Blairs Kumho Tyres, Invercargill

Blairs group of Companies are a family owned group that have expanded and moved with the times. Blairs are customer driven and take great pride in forming long term relationships with customers and suppliers alike. In 1956 Robert Blair turned his hobby of dealing in motor vehicles into his full time work - this progressed and over a number of years ended up as one of the largest second hand truck dealers in New Zealand. At the peak, Blairs were employing engineers fabricating tipping decks & trailers. Blairs then took on the Iveco and Scania agency for the South Island. Scania trucks were sold in great numbers in the South Island. As the Government made big changes to the importation laws, Blairs were one of the forerunners to import engines, parts and vehicles from Japan, North America and Europe. This side of the business grew extensively. In 1982 Warren Blair joined the company after doing business studies and began working in the workshop preparing trucks. Blairs purchased into a tyre company that had distribution rights for Kumho brand tyres and in 1988 successfully negotiated the agency rights with Kumho to distribute tyres for the South Island. In 1989 Andrew Blair joined the business after being parts manager to a Toyota franchise and running his own motorcycle business. Blairs relinquished the truck agencies in 1989 to emphasis the imported parts and tyres. Both sections of the business are now predominant forces within their respective areas. In 1994 Blairs gained the agency to import and sell Argo amphibious vehicles in New Zealand and the Pacific Basin. In 2006, Blairs became New Zealand wide distributors for Kumho tyres. The founder, Mr Robert Blair passed away at the beginning of the year. As these businesses grew in a competitive world Blairs have formed excellent relationships with customers and suppliers. Customers have come to know the high standard of products and the integrity of their dealings.