Stamford Tyres - Net profit for the six months ended Oct 31 fell 13.7 per cent to $5.6million on increased pressure from material costs, even as total revenue rose 15.3 per cent to $138.3 million. Singapore's biggest distributor and retailer of tyres and alloy wheels recorded bigger sales volume, thanks to continued organic growth in major brands such as Falken and Continental, and its earthmover tyres. Its proprietary brands like Sumo Firenza tyres and SSW wheels also grew. But it was weighed down by manufacturers' higher tyre prices, due to rising raw material costs. Stamford also operates a wheel manufacturing plant in Thailand and was affected by increasing aluminium ingot prices. Group president Wee Kok Wah explained that the company had not been able to immediately pass on thesecost hikes to consumers but added that the situation has since improved.- Net profit for the six months ended Oct 31 fell 13.7 per cent to $5.6million on increased pressure from material costs, even as total revenue rose 15.3 per cent to $138.3 million. Singapore's biggest distributor and retailer of tyres and alloy wheels recorded bigger sales volume, thanks to continued organic growth in major brands such as Falken and Continental, and its earthmover tyres. Its proprietary brands like Sumo Firenza tyres and SSW wheels also grew. But it was weighed down by manufacturers' higher tyre prices, due to rising raw material costs. Stamford also operates a wheel manufacturing plant in Thailand and was affected by increasing aluminium ingot prices. Group president Wee Kok Wah explained that the company had not been able to immediately pass on thesecost hikes to consumers but added that the situation has since improved.