F1 tyre company expands with new fitting service

A TYRE company which supplies ‘inflation gas’ to Formula 1 racing cars is expanding its operations by opening a new tyre-fitting service for local drivers.

Family-owned Tyre Bay Direct, which is based in Redditch, is now using equipment and F1 race technology to fit tyres on domestic vehicles at its new Tyre Bay Xpress facility.

Since 1992 the company, which also trades under the name Pneu-Air Uniflate, has been working with racing teams and F1 tyre suppliers Goodyear, Michelin and Bridgestone to ensure they have the best possible pressure control over their tyres.

It manufactures equipment to produce nitrogen suitable for inflating tyres and keeping them at the right pressures for racing and for 18 years the firm has been the sole supplier for F1.

Managing director Roger Stote said: “When we moved to the Little Forge Road premises we could see that we had the ideal opportunity to take our tyre equipment sales and our F1 nitrogen technology to a new level by opening our own tyre bay.

“Tyre Bay Xpress will not only provide local motorists with the very latest tyre technology, it will also allow us to show case our products to our business customers.”

Ian Williams, business relationship manager from NatWest which provided financial support for the expansion, added: “The new premises have given the company a unique expansion opportunity as well as providing local employment.

“It really is exciting to think that F1 racing tyre technology is now available to local drivers.”

The company provides employment for 30 people and moved to its current 20,000 sq ft warehouse six months ago.

Picture from left: Tyre Bay Direct directors Neil, Roger, Sally and Leigh Stote with NatWest’s Ian Williams.