Michelin has sold its 49% stake in the joint venture business Tyre Distribution Africa (TYDIA) to partner CFAO Mobility Kenya Limited. The Nairobi-based vehicle distributor is now solely responsible for the TYDIA operation it set up together with the tyre maker in 2019 and thus takes on full responsibility for distributing Michelin and BFGoodrich tyres in East Africa.
With the opening of two new distribution centres, ETB Wholesale now operates nine locations in the Midlands, Wales and southwest England, and the company believes these additions to the network strengthen its status as “one of the biggest regional tyre operators in the UK.” The locales in Llansamlet and Redditch each stock around 5,000 tyres and will, like all ETB Wholesale sites, offer same-day tyre deliveries, with a ‘rapid response’ on-demand service in selected areas.
Following reports originating with the President of Kenya which state that Linglong is planning to invest in a tyre factory within Kenyon in order to serve African tyre demand, in Uganda, Mandela Group CEO, Venkatesh Kumar reports that the very next day, Linglong Tyre chairman, Wang Feng was visiting Ugandan tyre businesses.
Uncertainty surrounds the distribution of Dunlop tyres in Australia and New Zealand, with the Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres subsidiaries in both countries (collectively Goodyear ANZ) notifying NTAW Holdings Limited on 8 January that it will terminate the distribution agreements both parties entered into on 20 September 2023. The termination will take effect upon the completion of Goodyear’s Dunlop brand rights sale to Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI). NTAW now intends to “engage with Goodyear ANZ and SRI in relation to the future distribution of Dunlop branded tyres in Australia and New Zealand.”
September has been a month of official openings. Specifically, Nokian Tyres opened its Romania tyre factory – something it has done in record time (see pages 14-16 for the details). And Linglong flipped the switch on passenger car tyre manufacturing at its Serbia plant too (see pages 18-19). At the same time, October’s magazine focuses on tyre wholesale (see page 44 onwards) and industrial tyres (from page 36). However, this column turns its attention to an arguably under-reported part of the European tyre market – the Nordic/Scandinavian tyre business.
Magna Tyres Group has appointed Norgesdekk its exclusive distributor for Norway, an arrangement it views as a continuation of its “ambitious global expansion strategy” and a reinforcement of Magna Tyres’ presence in Scandinavia. Norgesdekk will offer the full range of Magna OTR and industrial tyres to customers in the Norwegian market.
On 18 September 2024, Australian tyre and wheel importer and distributor NTAW Holdings Limited announced an entitlement offer to raise AU$12.41 million (£6.52 million) in working capital to support its strategic expansion in Australia and New Zealand following appointment as regional Dunlop tyre distributor.
Continental serves its customers in the USA via seven distribution centres, none of which it owns. This will soon change, as the company has announced an investment into its first fully owned tyre distribution centre in the US market. The facility is to be located in Texas, within the Dallas-Fort-Worth-Metroplex, and will have a capacity to store more than 800,000 tyres – with potential for future expansion. Construction commences this month, with Continental aiming to start operations in the centre in 2026.
Grupo Andrés, a leading tyre distributor on the Iberian Peninsula, has launched the ‘Andrés Contigo’ programme, an employment inclusion project aimed at people with Down’s syndrome. This programme, developed under the methodology of supported employment, strengthens the company’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the creation of more inclusive and diverse working environments.
Nexen Tire held a 10th anniversary event on 6 September, celebrating a decade of tyre distribution with Amring. Specifically, Nexen hosted the first-ever “Nexen InnoForum Scandinavia” event, featuring a comprehensive factory tour at Nexen Tire’s Europe Plant (EP) in the Czech Republic. Over 40 participants from Amring and their trusted partners joined the event. The […]
European Tyre Enterprise Ltd (ETEL) is set to extend its footprint with the acquisition of Tractamotors Group, a leading tyre distribution company operating in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Together with shareholders of Tractamotors Group, ETEL has reached an agreement to purchase a 100 per cent shareholding in the business.
Despite a challenging market environment, as highlighted by ETRMA data showing a further year-on-year decline compared to 2022, Univergomma Group defied the trend and significantly improved its economic and financial results in 2023. The Italian tyre distributor was even able to report record figures, with sales revenue exceeding €335 million, marking a five per cent increase. The group’s production value also surpassed €350 million, reaffirming its position as a market leader and a key reference point for Italian customers.
Independent tyre distributor EG Wholesale has announced the opening of a new warehouse facility in East Peckham, Tonbridge. One of ten members of independent tyre wholesaler Grouptyre, EG Wholesale covers a wide area across the South and considers the opening of the East Peckham site a “milestone for the company” as it aims to enhance its service coverage across Kent and Greater London.
The Finnish Lapin Kumi and Swedish Colmec tyre businesses are forming what they call “a new sustainable and customer centric tyre services group”. This step follows a similar move by fellow Swedish firms Centrala Gummi and Colmec earlier in the spring. The transaction is expected to close in the third quare 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.
Top Recambios, a Valencian company specialising in the multi-brand distribution of tyres, reports that it is will sharing details of its ”cutting edge…4.0 distribution concept”, which is said to achieve “an optimum connection between the most advanced solutions and the needs of its customers”.
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