FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Magna Tyres Group, based in the Netherlands, has expanded into the U.S. with the opening of a sales office in Fort Lauderdale.
Waalwijk, Netherlands-based Magna, which specializes in off-the-road (OTR), industrial and truck tires, hired industry veteran Robert Smith — most recently Midwest sales representative for Maxam Tire North America — to manage the Florida office.
Magna opened its first North American office in January, in Canada, in Vaughan, Ontario.
"The expansion [into the U.S.] was necessary due to the rapid growth and huge demand for the Magna brand in the United States and follows the company's strategic vision to become the premium second-tier tire brand on the American continent as well," Magna said.
The Dutch tire company called Mr. Smith an "accomplished leader with 20 years of experience in general management and sales in the tire industry for some of this industry's major brands.
"With his profound knowledge of international business, broad knowledge of the tire industry, he is the perfect person to lead the Magna Tyres expansion into the American tire market."
Mr. Smith's tire industry career began in 1999 with Michelin North America. He spent 16 years with Michelin in various commercial sales and management positions, according to his LinkedIn page.
He also worked for Wegman Automotive for two-plus years and four years with Maxam.