WAALWIJK, Netherlands — Off-road tire maker Magna Tyres Group is opening a sales office in Vaughan, Ontario, to expand its reach to customers in the U.S. and Canada.
"We took a great deal of care in choosing this location for our new office. It will further strengthen our commitment to all customers in the region and is an opportunity for close daily cooperation," Michael de Ruijter, Magna Tyres CEO, said.
He said the Waalwijk-based company's rapid growth in recent years made expansion necessary "to provide support locally on a 24/7 basis."
Magna has hired industry veteran Alex Vitale as general manager, Magna Tyres USA & Canada, to oversee the new office.
Mr. Vitale previously served as CEO for the North America operations of TP Commercial Solutions L.L.C., after serving as general manager of agricultural/OTR tires for Pirelli Tyre.
"Clients in the area will benefit from closer and even more personalized attention, while product availability increases because stocks can be locally maintained. The objective is to increase the market share, focus on improving customer relationships and satisfaction in this high-potential region," the company said.
Throughout the past decade Magna Tyres has evolved from a specialist rubber compound producer to a manufacturer and distributor of OTR, industrial, port handling, agriculture and truck tires with a dozen sales offices worldwide.
Magna's products, which are produced at its Hardenberg, Netherlands, factory and sourced from a manufacturing partner in Thailand, are distributed in more than 130 countries.
Prior to the opening of the Vaughan office, Magna was represented in North America by Magna Tyres Canada Ltd. in Aurora, Ontario.