BKT opens Calif. distribution point

WILMINGTON, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2014) — BKT Tires Inc. has designated Trans Harbor Services L.L.C. of Wilmington to handle distribution of BKT-brand OTR tires to West Coast customers from its warehouse near the port of Long Beach.

BKT said it contracted Trans Harbor to be its freight and shipping supplier because of Trans Harbor's capabilities to handle and manage OTR tires. Trans Harbor operates the 30,000-sq.-ft. warehouse in Wilmington, near the port of Long Beach.

Prior to this, BKT served customers on the West Coast through independent wholesalers. This decision reflects a growing network of specialized independent OTR servicing dealers in the West, BKT said, as well as an expanding product portfolio.

“The opening of warehousing operations for BKT OTR tires will assure the company can rapidly meet customer needs in the western United States,” said BKT Tires President Shawy Rasey.

“Shipping from the Wilmington warehouse will include tires ranging in size from 25-inch rims and larger, which will reduce order lead time and provide local access to BKT OTR products.”

BKT only recently established a similar arrangement in Wando, S.C., to handle East Coast customers.

Trans Harbor Services operates specialized tire handling equipment fitted with rounded forks, tire-hands and tire slings, BKT said, thus assuring proper handling to prevent tire damage and protect tire handling personnel. Warehouse services include tire segregation, container consolidation, import and export services, storage, inventory and reporting, non-compliant tire stamping, flatbed load-out, and over-sized tire handling and shipping.

BKT is a subsidiary of India's Balkrishna Industries Ltd., which is considered one of the world's leading specialty tire producers, offering a range of tires for earthmoving, mining, construction, agricultural, industrial, ATV and gardening vehicles.

The company was ranked 41st among the world's tire makers with 2013 sales of $650 million. Sales in North America were $100 million, according to Balkrishna data.