Maxxis has set up a Facebook page to raise its profile and enable everyone associated with the company to keep up to date with latest developments, particularly in relation to its sponsorship deals and promotional activities in support of the performance/tuning market.

In just three months Maxxis has attended more than 16 events, including the International Styling and Tuning Show, the Performance Vauxhall and Classic Ford Shows and rounds of the British Superbike Championship, the ACU Maxxis British Motocross Championship and the Maxxis British Drift Championship, and plans to share details of recent and up and coming events on its Facebook ‘wall’.

Photos of the Maxxis Babes, drivers/riders and the events will also be posted on the site and the fan page will be used to provide company news and give suppliers, distributors and users of Maxxis products the opportunity to open discussions.

“We welcome feedback both in respect of our tyres and our promotional activities, which are geared to generating brand awareness among key customer segments, and the new Facebook site provides an informal way for people to get in touch and tell us what they think,” says Maxxis UK’s managing director Derek McMartin.

Search for ‘Maxxis Tyres (UK)’ on Facebook – and add us to your fan page.

Maxxis PCR tyres are available exclusively through the UK’s leading independent wholesaler Grouptyre. Contact 01928 706166 or visit www.grouptyre.co.uk or www.maxxis.co.uk for further details.

Cefni Tyres scooped a Sony 46 inch full HD LCD TV plus Home Cinema system in the promotion, which ran throughout May, and was presented with the prize by its local Grouptyre member Oak Tyres.

After leaving school Cefni Tyres owner Medwyn Evans spent three years as an apprentice with Wrexham AFC and was offered a professional contract but, unfortunately, his potential sporting career was cut short by injury after just one season.  Now his two sons are involved in the beautiful game – one plays for Wrexham AFC while the other is at Tranmere Rovers FC.

“This is a complete surprise because I never win anything, but I’m absolutely delighted!” said Medwyn. “We’re a football family through and through and will be spending a good deal of our time tuning in to the World Cup matches, so this superb TV/Home Cinema package couldn’t be a more appropriate prize.”

Derek Campbell Tyres & Exhaust Centre in Stockton-on-Tees and Wideopen Tyres & Exhausts Ltd in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, both of which purchase their Continental stock from NE Wholesale, and Banchory Service Station in Banchory, Kincardineshire, who is supplied by Grouptyre member Kenway Tyres, were runners up in the Grouptyre/Continental promotion and win Sony’s latest 19 inch HD ready LCD TV.  A further 10 lucky winners will take delivery of a Continental World Cup Goodie Bag comprising an Official World Cup replica match ball, a FIFA World Cup™ branded polo shirt and a rucksack.

Every Continental car and 4×4 tyre that retailers who registered to take part in the incentive bought from Grouptyre between May 1-31 guaranteed them an entry in the grand prize draw which took place at the beginning of June.

“Our aim was to promote the Continental range and acknowledge retailers’ loyalty to the brand whilst maximising interest in Continental’s role as an Official Sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM.  We are delighted with the response to our first national incentive in conjunction with Continental which has gone down an absolute storm,” says Grouptyre marketing manager Lucie Dalton.

Grouptyre takes a ‘National strength, Local service’ approach to satisfying the needs of tyre retailers.  With more than a million tyres in stock – representing the biggest range of popular sizes, ultra high performance fitments and the 4×4 sector – Grouptyre covers the entire market.  This breadth of stock combines with an unrivalled national, same-day to on-demand delivery service and competitive pricing to help retailers grow their businesses over the long term, with the support of an experienced team of dedicated business development managers.

For further information on Grouptyre’s ‘one stop’ tyres solution call 01928 706166 or visit www.grouptyre.co.uk

Amy, 24, works alongside Maxxis International UK’s managing director Derek McMartin and takes on the day-to-day responsibility for the smooth running of the company’s advertising and sponsorship programme and its online marketing activities.

Amy has a BA Honours degree in Marketing and PR from the University of Central Lancashire.  After graduating she worked for Divine Foods, helping the business launch its products at a major exhibition at Olympia, and then took time out travelling in South Africa, Mozambique, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, Fiji, the USA and Canada.  In addition to taking advantage of the opportunity to meet people and learn about different cultures, Amy developed her marketing skills and experience by taking up roles at a winery and with an online lead management company. Serving the automotive industry

In her newly created role at Maxxis International UK Amy is responsible for improving internal and external communications, which includes maximising the company’s partnerships with Liverpool FC and Max Power magazine and its exclusive promotional deal with Future, the special-interest media company behind some of the UK’s most successful performance events, magazines and websites.

