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Kwik-Fit For Sale for £250 million?

Kwik-Fit, the UK’s leading tyre retailer, has reportedly been put up for auction by its owners PAI Partners. PAI, a French private equity group, bought Kwik-Fit from CVC Capital Partners for roughly £800 million in 2005 after seeing off competing bids from suitors including global tyremaker Bridgestone. Newspaper reports from sources including The Guardian and The Scotsman published on the 30 and 31 May respectively suggest that Kwik-Fit has once again attracted the attention of private equity groups including Blackstone, KKR and Permira. However both reports also speculate about the likelihood of Bridgestone’s involvement in bidding for Kwik-Fit’s latest change of ownership. A source close to Kwik-Fit’s owners told Tyres & Accessories that the press reports were inaccurate and “there is no formal sale process,” but confirmed that there is a formal sale process for the firm’s insurance arm.

1st June 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Stapleton’s: 4×4 Tyres For Every Price Range

As one of the largest distributors of passenger car tyres in the UK, wholesaler Stapleton’s prides itself on being able to offer tyres suitable for every retailer and every price bracket. This means stocking all major brands of 4×4 and SUV tyres. However this month the company also pointed out that the current “high fuel prices and doom and gloom of the economy will undoubtedly affect the already high running costs associated with 4×4 vehicles.” Some consumers may be monitoring their spending more closely and looking to make savings on their purchases, company representatives commented, explaining that the breadth of tyre range the company offers should ensure that Stapleton’s can support retailers in offering a wide range of 4×4 tyres, “at both the premium and quality levels.”

23rd February 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Stapleton’s Launches Primewell Key Dealer Programme

The Primewell range of tyres is manufactured by GITI Tire, one of the world’s top ten largest tyre makers. The Chinese manufacturer produces a complete and modern range that is exported to over 100 countries. In the UK Primewell is exclusive brand of Stapleton’s Tyre Services, and the distributor has recently launched its Primewell Key Dealer Programme.

9th November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Stapleton’s Reviews “Extremely Positive” Year

Stapleton’s says that, despite the current economic climate, sales have been “performing well” over the past twelve months, reaching levels similar to those in 2008, and that it feels well-placed to take advantage of the current growth in the replacement tyre market. That the wholesaler has seen its private and exclusive brands – which include Primewell, Matador, Prestivo and Nexen – growing is perhaps unsurprising due to current market conditions, though Stapleton’s is keen to show that the programmes available alongside these labels are to some extent also responsible for their rise. “All of these ranges are offered with attractive dealer support packages to reward valued loyalty,” the company states. It also stocks all the major names.

14th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Stapleton’s Boast Own Brand HP Tyre and Nexen Exclusivity

Stapleton’s offers a substantial range of high performance tyres including its own brand Prestivo and tyres from the manufacturer Nexen, from whom it holds distribution exclusivity. Prestivo, Stapleton’s own brand range of tyres, is positioned as a quality mid-range tyre. The brand will be available in new sizes and tread patterns later in the year. The range is available exclusively to members of Stapleton’s Prestivo Partners scheme and ensures all retailers receive the backing and support they need to maximise sales of Prestivo tyres. Stapleton’s other exclusive high performance brand is Nexen. The range is available in more than 140 patterns and sizes, ranging from family to high performance cars.

Describing the Prestivo 2000, Stapleton’s trading director, Steve Parker, said, ”The Prestivo 2000 gives a sense of assurance. This performance tyre provides a smooth and comfortable ride. It offers confidence across all road conditions with longevity.” On the Sport iteration of the series, he commented: “The Prestivo Sport offers true driving pleasure. You can feel reliable acceleration, braking and cornering in everyday driving. Aggregated and advanced technology gives this tyre sport and comfort performance.”

11th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Stapleton’s Exclusive and Private Brands ‘Lead the Way’

As one of the largest distributors of passenger car tyres in the UK, Stapleton’s claims to be “leading the way” when it comes to private brands. The company offers a range of private and exclusive brands and offers dealer support packages that reward customer loyalty.

Prestivo, Stapleton’s own brand range of tyres, is positioned as a quality mid-range tyre and. According to company representatives, new sizes and tread patterns are scheduled for release later in the year. The range is available exclusively to members of Stapleton’s Prestivo Partners scheme, which offers dealer support including: exclusivity, attractive rebates, branded clothing, not to mention posters, POS material and other branded support items.

23rd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Stapleton’s Capacity Increases with Opening of New Warehouse

Stapleton’s Tyre Services has announced a further increase to its stock capacity. Following the official opening of its new 70,000 square foot warehouse in Guildford, the retail and wholesale tyre supplier has space for an additional 100,000 tyres. According to Stapleton’s, the new Guildford premises will primarily supply customers located south of the Thames, and will give the company the scope to offer an improved delivery service in the area.

