FLINT, Mich. (May 31, 2012) — Kan Rock Tire, an automotive repair and tire dealership with nine locations in and around Flint, has become a stockholder in wholesale distributor Del-Nat Tire Corp.
The move signifies that Kan Rock, a retail tire dealership since 1965, is expanding into wholesale services, according to Tim Roche, president of Kan Rock. The dealership was founded in 1950 by Mr. Roche's father as a chain of gas stations. The business added tires in 1965 and complete auto repair services in 2008.
Del-Nat Tire has a network of 78 tire dealers and distributors, who are stockholders in the company. Kan Rock is the fourth new stockholder this year, according to Randy Gaetz, Del-Nat vice president of sales and marketing.
“The Del-Nat program fits well within our needs because we are in the midst of diversifying to include a wholesale division,” Mr. Roche said. “This gives us something more we can use in that venture and exclusivity because we're now able to carry the Delta brand. We're proud to be on board.”
Stockholders are offered protected territories under one or more of the brand names Delta and National passenger, light-truck and SUV tires; Chaparral light truck lines; Akuret commercial tires for farm equipment; and OTR tires for large machines.
Kan Rock offers BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Cooper, Dean, Falken, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Starfire and Uniroyal brands, according to the dealership's website. It often advertises itself as offering “rock-bottom prices.”
Del-Nat anticipates adding more stockholders in the coming months, Mr. Gaetz said, as more dealers look for ways to maintain their independence.