M a r k e t N e w s
Michelin's New Joint Venture Targets Kenyan Market
Posted on : Wednesday, 18th April 2018
Michelin Tyres have partnered with CFAO, a renowned distributor of industrial products to further their interests in Africa. This joint venture will oversee the import and distribution of high-quality tyres in Kenya and Uganda. Michelin holds a 49 percent share in the new company with the remaining 51 percent in the possession of CFAO, while administration of the entity will be divided equally.
The company will now begin operations and will be expected to supply tyres for both heavy duty as well as smaller vehicles. This will depend largely on the business relationships built by Michelin over the years.
“With growth rates of 4.5 per cent for Uganda and 5.5 per cent for Kenya in 2017, these markets are very dynamic,” adds Richard Bielle, chairman and chief executive officer of CFAO. “As a result, they are of interest to the biggest players in the global industry. CFAO’s alliance with Michelin illustrates our know-how on the continent – providing our partners with immediate solutions to develop markets and to offer consumers high quality products and services.”
This new development is just another case of Michelin's objective of acquiring a stake in the distribution channels of its closest competitors. One of Michelin's acquisitions Ihle Holding AG has also been used in the acquisitions of German-based whole sellers.They have also entered into a 50-50 partnership with Nex Tyres SL in a wholesale joint venture in Spain. The company announced another identical venture earlier this year in North America with Sumitomo Corporation to tap the markets in the US and Mexico.
Source : bizmap.com