MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Hercules Tire Canada held its first-ever media event March 31 to unveil its plans for future growth in the Canadian market.

According to Rob Keller, vice- president, Hercules Tire Canada, the company has achieved 15 years of steady growth in the Canadian market and aims to specialize in globally sourcing product.

“One of our objectives this year is planned expansion in Eastern and Western Canada. While we’re still in the planning stage, we hope to add two new distribution centres, one east, one west, within the next 24 months,” said Keller in a press conference. He said Hercules Tire also seeks to increase its market share.

The company offered a tour of its distribution centre, which stocks popular tire brands including Hercules, Dunlop, Goodyear, Kelly and Falken, totaling some 10,000 part numbers for all applications through its network of 350 dealers across Canada. The Hercules brand is manufactured in the U.S. with some other brands manufactured in Asia.

Keller said the company has also updated its site, investing significant resources online to offer product information, a full line catalogue, and an easy-to-use dealer locator. A French language site will also launch soon, he noted.

Warehouse manager Dan McCallum said Hercules Tire Canada runs six company trucks and also uses common carriers to make at least two runs a day out of the facilities. The company expects to handle full truckload volumes in the spring, he added.

Hercules Tire Canada also announced it has teamed up with a company called Power on the Go and plans to sell, warehouse and distribute POTG portable generators through Hercules dealer outlets across the country.

“During our meetings with Mike Pynkoski and his team at Power on the Go, we realized there were synergies between the two companies and opportunities to grow this market – everyone is keen about the prospects,” said Keller.

“Racks located in our distribution centres do not differentiate between quality tires and quality generators. We’re adding 20 new SKUs, ranging from single circuit portable generators to larger units designed for refrigerator trucks. There’s a key cost-saving benefit for truckers maintaining their refrigerated trailers at truck stops. Alternative to idling engines that maintain refrigerated products in trailers, these portable generators provide the same function – at a fraction of the cost and energy,” Keller said. n

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