NASHVILLE, Tenn.-Marangoni Tread S.p.A. of Verona, Italy, and Teknor Apex Co. of Pawtucket, R.I., have tentatively agreed to form an alliance to manufacture, market and sell retreading systems and tread rubber in North America.
The agreement-which still must be finalized-will combine the two sales organizations and product ranges under Marangoni Tread North America (MTNA), the Italian company's U.S. subsidiary, to offer retreaders a complete package of precured retreading equipment, products and services.
Immediate plans call for Teknor Apex to produce flat precure treads and retreading accessories at its Brownsville, Tenn., plant to supply the ``alliance'' sales organization. Future plans call for MTNA to make its circular Ringtread treads in a separate plant based in the Southeast and used as the main U.S. logistics and distribution center for ``alliance'' products. Teknor Apex will manufacture and sell mixed stock to the new plant for the pressing of Ringtread precure treads.
Separately, MTNA announced the signing of its eighth Ringtread licensee: Hill Tire Co. of Atlanta, Ga.
The 25-year-old, family-run dealership plans to install the highly automated Ringtread system at its retreading plant in Forest Park, Ga. Marangoni said the Ringtreader 2000-a fully automated, ``hands-off'' computer-controlled retread tire builder-will be in operation at the dealership by June 1.
Hill Tire operates three commercial tire service locations-in Forest Park, Doraville and Cartersville, Ga. The company was founded by brothers Fred and John Hill. Two sons, David and Allen Hill, are currently involved in management.
Fred Hill said the dealership's decision to adopt the Ringtread system ``was based on our strategic purpose to offer the highest quality retreads using the most advanced state-of-the-art technology.''