CEAT designates Trac-Taco its distributor for Costa Rica

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — CEAT Specialty Tyres Ltd. has designated Costa Rican tire distributor Recauchadora Trac-Taco S.A. its distributor for CEAT-brand agricultural, OTR and industrial tires in that Central American country.

The deal with San Jose-based Trac-Taco is Mumbai, India-based CEAT's first foray into Central America. Founded in 1964, Trac-Taco is a wholesale distributor in Costa Rica as well as a retreader of truck, OTR and ag tires.

Trac-Taco introduced the CEAT brand to dealer and end-user customers at a recent event in San Jose co-hosted by CEAT and Trac-Taco. The event featured remarks about the company and key products by CEAT executives with the company's U.S. office, including Carlos Acosta, business development manager for CEAT Specialty Tires in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

"We're looking forward to working with Trac-Taco to bring CEAT quality and value to the farmers and ranchers of Costa Rica," Vijay Gambhire, managing director of CEAT Specialty Tyres, said. "They've built an outstanding business by delivering exceptional customer service and technical expertise.

"Additionally, as the only carbon-neutral tire distributor in Costa Rica, we greatly respect their commitment to the environment," Mr. Gambhire added.

Miguel Yamuni, general manager of Trac-Taco, called CEAT a "high-quality product that we believe will be well accepted in the marketplace here."

Mr. Acosta is based at CEAT Specialty Tyres' U.S. office in Charlotte. He was hired last May to help CEAT develop a strategy for Central and South America.

Among the brands Trac-Taco distributes in Costa Rica are Hankook and Maxam, covering car, truck ag, OTR and industrial tires. The company also is affiliated with Continental A.G.'s ContiTread retread network.