Awards ``It's been a good marriage,'' said Engle Tire Co. Vice President Bobby Engle. The Providence, R.I., retailer was honored in October for 65 years as a Kelly-Springfield dealer.
The company was founded by his father, Joe, in 1918 and started selling Kelly-Springfield-brand products in 1933. Engle Tire moved to its present location in 1957. It has eight bays and 16 employees. Tires account for about 70 percent of sales.
Marvin Engle, Bobby's brother, is president and his son, David, is secretary.
Autco Tire and Service Center of Amarillo, Texas, has been named one of that city's 10 best businesses for 1998 by the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce.
``I felt privileged to get it,'' said Mark McCoy, Autco president and CEO. He said he was especially surprised and pleased because the other nominees were much larger companies with between 50 and 1,000 employees. ``We got a ton of publicity,'' he added.
Autco was founded in 1976 and has five bays and 10 employees at its 6,600-sq.-ft. location. The firm has annual sales of about $1.9 million and is a Michelin Alliance Program dealership.
Mr. McCoy said the company also distributes some specialty products such as wheel weights and suspension shims.
Autco offers services like free pickup and delivery. The company also has a portable barbecue grill wagon that it takes on the road to grill up a meal for commercial customers.
``We take care of the people who take care of us; they're the reason we won,'' said Mr. McCoy. He also credited his 10 employees, seven of whom have been with Autco at least 10 years.
Mr. McCoy is a former president of the Texas Tire Dealers Association and was a board member of the former National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association.
A Sacramento, Calif., woman is the winner of the "Win a '98 Beetle" contest, co-sponsored by Winston Tire Co. and Michelin North America.
Lou Cox received a 1998 Volks-wagen Beetle when her name was drawn on Nov. 24.
Winston Tire and Michelin teamed up in a six-week promotional campaign throughout California, which drew thousands of entries. Ms. Cox said that she was still nostalgic about the 1963 VW "Bug" she used to own and would look forward to driving a modern Beetle.
Winston Tire and Michelin will cooperate in a series of promotions this year.
A subsequent promotion provides two free passes to assorted California ski resorts with the purchase of two Michelin, BFGoodrich or Uniroyal tires.
Expansion
Wholesale Tire Corp. of Bayshore, N.Y., acquired Forest Car Care in Melville, N.Y., late last year and has reopened the dealership under the Wholesale Tire banner.
The 13-bay location, WTC's 16th outlet, has been updated with new auto service equipment, the company said.
Six area radio stations sent on-air personalities to the grand opening, and the firm treated customers and visitors to a Halloween party featuring games, prizes and free food.
Wholesale is one of the 75 largest retail dealerships, according to the 1998 Tire Business ranking.
Dunlap & Kyle Co. of Batesville, Miss., opened retail outlet No. 37 in November. The Gateway Tire & Service Center is located in Olive Branch, Miss., and is the company's fifth store in the Memphis, Tenn., metropolitan area.
Richard Kyle, vice president for retail, said the new 16,000-sq.-ft. facility will have 15 bays to serve a rapidly growing suburban market. He said the outlet will offer Multi-Mile and Toyo brand tires, custom wheels and a variety of undercar services.
Tire Warehouse Central Inc. of Keene, N.H., is adding two franchise locations that will be co-owned by one of the company's executives.
Rick McDonald is leaving his position as vice president of franchising with Tire Warehouse after eight years. He will join Florida businessman Jim Adams in starting up the two outlets.
Messrs. McDonald and Adams will open a store in Hillsborough, N.H., in February and another in Milford, N.H., in March.
These additions will give Tire Warehouse 23 franchise and 27 company-owned locations.