Treadways launches Treadmasters with Pirelli's help

March 25, 2003

Treadways Corp. has launched Treadmasters, its comprehensive retail tire and automotive service marketing program, which will feature a full range of Pirelli tires.

Treadmasters will be marketed in North America through Treadways' TreadXpress, Eldorado, and Jetzon/Telstar/Centennial divisions.

In addition to a full range of Pirelli tires, the program also will market one of

the Treadways custom brand offerings.

Treadmasters will offer preferred

pricing programs for its members, as well as a wide array of marketing tools to help promote sales, including point-of-purchase materials and advertising support funds.

For retail customers, the program offers a credit card program, a nationwide tire and auto service warranty, a roadside assistance plan and more. Consumers also will have access to a member locator at www.treadmasters.com.

"The Pirelli product is a perfect fit for this program because of the excellent profit opportunities that it offers to Treadmasters dealers," says Treadways CEO Dan Wire. "They have an excellent product line, leading edge technology and exciting marketing plans, and we look forward to working with them as both of our companies grow our business in the future."

Treadways Corp. is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corp. of America (SCOA), a fully integrated trading and investment enterprise. SCOA is the largest wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Corp.