DARTMOUTH, Nova Scotia—Miller Tire Services Ltd., a commercial, wholesale and retail tire dealer in Dartmouth, has struck a deal with the owners of Canada's Tirecraft franchise program to buy into the business and become Tirecraft's exclusive marketer in the Atlantic Provinces.
The deal, announced Nov. 16, calls for Miller Tire to buy a 25-percent stake in the Tirecraft program. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Miller Tire has been discussing the deal for about a year with Tirecraft owners Kirk's Tire, Trail Tire and Barnim Holdings Inc., according to Joel Miller, brand manager for Miller Tire.
“We've been looking for a 'banner program' for awhile for our wholesale customers,” Mr. Miller said.
Miller Tire CEO Corey Miller said being part of Tirecraft will allow Miller Tire to offer its customers “improved service, competitive pricing and greater selection through national cooperation and buying power.”
Miller Tire was founded 31 years ago in Halifax by Roy Miller and continues today under the ownership and management of his son Brian Miller and grandsons Brett, Corey and Joel Miller.
The dealership is a Michelin Alliance dealer with eight retail/commercial locations in Canada: four in Nova Scotia, three in New Brunswick and one in Prince Edward Island. Miller Tire also has a Michelin Retread Technologies retread plant in Dartmouth, wholesale distribution centers in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and is affiliated with NAPA Auto Care Centres. Most locations offer full automotive mechanical services and sell Michelin, BFGoodrich and Uniroyal products.
Miller Tire will start recruiting dealers in January throughout Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for the Tirecraft program. Miller Tire won't operate its own retail stores under the Tirecraft banner, Joel Miller said.
The Tirecraft program is owned and administered by Kirk's Tire and Trail Tire in western Canada and Barnim Holdings in eastern Canada.
The Tirecraft program was resurrected out of bankruptcy in 2008 by the two partners and at last count had more than 75 outlets, about two-thirds of which are in Ontario, according to the group's Web site.