Parrish to rep Kenda in southeast

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 9, 2016) — Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Inc. has named Parrish Tire Co. of Winston-Salem its authorized distributor for Georgia,  North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

With distribution centers in Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia, Parrish Tire  is well situated to offer the expanding Kenda Traction dealer network “timely and reliable access to a variety of distribution services tailored to the needs and priorities of each dealer,” said Parrish Vice President Bill Jackson.

“As the Kenda product portfolio continues to grow, we expect dealers not only to benefit from the strength and consistency of our inventory, but also the opportunity to sell profitably a wider variety of Kenda products to a wider variety of customers,” he added.

“Combining the value of the Kenda brand for passenger, light truck, trailer and specialty tires with the regional strengths of the Parrish Tire team will provide our Kenda Traction dealer network with the tools to succeed,” said Bob Phoenix, vice president of Kenda's American Automotive Division.

Kenda noted that it plans to introduce several “high-impact” tires this spring, including the Klever S/T CUV and the Klever H/T2, enhancing the need for wider distribution.

The tire importer/marketer also referenced serving the growing Kenda Traction associate dealer program — launched in early 2015 — as a reason for partnering with capable regional distributors. Kenda has about 300 Traction dealers and 600 customers overall in the four states covered by Parrish.

Parrish is one of roughly 25 authorized regional distributors. Prior to this agreement, Kenda had relationships with several smaller distributors, some of which may continue to buy from Parrish, Kenda said. Parrish previously handled the Kenda brand in Virginia and Georgia.

Last year Kenda appointed Max Finkelstein Inc. (MFI) as its exclusive car, light truck and specialty trailer tire distributor for the Northeast, covering Maryland to Maine.

Parrish Tire was established in 1946 by J.H “Shorty” Parrish as a single location retail and commercial tire store in Winston-Salem. Now in its 70th year, the company distributes major brand and private label tires, operates associate dealer programs and provides marketing support to retail and commercial tire dealers throughout the Southeast.

Reynoldsburg, Ohio-based Kenda is a subsidiary of Taiwan's Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd., the 28th largest tire maker worldwide with 2014 sales of $1.17 billion. The firm derives about 21 percent of its global revenue from sales in North America.