Hypermarkets push Impar Distribution deals to 13m euros

Impar Distribution, a distributor of tyres and automotive accessories, estimates turnover worth 13 million euros for this year, up 25% on 2005, following the development of hypermarket and petrol station networks, and given high demand coming from domestic distributors of commodities.

“In the first half of the year, the tyre market shrank as compared to the similar period of 2004, but we managed to offset the decline by expanding our portfolio of customers, especially among players on the domestic distribution market, a sector that has witnessed considerable growth lately,” stated Godra Zsolt, CEO of the company.

Impar”s main customers include retail networks Metro, Praktiker, Carrefour, Cora and Mol, OMV, LukOil petrol station networks, generating 25% of the company”s turnover. The fleets of transportation and construction materials firms, such as Alin Trans, Heidelberg Cement and Transcondor, also account for a significant part of the company”s operations, according to Impar officials.

Impar is involved in the distribution of tyres, car accessories and cosmetics, and lubricants.

Last year, tyre distribution accounted for about 60% of the company”s turnover, with the rest coming from the distribution of accessories and lubricants in almost equal shares.

“The car tyre market was strongly influenced by the rising consumer lending, while the truck tyre market was hurt by the difficulties experienced by domestic transporters, namely declining exports, tighter foreign competition and frozen motorway construction projects,” continued Zsolt.

In line with the company”s estimates, Impar owns a market share of more than 8% of the agricultural tyre market, which is shrinking because of floods.

The company sells tyres both through store networks, as well as through its own outlets, owning 6 tyre service and sales centres. The company also owns four warehouses with a total area of 5,000 square metres in Arad, Bucharest, Bacau and Odorheiu Secuiesc, where the central headquarters is also located.

Impar is running an investment programme aimed at the development of its logistic support – warehouses, warehousing systems, freight handling and distribution vehicles, worth 400,000 euros. For 2006, Impar”s plans include the development of the tyre service and sale network, with 4 new centres to be added, under an investment put at 500,000 euros.

The company has been operating on the car parts distribution market for 14 years and is part of Impar group. The group also includes companies dealing in real estate, tourism, media and cars. marius.anton@zf.ro