Tire Distribution & Manufacturing Year in Review 2019

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Tire Distribution & Manufacturing Year in Review 2019

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Retail Consolidation and Commercial Divestitures Highlighted M&A Uptick in 2019

The fourth quarter produced strong M&A activity, showing a moderate improvement over 2018 levels, though still below 2017’s peak. Transaction activity was driven by significant retail consolidation – especially in the second half of the year– while the commercial/OTR and wholesale segments produced several notable transactions, offsetting a decline in manufacturing M&A. Strategic activity remained strong across all segments, with Monro Inc. leading retail M&A, while continued activity from Driven Brands, Michelin, and several international buyers made for prominent M&A activity.

In 2019, a string of divestitures from GCR reduced the company’s footprint by more than half, while private equity-backed GB Auto and Icahn Automotive Group both made notable transactions in the retail segment, displaying continued appetite for geographic expansion and growth-by-acquisition. The tire industry remains sensitive to e-commerce disruption. While M&A activity in 2019 was focused largely on bricks and mortar retail, True Capital Partners’ acquisition of Tyres On the Drive in the UK points to a continued focus on the e-commerce trend.

Valuations remain strong with no notable factors on the domestic front providing cause for concern at this stage. We expect some disruption, however, in the second half of 2020 with the Presidential election pending (and the build-up thereto). Valuations at current levels will more than compensate a seller for income sacrificed in a low interest rate/high asset price environment – providing greater up-front proceeds in lieu of income over time.

We hope you find our annual review informative, and we welcome the chance to engage with you in 2020.

Historical M&A Trends by Period / Sector

Total Transaction Count

Tires 2019 Transactions by Count

Transactions per Sector

Tires 2019 Transactions by Sector

Note: Double-count of transactions which are included in multiple industry sub-sectors/categories, have been removed.

Retail

Retail M&A Transactions - Q4 2019

Tires Retail 2019 Q4 MA Transactions

Monro Inc.

In the fourth quarter, Monro Inc. continued its westward expansion with the acquisitions of Nevada Tire Holdings (dba Superior Tire), which comprises 14 stores in Nevada and four in Idaho, six stores from S&S Unlimited (d.ba Skip’s Tire) in Northern California, and three from Lloyd’s Tire adding an additional nine stores in California. The acquisitions expand Monro’s footprint into Nevada and Idaho, while complementing its acquisition in March of Certified Tire & Service Centers in Riverside, CA.

Icahn Automotive

In October, Icahn Automotive Group expanded its network of Pep Boys outlets to 969 in 36 states and Puerto Rico with the acquisitions of two stores from Runway Tire in Astoria, NY, one store from Purrfect Auto Service in Lawndale, CA, and Meineke Car Care Center in LaGrange, GA.

Wholesale

Wholesale M&A Transactions - Q4 2019

Tires Wholesale 2019 Q4 MA Transactions

Mahansaria Tyres Pvt. Ltd

In November, Indian start-up tire company Mahansaria Tyres expanded into Europe with its acquisition of a controlling stake in the Dutch distribution company European Agricultural Tyre Distributors (EATD). Mahansaria Tyres is building an OTR-dedicated factory in India, and will leverage its controlling stake in EATD in building a distribution network in Europe.

Distribution Stox

In October, Distribution Stox, a partnership of several large Quebec tire distributors, acquired Provincial Tire Distributors, a 30-year old Ontario-based tire distributor. Provincial Tire Distributors will add an additional two distribution facilities to Distribution Stox’s 18 centers.

Commercial / OTR

Commercial / OTR M&A Transactions - Q4 2019

Tires Commercial and OTR 2019 Q4 MA Transactions

Goodyear

In December, Goodyear acquired Evansville, IN-based Raben Tire, a long-time Goodyear dealership that is ranked among the 50 largest commercial and retail dealerships and retreaders in the U.S. Raben Tire operates over 30 commercial and consumer tire and service locations and three retread plants, including two that are Goodyear Authorized Retreading system plants, across six states. The acquisition will help Goodyear serve fleets and advance its Connected Business Model.

GCR (Bridgestone Americas)

In November, Bridgestone America’s GCR Tires & Service acquired Tires Inc., a commercial tire dealer with two stores in Washington. The acquisition enables GCR to capitalize on the Pacific Northwest as a rapidly growing region for fleet transportation, complementing GCR’s nine other locations in Washington and 12 across the Pacific Northwest. GCR’s acquisition of Tires Inc. comes after a string of location divestitures this year, encompassing 73 commercial service outlets and 12 retread plants.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing M&A Transactions - Q4 2019

Tires Manufacturing 2019 Q4 MA Transactions

Thompson Street Capital Partners

In December, St. Louis-based private equity firm Thompson Street Capital Partners, acquired Los Angeles-based Custom Wheel House, which designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes branded automotive aftermarket wheels, tires, and accessories through its four brands: Method Race Wheels, Tensor Tires, GMZ Race Products, and Dusty Times. Custom Wheel House manufactures ATV & UTV wheels, tires, and accessories for race and street applications.

