French tyremaker Michelin has taken a quarter-share in Hamilton-based wholesaler Tyreline Distributors and retailer Beaurepaires.

The tyre giant bought the shareholding from the Rushbrooke family for an undisclosed sum.

The deal built on a 20-year relationship that's seen Tyreline go from distributing Michelin earthmoving and industrial tyres, to its retread factory becoming the first facility in Oceania accredited to produce Michelin-branded tyres.

The Rushbrookes have kept a 75% share of the businesses, and Tyreline managing director Grant Rushbrooke says that Michelin shares his vision of providing mobility solutions rather than simply selling tyres.

"It demonstrates Michelin's commitment to the New Zealand market and their confidence in both Tyreline and Beaurepaires as sustainable partners.

"The partnership and investment from Michelin puts the Tyreline Group in a very strong position for future growth."

Grant and Barbara Rushbrooke established Tyreline Distributors in 1989 in Te Awamutu as an agricultural distributor and have built the business spectacularly, to the point where it's now distributing tyre and lubricant brands including Michelin, BFGoodrich, Mitas and Shell Lubricants.

In 2013 the Rushbrookes bought 52 Beaurepaires stores from US tyremaker Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres.

Michelin Asia Pacific director Hock Sen Chan says that the longstanding relationship between the companies encouraged the investment: "We share the same values of respect of customers and innovation, and we will work together to explore new avenues of business and progress for the automotive market in NZ.

"Our investment is to reinforce our commitment to Tyreline and to the NZ market, promoting daily safer and better mobility for all the NZ consumers."