Sri Lankan tire maker acquires US retailers

London – Sri Lankan Global Rubber Industries (GRI) has acquired two US tire service and retail companies Leffler Industrial Tire & Rubber Track Inc. and Kentucky Industrial Tire Inc., the company announced 21 Nov.

Based in Sri Lanka, GRI is a manufacturer of “specialised tires” for material handling, industrial, agriculture, off-the-road and construction vehicles.

According to GRI, the acquisitions are part of the company’s strategy to broaden geographical reach, enhance its distribution channels and accelerate its route to market in other regions in the US.

Indianapolis-based Leffler Industrial Tire is specialised in industrial forklift tires for material handling and currently offers product and services in Illinois and Indiana. Kentucky Industrial Tire based in Louisville and Lexington offers the same products and services in Kentucky.

The two companies, founded by Mike and Sherri Leffler, offer a wide portfolio of tires with core products including solid resilient and press-on band tires for forklifts, polyurethane tires, construction tires, skid steer tires, OTR tires and rubber tracks.