ELM MOTT, Texas—Armadillo Tire L.L.C., a recently established wholesale distributor in Elm Mott, has secured exclusive U.S. distribution rights for Magna-branded solid tires from Dutch OTR tire distributor Magna Tyres Group.
The deal covers Magna's lines of solid tires for construction (skid-steer and telehandler) and scrap metal/waste-handling applications, the companies said. However, it does not cover Magna's lines of radial pneumatic tires, which are handled by Colony Tire Group. Magna is seeking additional dealers for its pneumatic tire lines.
Armadillo Tire said its deal with Magna calls for it to coordinate container shipments directly to customers as well as maintain an inventory in the U.S. at its Waco, Texas-area warehouse for additional coverage.
Magna anticipates demand for its solid tires in the U.S. potentially could represent up to $15 million over the coming three years.
Armadillo Tire owner Steven Smith said securing this partnership “underlines Armadillo Tire's understanding of what the market demands and its ability to effectively market and sell products across the U.S.A.... Armadillo Tire understands that our very success is dependent upon our dealers' success.”
Mr. Smith has 13 years' experience in the materials-handling business, starting at Darr Equipment in 2001 and then founding Aftermarket Material Handling Parts L.L.C. in 2006.
Sales and Marketing Manager Phil Jandrokovic has 20-plus years' experience in industrial tires, having worked for Trelleborg Wheel Systems, GPX International Tire and Maine Industrial Tire, according to his LinkedIn page.
Waalwijk, Netherlands-based Mag-na Tyres Group describes itself as a privately held manufacturer of off-the-road (OTR), industrial and truck tires, with 10 sales offices worldwide. It operates a 250,000-sq.-ft. warehouse in Waalwijk.
The company designs and engineers its tires in the Netherlands, but final production is at plants in China and Taiwan using rubber compounded in the Netherlands, Russia and the U.S., Magna said.
Annual sales, according to Magna, are in the $120 million range. In Canada, Magna's Magna Tyres Canada Ltd. subsidiary in Aurora, Ontario, has been in operation for two years, concentrating on mining tires.