Valley Tire buys Erie, Pa., location
CHARLEROI, Pa.-Valley Tire Co. recently expanded its business by acquiring TPS Distributing in Erie, Pa.
Jim Stankiewicz, president of Valley Tire, said the dealership bought a 16,000-sq.-ft. commercial outlet. The acquisition included a retread plant with a capacity of 40 units per day, but Valley Tire closed that shop and moved the extra capacity to its Tonawanda, N.Y., retread facility, which has a potential capacity of 280 units per day.
Mr. Stankiewicz said he acquired TPS, his 10th acquisition, because it made sense to move out of a rented building his firm operated in Erie. He said Valley Tire retained all employees except for personnel at the former Erie shop. The dealership has no plans for further acquisitions at this time, Mr. Stankiewicz said.
BFG awards dealer with Hummer H2
MENASHA, Wis.-Tim Ripp, owner of Fox Tire Dealers in Menasha, recently won a Rod Hall-customized Hummer H2.
The vehicle was given away as part of a drawing involving more than 200 BFGoodrich dealers during Michelin North America Inc.'s recent Alliance dealers' sales meeting in Palm Springs, Calif.
The Hummer H2 is fitted with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/ATMKO tires.
Fox Tire operates three outlets in Wisconsin and sells primarily Michelin, BFGoodrich and Uniroyal brands.
Plaza Tire Service marks anniversary
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.-Plaza Tire Service has grown from a hand-operated car wash to a 40-outlet tire and automotive service chain in 40 years.
Founded in June 1963, the Cape Girardeau-based dealership is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special advertising campaign and various promotions centered on the milestone. Founder Vernon ``Pee Wee'' Rhodes is still chairman of the board, though his sons, Mark and Scott, handle most of the day-to-day business.
The company now has 40 retail and service locations as well as a wholesale division, a quick lube division and a Mighty Auto Parts franchise.
Tire Kingdom adds 7 stores
RIVIERA BEACH, Fla.-Tire Kingdom Inc. has opened seven more stores, pushing its total to 353 after ending its second quarter with 346 outlets.
Six of the new stores are in North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina, said Bob Patron, director of new store operations for the Riviera Beach-based retailer, a subsidiary of TBC Corp. in Memphis, Tenn. TBC officials said Tire Kingdom could have 360 to 365 stores by the end of the year, barring any acquisitions.
Tire Kingdom this year also absorbed 112 outlets from TBC's purchase of Merchant's Inc. in Manassas, Va.
Other openings included one in Marietta, Ga., that was bought in April, said its former owner, Richard Vliet. He opened the shop-which he also named Tire Kingdom-14 years ago. After the sale, he decided to retire.
Dealership raises money for charity
WHITEVILLE, N.C.- Black's Tire Service and its RBR Enterprises racing organization, along with other sponsors, raised $12,750 for the Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina with a golf outing.
Black's and RBR hosted the 3rd Annual BTS Myrtle Beach Charity Golf Tournament on June 13 with Carquest and D&H Marketing, the Whiteville-based dealership said.
The Boys & Girls Homes charity is a non-profit, non-sectarian home for children in Lake Waccamaw, N.C. It provides out-of-home child care for at-risk children in residential care, family foster care and emergency care placement, Black's Tire said.
On June 14, Black's Tire and its racing arm also held their 8th Annual Customer Appreciation Hospitality Village at Myrtle Beach Speedway. The event was open to the public before the United Speed Alliance Racing Hooters Pro Cup event.
``This was definitely the biggest promotion we have done so far,'' said Rick Benton, owner of Black's Tire.