Vipal Rubber, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of rubber products for tyre retreading, is celebrating 20 years of operations in Europe. This milestone marks a key chapter in the company’s history, consolidating its international presence and strategic relevance in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) market. To mark the occasion, Vipal has launched a special stamp commemorating the start of its operations on the European continent in 2005.
Vipal EMEA Expands Operations to Over 50 Countries
Based in Valencia, Spain, the European subsidiary was initially established to serve the local market but quickly expanded to neighbouring countries. Today, Vipal operates in over 50 countries, with five European companies and three distribution centres – located in Spain, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom. The EMEA team comprises 13 professionals working across technical, commercial, administrative and customer service areas – a structure designed to meet the demands of a highly specialised and discerning market.
Over the past two decades, Vipal has consolidated its position among the top companies in the sector across Europe, recognised for the quality of its products, technical support, and strategically located inventories. At the time of expansion, Spain was chosen as the headquarters due to the company’s strong commercial ties with both Spain and Portugal. In the early days, the commercial activity focused on products for tyre retreading and repairing, with just three employees managing the entire operation.
According to Frederico Schmidt, General Manager of Vipal in EMEA, entering the European market required several logistical adaptations and a keen understanding of local customer needs. “Twenty years ago, even with the internet still in its infancy, we had the foresight to adapt our portfolio to the demands of each region. In other words, we were strategic not only in maintaining the sales of specific products but also in investing in innovation”, Schmidt explains.
Pioneering spirit and growth in Europe
Several treads have made their mark over the years, including the DV-RL, VRT3, VT110, and DV-UM3. More recently, the DV-UMe – a design developed specifically for electric vehicles – has brought Vipal further recognition in Europe, positioning the company at the forefront of the sector.
Since opening its first branch on European soil, the company has steadily expanded its commercial presence, gaining ground in markets such as Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom. Through its growth in sales and distribution, Vipal Rubber has successfully navigated a diverse range of commercial environments, gaining increased visibility on the global stage. Today, the European branch supplies retreaders and distributors in more than 50 countries.
“The level of recognition and efficiency we’ve achieved internationally is the result of two decades of consistent, strategic work. We’ve not only adapted to different cultures, languages and customer demands, but also strengthened our position in the EMEA region, boosted sales, and delivered a personalised service”, adds Fabricio Nedeff, Vipal’s Commercial Manager in EMEA.
Company celebrates successful participation at Autopromotec 2025
From May 21st to 24th, Vipal participated in Autopromotec 2025, one of the world’s leading automotive sector events, held in Bologna, Italy. During the event, the company received two prestigious Recircle Awards: Employee of the Year for Leonardo Oliveira, Vipal’s Regional Sales Manager in the United States, and the Tyre Industry Education Award, granted to Univipal.
The exhibition further reinforced the company’s international standing. Vipal’s stand attracted a high-quality audience, including long-time partners and new visitors keen to explore potential collaborations. For Schmidt, who spoke on a panel about tyre retreading, the company’s success at the event is directly tied to its strategic direction.
“Treads such as the VL110LA, VT570 and DV-UMe drew considerable interest from customers, and we even secured orders during the event. Retreaded tyres on display were also instrumental in drawing visitors to the stand – the DV-UMe in particular caught the attention of partners who had seen it at The Tire Cologne last year and were pleased to learn that it is now officially available”, Schmidt says.
Gilson Dugno, International Business Manager at Vipal Rubber, also attended and underscored the importance of Autopromotec in the company’s global strategy. “Taking part in events of this calibre is essential to strengthening our presence in international markets and fostering relationships with strategic partners. In addition to launching new products, it’s also a valuable platform to position Vipal as a global brand that is responsive to market needs and committed to innovation and sustainability”, Dugno highlights.
After last exhibiting at Autopromotec in 2019, when it forged key commercial relationships, Vipal returned in 2025 with even greater strength. This time, the company achieved a new level of visibility by participating in the panel on tyre recovery and rubber recycling. Its presence reinforced Vipal’s corporate image before a qualified audience, delivered tangible results, and consolidated the brand’s role as a reference in industry debates on the future of the automotive sector, particularly in areas such as technology, sustainability, and electromobility.
