range of alternatives from their own stable of exclusive brands.
Over 40 years since it opened, Scotts Tyres was recently given a complete overhaul courtesy of Maxxis and Stapletons. Scotts Tyres is now a Maxxis Centre of Excellence dealership. The Northamptonshire-based fitting centre has had its internal and external paintwork refreshed, new signage throughout and point-of-sale items updated.
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 […]
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.”
Starting 5 January, Stephen Marsh has taken on the role of retail development manager at Hankook Tyre UK. Marsh brings with him 30 years of industry experience at numerous companies, including Kwik Fit, Pirelli, CPK Auto Products and Stapleton’s Tyre Services, and he is tasked with the goal of contributing to the further development and expansion of the Hankook Masters Program in the UK. The tyre maker views his extensive experience as a trainer as an important skill that will allow him to provide added value to the network. Marsh will also work with other regional retailers and assist in developing the reach of Hankook’s portfolio.
Stapleton’s and Maxxis have confirmed that the wholesaler will carry a full stock of the brand’s Presa Snow MAPW and MAW2 winter tyres in a wide range of sizes for passenger cars from 13” to 18”. Both tyres will be available from October.
Stapleton’s is launching a new exclusive brand into the market. Gripmax, which is squarely aimed at the 4×4 tyres comes as a response to demand from the company’s retail customers. According to the company, the competitively priced Gripmax 4×4 line-up will feature sizes previously only available through premium brands such as Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin, and Pirelli.
Dmack has appointed Greg Graham as its new sales director, tasked with building on the brand’s establishment in motorsport, epitomised by its supply to the FIA World Rally Championship, to generate interest in the road-going passenger car tyre range. Graham has moved to Dmack after working for eight years as Marangoni’s sales & marketing manager […]
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