Amy is tasked with raising the profile of the Maxxis brand at performance shows and exhibitions, as well as at the Maxxis British Drift Championship, and with co-ordinating the development of point of sale materials and the Maxxis UK corporate website.  She is also building the company’s presence online via social media marketing.

“Maxxis is now one of the world’s top ten tyre manufacturers and this is a really exciting stage in the development of the brand in the UK, where we are leading the way on a number of communications initiatives, including high profile sponsorship.  Amy is an important addition to our team and will help ensure the best deployment of our resources so that the various programmes achieve our objectives,” says Derek McMartin.

“This is our first national retailer incentive in conjunction with Continental and we are delighted with the response. It gives both companies the chance to thank retailers for their loyalty and custom while maximising the undeniable interest in the World Cup, and we would urge anyone who wants to join in to register online without delay,” says Grouptyre marketing manager Lucie Dalton.

Grouptyre has teamed up with Continental, Official Sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World CupTM, to give you the chance to watch the action in style from the comfort of your own living room with some fantastic prizes available.

First prize is a Sony 46 inch full HD LCD TV complete with Home Cinema system, while three runners up will each win Sony’s latest 19 inch HD ready LCD TV. A further 10 lucky winners will each receive a Continental World Cup Goodie Bag containing an Official World Cup replica match ball, a FIFA World Cup™ branded polo shirt and rucksack.

To get involved in the Grouptyre and Continental World Cup promotion, simply register online at www.grouptyre.co.uk/continentalwc and answer one easy question. Then, every Continental car or 4×4 tyre bought from a Grouptyre member until the end of May, will count as an entry into the grand prize draw that will be staged at the end of the promotional campaign. The more Continental tyres that retailers buy between now and the final whistle on May 31, the more entries they will receive into the prize draw and the better their chances of coming away with a top prize.

For further information about the Grouptyre and Continental World Cup promotion, contact Grouptyre on 01928 706166 or visit www.grouptyre.co.uk/continentalwc

A newly launched Sony 46 inch full HD LCD TV complete with Home Cinema system is the top prize in the football themed promotion.  In Grouptyre’s first national retailer incentive in conjunction with premium brand Continental, there are loads of prizes up for grabs with plenty of chances to win.

Three lucky runners-up will be able to tune into the action on the latest Sony 19 inch HD ready

LCD TV.  A further 10 lucky winners will get a  Continental World Cup Goodie Bag containing an Official World Cup replica match ball, a FIFA World Cup™ branded polo shirt and a FIFA World Cup™ branded rucksack.

All you have to do to take part in the Grouptyre and Continental World Cup promotion is register online at www.grouptyre.co.uk/continentalwc and answer one easy question.  Then, every Continental car or 4×4 tyre you buy from a Grouptyre member between April 1 and May 31 will guarantee you an entry into the grand prize draw which will be held at the end of the campaign.  Quite simply, the more Continental tyres that retailers buy during the promotional period, the more entries they will receive into the prize draw and the better their chances of coming away with a top prize.

Grouptyre marketing manager, Lucie Dalton, said: “The latest in a series of successful national promotions, this one is extra special as it celebrates the world’s greatest football tournament with Grouptyre and Continental.  There are loads of consumer promotions but we want to reward our retailers for their loyalty and custom in the run up to the big event this summer.”

For further information about the Grouptyre/Continental World Cup promotion contact Grouptyre on 01928 706166 or visit www.grouptyre.co.uk/continentalwc

Having signed up to take part in the initiative and purchased Federal tyres during the second phase of the promotion, Hammond Tyres automatically received entries into the prize draw based on the tyres purchased.

“I was genuinely surprised by the win and after chatting with my wife about how to spend the voucher, we have organised a House of Fraser shopping experience including the services of a personal shopper,” says Keith.

Halesworth-based Hammond Tyres is part of the Hammond Group, which operates several car franchises, including Ford, Land Rover, Nissan and Subaru, as well as a commercial vehicle centre, the Car Save multi-franchise used car business and one of the largest bodyshops in the UK. It also provides vehicle rental and breakdown services and has been a major customer of Grouptyre member We Sell Tyres (Wholesale) for some years.

In addition to operating a fast fit retail tyre centre, Hammond Tyres supplies tyres to Hammond Group – including the dealer workshops and company vehicles – and to local garages. Keith says Federal is the chosen economy brand as it fits well into the marketplace the business serves.

Grouptyre will soon be announcing details of its 2010 promotion in conjunction with Federal. For further information on Grouptyre’s ‘one stop’ tyres solution call 01928 706166 or visit www.grouptyre.co.uk

The new Bush Tyres centre in Spalding, located a mile from the A16, will stock approximately 1,000 car tyres and over 500 truck tyres. The six staff have been retained and Luke Gale and Michelle Pite, who both worked for Enterprise Tyres for several years and know the local marketplace inside out, have taken on the day-to-day management responsibilities.

