Bridgestone Americas Inc. will acquire a Canadian software company that offers a turn-key, online tire sales tool with ecommerce capabilities for tire dealers and distributors in North America. The purchase of TireConnect Systems is expected to close by Nov. 21.
The company says the TireConnect online sales and ecommerce solution will be available to Bridgestone dealers and distributors in the first quarter of 2016.
The acquisition will allow Bridgestone, its dealer network and distributors to better meet the needs of today’s digitally-minded consumers by providing a simple and fully-integrated tire buying experience from online to in-store, according to John Baratta, president, consumer replacement, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.
At Bridgestone, we constantly look for new ways to grow our business, while also empowering and growing the businesses of our dealers,” says John Baratta.
“As the world’s largest tire and rubber company, we know that we need to be active and aggressive in the increasingly digital marketplace. The acquisition of TireConnect will allow Bridgestone to create a direct path to online tire buying that collectively benefits our dealers, distributors and consumers.”
The TireConnect software tool allows dealers to get full credit for online tire sales, while also remaining in control of their inventory, pricing and labor/installation costs.
A plug-and-play solution, the TireConnect tool works with Bridgestone dealers’ current websites to provide a seamless research and purchasing experience between consumers and their preferred local dealers. Bridgestone says the tool also improves efficiency, saves time and delivers enhanced speed-to-market for dealers and distributors.
Founded in 2012, TireConnect offers a B2B and B2C online tire sales solution to more than a dozen customers with nearly 600 points of sale across Canada and the U.S.
Company leaders George Silagadze and Chance Harrington will join Bridgestone as part of the acquisition. As a result, Bridgestone will expand the reach of the TireConnect software platform to more dealers.
“We are excited that Bridgestone chose to acquire TireConnect and establish it as a digital and ecommerce solution for its dealers,” says Silagadze. “This move demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to its customers and end-user consumers, and we look forward to working together to further enhance the tire buying experience.”
TireConnect Systems is based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. To learn more about the company and its e-commerce platform, visit www.tireconnect.ca.
