From Autobanden De Sprint to Inter-Sprint
What began in 1965 as a ‘stack of tyres’ on Rotterdam’s Feijernoordkade has now, 50 years later, expanded to become one of Europe’s largest tyre and wheel distributors. Initially only sold car tyres to private individuals, under the business name ‘Autobanden De Sprint’ (‘De Sprint Car Tyres’). The simple basic plan to start selling tyres to private individuals at great prices was only the beginning of realising the final goal: the national and international distribution of car tyres and, later, wheels.
The conviction that the Dutch and European vehicle pool would grow explosively formed the basis for this. Now, almost half a century later, ‘Autobanden De Sprint’ has grown up to become ‘Inter-Sprint’, one of the most innovative and renowned international players in car tyre distribution.
How it all began
The first piles of tyres lie on the pavement in Rotterdam. The first deliveries are made.
Autobanden De Sprint
Under the name 'Autobanden De Sprint' ('De Sprint Car Tyres'), the first official branch is opened on the Feijernoordkade. Private customers can come here to purchase and have tyres fitted.
The business keeps on growing
Tyre fitting branches aimed at consumers are opened at several locations throughout Rotterdam.
More cars, more tyres
The success of De Sprint continues unabatedly. Larger branches, like here on the Ceintuurbaan, are necessary to continue to satisfy demand.
More and more customers from the professional sector
Sprint branches, as well as the first garage and fitting businesses, are provided with tyres from Sprint's own warehouses.
Inter-Sprint goes (inter)national
In Strijen, Inter-Sprint sets up its own large warehouses. Under the name Inter-Sprint, increasing numbers of businesses in the Netherlands were supplied with tyres from this location. In addition, the first containers of tyres were delivered abroad.
Heinenoord opens its doors
More and more garage and installation companies become clients of Inter-Sprint. Demand skyrockets. For the company's expansion, Heinenoord is chosen as the location for Inter-Sprint's own warehouses. An impressive complex is created there.
Tyres and wheels go hand in hand
Under the name Inter-Tyre, the first alloy wheels are delivered. Later, a fully-automatic assembly machine for tyre/wheel combinations was also installed at this location.
The logistic centre in Moerdijk becomes a reality
In 2009, Inter-Sprint moves to Moerdijk The new building, with enormous storage capacity, makes the desired expansion of the range and the stock possible. In addition, with a view to the future, a lot of free building space is available. The location also makes it ideal in terms of logistics. Inter-Sprint can continue to grow here without limits.
Inter-Tyre moves to Moerdijk
Inter-Tyre moves from Heinenoord to Moerdijk. At Distriboulevard 11, we create a future-oriented location. Here too, the warehouse capacity is strongly reinforced for even more stock.
Wheeltyre
Especially for supplying tyre/wheel combinations in large quantities, we set up a new location under the name Wheeltyre. The fully-automatic assembly machine moves from Heinenoord to the new building and is updated.
Zeehaven Location
Due to the growth of the international sales market, the demand for tyres grows strongly. At the new location on the Zeehaven, we can take large quantities of tyres into stock and subsequently deliver them. At this location, a special location for our container storage is also developed.
Truck and OTR tyres
A new location is opened at Distriboulevard 15 especially for truck and OTR tyres. These bulky tyres require a lot of storage space.
We keep on building
We once again expand our warehouse capacity in order to make our stock even more complete for our customers.
Formidable, even from a bird's-eye view
A large area of the Distriboulevard is built on to create warehouses for tyres and wheels. An impressive complex has developed.
Havenkade and container transshipment
Zeehaven site bird's-eye view, with the harbour quayside and the (sea) container storage and transshipment area.
Looking to the future
We continue to look ahead. The combination of our vision for the future and strategy requires a greater storage and transshipment capacity. The first pile being sunk at the Distriboulevard 27 in June 2017 was the starting signal for a new expansion of our warehouse capacity.
Exciting announcement
Inter-Sprint Banden B.V. unveils an additional warehouse expansion of 60,000 m2, bringing their own storage capacity to an astonishing total of 375,000 m2!
Modernisation
After a thorough renovation of our Moerdijk office, we are ready for the future! The renovated building has been given a major upgrade and meets the latest requirements in terms of sustainability and safety. The building offers comfort and a better working environment for colleagues and visitors. In addition, the reception area has been relocated and expanded with an impressive reception hall.
