Omni United buys AtoZ after string of new tire releases

Omni United has expanded its U.S. presence, buying Texas-based AtoZ Tire and Battery for an undisclosed amount.

It’s the second major acquisition for the Singapore-based tire designer and manufacturer, after it snapped up California-based Interstate Tire Distributor (ITD) in October last year.

While the ITD deal saw Omni United add 2,500 tire retailers across the western part of the U.S. to its portfolio, the AtoZ purchase will add significantly more. More than 6,000 dealers across six states — including Montana, California, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas — and 21 locations will now join the Omni United family.

AtoZ Tire carries Toyo, Cooper, Atturo, Firestone, Roadmaster, Gladiator, Samson and other brands. The acquisition means AtoZ will now also distribute Goodride and Omni United’s brands, including Radar and Timberland Tires.

A historic brand with a big future

AtoZ Tire was founded in 1926 as Amarillo Bus Company. The purchase is the next strategic step in Omni United’s plan to scale up its multi-brand distribution business in the U.S, according to founder and chief executive G.S. Sareen.

“We are excited about this acquisition as it takes the distribution business in our core market to the next level,” he said.

“Acquisitions like these give us an opportunity to work with other manufacturers and collectively design the next generation of technology for distribution. With the tools that are available today, there is tremendous efficiency that can be brought into the distribution business.”

The acquisition takes Omni United’s footprint in the U.S. to 29 warehouses with a total capacity of almost a million square feet. The company says it will have a network of more than 10,000 dealers across eight states within the west and south regions.

“We want to provide efficiency and benefits of synergies that we gain with acquisitions like this to both our retail customers and to the manufacturers,” Sareen said.

“Our passion and drive is to bring in efficiency to tire distribution, and to service as many retail outlets as we can. We will continue to plot our own distribution in areas where we currently don’t have distribution arrangements.”

A big month of new tire releases

The acquisition comes after a busy period of new tire releases for Omni United.

In June the company released the latest addition to its flagship Radar range, the Radar Angler RST 22 — a radial trailer tire for multiple trailer fitments that allows the carrying of heavier loads ranging from 1,360lb (load index 91) to 3,960lb (load index 128) per tire.

The Angler RST 22 is specifically designed for high-load-carrying travel trailers, boat trailers and pop-up camper applications. It features an open tread shoulder for increased traction, a robust casing that has high-density large-diameter polyester cords for increased strength and durability and high-tensile-strength steel belt cords to meet the high load requirements and provide a stable footprint. A new cooler-running tread compound and pattern adds to tire longevity. The Angler RST 22 features a very stiff lower sidewall to reduce sidewall flexing and enable the trailer to track straighter, reducing the risk of sway.

This range is available for order now in 7 key sizes ranging from 13- to 16-inch rim diameters: ST175/80R13, ST205/75R14, ST215/75R14, ST205/75R15, ST225/75R15, ST235/80R16 and ST235/85R16.

The Angler RST 22 is a major upgrade of the earlier Angler RST 21 and has enhanced and improved design principals and technologies.

New UHP and runflat range

Omni United recently also released the Radar Dimax R8+, an ultra-high-performance tire specifically designed for high-performance vehicles. It has an asymmetric tread pattern that offers precise handling at high speeds. The company said the tire has wide circumferential groves to provide safety in wet and dry conditions and state-of-the-art silica tread compound technology to provide “exceptional wear and grip.”

The range incorporates rim diameters from 17” to 26”, satisfying most UHP passenger vehicles and high-performance SUVs.

The range offers 29 Runflat sizes, which includes most of the popular vehicle fitments.

The Dimax R8+ range will have a total of 131 sizes introduced in phases over the next 12 months. 41 sizes are available now; an additional 23 sizes will be ready in September, 11 sizes in December and the rest will be available by the end of May 2017. The Dimax R8+ is backed by a 30,000 mile treadwear warranty and is available with a rim size range of 17” to 26”.

Omni United expanded the Radar Renegade range and launched the Patriot value brand in May.

Tagged: Takeover

Omni United buys AtoZ after string of new tire releases