Nokian Tyres purchases Maine Wholesale Tire

ERJ staff report (TB)

Colchester, Vermont -- In a move to solidify its distribution in a key Northeastern US market, Nokian Tyres Inc. said its University Wholesalers Inc. subsidiary has purchased Maine Wholesale Tire, a Portland, Maine-based tyre distributor.

The acquired firm will operate under the University Wholesalers name and be based in Colchester, where Nokian recently moved its headquarters from LaVergne, Tennessee.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“The operation gives us a much stronger presence in Maine and will enable us to improve levels of service to our dealers there and also in southern New Hampshire and eastern Massachusetts,” said Jari Lepisto, Nokian Tyres' general manger.

The company said one of the former owners of Maine Wholesale Tire will remain as management staff to ensure a smooth transition.

Nokian Tyres is the North American subsidiary of Nokian Tyres P.L.C. of Nokia, Finland. The company also owns and operates Vianor Inc., a 12-store retail tyre and service center chain in New England.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)