LAS VEGAS — Coker Group has acquired a share of Münchner Oldtimer Reifen (MOR) G.m.b.H. in a bid to expand its sales of vintage and classic tires throughout Europe, the company disclosed during the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Based in Holzkirchen, Germany, MOR has been a customer of Coker Tire for some time, according to Coker Group Chairman Corky Coker, and is positioned strategically to service customers throughout central and eastern Europe.
Coker Group — which is celebrating its 60 th year in business in 2018 — did not disclose the size of the ownership stake it acquired or its investment. MOR has been in business for nearly 35 years; Valentin Schaal, MOR's founder and managing partner, will continue to lead the company with the existing leadership team.
Wade Kawasaki, Coker Group president and chief operating officer, said MOR's "decades of experience and deep roots in the European vintage vehicle market will provide a great basis for partnership. Valentin's dedication to providing the highest level of customer service and top-quality products to customers is a value we share here at Coker."
From its headquarters in Holzkirchen, 25 minutes south of Munich, MOR specializes in vintage tires for cars, motorcycles and utility vehicles as well as period correct wheels, accessories and repairs.
"When I started MOR, I wanted to deliver excellent customer service and advice," Mr. Schaal said. "My vision was to reach classic car lovers all over the world, and Coker Group will allow me to spread this vision to a global level beyond the borders of Europe. I am looking forward to a great partnership."
Mr. Coker declined to quantify his company's sales volume in Europe now, but said this acquisition/distribution deal could double that figure within a few years.
MOR's location in Germany could prove to be strategically important depending on what import/export duties arise from the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, he added, since MOR's major competitors are based in Great Britain.
Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Coker Group is a distributor of collector car and motorcycle wheels and tires under the Coker Tire, Wheel Vintiques, Universal Vintage Tire, Phoenix Race Tires, Specialty Wheel and Roadster Wire Wheel brands.