Bartenheim, France based Bihr has announced that it has acquired 100% of IP Store, a leading distributor of motorcycle tyres and of selected rider gear brands in Belgium - formerly known as International Pneus.
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| Having sold IP Store (Anderlecht, Belgium) to Bihr, Bernard De Longueville will become Sales Director Belgium for Bihr. |
As a result of this agreement, Bernard De Longueville, currently CEO of IP Store and one of the best known motorcycle industry figures in Belgium, has been appointed Sales Director Belgium for Bihr.
Bihr states that the objective of the transaction is twofold. First, that by acquiring IP Store, Bihr will further strengthen its commercial footprint in Belgium. Second, and in the short term, the transaction will allow the clients of IP Store to benefit from the larger product offering of Bihr.
Conversely, Bihr clients in Belgium will soon benefit from the products exclusively distributed by IP Store. In addition to its impressive roster of tyre brands (Pirelli, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Continental, Mitas, Metzeler, Michelin), IP Store currently sells for brands such as Tucano Urbano, BS Battery, Kappa, Sidi, SBS, Ixon and Scott - operating from its own warehouse at Anderlecht.
"I am very pleased to join Bihr and to grow our combined business to an unprecedented level. The power of the Bihr offering, combined with our very deep Belgian roots, will be very beneficial for our clients," said Bernard De Longueville, newly appointed Sales Director Belgium. Dominique Jamar, who until now was in charge of Belgium for Bihr, will fully focus on Business Development (new products, services and geographies).
Though founded in 1975 in France by Cyrille Bihr, the distributor also now has Belgian roots, being owned by the 2 billion euro turnover Kontich/Antwerp, Belgium based Alcopa Group, which traces its origins in the automotive and motorcycle business back to 1937 when Albert and Constance Moorkens started their motorcycle distribution business.
Bihr has over 42,000 sq m of distribution space in total in four warehouses in France and Spain, is now active in 13 European countries, employing 400 people and selling some 230 brands and 200,000 items through a network of some 11,000 dealers. Bihr says it can supply almost all European motorcycle dealers within 24 hours.
"We are very happy to partner with IP Store," said Christophe Piron, CEO of Bihr. "With this transaction, Bihr not only becomes second to none in terms of motorcycle tyre distribution in Belgium, but we also have the opportunity to add some brands we were missing in our product portfolio."
www.bihr.eu
