Pirelli Tyre History
Pirelli Tyre designs, develops, manufactures and markets tyres - for motor vehicles, industrial vehicles and motorcycles - and steelcord. The manufacturing structure of the company consists of 20 plants in 11 countries throughout the world, and a commercial network that covers over 160 companies.
The turnover of 4 billion euros achieved in 2009 makes Pirelli the fifth largest tyre company in the world, and the leading company for high range products. The total revenues of Pirelli Tyre guarantee 89% of the total turnover of Pirelli & C., which totalled 4.5 billion euros for the same period.
The business of Pirelli Tyre consists of two main segments: Consumer (about 70% of total revenues) deals with tyres for motor vehicles, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), light commercial vehicles and motorbikes; and Industrial (about 30% of revenues), which means tyres for buses, heavy trucks, agricultural machinery and steelcord, the fundamental strengthening element for radial tyres. These businesses are in turn focussed on two different sales channels: replacements (77% of 2009 revenues), tyres for vehicles already and on the road, and original equipment (23% 2009 revenues), directly focussed on manufacturers.
Pirelli's technological skills and innovative approach have allowed it to consolidate agreements with the most prestigious motor vehicle and motorbike manufacturers in the world. Pirelli is synonymous with quality and the ultimate in performance. And it is in the high tech and superior performance segment of the high-end market that Pirelli Tyre has, over the years, built its leadership.
