Pro Tire adds industry vet as exec v.p.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Jan. 22, 2016) —  To strengthen its position in the market place, Professional Industrial Tire Co. Inc. (Pro Tire) has hired Ken Cooper as executive vice president.

The 31-year industrial tire industry veteran has an extensive background in both the retail and wholesale segments of the business, according to Pro Tire, a Chattanooga-based distributor. In his new role, Mr. Cooper will report to Larry Webb, Pro Tire's president, and his focus will primarily be — but not limited to — overseeing aspects of sales, marketing and product development.

Before joining Pro Tire, Mr. Cooper was the director of North American aftermarket sales for Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas Inc. for 11 years. He also was southeast regional manager for Solideal Tire for approximately seven years and prior to that was the founder and president of Southern Industrial Tire Co. in the northwest Georgia area for 12 years.

Mr. Webb founded Pro Tire in 1981 “to provide unequalled service to the material handling industry,” according to the company, noting that over the years, “Pro Tire has maintained this focus on service while continually expanding their offering of high quality products at a fair price.”

Pro Tire — which said it is “committed to being the best wholesale supplier to tire dealers, rental companies and to lift truck companies” — provides cushion press-ons, resilients, industrial pneumatics, polyurethane press-ons, skid steer pneumatics, solid conversions, wheels and industrial tire presses.

According to the company's website, Pro Tire's primary products are press-on solid tires that are manufactured via a state-of-the-art, computer-controlled injection molding production system, with its newest lines Widetrack press-ons and GS solid tires.

The privately held firm maintains a footprint in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Its primary sales and distribution offices are located in Chattanooga, where it operates an 80,000-sq.-ft. warehouse as well as one in Los Angeles from which 14 different product lines are distributed.