Conti buys U.K. retreader Bandvulc

IVYBRIDGE, England (July 5, 2016) — Continental A.G. has acquired Bandvulc, the self-proclaimed largest independent commercial tire retreader in the United Kingdom, in order to strengthen its position in the U.K. and Irish markets.

Ivybridge-based Bandvulc — the dba for B.V. Environmental Ltd. — has been allied with Continental for the past 25 years. The firm's factory at Ivybridge produces retreads in both the ContiRe and its own Bandvulc brands.

Annual capacity is listed at 200,000 retreads per year in more than 100 different patterns and sizes.

The takeover was carried out by Continental Tyre Group Ltd.; Bandvulc will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental U.K. Group Holdings Ltd.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Conti said it plans to make investments at the factory to widen the range of ContiRe retreads available in the U.K.

“This partnership is a logical step in the close working relationship Continental and Bandvulc have enjoyed for many years,” said David Smith, managing director of Continental Tyre Group.

“Our complementary customer portfolios and product lines mean that each area of the business is able to benefit from extensive growth opportunities with very few areas of overlap.”

Mr. Smith said the intention is to continue to run both businesses as they are today. The management team at Bandvulc will be staying on, including Patrick O'Connell, the current managing director, who said: “Having worked with Continental for over 25 years, we believe they offer the best opportunity for the Bandvulc business to enjoy continuous growth in the future. In addition, we felt that the culture and strategies of both companies fit well together giving us clear synergies and a cohesive structure moving forward.”

Bandvulc started life in 1971 as Kingsbridge Tyre & Rubber Co., founded by John and Richard O'Connell. The company adopted the Bandvulc name in 1978 and two years ago restructured into two divisions — Bandvulc Plus+ covering the retreading and tire service and Bandvulc Mixing covering the custom rubber mixing side of the business.