Wholesale & Distribution

Oak Group Holdings completes ETB acquisition and adds Newport distribution hub

Published:
April 9, 2026
Author:
James Lockwood

Oak Group Holdings has completed its acquisition of Exhaust, Tyres and Batteries (ETB) and is bringing a new Newport distribution site into its network. The move adds retail and wholesale coverage across the Midlands, Wales and south-west England, while increasing tyre storage and delivery capacity for dealers and workshops in two important trading regions.

The acquisition gives Oak full ownership of ETB after the business was acquired from Bridgestone on 31 March 2026. TyreNews.co.uk previously reported that the transaction added four warehouses and gave Oak direct access to a consumer-facing fast-fit network for the first time in its 45-year history. In the material supplied with this update, Oak said the ETB estate being integrated includes 52 retail sites and two wholesale locations across the Midlands, Wales and south-west England.

A larger network across wholesale and retail

For the tyre trade, the main significance is operational. Oak is no longer expanding only through warehousing. It is now linking wholesale distribution with a larger retail footprint, which should improve visibility of local demand and support faster stock deployment into ETB branches and independent trade customers.

This builds on Oak’s earlier move into Wales through its new Newport warehouse. TyreNews.co.uk reported in February that the 155,150 square foot site will hold more than 250,000 tyres and serve as Oak’s first warehouse in Wales, with direct access to the M4 and M5 corridors. That matters because those routes support faster replenishment into South Wales and the south west, where availability and delivery speed remain central to dealer retention.

In practice, the ETB deal and the Newport site work as one story. The acquisition expands Oak’s branch and warehouse reach, while Newport gives the group extra stock depth to support that larger footprint. That combination should help Oak improve fill rates, reduce inter-branch delays and support more consistent service across newly acquired ETB territories.

Why it matters for dealers and regional supply

The company says the immediate priority is to improve stock availability across the ETB network and align it with Oak’s existing service standards. That is a practical issue for tyre retailers and workshops. More local stock and stronger distribution capacity can reduce lost sales on fast-moving lines, support same-day or next-day supply, and help dealers manage demand swings more effectively.

Peter Cross, commercial director at Oak Tyres, said: “The first quarter of 2026 has been transformational for our family business in many ways.” Cross said Oak was working with the ETB team to develop the service offer and stock availability to the retail trade across the region. His comments fit with Oak’s earlier statement on the Newport investment, where he said the site would strengthen product availability and service capability across the UK.

Advisory support and integration focus

Oak said Grant Thornton advised on corporate finance, tax, financial and due diligence work on the transaction. DLA Piper advised on legal matters, led by Michael Hudson, while CG Professional, led by managing partner Louise Myers, advised on employment aspects and continues to support the group after completion.

Mike Tillson, partner at Grant Thornton Corporate Finance, described the transaction as an “exciting and transformational acquisition”. For the tyre sector, that language matters less than the underlying structure of the deal. Oak now has broader control over warehousing, retail demand and regional delivery across a larger part of western and central England and Wales. That gives the group more influence over stock flow, customer service and route density at a time when independent distributors are investing heavily in local availability.

Tagged with: Oak Group Holdings, ETB, tyre wholesale, tyre retail, Newport warehouse, tyre distribution, stock availability, regional logistics, South Wales tyre supply, south west tyre supply

Editorial Standards & Disclaimer
Tyre News Media is an independent industry publication. Our reporting is based on information available at the time of publication, including company announcements, regulatory filings, official data, research and other sources considered reliable.

Articles may include independent analysis and editorial interpretation. Where appropriate, company statements and third-party claims are attributed to their source. Analysis, estimates and forward-looking observations should not be read as statements of established fact.

Tyre News Media takes reasonable steps to ensure accuracy but welcomes corrections, clarifications and responses from organisations or individuals covered in our reporting. If you believe information is inaccurate or requires clarification, please contact info@tyrenews.co.uk. Material errors will be corrected as appropriate.

Commercial relationships, advertising and sponsorship do not determine Tyre News Media's editorial coverage or conclusions.

Let's Shape the Future of the Tyre Industry Together

Whether you're launching a product, sharing innovation, supporting sustainability initiatives or looking to engage with the global tyre industry.
Supporting the Future of the Tyre Industry
Join the organisations supporting the daily conversations shaping the future of the tyre industry.
Become an Official Sponsor
Untitled UI logotextLogo
© 2026 Tyre News Media. All rights reserved.