BOISE, Idaho — Gills Point S Tire & Automotive Service has grown for the second time in less than a month, acquiring family-owned Bruneel Point S and its 13 locations.
The deal officially was signed on Nov. 7, boosting the number of Gills Point S locations to 134 across the U.S. A dozen Bruneel Point S locations are in Idaho, including five in Boise, two in Nampa and one each in Treasure Valley, Lewiston, Moscow and McCall. The final location is located in Ontario, Ore.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Gills Point S called Bruneel Point S "a cornerstone in Idaho, known for quality service and a deep commitment to the communities it serves," and it called the acquisition "a significant step in Gills Point S' ongoing growth and expansion, combining the strengths of two businesses that share a commitment to family values, community service and exceptional customer care."
The deal is similar to others that Gills Point S CEO Eric Gil has brokered previously: Buying locations from friends and fellow Point S dealers who decided to exit the business.
Craig Bruneel, president and director of strategic planning for Bruneel Point S, previously served with Eric Gill, president of Gills Point S, on the marketing cooperative's Board of Directors. In fact, each has served as chairman of the board; Bruneel currently holds that position.
Gillls Point S said Bruneel's dedication to "quality service and family-oriented business practices" make the acquisition a perfect fit.
"Craig and I have always believed in putting family and community first, and this acquisition allows us to continue that tradition together," Gill said. "We are thrilled to welcome Bruneel Point S to the Gills Point S family. Our teams share the same values and commitment to excellence, and we look forward to welcoming the strong team they have established in Idaho over the years."
Bruneel said his team has "always taken pride in being a family business that customers can rely on. Joining forces with Gills Point S means that our customers will continue to receive the quality service they know, while benefiting from Gills Point S' expertise and expanded reach."
All of Bruneel Point S' 125 employees, including the executive team, will join Gills Point S.
On Oct. 15, Gills Point S acquired Denver-based Peerless Tire Co. and its 50 Peerless Tires 4 Less retail locations spread across seven states.
And earlier this year, Gills Point S acquired four Montana locations previously operated by Bob and Nick Fox: J&J Point S and Capital City Point S in Helena; and Fox's Point S Tire and Jerry Noble Point S in Great Falls. In early June, the dealership consummated a deal to purchase Murray Point S Tire & Auto in Murray, Utah, and Bountiful Point S Tire & Auto in Bountiful, just south of Salt Lake City from Wade Frey.
Craig's 89-year-old father, Frank Bruneel, opened a tire dealership in Caldwell, Idaho, with a partner in 1960, but in an odd twist of fate, he was forced to sell his half of the business later to his partner, based on a coin flip.
Both partners wanted control of the burgeoning dealership, and Bruneel lost the coin flip to determine who would retain ownership.
In 1966, Frank Bruneel opened his first dealership, Bruneel Tire Service, in Lewiston, Idaho, with just three employees, including himself.
Craig Bruneel, the oldest son in a family of eight, joined the business in 1988 after graduating from the University of Utah. Craig became president of the company in 1994, when his father retired to become an Idaho state legislator.
Craig eventually assumed ownership, and in February, 2000, the company became affiliated with the Northwest Tire Factory Group, which at the time had 200 locations in 10 states in the West.
Today, Point S has more than 400 locations, with plans to grow to 500 within three years.
Craig Bruneel's three sons — Mitch, Riley and Nate — have been involved with the business, beginning with Mitch's college graduation in 2015. Craig Bruneel will serve as a strategic advisor for Gills Point S, while Mitch and Nate Bruneel will join Gills Point S as well.
Gills Point S stretches across 17 states, handling tires and service for passenger, truck, OTR, commercial, industrial and farm vehicles.
