Freedom Tire expanding coverage to San Diego

CORONA, Calif. (July 12, 2016) — Wholesale distributor Freedom Tire Distributing has initiated delivery service to San Diego.

The company said it has added two trucks and routes from its warehouse in Corona to improve service to customers in San Diego Country and southern California.

Freedom Tire hired industry veteran Jeff Scott to head up the San Diego expansion. Mr. Scott has close to 30 years' experience in the business, most recently as a co-owner, with his brother Barney, of Barney's Tire & Wheel in Temecula, Calif.

Freedom Tire moved to a 40,000-sq.-ft. warehouse in Corona in November 2013 to lay the foundation for growth. Freedom Tire President and CEO Tom Hoffman said he's evaluating prospects to add at least two warehouses in the next couple of years to support the growth plans.

Mr. Hoffman said he's confident expanding to San Diego should help the company boost sales as much as 30 percent this year, building on 22-percent growth the company chalked up last year as it expanded its footprint into Los Angeles County from Southern California's Inland Empire and Orange County.

Opening service to San Diego is Phase 3 of Freedom Tire's three-year expansion plan, Mr. Hoffman said. It's roughly 100 miles from Corona to central San Diego.

The wholesaler could add two more trucks before year-end, he added, expanding to a dozen trucks and 24 routes.

Freedom Tire stocks more than 50,000 tires in Corona, ranging from a 4.80-8 trailer tire up through most medium truck radial sizes, including skid steer, ATV, etc. The wholesaler's main business is passenger and light truck/ SUV.

Prior to owning Barney's Tire, Mr. Scott worked for Accessories Plus in Lake Elsinore, Calif., Tire & Wheel Mart in Los Angeles, and All Star Tire in Long Beach, Freedom Tire said.

“Jeff brings a unique perspective to the job; he has worked distribution, but has also been a successful owner of a retail tire dealership,” Mr. Hofmann said. “We feel this gives Jeff a great understanding of what our customers go through on a daily basis. This understanding will help grow our footprint in San Diego. We are fortunate to have someone of Jeff's caliber to lead the charge into San Diego.”

Freedom Tire is the largest distributor of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s Mastercraft brand and Cooper's Century associate dealer program in Southern California. Freedom Tire also distributes Cooper, Carlisle, Federal, Starfire, Roadmaster, Nexen, Maxxis, Triangle, Forgiato, Zenna, Advanta, Powertrac, Kannati, Towmaster and Centenial.