Distribution networks

Nearly three-quarters of all tires sold worldwide are replacements for used tires, so facilitating access to the replacement market with a robust distribution network is key for Michelin.

Given that imperative, Michelin's distribution has three key objectives:

• Work closely with competitive distribution networks on their markets to provide the right response to consumers' needs.
• Promote our expertise in distribution and proactively contribute to developing our distributor customers' businesses.
• Enhance the Group's focus on customer service by providing operational insight from the field.

Michelin now has an extensive distribution network, including:

• In Europe:
  • The Euromaster network of tire specialists, with 2,300 sales locations in 17 countries.
  • The Ihle Meyer-Lissendorf and Nex wholesale networks.
• In the U.S.:
  • The wholesaler National Tire Wholesale. NTW is a joint-venture founded by TCI and TBC's wholesale business. NTW is one of the region's top three wholesalers, and it operates under brands including Big O, Tire Kingdom and Mitas.
    
• In Asia, particularly China, as well as Africa, the Middle East and Russia, we work with the Tyre Plus franchise, which has more than 500 sales locations.
• When it comes to e-commerce, we have privileged relationships with two of the market leaders: Black Circles and Allopneus.

Our network currently counts 6,500 sales locations. It includes a wide range of business models:

• Integrated models such as Euromaster, BlackCircles, Ihle Meyer-Lissendorf and PopGom.
• Franchise models such as Tyre Plus, Euromaster and Michelin Commercial Service Network for the U.S. trucking market.
• Joint-ventures such as Nex and TBC.
• Minority-stake holdings.