East Bay Tire Co. moved its headquarters to a larger, 386,000-sq.-ft. facility in Fairfield, Calif., in January, according to Vice President George Pehanick, who said the firm had outgrown its 140,000-sq.-ft. site in Oakland, Calif. East Bay Tire had been at the Oakland location since Mr. Pehanick's grandfather founded the tire wholesaler/distributor in 1946. Mr. Pehanick and his father now run the business, which also has a location in Honolulu.
Ventura, Calif.-based Parnelli Jones Inc. donated $1,000 to Ventura's Rainbow Bridge Playground Project in July. Appropriately, the money sponsored a tire swing, said President Dan Beach.
The 10,000-square-foot playground was built over a five-day period last spring by more than 1,100 volunteers, the company said.
``We wanted to be a part of this community effort,'' Mr. Beach said. ``This quality playground will benefit the children of Ventura, and the fact that it was built by caring volunteers makes it an even more worthwhile project.''
With more than 90 company-owned outlets, Parnelli Jones is the eighth-largest independent retail tire dealership in North America.
Roland's Tire Service in Fairhaven, Mass., celebrated its 40th anniversary on May 26, according to Ray LeBlanc, store manager.
Owner Roland Bourgault said he moved the store eight years after opening it in 1955 but has stayed in the same location since. Over the years, the dealership has changed little, he said, besides placing more emphasis on wholesale tire sales.
``(Business) has kept rolling ever since I moved down here,'' the 76-year-old owner said, noting that he is ``basically retired'' and no longer runs the day-to-day operations.
Mr. Bourgault also owns a second store in Somerset, Mass., and has a Bandag retreading facility at the Fairhaven location, according to Mr. LeBlanc, who has worked at the dealership for 28 years.
Alford Tire Co. opened a new facility in Sioux Falls, S.D., late last year, according to Barry Berglund, general manager of the Omaha, Neb.-based company.
The 5,000-sq.-ft. facility primarily sells truck and off-the-road tires to commercial businesses, Mr. Berglund said.
He said Alford Tire had been selling tires in that market ``from a distance'' and decided to open a location in Sioux Falls to better serve their customers.
``That is what our strength has been for 30 years,'' he said.
This is the third facility opened by the family-owned Alford Tire, according to Mr. Berglund, who runs the day-to-day operations at the Omaha headquarters. The remaining location is in Sioux City, Iowa.
Alford Tire was started some 30 years ago by Bill Alford, Mr. Berglund's father-in-law, but is now run by other family members. Mr. Alford, however, is ``still the main man,'' Mr. Berglund said.
Alford Tire also has a Bandag retread plant at its Omaha location.
Dobbs Auto Centers said it will open its 30th retail store in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area in November.
The new store will feature 10 service bays with the latest in electronic and computerized automotive service equipment, the company said, and will offer Goodyear, Michelin, BFGoodrich and Cordovan brand tires.
Dobbs Auto Centers' headquarters are in High Ridge, Mo., where the company also has a large warehouse/distribution center and its wholesale division.
The company said it plans to build at least two more stores in the metropolitan St. Louis area in 1996.