Trelleborg to handle Galaxy brand in Europe

Tire Business staff report

Malden, Massachusetts - Trelleborg Wheel Systems S.p.A. will become the exclusive distributor in Europe of Galaxy-brand farm, forestry, agri-industrial and OTR tires starting 1 Apr, according to a strategic alliance it signed recently with GPX International Tire Corp.

GPX said it will continue to market independently its range of forklift industrial, intermodal port and full range of solid tires. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“This partnership will strengthen Trelleborg's market position, giving our customers the access to a wider portfolio of high quality products,” said Paolo Pompei, president of the Trelleborg's agricultural/forestry tyres division. “…Our sales structure, combined with the professional manufacturing platform of GPX, will reinforce Trelleborg's market presence.”

The agreement extends a collaboration that Trelleborg and GPX started in 2007, covering the distribution of Galaxy agricultural tires in Spain, Italy and the Nordic Countries, GPX said. Based on the success of that trial program, GPX and Trelleborg decided that it was in the best interest both companies to expand the program across Europe.

“Based on our experience to date,” said GPX chairman Bryan Ganz, “we are convinced that our partnership with Trelleborg represents the best opportunity for GPX to expand the penetration of the Galaxy brand in Europe and ensure our customers of the highest levels of service and support.

“GPX is fully committed to working closely with Trelleborg on a long-term partnership to make the business agreement a great success for both companies and more importantly for our customers.”

The agreement covers 25 European countries: Albania, Belgium, Belarus, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Germany, Georgia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and Ukraine.

The range of products covered includes tyres for applications such as: agricultural radial and bias agricultural, skid steer, forestry, lawn and garden, OTR, backhoe and telescopic handlers, as well as other agricultural and industrial segments.

The deal with Trelleborg complements a deal GPX signed last year with CGS Group of Czech Republic to distribute the Galaxy brand in Central and Eastern Europe. That deal included the sale of GPX's Rumaguma AD agricultural/industrial tyre plant in Ruma, Serbia, to CGS.

GPX had annual sales last year of $553 million (Euro 435 million) with 1700 employees and three factories worldwide. Tivoli, Italy-based Trelleborg Wheel - part of Sweden's Trelleborg AB - reported sales last year of tires and wheels of $566 million, with 2395 employees and six factories worldwide.

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Press release from source