Pirelli Tire North America Inc. plans to begin serving the commercial truck and bus markets in the United States and Canada through a new dedicated entity: TP Commercial Solutions LLC.
The move represents an expansion of Pirelli's industrial business unit into North America. The unit is currently headed at the group level by Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera. The unit 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 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 grew up working behind the sales counter of his father's tire shop, and brings more than 20 years of commercial experience to Pirelli including senior roles within Continental's truck tire division. He will be based in Rome, Ga. at Pirelli’s North American headquarters. Armstrong joined Pirelli in January 2016.
“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,” says 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.
“In keeping with management’s global vision for Pirelli, now is the time to enter the North American truck tire market. This positions us to serve the needs of our stakeholders on a truly global basis.”
Pirelli owns and operates truck tire manufacturing facilities in Brazil, China, Egypt, and Turkey.
Modern Tire Dealer wrote about the prospect of Pirelli bringing its truck tires to America in this October 2015 story: Pirelli Truck Tires: They Aren't Here Yet, But They Could Be One Day.
