Zafco to launch Armstrong truck tire range

MIAMI (April 11, 2016) — International tire distributor Zafco Trading L.L.C. is preparing to launch distribution of Amstrong-brand truck tires to customers in North America, nearly four years after acquiring rights to the brand from Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.

Zafco recently announced the launch of a dedicated website run by Armstrong Tire Co., a separate sales company in Miami.

Carl Casalbore, who left Zafco in 2013 to work with BKT Tires USA Inc., was re-hired last year by Zafco to head up the Armstrong business.

The brand is being relaunched with eight fitments: 

• ASH, ASR and ASR1 steer-axle tires for long-haul, pick-up/delivery and regional applications; 

• ADH, ADR and ADR1 drive-axle tires for long-haul, pick-up/delivery and regional applications; and

• ATH and A0M trailer tires for long-haul and mixed-service applications.

The ASH, ADH, ATH, ASR and ADR models are SmartWay verified for low rolling resistance, according to the website, under the Environmental Protection Agency's program.

The tires are made by Otani Radial Co. Ltd. at a plant in Bangkok, Thailand, according to DOT code information on photos of the tires' sidewalls available on the site.

Zafco bought an undisclosed share of Otani in 2012 as part of the strategy to relaunch the Armtrong brand, Mr. Casalbore said in an interview at that time.

Zafco/Armstrong is offering a replacement warranty on the tire and a two-retread casing warranty.

The company has posted a two-and-a-half-minute video on the history of the brand and its plans for the brand under the relaunch.

Those plans include adding passenger and light truck lines, including performance fitments, according to the video.

Zafco/Armstrong Tire is inviting potential dealers to register their interest via the armstrongtire.com website.

Zafco International in Miami is a unit of United Arab Emirates-based Zafco Trading, which calls itself a leading importer and exporter of tires, batteries and lubricants, distributing to customers on six continents.

In North America the company distributes its own Zeetex brand along with the Accelera and Forceum brands owned by Indonesia's P.T. Elangperdana Tyre Industry.