Pirelli adds 3rd North American bicycle tire distributor

MILAN, Italy — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. has added Quality Bicycle Products (QBP) of Bloomington, Minn., as a distributor of its range of bicycle tires for North America.

QBP will be in charge of distributing Pirelli's full cycling tire range, which includes the Scorpion MTB tire line; P ZERO race tire family; Cinturato Velo road and Cinturato Gravel ranges; and the Cycl-e urban range.

QBP will complement Pirelli's existing distribution partners, Hawley L.L.C. of Lexington, S.C., in the U.S. and Canada, and KASK America Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., in the U.S.

Pirelli said it chose to collaborate with QBP for the North American market because of its success as the largest distributor of bicycle parts and cycling accessories, providing inventory over 5,000 bike shops in the U.S. and Canada.

QBP's values of partnering strategically and contributing to the community align with Pirelli, as QBP offers comprehensive training and educational tools to retailers and bike shop employees to help enable retailers to differentiate industry products and brands and to advance the overall prosperity of the bike industry.

Pirelli said the partnership will help deliver Pirelli's premium brand and bicycle tire line throughout North America.

"Pirelli has always been synonymous with racing heritage and innovation," QBP Distribution Product Manager Aaron Martin said.

"With Pirelli cycling tires, consumers are able to experience innovative technology that benefits from Pirelli's heritage of excellence. Pirelli has grand plans for North America with the means to achieve these goals and we are proud to add them as a partner of QBP."

Pirelli Tire North America CEO Pietro Berardi added: "We are confident that QBP will elevate the longstanding reputation and legacy of Pirelli, and expand our already loyal retailer and consumer relationships with enhanced sales and broader reach capabilities throughout North America."

QBP also distributes its own Teravail private-brand tire line.