In addition to a full range of services for truck fleet operators, the centre will stock and fit batteries and offer outside agricultural, truck and commercial vehicle servicing. There is also a mobile car tyre fitting service, which will provide support to the Bush Tyres retail depots in Kings Lynn and Bourne as well as Spalding.

“Enterprise Tyres specialised in truck accounts with outside fitting and our aim is to develop this side of our business by maximising the existing team’s knowledge and experience and providing additional benefits through our own resources, including the latest tools and fleet checking systems,” says director Thomas Bush.

The new depot will complement the company’s purpose-built two-storey facility launched in Spalding last September, since each will be able to utilise the other’s stockholding capability. The flagship centre is only a short distance away and has outperformed expectations despite the depressed economy, largely due to the fact it occupies a prime site opposite the bustling Springfields Shopping Outlet and Festival Gardens.

“Enterprise Tyres has a good reputation locally and this acquisition gives us a sound platform to meet local customers’ needs by delivering extensive tyre, servicing, breakdown and battery services. We want to grow the number of truck accounts in the area and will be working closely with Bandvulc Group and other major manufacturers, with whom we enjoy a good relationship, to increase the amount of fleet servicing we carry out.”

Originally a cycle tyre company set up by Benjamin Arthur Bush, today Bush Tyres is a major provider of tyre, battery, brakes and exhaust services throughout Lincolnshire, Humberside and East Yorkshire and employs some 155 staff. While its competitors are contracting, the fourth generation family business is adhering to its expansion strategy and Thomas Bush says the aim is to have 20 retail centres up and running by the end of 2010, potentially more if it can find the right sites.

Contact the new Bush Tyres depot in Spalding on 01775 718478 or visit www.bushtyres.co.uk

The 2010 Maxxis Rewards once again features a VIP trip as the main prize. Based on the volume of Maxxis car, van and 4×4 tyres they buy within the promotional period, the top
15 dealers will win a holiday in Shanghai, China’s largest city and the world’s largest cargo port, which will include an exclusive tour of the Maxxis factory in Kunshan.

Situated on the mouth of the Yangtze River, Shanghai was the first Chinese city to be opened up to foreign trade in 1842 and is today a cosmopolitan centre of culture and design. The Bund and City God Temple are among its historical landmarks, while other ‘must see’ attractions include the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Centre – the world’s third tallest building at 1,614 ft.

The Maxxis Kunshan facility is one of the biggest tyre plants in the world, with a manufacturing capacity of 46,000 tyres a day. The lucky 15 retailers will be among the first to visit it and ride
the new 4.5km test track, which has been developed to support Maxxis International’s
OE commitment.

The Maxxis Rewards 2010 programme runs until the end of September and is open to UK-based official Maxxis car tyre stockists. It will again include a series of prize draws, into which participating companies are automatically entered, and each quarter 13 lucky dealers will win a superb prize. Last year the winners were presented with TVs, gift vouchers, an iPod/Wii-based entertainment package and a Christmas hamper.

Retailers who register to take part will also have the chance to earn Argos vouchers and Maxxis merchandise, including a new range of promotional clothing for their staff.

Meanwhile, a unique bonus has been introduced in the form of a special football challenge. Courtesy of Liverpool FC, dealers will have the chance to represent one of the ‘world teams’, with players selected from tyre retailers and Grouptyre members.

“The phenomenal success of last year’s Maxxis Rewards programme meant there was little doubt it would roll over into 2010, but with a truly exceptional main prize on offer and so many opportunities to win, it really is a tyre trade promotion not to be missed,” says Grouptyre sales director Paul Hollows.

“Essentially, the programme will operate as it did in 2009, and the more Maxxis tyres retailers buy over the coming months, the greater their chances of winning a top prize.”

Dealers can find further information about the Maxxis Rewards programme on the Grouptyre website at http://www.grouptyre.co.uk/promo/maxxis-rewards/ and then sign up with their local Grouptyre business development manager.

“The response to the Maxxis Rewards was way beyond our expectations and we are delighted to be continuing it this year to thank our Maxxis Centres of Excellence for their support and to encourage retailers to take a close look at the benefits Maxxis has to offer when choosing their value brand,” says Maxxis International UK’s managing director Derek McMartin.

Maxxis PCR tyres are available exclusively through leading independent wholesaler Grouptyre. Contact Grouptyre on 01928 706166 or visit www.grouptyre.co.uk or www.maxxis.co.uk for further details.

