Tyre showdown loses steam as AMS withdraws case

AMS, a mining and tyre group, has informed the Competition Tribunal that it will file a withdrawal of its application for interim relief against alleged anti-competitive conduct by Kal Tire Mining Tyre Services SA, Malas and Apollo Tyres South Africa.

- BANELE GININDZA

The application arose from back-to-back exclusive supplier agreements which AMS alleges contravene the Competition Act.

The move follows a barrage of opposition from the tyre manufacturing companies. AMS conceded that it had not been adequately prepared for its interim relief application and, instead of withdrawing it outright, had sought postponements to address discrepancies in its papers.

AMS had sought interim relief pending the final determination of a complaint it lodged with the Competition Commission.

The mining and tyre company, which in 2024 acquired OTR Jasebenza to expand into the open-cast mining sector, had applied to the Tribunal for an order compelling competitor Kal Tire to refrain from inducing Apollo not to deal with it. It also sought to have the exclusivity provision in the distribution agreement between Malas and Apollo set aside.