STARTED IN 1973
It was in 1973 that Klaas Smid suggested to his father that, in addition to selling tyres to the consumer market, the specialized international tyre trade could be profitable. Klaas Smid was given the freedom to explore that niche. He immediately started sourcing used aircraft tyres that would be sold with newly made wheels to customers in the agricultural sector. While ‘Smid Banden’ kept supplying the consumer market until the 1990s, the new division kept growing and growing.
GROWTH AND PROSPERITY
Klaas’ international import and export increased tremendously. It got to the point where the warehouse became too small, and tyres were stacked in the garden outside. While trade was flourishing, the conifers and apple trees were suffering. Luckily they were able to purchase a facility in the centre of Assen from Duyvis, the famous Dutch producer of nuts. It allowed Holland Tyre to expand and to grow into an internationally renowned expert in tyres for special applications.
Klaas Smid remembers: „Sometimes we would work 80 hours in a week. There weren’t any mobile phones yet, so I would stop at a petrol station to phone in the orders. People would usually receive their tyres the next day. Because of this fast delivery, customers were pleasantly surprised.”
OUR SUCCESS FORMULA
Klaas Smid: „I worked for my father during the school holidays and as a small boy I would change tyres by myself. So I sort of grew up amid all the developments, from diagonal to high-tech radial tyres. Of course you need a good feeling for the market, always striving for the perfect price/quality ratio. Even with our new webshop, we need to be right on top of the market, every second. Whoever is out in the field hears and sees a lot, and can anticipate. That culture has never changed at Holland Tyre. Follow the demand closely.”
INTERNATIONALISATION
„The internationalisation of the trade is another aspect” continues Klaas Smid. „We were part of that development early on. It is vital that everyone in the team can speak the necessary languages, besides being experts in the matter. We managed to conclude exclusive agreements with international partners early on. And never forget your roots. Know where you come from, and remain realistic. Live up to your promises.” We are proud of that.
AIRLINE TO ONLINE
„We started upcycling used aircraft tyres more than 40 years ago, and offer high-tech bead-lock wheels and VF technology in tyres. We have seen and gone through a tremendous number of developments. Without changing our rules. We stay true to our ground rules. We still are a wholesaler, and are loyal to our relations”, says Klaas Smid.
