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SOUTH AFRICA
Marangoni Builds Interest in Leader Rubber
L to R; Roberto Santorum, Andrew Summers, Brett Sproson and Vitoantonio Magistrale
Marangoni Retreading Systems has signed an agreement with Leader Rubber Co. S.A., involving the acquisition of 25 per cent of the South African company’s stock by Marangoni Spa.
This agreement is the culmination of a partnership that has been ongoing for several years, the objective being to strengthen both companies’ presence in Southern Africa / Africa. The size of the domestic market totalling two million retreads and new tyres, its proximity to fast-growing markets and easy access to the Gulf region make South Africa an ideal location
for expansion. As one of the BRICS nations, South Africa is considered one of the world’s five main emerging economies.
Leader Rubber Co. S.A. has been the exclusive distributor of the Ringtread System to the South African market for over six years and is the leading manufacturer of precured tread strips, OTR uncured rubber as well as consumables and machinery required for the retreading process holding a leading market share in Sub-Saharan Africa. What distinguishes this family-run company based in the Johannesburg industrial district, in addition to
offering a vast product range in both the top-end (premium) and the economical segments (budget), is that Leader Rubber Co. is recognised for its ability to provide its retreader-customers a complete support structure for servicing, technical training, factory layout designs and building as well as sales and marketing.
The partnership signed between Marangoni Spa and Leader Rubber Co. S.A. sees Marangoni invest in the South African company, with the objective of further strengthening the unique Ringtread System, developing agreements with local retreaders and growing exports to markets in
Sub-Saharan Africa. It
also envisages to allow
more efficient
information sharing to
further support
Leader’s technological
and manufacturing
expertise.
The joint venture
represents an
important
development
opportunity for both
Marangoni and Leader Rubber Co. S.A. as well as for companies in Sub Saharan Africa who wish to expand their current product offerings by utilising the expertise of this unique partnership. The Italian company will be able to further expand its globalisation strategy, establishing operations in a continent with considerable potential for growth, while the South African company will be able to continue its technological and commercial development by exploiting the synergies available through its partnership with Marangoni.