Tyre manufacturer Maxxis thanked its top 15 dealers for their support by taking owner-operators and senior managers on an all-expenses-paid trip to Thailand, combining a superb, two-centre holiday with a factory visit.  The one-week VIP trip was the highlight of the latest Maxxis Rewards programme and retailers said how impressed they were with everything about it.

The retailers booked their tickets to Thailand after purchasing Maxxis car, van and 4×4 tyres from exclusive distributor Stapleton’s Tyre Services between 1 October 2011 and 31 March 2012.

After flying to Bangkok the group took a connecting flight to Phuket and then transferred by private speedboat to the tropical Phi Phi Island, famed for its secluded inlets, coral reefs, tropical fish and unspoiled beaches, like Maya Bay where ‘The Beach’ was filmed.  The Maxxis party enjoyed a relaxing three-night stay at the Phi Phi Island Cabana Resort, which nestles on a palm beach between Tonsai Bay and Loh Dalum Bay and boasts extraordinary views, before heading to Bangkok to soak up the atmosphere of Thailand’s vibrant capital city.

Maxxis laid on a number of special sightseeing trips, including a full day Bangkok city tour which included a boat cruise along the Chao Phraya River and the canals of Thonburi, whose picturesque views have earned Bangkok the nickname ‘Venice of the East’ and where visitors can get a glimpse of the riverbank dwellers’ serene and simple lifestyle.  En route the Maxxis party stopped off at the Royal Barges Museum and Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), one of the most attractive temples in Thailand.

The city tour was followed by a visit to the Royal Palace to see Dusit Hall (Funeral Hall) and the Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), including the Wat Po (Reclining Buddha) and Wat Timitr (Golden Buddha).

Prior to flying back to the UK, the Maxxis Rewards winners received a warm welcome at the Maxxis factory in Rayong.  During a specially arranged guided tour of the facilities – which have been upgraded and expanded recently and form the blueprint for the development of new Maxxis plants in China – the group witnessed the complete manufacturing process from start to finish.

Les Hall, owner of Colman Tyres, was impressed with the size and cleanliness of the Rayong production facilities and the excellent way in which the entire trip was organised.  “I didn’t realise it was quite such a long way away, but I couldn’t fault a thing,” he said.  “It was a great trip, well-organised with some excellent hotels and restaurants, in fact, I was very impressed with everything.”

Les’s views were echoed by Delme Owens, owner of Carmarthenshire Tyre Services, who said: “Thailand with Maxxis was absolutely fantastic.  Everything was really well organised, Phi Phi Island was just wonderful and the company was terrific.  The trip was a great opportunity to meet fellow retailers who fully endorse Maxxis products, and, of course, I thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Rayong.  I could easily have spent a whole day just looking around the factory!”

Stapleton’s head of general wholesale Nigel O’Hara was delighted with the feedback.  He said: “Maxxis put together a really special trip, giving retailers the chance to experience two very different aspects of Thai culture, and, as expected, the tour of the Rayong facility was a big hit with everyone.  Several retailers commented that they would happily have spent more time at the Maxxis factory, such was the interest the visit generated.”

Maxxis is also pleased to announce that S D Tyres based in Accrington, Lancashire, and mobile fitters Livewire Tyres of Southampton are the winners of the £250 prize draws for the last quarter of 2011 and quarter one of 2012 respectively.  Both receive cash to spend with High Street retailers via their personalised Maxxis Love2Choose Rewards card.

The Maxxis Rewards programme is continuing throughout 2012 and retailers are in with a chance of winning if they sign up to participate and purchase Maxxis car, van and 4×4 tyres from exclusive distributor Stapleton’s Tyre Services.   Register to take part in the Maxxis Rewards by calling 0870 60 54321 or contact your local Stapleton’s business development manager.

For further information on Maxxis tyres click on the ‘tyres’ tab near the top left of the page.