Titan International Inc.'s plan to phase out the Kelly farm tire brand is proceeding as expected, Titan Vice President of Sales and Marketing Jeff Vasichek has told moderntiredealer.com.
Kelly farm tire dealers have been "very supportive" of the phase-out, he adds. Titan expects the process to be complete by the end of 2006.
"The Kelly brand was limited in size and offerings. It was primarily a bias ply brand.
"As our inventory is depleting, we're not manufacturing any new (Kelly) product. Once inventory is gone, we'll be out of Kelly."
Titan obtained the Kelly farm tire label through its acquisition of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s farm tire business earlier this year.
In 2005, Kelly had 1.5% of the replacement radial rear farm tire market and 3.5% of the replacement bias rear farm tire market, according to MTD data. Kelly also enjoyed 7% of the replacement small farm tire market.
