Bridgestone takes 5% stake in Halfords business

Halfords has announced that global mobility company Bridgestone has agreed a 5% stake in its Avayler business for $3m (£2.4m).

Avayler was launched in July 2021, having been developed in-house by Halfords to manage services across garages, mobile vans and retail stores. It is a ‘software as a service’ (SaaS) provider for automotive companies that operate in multiple locations. Avayler helps automotive businesses digitalise their service, from online customer booking through to invoicing.

Avayler’s first customer was American Tire Distributors Inc., one of the largest independent distributors of tyres to the replacement tyre market in North America. Since then, Avayler has won several significant contracts with operators around the globe, including Tirebuyer in the USA and Mobivia in Central Europe.

Under the Commercial Agreement, which has an initial term of 15 years, Avayler will provide Bridgestone with access to Avayler’s in-garage and van software products as well as certain services to facilitate Bridgestone’s use of it, including services relating to maintenance, development, implementation and support. The Commercial Agreement provides for the roll-out of Avayler’s products across Bridgestone’s retail and van operation in the USA. 

Graham Stapleton, chief executive officer of Halfords, said: “Since its launch a little over two years ago, Avayler has been chosen by some of the largest automotive businesses in the world who have immediately realised the compelling value that it can add to their operations. 

“Today’s investment from Bridgestone, one of the world’s largest mobility companies with over 3,000 garages and vans under its world-wide operation, is another fantastic endorsement for the platform, and the length and scope of the agreement fuels our confidence in Avayler’s long-term potential as we continue to roll it out to more clients around the world.”