Conti, Hoosier in 'strategic alliance'

ERJ staff report (TB)

Fort Mill, South Carolina- Continental Tire North America Inc. (CTNA) and Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. have agreed to work together in the fields of motorsports and high-performance street tyres with a goal of competing in “new market segments.”

The two companies did not elaborate on the specifics of the collaboration, which they're calling a “strategic alliance based on a shared vision for motorsports marketing and race-proven technology.”

The new partners said they've formed a team of industry veterans to address issues such as collaborative marketing and product development.

The collaboration will involve working together in the areas of marketing, business and research and development toward a goal of “transforming a variety of motorsports platforms.”

“The combination of Continental's expertise is in performance street tyres, and Hoosier's industry leading technology in race tyre development will allow both companies to compete in new market segments,” said Bill Caldwell, Conti's vice president of sales and marketing.

“The exchange of technologies will result in increased levels of performance in future product developments for both companies,” said Joerg Burfien, Conti's director of R&D - Americas.

Working together will allow both companies to “rapidly deliver high-quality products to consumers who are simply demanding the best tyre for their investment,” said Dennis Sherman, Hoosier's vice president of sales and marketing.

The collaboration marks a reunion of sorts between the two companies.

In the early 1990s CTNA predecessor Continental General Tire made and marketed a Hoosier Performance Radial street tyre line under contract with Hoosier. That deal gave way in 1998 to a deal with Goodyear's Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. Hooser discontinued the project in 2002.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)