The high performance sector has been a major growth area for the past decade, as car manufacturers have developed bigger wheels and, in response, tyre manufacturers have introduced increasingly high tech products which not only generate a real buzz among motoring enthusiasts, but also present the tyre trade with improved profit opportunities.
In today’s diverse marketplace the need for buffer stock to ensure product availability has never been more apparent, which is why Grouptyre, the UK’s leading independent tyre wholesaler, has based its product offering on a breadth of stock which covers the entire market, yet also enables the organisation to specialise in high performance tyres.
Top performing value brands
Grouptyre stocks all the premium brands and is the exclusive UK distributor of Maxxis, Marangoni and Federal tyres, all of which have strong high performance and good value credentials.
Well-known for its off-road capabilities, especially its world class ATV tyres, Maxxis offers high performance tyres in some 200 sizes. The comprehensive range includes high tech patterns like the MA-Z1 and the MA-Z4S – a new all-season unidirectional UHP radial launched this spring – which have a double steel-belted construction for long-lasting wear and uniformity and a jointless spiral-wrapped full nylon cap for added strength and stability.
Maxxis high performance tyres deliver a winning performance/value combination as they – and the brand’s reputation in this niche sector –ride high on its motorsport success. After several successful seasons in top US drifting competitions, particularly the 2007 Formula Drift Championship, Maxxis put the MA-Z1 up against established brands in the 2008 European Drift Championship with a good deal of success and aims to improve brand awareness in this high octane sport in 2009.
Italian manufacturer Marangoni is rightly proud of its motorsport credentials and R&D linked to its on track achievements have helped the company develop the impressive range of Mythos, Zeta Linea and Verso high performance tyres.
Both Mythos and Zeta Linea patterns posted excellent results in high profile European motorsports, including the 2008 ADAC 24 Hour race at the Nurburgring and the Nissan 350Z Challenge. Marangoni also targeted its brand building resources at the tuning and performance sector, one highlight being the 300bhp Progetto Marangoni Toyota Yaris project car. Title sponsorship of some major tuning shows this year and a tie up with Santa Pod Raceway are just some of the activities which have helped bring the brand to the attention of the enthusiast audience, and to further underline its growing popularity Marangoni has added new sizes to its Verso and Mythos ranges.
Federal’s co-operation with major worldwide tyre companies has given the brand the technical capabilities not only to produce quality compounds and tread patterns that meet the needs of today’s high performance drivers, but also to introduce race-bred motorsport tyres. Competition results have enhanced Federal’s reputation, earning the manufacturer official tyre supplier accreditation for a one-marque series and enabling it to take advantage of major sponsorship opportunities, especially in drifting.
The Federal high performance range includes the 595 Competition Series – ultra high performance tyres developed specifically for street, circuit, drag and drift competitions – and the Super Steel Series, a range of all-season tyres which delivers a great value combination of performance, handling, wet traction, low noise and durability.
Competitively priced, readily available products
Grouptyre’s ‘National strength, Local service’ approach to meeting retailers’ requirements is based around competitively priced, readily available products delivered when they are needed by its 13 member companies operating a network of 33 wholesale locations.
A breadth of stock equating to more than a million tyres and a value of £50m enables Grouptyre to cover the entire market, while its multiple same-day to on-demand delivery service provides retailers with ready access to the tyres they do not hold in stock themselves and its pricing policy enables them to build a long term future by remaining competitive.
“The high performance sector continues to grow in importance as tyre manufacturers invest to meet car manufacturers’ requirements and promote use of their products among amateur enthusiasts and motorsport professionals alike,” says Grouptyre’s managing director Karl Naylor.
“As a national supply chain partner we are helping manufacturers develop strategies to increase their brand’s share of the high performance market while also delivering the service levels that will enable tyre retailers to maximise profits in order to grow their businesses.”
