FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS: Central Tire

Founded: 1945 by Guy Westhafer as Central Tire & Battery in Staunton, Va.

Based: Verona, Va.

Family members involved: Guy's sons Terry and Tommy both worked at the dealership during their high school years, joining full time after college in 1969 and 1970, respectively. They assumed managerial roles in the 1970s while Guy continued to be active in the company into his 80s, passing away in 1999.

Number of outlets: 2

Number of employees: 45

Dealership history: One early addition to the business was employing two alignment technicians and having the capability to align and straighten frames on cars and large trucks. (A salesman once told Guy Westhafer that alignment was performed by garages and that it had no place in a tire business.)

In 1952 the dealership added passenger and truck tire retreading due to high demand in the Staunton area. The business grew steadily until 1964 when all three rented properties—the retail sales and service location, retread plant and warehouse—were lost to an urban renewal project.

Relocating the business to nearby Verona was a turning point in Central Tire's history. The first four years there saw a doubling of sales volume while retaining the same 11 employees employed in Staunton, according to Terry Westhafer, the dealership's current president. Sales volume doubled again in the next four years—then again doubled in the following four.

Business info: As both brothers are approaching retirement and do not have any family members interested in taking over, the issue of management succession or sale of the business is a looming concern, Terry said, adding that professional management has been added and middle management is being strengthened to provide continuity and future leadership as well as controlled growth.

Other info: The company said with a retail mix of 70/30 tires and service it bucks the current trend toward more automotive service. The commercial business volume is higher than retail primarily due to truck tire retreading using the AcuTread mold cure process and in-house precure process, with 14 employees and annual capacity of 34,000 units.

Philosophy: The Westhafer family has always believed that high-quality products, competent associates and reasonable prices will assure market leadership and dominance, Terry told Tire Business.