Cooper Tire and Rubber Company

In November, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, announced it would acquire the remaining 42% of its Mexico joint venture tire manufacturing facility from Trabajadores Democraticos de Occidente (TRADOC). The facility, located near Guadalajara, has manufactured passenger car and light truck tires since the joint venture began in 2008. Cooper’s acquisition of TRADOC’s stake will help it optimize its global manufacturing footprint with cost-competitive production of tires.

2019 M&A Transactions By Segment & 2020 Forecasts

Retail: 2019 retail M&A showed a moderate uptick over 2018 levels, with a significant boost from H2 activity, driven by continued consolidation by both strategic buyers and private equity. Attainable synergies through geographic footprint and network expansion as well as consolidation of certain operations highlighted strategic rationale among retail acquisitions.

Significant activity in the United States dominated retail M&A for 2019, as the market continues to consolidate, and the primary consolidators vie for quality retail assets across the country.

To cap off the year, the retail tire industry made national news when it was reported that Les Schwab is searching for a buyer.

Retail Forecast 2020

  1. Look for consolidation activity to continue in 2020, as consolidators continue to vie for turf and retail consolidation remains a strategy presenting readily achievable synergies through scale and geographic expansion for acquirers.
  2. Transformation in the industry as Les Schwab goes to market and is either acquired by a major retail player, new capital to the industry, or an offshore acquirer looking to make a splash in the U.S. market.

Retail M&A Transactions - 2019

Tires Retail 2019 MA Transactions

Wholesale: Wholesale M&A activity remained flat in 2019 compared to 2018 levels, though still below 2017’s highs. Transaction activity was global in scope, with activity across the North America, Europe, and Oceania. Strategic rationale encompassed entrance into new markets, consolidation of operations, focus on enhanced unit volume and related volume benefits, and footprint expansion.

Wholesale Forecast 2020

  1. Regional consolidation activity to continue in North America as small to mid-size wholesalers continue to be absorbed by larger regional players.
  2. Potential for a new acquisition platform to be targeted by private equity (one of the remaining independent regional wholesalers with revenue in excess of $100 million at a minimum) in order to capitalize on the regional consolidation trend and limited transition plans among the ownership base. Private equity may identify an opportunity to build another platform in the area of $1 billion and take advantage of the acquisition playbook of boosting margins and performance of the acquired targets via enhanced purchasing power and scale.

Wholesale M&A Transactions - 2019

Tires Wholesale 2019 MA Transactions

Commercial/OTR: Commercial/OTR M&A was active, with transaction volume returning to levels of 2016 and 2017 as activity from manufacturer owned and commercial/OTR dealers increased.

Strategic activity represented the bulk of commercial M&A for 2019; notably, after a string of divestitures throughout the year, GCR (Bridgestone Americas) acquired Tires Inc. Private equity involvement included Thompson Street Capital Partners’ acquisition of Custom Wheel House, and Owner Resource Group’s acquisition of OTR International.

Commercial/OTR Forecast 2020

  1. Interest in the tire sector by capital providers and strategic acquirers looking to take advantage of a fragmented landscape of commercial/OTR independent dealers.
  2. Continued divestiture of commercial/OTR networks owned by certain manufacturers, while other manufacturers protect or enhance commercial networks to provide seamless service to national accounts and maintain retread volume.

Commercial/OTR M&A Transactions - 2019

Tires Commercial OTR 2019 MA Transactions

Manufacturing: 2019 Manufacturing M&A was down from prior years, though notable transactions included Titan International’s buyout of one joint-venture member of its Russian tire operations, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company’s buyout of its Mexican joint-venture partner, and Michelin’s acquisition of Indonesian tire manufacturer PT Multistrada Arah Sarana.

Manufacturing Forecast 2020

  1. Majority of activity will remain driven by multinational manufacturers, as well as financial buyers.
  2. Remaining independent, specialty manufacturers continue to be targeted by global strategic buyers seeking new product lines, brands, and growth.

Manufacturing M&A Transactions - 2019

Tires Manufacturing 2019 MA Transactions

2019 Featured Theme: Changing of the Guard

The year 2019 saw a changing of the guard at several of the global powerhouse tire manufacturers and distributors. Driven by retirement, executive repositioning and realignment, shifts in corporate strategy, and myriad factors specific to the corporation itself, 2019 was a year of change in the C-suite.

The timeline below highlights notable executive personnel moves during 2019 in the industry globally:

Notable Tire Executive Personnel Moves in 2019