TECH recently travelled to France to meet with two of our valued partners for a series of hands‑on, technique‑focused training sessions designed to strengthen tire repair expertise across multiple sectors. Over several days, Walter van Loon, TECH’s VP of Sales & Training, and Laetitia Gharsallah, Southern Europe Business Development Manager, delivered tailored training programmes to teams at Groupe Simon in Brittany and Pneus Lelièvre in Normandy.
Training at Groupe Simon – Lamballe (Brittany, France)
The first session took place at Groupe Simon’s training centre in Lamballe, bringing together ten participants from various Groupe Simon affiliates. The programme combined in‑depth theory with practical demonstrations to reinforce safe, reliable, and efficient tire repair practices.
The training focused on two essential repair methods:
- TECH Fusion Pin‑Plug (FPP) – A complete overview of the method, including technical principles, correct application steps, and performance benefits.
- 2‑Piece Cold Repairs for Truck Tires – Practical instruction on repairing injuries up to 9 mm to ensure consistent, high‑quality results.
Participants engaged directly with materials, tools, and repair processes, gaining both theoretical understanding and hands‑on experience. Each attendee received the TECH Repair Specialist Certificate, recognising their commitment to professional development and enhanced technical capability.
A special thank‑you to Mr. Eric Racine for his excellent organisation and coordination, ensuring a smooth and productive training experience. We look forward to continuing this valued collaboration and delivering regular training sessions for Groupe Simon’s impressive training centres.
Training at Pneus Lelièvre – Montsecret (Normandy, France)
Following their work with Groupe Simon, Walter and Laetitia continued their journey to Normandy to meet with Pneus Lelièvre in Montsecret, one of TECH’s key and long‑standing OTR customers.
At Pneus Lelièvre, they delivered an Agricultural & OTR repair overview alongside Shop Supervisor Teddy Mongodin and Technician Jordan Bodey.
The session explored best practice repair techniques for demanding agricultural and off‑the‑road applications and included a detailed overview of essential TECH products such as Centech Chemical Cure, Thermacure and Aramid-reinforced repair patches, along with the supporting chemicals and tools required to ensure safe, high‑quality repairs.
Both participants received the TECH Repair Specialist Certificate in recognition of their engagement and technical proficiency.
TECH Europe extends sincere thanks to Mr. Hubert Lelièvre for hosting the visit and for his continued loyalty as a long‑term OTR repair customer. His support has played an important role in strengthening TECH’s presence within the French OTR sector.
Why TECH Training Is Important
Ongoing tire repair training plays a vital role in ensuring safety, performance, and consistency across the industry. By investing in hands‑on education and sharing best‑practice repair methods, TECH Europe helps technicians build the confidence and capability needed to deliver high‑quality results in every application.
We are proud to work with partners like Groupe Simon and Pneus Lelièvre who place the same importance on continuous learning and technical excellence, and we remain committed to supporting them with training that strengthens skills, enhances service quality, and drives long‑term success. Learn more about the two companies below.
About Groupe Simon:
Groupe Simon is a long‑established leader in the French tire industry, founded in 1974 in Morlaix (Brittany) as a family‑run tire trading business. Today, it is one of France’s major independent tire groups, employing approximately 1,400 people and operating across three core business areas:
- Retail & service through its 85‑branch Profil Plus network, offering tire sales, fitting, and maintenance.
- Wholesale distribution supported by dedicated logistics platforms.
- Industrial retreading via its Atlantique Bretagne Rechapage (ABR) plant, certified by Bridgestone–Bandag.
- Visit their website to learn more.
About Pneus Lelièvre:
- Family-owned tire company operating in Normandy, France since the 1970’s.
- Specialized in wholesale tire sales for truck, agricultural, OTR construction, and industrial vehicles.
- Provides tire repair, vulcanization, and regrooving services truck, agricultural, OTR construction, and industrial vehicles.
- Visit their website to learn more.
