India’s Mahansaria Tyres (MTPL) is buying a controlling stake in the European Agricultural Tyre Distributors (EATD) to help it build a distribution network in Europe. The Dutch business EATD, which was set up six years ago to handle the import/ distribution of the Tianli brand of agricultural, forestry and earthmover tyres manufactured by Tianjin United Tire & Rubber International (TUTRIC) of Tianjin, China, will distribute MTPL tyres across Europe, such as in Austria, Germany, Poland, and Switzerland.
According to EATD Founder Wolfgang Luettschwager, the “combination of Tianli and MTPL and the support of a strong and dedicated team opens up new opportunities in a highly-competitive tyre market.”
MTPL is co-owned and run by the father-and-son team of Ashok and Yogesh Mahansaria – the latter is said to have the “highest regards for Luettschwager’s deep knowledge and experience in the European off-highway tyre market.”
However, MTPL has yet to disclose what brand name(s) it will use for its tyres while the EATD will continue distributing Tianli tyres.
MTPL has said it is building a US$100 million off-highway tyre factory on a 127-acre site in Panoli, Gujarat Province, and expects to commission production at the plant by mid-2020.
Co-owner Yogesh Mahansaria is the former majority owner and CEO of Alliance Tire Group (ATG) which was acquired by Yokohama Rubber in 2016.The Mahansarias also are involved in a joint venture project with Trelleborg Wheel Systems, to set up a venture in western India to make the company’s Mitas-brand motorcycle and scooter tyres – Trelleborg will own 24% of the venture with production projected to start by end-2020.