WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. — Flynn's Tire Group has sold its commercial tire division — comprising three commercial sales locations and a retread plant — to Bob Sumerel Tire Co.
The transaction, for which no financial details are being released, expands Bob Sumerel Tire's network to 22 commercial sales/service locations throughout four states, five retread plants a one rim reconditioning plant.
The commercial assets involved are sales/service locations in Dover and Hubbard, Ohio, and Carnegie, Pa., plus a Goodyear- and Oliver-system retread plant in Dover.
Bob Sumerel Tire President Todd Sumerel noted that Flynn's is "very well respected in the commercial tire industry," and his company is confident that the combined companies will "provide superior customer service and growth opportunities for all employees."
From Flynn's perspective, "Selling the commercial part of our business wasn't something my family and I were looking to do," Flynn's Tire President Joe Flynn said. "But when Bob Sumerel approached us, it gave us reason to think long and hard about our strategic positioning."
"We were at a point where growing the commercial business was a challenge," he added, noting that Sumerel Tire has a "singular focus of growing and developing the commercial side of the business" and it's something they do very well.
In addition, Flynn said he and his family are confident that Sumerel Tire — a business that holds values common with Flynn's and has an employee-focused approach toward business — will offer Flynn's commercial-related employees great opportunities working for a company t hat is investing in them as well as the long-term success of the commercial business.
The sale will benefit Flynn's Tire in its pursuit of growth on the retail and wholesale side, Flynn said.
"We are excited to grow both retail and distribution in our existing footprint and outward into new geographies. This sale puts us in a great position to acquire multi-store retail chains and reach our goal of growing to 50-plus retail locations."
The company opened a distribution center in New Stanton, Pa., in January and added a pair of retail stores as well this year. The dealership is closing on two additional acquisitions in the retail sector; those deals are expected to close by early November.
Flynn's wholesale division will continue selling commercial tires to wholesale customers.
The three Flynn's sales/service locations fill in gaps on the eastern edge of Sumerel Tire's footprint, which extends to middle Kentucky/southern Indiana on the western side.
