Italian job: Kwik Fit rolls out expansion plans

Kwik Fit is expanding into the Italian market. Picture: Greg Macvean

Tyre and exhaust fitter Kwik Fit is driving into the Italian market with plans for up to 200 centres over the next decade.

The company has signed a franchise agreement with CDG-ONE – a division of Segema, which imports and distributes Yokohama tyres in Italy.

Under the deal, the firm has a licence to exclusively operate the Kwik Fit brand and concept in Italy for at least ten years. Kwik Fit’s operations in the UK and the Netherlands are company owned, not franchised. The group was founded in 1971 by Sir Tom Farmer before he sold the business to Ford in 1999. It is currently Japanese-owned.

Kenji Murai, chief executive of Kwik Fit, said: “This partnership is a significant step in further developing Kwik Fit outside the UK as we believe the Italian market holds great potential for our brand.

“CDG-ONE is a proven expert in the automotive aftermarket sector and is well respected as a successful operator.”