Co. Galway dealer Kevin Burke Tyres has been awarded Michelin Exelagri dealer status for its agricultural tyre business.

Based in Athenry, Kevin Burke Tyres is only the fourth Exelagri dealer in Ireland and the Galway firm is the first to service customers along the west coast.

The tyre dealer joins a select group which includes Nolan Tyres in Ballon, Co. Carlow and Co. Cork dealers Rathcormac Tyres and O’Hanlon Tyres in Millstreet.

In joining the Michelin Exelagri dealer partnership programme, the depot had to pass a stringent 48-point quality audit that assesses all aspects of the business.

The quality audit examined different aspects of the business, from the standard of equipment used to levels of staff training and the quality of advice given.

Becoming a part of the exclusive network is a big step for the business going forward, according to owner Kevin Burke.

“Securing Michelin’s backing for our main site was an important step in demonstrating to customers that Kevin Burke Tyres conducts itself with professionalism and adheres to consistently high standards.

Our customers can now benefit from both our expertise and Michelin’s wealth of technical support.

Established in 1994, Kevin Burke Tyres employs 12 technicians and operates a fleet of mobile service vans within a 80km radius of its three depots in Athenry, Galway City and Gort.

The Co. Galway dealer also recently displayed its agri-tyre range at the FTMTA Farm Machinery Show in Punchestown.

The Michelin Exelagri dealer network is a group of specialist agricultural tyre dealers located throughout the UK and Ireland who offer a wide range of Michelin Group products and professional services.

Created in 2004, the Michelin Exelagri dealer network has a total of 48 members located throughout Ireland and the UK.