2nd March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

American Tire Acquires Am-Pac

North Carolina, US based company American Tire Distributors has purchased California based Am-Pac Tire Distributors through a stock purchase deal. The acquisition, announced in December, is said to bring together two former competitors in a way that strengthens American Tire’s geographical distribution and builds upon its existing marketing through Am-Pac’s ‘Tire Pros’ franchise programme.

American Tire bought Am-Pac from Itochu Corporation. The Tokyo, Japan-based conglomerate had owned Am-Pac since 1999. Itochu also owns leading UK tyre distribution business, Stapleton’s.

7th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Stapleton’s to Buy Central Tyre

Company News, News, UK News

Stapleton’s (Tyre Services) Limited has agreed to buy 56 Central Tyre stores from Pirelli UK Limited. The deal, with a price-tag to be determined when the transfer of Central’s properties is completed, sees the tyre retailer and distributor expand its retail operation from 45 stores to a new total of 101 throughout the UK. The proposed transaction includes both retail and commercial tyre fitting outlets and the existing Central Tyre workforce is expected to transfer across to Stapleton’s upon completion of the sale. Initially Stapleton’s plans to concentrate on integrating the new stores into its network, meaning the company will be responsible for STS Tyre Pros, STS Tyre & Exhaust and now Central Tyre-branded outlets. It is not clear if and how this might change in the future.

16th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Stapleton’s Boosts Stock Capacity in New Premises

Twelve months on from the relocation of two of its main warehouse facilities, giant wholesaler, Stapleton’s has announced an increase in its stockholding capacity, as the company moves into newly opened premises next to its head office facilities in Letchworth. Stapleton’s says that the move has been inspired by the company’s ability to offer better levels of service in its new building through the ability to hold an extra 130,000 tyres, bringing the company’s total network capacity to around 700,000 units. The company says that customers are benefiting from increased service levels and improved stock availability.

The move by one the UK’s largest distributors follows relocations of two of its warehouse facilities in Bristol and Warrington to larger premises.

6th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

New Kwik-Fit Corporate Account Mgr to Sit in Mastermind Hot Seat

Newly promoted Kwik-Fit Fleet corporate account manager and sports fanatic Luke Penn will appear in the final of BBC Television’s ‘Sport Mastermind’, which will be broadcast shortly. Penn, 39, was among the 36 people selected from thousands of applicants to contest nine heats. The six highest scoring heat winners then qualified for the final, with Luke qualifying in fourth place after successfully answering two minutes of rapid fire questions on the Grand National and then two minutes of sports general knowledge questions.

14th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Stapleton’s Leads Way With Private Brands

Prestivo, Stapleton’s own brand range of tyres, plays a leading role in the UK private brand segment, according company representatives. Positioned as a quality mid-range tyre, Prestivo is said to offer high performance characteristics and comes in two tread patterns, Prestivo 2000 and Prestivo Sport.

The Prestivo 2000 range offers 35 tyre sizes and the Sport range is available in 21. Both ranges are available exclusively to members of Stapleton’s Prestivo Partners scheme which ensures all retailers receive the backing and support they need to maximise sales of Prestivo Tyres. The scheme offers exclusivity, attractive rebates, branded clothing, in-store support including posters, POS materials and other branded support items.

11th August 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Nexen Driver top Drifter 2008

James Deane, the Nexen-sponsored Prodrift driver has reached the top spot in the 2008 Prodrift European Series standings following a win at Mondello Park in Ireland in April. The first Prodrift meeting of the series, James’s win makes it a double success for sponsor Nexen as last year’s sponsored driver Eric O’Sullivan won the 2007 event in Ireland. Stapleton’s is supporting the Prodrift team by supplying tyres from the Nexen N3000 range and will continue to support the drivers throughout the programme as it progresses through Europe.

27th May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Age Old Question

Editorial/Comment, UK News

Peter Gaster confronted the issue of tyre ageing head-on in what is likely to be his last NTDA dinner as association chairman. The headline news is that, following negotiations between NTDA director Richard Edy and the RAC Foundation, the respected motoring organisation has pledged its full support for to an industry-wide tyre age check campaign.

2nd May 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Stapleton’s Offers Increased Availability Following Expansion

Following the relocation of two of its regional distribution centres to larger premises and the creation of an additional warehouse facility, Stapleton’s is reporting “a significant increase” in its stock profile and availability. The newly relocated centres at Warrington and Avonmouth increased stock capacity by more than 50 per cent and combined with the additional facility at Biggleswade, increased stock levels by around 130,000 tyres.

Steve Parker, Stapleton’s trading director, commented: “Our aim with the new facilities was always to offer customers the same high levels of outstanding customer service and, thanks to the increased capacity, more choice combined with excellent availability.”

29th April 2008/by Tyrepress Editors