ARI Network Services, Inc. recently announced that it has acquired TCS Technologies, a provider of software, websites and digital marketing services designed exclusively for dealers, wholesalers, retreaders and manufacturers within the automotive tire and wheel vertical. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
"ARI's growth strategy continues to be fueled by a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions," said Roy W. Olivier, President and CEO of ARI. "The acquisition of TCS aligns with our strategy in several ways: First, it consolidates our position as the leading provider of eCommerce-enabled websites and digital marketing services in the automotive tire and wheel industry. Second, TCS provides solutions for the entire automotive tire and wheel supply chain, including wholesalers, retreaders and manufacturers. Finally, TCS offers a point of sale solution for tire and wheel dealers as well as for auto repair shops. In short, all of TCS's offerings are in alignment with ARI's mission to help our customers Sell More Stuff!(TM) We believe the combined entity will accelerate our growth and leadership position in this market for the foreseeable future."
For more than 20 years, the management of TCS Technologies has delivered industry leading solutions and support to the automotive tire and wheel market. More than 20,000 automotive tire and wheel dealers depend on TCS's websites and software tools, which are enhanced by more than 750 wheel and tire wholesale distributor connections and eCatalog data for more than 50,000 wheels and 65,000 tires. TCS's strategy of building connected web services between distributors and retailers complements the tire industry's shift to a two-step distribution model; connecting businesses and consumers closer to thousands of on-demand supply points.
TCS will maintain normal operations out of its headquarters located in Cookeville, Tenn., under the continued leadership of Barry D. Reese, who will assume the role of VP and GM of TCS Technologies, an ARI Company.
"At TCS, we pride ourselves on our industry-wide reputation for providing efficient and effective technology solutions," said Reese. "Together with ARI, we will innovate faster to create comprehensive solutions at a pace that is unmatched by our competition."
"We expect the TCS acquisition to generate incremental revenue of approximately $5 million and be accretive to EBITDA for fiscal 2015," said ARI CFO William A. Nurthen.
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