Continental Acquires Bandvulc

Bandvulc, the UK’s largest independent retreader, has been acquired by Continental Tyre Group for an undisclosed fee.

Bandvulc Bought by Continental

The deal will see Continental acquiring Bandvulc’s production facilty at Ivybridge, near Plymouth as well as the company’s tyre distribution and fleet management interests. The acquisition will allow the current Bandvulc business to expand, giving it access the Continental’s global network of customers and fleet services.

Bandvulc has had a close working relationship with Continental for more than 25 years and the German manufacturer has made it clear that the entire management team will be remaining with the company, including Managing Director, Patrick O’Connell.

The Ivybridge factory will continue to produce retreads in both Bandvulc and Continental's ContiRe brands, with plans for further investment to widen the range of ContiRe produced in the UK.

The acquisition includes the Bandvulc Tyre Maintenance service network covering five service hubs in Leeds, Washington, Lutterworth, Nottingham and Luton as well as Bandvulc’s distribution warehouse in Wigan.

David Smith, managing director of Continental Tyre Group, said: "This partnership is a logical step in the close working relationship Continental and Bandvulc have enjoyed for many years. Our complimentary customer portfolios and product lines mean that each area of the business is able to benefit from extensive growth opportunities with very few areas of overlap."

About the author

David is the Owner and Publisher of Retreading Business. With over 30 years' experience as a specialist tyre industry journalist, he first entered the tyre industry in 1987 as Editor of Tyres & Accessories. He was Editor of Tyre Trade News between 1993-96 before establishing Retreading Business in 1997. In 2004 he acquired the Malaysian tyre magazine The Tyreman, before establishing Tyre & Rubber Recycling in 2009. In addition to his publishing ventures, he was also Director of the Retread Manufacturers' Association between 2004 and 2014.

Email: david.wilson@retreadingbusiness.com

Phone: (44) 1270 668 718

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