En Englais: Taray to handle Özka tires from Turkey

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — Importer/distributor Taray International Corp. has struck a deal with Turkey's Özka Lastik ve Kauçuk to start distributing Özka's tires and tread rubber and cultivate private-brand customers in the Americas.

To that end, the parties have established Özka USA at Taray's headquarters on Marco Island to begin vetting potential distributors in the U.S. and Canada and throughout Latin/South America. The companies said the venture will focus on Özka's line of radial farm tires while also offering the Turkish firm's full range of industrial and farm tires and tread rubber.

Izmit, Turkey-based Özka Lastik was founded in 1994 as a producer of products for the retreading industry, including tread rubber. The company ventured into new tires in 2004 at a new factory in Izmit's Kullar district — producing farm, tractor, light truck, construction and forklift tires, plus solid tires used by the military on tracked vehicles.

Taray International President Tarik Ayasun said Özka is open to producing tires under private label terms for those groups interested in that style of business.

Ali Kanik, a member of Ozka's board of directors, will work out of the offices on Marco Island, to assist in the development of new markets and distribution outlets in the Americas, Mr. Ayasun said.

The partners have set up a dedicated website, www.ozkausa.com, to help launch the business in the Americas.

Taray International has been active in the tire and retreading industry since 1979, representing a number of companies offering retreading materials and some equipment.

Özka is part of Turkey's Kanik Group, which also includes IRC Automotive Inc., a producer of air springs, and İlka Plastik,  a producer of polyester bags, plastic carry bags, polyethylene films, etc.