Michelin/Camso buys Chicago-area industrial tire dealer/distributor

CHICAGO—Michelin's Camso North America unit has acquired Metro Industrial Tires, an industrial-tire service business with a pair of locations catering to the materials-handling sector throughout the greater Chicago metro area.

Founded in 1983 and a longtime Camso/Solideal customer, Metro Industrial Tires serves customers out of locations in Alsip and Lombard, Ill., on the south and north sides of Chicago, respectively. Each location has a fleet of press trucks.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Chicago is one of the largest material-handling markets in the U.S.," Bob Bulger, vice president and general manager, Camso North America, said.

"The acquisition of the material-handling solutions business from Metro will expand and strengthen the chain between tire manufacturing, distribution and service for Camso," Bulger said. It will allow Michelin/Camso "to find new and innovative ways to meet our customers' ever-changing needs for skid-steer tires, rubber tracks, foam-filled tires, filled assemblies and ancillary products as well as service."

The company also serves customers from in northwest Indiana, southern Wisconsin and in Illinois outside of Chicago.

Magog, Quebec-based Camso is active in off-highway tires, wheels, rubber tracks and undercarriage systems to serve the materials-handling, construction, agricultural and powersports industries, both as an OE supplier and an aftermarket distributor.

Michelin acquired the business, which goes to market under the Camso and Solideal brand names, in 2018.