Gainsville-based THS said Mr. Crawford's key goals as CEO will include a continued focus on attracting progressive dealers worldwide and ensuring the organization's foundational structure is consistently up to the task of supporting, maintaining and driving THS's ongoing growth in the future.
Mr. Crawford said that, “to me, this new role is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead the larger industry in the cutting-edge technology in the burgeoning hybrid market.
“The possibilities are virtually limitless for the growth THS can achieve in the future, in helping to drive success among key dealers worldwide.”
International expansion
With 19 dealers and 32 outlets already on board domestically, the company is looking for international growth.
“I recently visited potential dealers in Japan, Canada and Australia, so I think my favorite thing will be opening our first international location,” Mr. Curry told Tire Business.
With Mr. Curry's new role, he said his focus is on growing the company internationally. Australia and Canada will be first, with a push to Asia afterward.
Looking over the past year, Mr. Curry said the excitement at the company's booth at last year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, along with opening 25 locations in under a year, were some of the highlights for him.
“But the biggest thing I'm proud of is the quality of dealers in our dealer network,” Mr. Curry said, “and seeing the fact firsthand how we are helping to drive customers, car counts and profits for our dealers is super exciting.”
He said he thinks THS has “the best dealers on the planet, no question.
“I'm amazed every time I visit them — really high quality businesses and people.”
Mr. Curry said that with most dealers, THS is just a “bolt-on” to their existing business.
“Every dealer is a partner with us, we give them equipment, training and tools they need to get into the hybrid business,” he said.
“We teach them how to diagnose, service, maintain and repair everything on hybrid vehicles and give them ongoing operational, technical, marketing and branding support.”