The promotion – organised in conjunction with value brand Federal – has now concluded with the first prize of a £500 Red Letter Day going to HMC in Halesworth, which is supplied by Grouptyre member We Sell Tyres (Wholesale). Runners up were Oak Tyres customer Empress Motors of Accrington, and Tyre and Autocare Services of Keith, supplied by Kenway Tyres, who each won a Red Letter Day experience to the value of £250.

All retailers who registered to take part in the initiative and purchased Federal tyres between
1 November and 31 December 2009 were automatically entered into the prize draw. Entries were allocated on the basis of one for each tyre bought during the promotional period and the winners were selected at random.

Now all they have to do is choose their ‘experience’. The host of Red Letter packages covers a wide range of activities and interests, from action and adventure experiences such as driving competitions, white water rafting and scuba diving, to the relaxation of a luxury hotel break, spa experience or theatre trip.

Grouptyre is the exclusive UK distributor of Federal, which is establishing itself as a significant brand within the UK’s value tyre marketplace. Thanks to co-operation with major tyre companies Federal has advanced its technological development to offer a comprehensive range of quality products which includes high performance, light truck, 4×4 and SUV tyres.

“Our first incentive in association with Federal has gone down well with the trade and we are really pleased with the response,” says Grouptyre marketing manager Lucie Dalton.

“The Red Letter Day promotion has certainly helped to raise the profile of the Federal brand and encouraged retailers to consider recommending it as their ‘value option’, while also enabling us to build relationships with existing customers and maximise new business opportunities.”

Grouptyre takes a ‘National strength, Local service’ approach to satisfying the needs of tyre retailers. With more than a million tyres in stock – representing the biggest range of popular volume sizes, ultra high performance fitments and the 4×4 sector – Grouptyre covers the entire market. This breadth of stock combines with an unrivalled national, same-day to on-demand delivery service and a highly competitive pricing policy to help retailers grow their businesses over the long term, with dedicated business development managers on hand.

For further information on Grouptyre’s ‘one stop’ tyres solution call 01928 706166 or visit www.grouptyre.co.uk

First prize of a £500 Red Letter Day goes to RIKFIT Tyres in Kings Norton, Birmingham, which is supplied by Grouptyre member Car Tyrestore. ETB customer Tyrecare of Kings Heath and Top Tread of Rotherham, supplied by NE Wholesale, each won runner up prizes of a Red Letter Day experience to the value of £250.

Winners are chosen at random from retailers who sign up to take part in the promotion online at www.grouptyre.co.uk/federal. There are two phases to the initiative and each Federal tyre that registered retailers purchased between September 1 and October 31 gave them one entry into the first prize draw.

The three lucky retailers can choose how they want to spend their prize money and because Red Letter Day experiences incorporate a wide range of activities – from leisurely pursuits such as luxury weekend breaks and theatre trips to hot air ballooning and action-packed driving, white water rafting and scuba diving events – they are sure to find something to their liking. Full details on the huge choice of activities are available at www.redletterdays.co.uk

The second phase of the Grouptyre/Federal Red Letter Day promotion runs from November 1 to December 31, so there is still time for retailers to sign up and win. The more Federal tyres that participating retailers purchase from their local Grouptyre supplier during this promotion period, the more entries they will be allocated in the prize draw, increasing their chances of enjoying an exciting Red Letter Day experience.

Federal has established itself as a key player in the UK’s value brand market. Co-operation with major tyre companies has enabled Federal to enhance its credentials for quality and advance its technological development and its current range includes high performance, light truck, 4×4 and SUV tyres.

“This year we have focused our marketing on national promotions designed to cement relationships with existing independent tyre dealers and develop new business opportunities,” says Grouptyre marketing manager Lucie Dalton.

“This is our first incentive in association with Federal, which is one of our exclusive value brands, and it has really captured the trade’s imagination. We’re delighted with the response and are encouraging dealers to sign up for the second phase of the promotion.”

Grouptyre takes a ‘National strength, Local service’ approach to satisfying the needs of tyre retailers throughout the UK and Ireland. With more than a million tyres in stock – representing the biggest range of popular volume sizes, ultra high performance fitments and the 4×4 sector – Grouptyre covers the entire market. This breadth of stock combines with an unrivalled national, same-day to on-demand delivery service and a highly competitive pricing policy to help retailers grow their businesses over the long term, with dedicated business development managers on hand.

Federal tyres are available exclusively though Grouptyre. For further information on the range or the Red Letter Day national promotion contact Grouptyre on 01928 706166 or go to www.grouptyre.co.uk/federal