TriCan buys Integra; to adopt new name

EDMONTON, Alberta (Jan. 9, 2014) — TriCan Tire Distributors Inc., an American Tire Distributors Holdings Inc. subsidiary, has purchased the interests of Edmonton-based Integra Tire & Auto Centres Canada Ltd. and will take over management of the Integra Tire affiliated retail dealerhip program.

Separately, TriCan and ATD announced a new identity, National Tire Distributors, for the firm's wholesale activities in Canada, which currently go to market under nine different brands — TriCan, RTD, WTD, Hercules, Kipling Tire Wholesale, Tireco Wholesale, Kirk's Tire Wholesale, Trail Tire Distributors and Extreme Wheel. The change will be effective Feb. 1.

TriCan's acquisition of Integra Tire puts the 80-plus store Integra retail network under the control of Edmonton-based TriCan. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“The Integra brand will be an excellent addition to the TriCan portfolio,” said Mike Kustra, president of TriCan Tire Distributors. “We strive to offer our customers tools and programs to help them operate as successful tire and service retailers. The Integra program aligns perfectly with our marketing goals.”

David Cosco, president and CEO of Integra Tire for the past six years, said joining forces with TriCan “is a very positive step for the Integra brand.”

Mr. Cosco has resigned his executive positions with Integra Tire but will continue to operate six retail locations he owns as Integra-affiliated stores.

Integra's other owners were Brad Kirk and Allen Ambrosie, former owners of Kirk's Tire and Trail Tire Distributors Ltd., respectively.

“The national footprint, combined with the resources of this large and growing distributor, will create tremendous opportunities for the business owners participating in the Integra affiliated store program,” he said.

Integra Tire reincorporated just 15 months ago with Messrs. Kirk and Ambrosie as partners.

Then in July 2014, ATD bought out Kirk's Tire and Trail Tire, along with Regional Tire Distributors Inc. of Calgary and Edmonton and Trail Tire's Extreme Wheel Distributors Ltd. affiliate.

TriCan also operates the TreadQuarters Tire & Auto Centre retailer marketing program.    That program, which encompasses more than 200 retail outlets, and Integra will operate autonomously, a spokesman said.

TriCan said the NTD identity “embraces who NTD is as a company: a collection of strong regional players, servicing their local markets, coming together to form the largest distribution network in Canada.”

The company said it believes in the empowerment and flexibility to meet and exceed the distinct and differing needs within the tire industry, wherever the location, whatever the size. Passion for the best brands, the highest level of service and the delivery of relevant programs for tire retailers, from coast to coast, will drive every decision taken by NTD.

“The NTD brand effectively takes the best of the value added tools and services from each of the originating companies' to our large network of tire retailers,” Mr. Kustra said. “This new name proudly symbolizes the company's goal of being Canada's leading service provider in the tire distribution segment in all markets served, nationally, regionally and locally.”

The corporate support center of NTD is located in Burlington, Ontario, and is charged with providing resources to NTD regional head offices in Edmonton; St. Laurent, Quebec; Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; and Burlington, Ontario, to service unique geographic needs effectively.

Each office is led by a regional vice president and supported by a dedicated team of tire professionals, who together are accountable for service delivery within their region.

NTD's assets comprise more than 1.6 million square feet of warehousing space at 25 distribution centers, 60 territory managers and 80 customer service representatives.