Pirelli plans to begin serving the commercial truck and bus markets in the United States and Canada through a new entity, TP Commercial Solutions LLC, which is dedicated to these markets, the tiremaker announced at the Mid-America Trucking Show. The move represents an expansion of Pirelli’s industrial business unit into North America. The unit, currently headed at the group level by Pirelli Chief Executive Officer Marco Tronchetti Provera, supplies commercial truck tires and fleet solutions to the global market.
The drive into the U.S. and Canadian markets, which are the world’s largest in terms of value for commercial truck tires and fleet management solutions, is part of Pirelli’s aggressive global growth strategy, the company said. The pilot phase, currently underway, aims at establishing the best strategy for local product development, distribution and sales. Currently there are more than 40 fleets participating in the testing and development of Pirelli commercial truck tires for several North American applications.
Clif Armstrong has been selected to manage the project as president of TP Commercial Solutions LLC. Armstrong brings more than 20 years of commercial experience to this venture including senior roles within Continental Tire’s truck tire division. He will be based in Rome, Ga., at Pirelli’s North American headquarters.
“Pirelli’s strategy for car and light truck products in North America is focused on premium products customized for the particular needs of the market,” commented Armstrong. “With the launch of the commercial truck business, we plan to do the same thing—adapt the excellent technology and leadership of the Pirelli industrial product line to the specifications and demanding requirements of these markets. North American fleets have unique needs which require unique designs, sizes and compounding to deliver the premium performance for which the Pirelli brands are known and respected. Entering this market is no easy task, but with the strength of our future product portfolio coupled with the extensive research and development we are devoting to the project, we will provide North American fleets best in class cost performance and services.”
For more information, visit the Pirelli website.
