At its recent annual conference, Maxxis International and UK distribution partner Stapleton’s (Tyre Services) Ltd announced the appointment of Alan Littlewood to the position of Maxxis brand manager. Maxxis International says Littlewood has taken on the role to help strengthen the Maxxis brand throughout the UK and to further develop the partnership between Maxxis, Stapleton’s and the Maxxis Key Dealer network.
Maxxis International has announced Priorslee Motor Services in Telford as its 2013 winner of the Maxxis Extra Mile competition. Priorslee Motor Services were chosen as this year’s ‘Wildcard’ winners after hosting a family open day in conjunction with Maxxis and in aid of Severn Hospice, which UK managing director, Derek McMartin described as “a brilliant way of promoting the Maxxis brand.”
Stapleton’s has commenced its series of re-fits in line with its Matador Key Dealer Programme. Wootton Tyres, an independent tyre retailer on the Isle of Wight, became the first depot to be re-branded to reflect its participation in the programme, and Stapleton’s says many more are to follow.
It has been a good year for Maxxis’ parent company Cheng Shin Rubber, according Maxxis International UK managing director Derek McMartin. The fact that headcount is up more than 10 per cent to 30,000 and that the company has announced in the last year or so that it is investing in three new factories (Xiamen, Chongqing and Taiwan). The Taiwan project is said to have achieved phase one output of 27,000 tyres a day already, which will rise to 100,000 tyres a day a full capacity (phase four).
Jet Tyres’ premises in Canvey Island recently received a complete overhaul courtesy of Stapleton’s and Maxxis. The facelift included internal and exterior paintwork, signage and point-of-sale items have all been refreshed and the already popular retailer is reporting instant results in terms of increased sales.
Noting the present wide ranging diversity of fitments in the current 4×4/SUV market, Stapleton’s notes that the opportunities open to the retailer present a challenge in requiring a wide breadth of stock to meet increasingly specialised demand. While retailers can expect the usual range of premium brand tyres in this segment from the wholesaler, it says there has been a particular focus in this segment on providing a variety of lower-priced private brands.
Nexen and Stapleton’s have released details of the two companies’ holiday promotion after what they have described as “an overwhelming response that exceeded all expectations…” The seven lucky winners and their travel companions are now said to be looking forward to “some serious globetrotting, in considerable style”.
Stapleton’s Tyre Services shares that its iPad promotion has received glowing praise from Primewell Key Dealers. Over the last three months, any Primewell Key Dealer who ordered at least 12 tyres during a single week from the brand’s UHP, high performance, comfort and van tyre ranges were entered into a weekly draw to win the coveted prize. Overall there were 11 weekly winners.
75 years after the company’s foundation, Stapleton’s, its suppliers and its partners are all celebrating three quarters of a century in business.
It’s hard to imagine what Sidney Stapleton would make of the company that bears his name 75 years on from the September day in 1937 when he first incorporated the firm and opened his premises at 195 High Street, Watford. By the end of the Second World War in 1945, the company had not only survived but expanded with the opening of a new depot in nearby Hitchin – a move that brought the weekly wage bill to a total of £20.
Stapleton’s Tyre Services is offering a 32GB iPad every week until Christmas as part of a Primewell Key Dealer promotion. Any Primewell Key Dealer ordering at least 12 tyres during a single week from the Ultra High Performance, High Performance, Comfort and Van tyre ranges will be automatically entered into a weekly draw that runs from 1 October to 14 December 2012.
Available through Stapleton’s Tyre Services in the UK, Maxxis International has a range of economically priced van and light truck tyres that the company says deliver value through good durability and handling capabilities in all conditions. The company has announced that it has added a “next generation” product to its extensive van range, the MCV3.
As we look forward to 2012 there is no sign to economic pressures that blighted 2011 lifting any time soon. On the contrary, with the financial confusion surrounding the eurozone and with credit ratings agency Standard and Poor’s threatening to downgrade any of the 17 countries associated with it, there are still many challenges ahead. That said it was apparently a good year for some.
Stapleton was literally bristling with moustaches last month. No the company did not step back into the seventies or make a new fashion statement. Instead the efforts of some 30 of Stapleton’s staffers aimed to put the fun into fundraising for the phenomenon known as Movember – the annual moustache-growing frenzy that raises money and awareness for men’s health issues such as prostate cancer and other cancers affecting men.
David White, Kwik Fit Group customer services director, has announced that he will be leaving the company at the end of March 2012. White, who is also currently NTDA chairman, said: “I have had a long career at Kwik Fit and have hugely enjoyed my 24 years here. I’ve seen many changes and believe that the next phase of the company’s development will be one of the most exciting times in its history. However, I feel that the time is right for me to explore new opportunities and challenges outside the business.
Stapleton's has reponded to the news that it recently beat stiff competition to be re-named as Tyre Wholesaler of the Year at the NTDA Tyre and Fast Fit Awards 2011 held at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham on 20 October.
Stephen Childs, head of range planning and marketing said that the award demonstrated the company’s continued commitment to its customers and the efforts made to cement strong relationship with its trade customers, as well as the hard work of its staff to ‘go the extra mile’. “To be voted as number one Tyre Wholesaler for a second year running is a great achievement, made even more special as the award is given based on the support of our customers. Our focus continues to be on developing strong customer relationships and delivering a first class service across the business,” he said.
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