Jan 31 , 2017
MUSCAT, OMAN, 31st January 2017 – FirstStop, Bridgestone’s flagship retail brand, today opened its third show room in the country and first Franchisee owned store in Muladha, with senior officials from Bridgestone MEA, Towell Auto Centre(Bridgestone’s Sole distributor in the Sultanate of Oman)and its business partner and First Stop franchisee, Ashbal Al Arab National Trade , in attendance.
Bridgestone, the world’s leading tyre producer, is undergoing a significant period of expansion in Oman and this new First Stop facility is an important and strategic step in the Sultanate. Founded in 1994, First Stop has been one of the fastest growing Tyre & Auto Care retail brands in Europe and now operates in 25 countries. Through its comprehensive network of approximately 2,000 dealers, it sells more than 10 million tyres annually.
First Stop does more than just the sale of tyres and its enviable reputation has been built on the provision of a ‘one-stop-shop’ model where motorists are able to have the majority of their everyday motoring needs catered at one location. From Tyre sales & service to battery supply and fit, First Stop dealerships offer a complete package to motorists. The First Stop Retail brand debuted in the Middle East in 2013 and by the end of this year there will be 34 stores across the region. This expansion will continue, with plans for 100 centres to be operational in near future.
“The opening of First Stop store in Muladha is an exciting development for us and for our customers,” said Mr. Riyadh Ali Sultan, General Manager at Towell Auto Centre. “We already enjoy excellent customer relations in Oman and this new facility will mean a world class Tyre and Auto care retail facility available to motorists in these areas. The store is strategically located in Muladha roundabout in Barka - Sohar highway which is the main Road connecting port & Free zone city Sohar to the capital city Muscat. There are many more stores planned, with each operating to world-class standards and helping to positively impact road safety.”
Mr. Mete Ekin, Regional Managing Director, Bridgestone MEA, added: “At the forefront of everything we do at Bridgestone is safety, and the company is rightly proud of its commitment to utmost quality in every aspect of its operations - right from the tyres that we produce to the quality of the entire range of services and customer care. It’s one of the reasons Bridgestone is the world’s largest tyre and rubber company.”
The focus of Bridgestone’s subsidiary, First Stop, is on delivering the highest quality service to each and every customer. Expert tyre and car care specialists are always on hand and the brand actively promotes safety by properly advising customers to Tyres safety &and preventative maintenance.
“Entirely in line with Bridgestone and First Stop’s approach, we at TAC have reinvented Tyre retailing and Allied customer services in Oman. We always carry an extensive range of Bridgestone tyres and customers can be assured of always receiving the best in terms of availability, ranges uniform pricing, attractive offers and quality after sales service from our showrooms across Oman” remarked Mr. JaiShankar, Towell Auto Centre’s Bridgestone Tyre Division General Manager.
To learn more about FirstStop’s services, offers and locations, please visit www.firststop-mea.com.
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About Bridgestone Middle East & Africa FZE: Bridgestone Middle East & Africa FZE (BSMEA) is the headquarters for Bridgestone in the Middle East and Africa region. It was set up with the objectives of speeding up decision-making and action and of optimising regional strategy by identifying market trends close to the region’s customer and market. Bridgestone Middle East & Africa FZE believes in earning the trust and confidence of customers by conducting events to promote and encourage environmental awareness as well as road safety. www.bridgestone-mea.com
