Skip to main content

Breaking News

Breaking News
Cooper expects JV plant in Vietnam to be producing truck tires by ‘early 2020'
Close
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
  • European Rubber Journal
tb-logo
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • AUTO INDUSTRY
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • FACTORY FIXES
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • INTERNATIONAL
    • MOTOR SPORTS
    • NEW PRODUCTS
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • SEMA/AAPEX
    • SMALL BUSINESS
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • American Guardian expands F&I online industry training
      Cold temperatures may impact GM's power steering assist
      Front brake linings may be reason for Lexus' brake pulsation
      Jeep Patriot, Compass may need a strut replacement
    • GM's new processing center means fast service parts to dealerships
      Dunlop Aircraft Tyres evaluating Indonesia as potential manufacturing site
      Goodyear to supply intelligent tires to delivery fleet in Europe
      Trelleborg launches major restructuring program; tire/wheel business unaffected
    • Yokohama launches 114R UWB regional-haul trailer tire
      Denray Tire converts retread to Michelin RT process in western Canada
      Dunlop Aircraft Tyres evaluating Indonesia as potential manufacturing site
      Goodyear to supply intelligent tires to delivery fleet in Europe
    • S.C. targeting illegal tire dumps via 'See it/Report it' campaign
      USTMA calls on all stakeholders to help raise scrap tire recovery rate
      NFIB holding webinar Dec. 4 on new federal overtime rule
      ETRMA backs revised EU tire labeling text
    • Denray Tire converts retread to Michelin RT process in western Canada
      Dunlop Aircraft Tyres evaluating Indonesia as potential manufacturing site
      Goodyear to supply intelligent tires to delivery fleet in Europe
      Nexen donates meals, tires to Cityzens Giving soccer program
    • Hankook to supply German touring car series' DTM Trophy ‘feeder series'
      Americas Rallycross folds after 2 seasons
      Australia's Supercars series renews tire supply deal with Goodyear/Dunlop through 2024
      BKT extends Monster Truck sponsorship deal through 2026
    • Yokohama launches 114R UWB regional-haul trailer tire
      Conti offering ag tire pressure/load calculating app
      Sentury custom Jeep highlights Landsail Rogueblazer tires
      Yokohama adds winter fitment to grader tire line
    • Cold temperatures may impact GM's power steering assist
      Front brake linings may be reason for Lexus' brake pulsation
      Jeep Patriot, Compass may need a strut replacement
      Lubricant may fix HVAC control panel noise on Ford, Lincoln models
    • Cold temperatures may impact GM's power steering assist
      Front brake linings may be reason for Lexus' brake pulsation
      Jeep Patriot, Compass may need a strut replacement
      Lubricant may fix HVAC control panel noise on Ford, Lincoln models
    • Sentury custom Jeep highlights Landsail Rogueblazer tires
      view gallery
      25 photos
      Photos: A look back at 2019 SEMA, APPEX Shows
      Detore: Assessing the glitz, glamour of SEMA
      AAPEX eyes tire service as part of Repair Shop HQ at 2020 show
    • NFIB holding webinar Dec. 4 on new federal overtime rule
      Tennessee couple named Milex franchisees of the year
      Fight the battles to win the war
      Industry challenges stubbornly persist decades later
    • Yokohama launches 114R UWB regional-haul trailer tire
      Sentury custom Jeep highlights Landsail Rogueblazer tires
      USTMA calls on all stakeholders to help raise scrap tire recovery rate
      Apollo enters Saudi Arabian market via tie-in with local distributor
  • Opinion
  • Multimedia
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • PODCASTS
  • Events
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
    • DIRECTORY
  • ADVERTISE
  • Classifieds
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
October 24, 2016 01:00 AM

60 STRONG

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    FREDERICK, Md.—Even though Rice Tire Co. has reached a major milestone in 2016—celebrating its 60th anniversary—the tire dealer/retreader isn't idling and relying exclusively on its history for continued success.

    The company, which operates 10 locations across three states—five in Maryland, four in Virginia and one in Washington, D.C.—has traditionally focused primarily on the commercial tire market. But coinciding with a rebranding effort in 2014, the dealership has pushed more heavily into the retail segment.

    According to Rice Tire CEO Chris Chase, the company has taken a “multi-pronged approach” to expanding its retail business over the last few years. Part of this effort was to enhance retail service training for the dealership's employees.

    “We started that about two years ago and have had very good success,” he told Tire Business.

    Rice Tire also has increased advertising geared toward retail customers and signed up several of its stores on Goodyear's Tire and Service Network retail marketing program. In addition, the firm has expanded its product offerings to include Continental-, Bridgestone-, Michelin- and Falken-brand consumer tire lines, Mr. Chase said.

    Finally, the company has focused on enhancing its stores to better accommodate a retail business model.

    “Last year we added five bays onto our Cumberland, Md., store,” Mr. Chase said.

    “Currently we are in the engineering stages of adding six bays onto our Frederick store.

    “We have also remodeled showrooms in Baltimore, as well as our Harrisonburg, Winchester and Brandy Station, Va., stores,” he continued.

    “The combination of all these efforts has led to a sharp uptick in our retail business over the last couple of years.”

    Mr. Chase said the total investment for the expanded Cumberland and Frederick stores will be about $2 million.

    He noted that Rice Tire generates approximately $60 million in annual sales, estimating that 70 percent of its business is in commercial, 15 percent retail and the remainder a combination of government and wholesale.

    While Rice Tire has targeted growing its retail business, Mr. Chase said the company continues to seek opportunities to grow in areas such as retreading, OTR tires and mechanical service as well.

    “We are blessed to be in a region that is relatively recession proof,” he said. “As long as the government continues to spend money—and they will—the economy here will be solid. We are in a good position both by adding and expanding services and by taking market share from competitors.”

    Rice Tire's most recent expansion came in 2014 with the purchase of Montgomery Tire Service Inc. in Gaithersburg, Md., and while Mr. Chase said there are no new locations in development he expects Rice Tire's store count to continue growing in the coming years.

    “We are always looking for opportunities to expand, but it's a challenge,” he said.

    “The cost and availability of land in the Baltimore/Washington corridor makes it difficult to open a greenfield store, and with an acquisition we are usually in a bidding war with a national chain with deeper pockets than we have. Nevertheless, I'm confident we will be able to grow our store count over the next few years.”

    Rice Tire was founded by Donald Rice Sr. in 1956 in order to accommodate the growing local market for construction and commercial vehicle tires. Known through most of its history as Donald B. Rice Tire Co. Inc., the firm began doing business as Rice Tire in 2014 as part of a rebranding effort.

    The company's founder died in 1987, but his youngest son, Ken Rice, continues as the company's chairman. The dealership's management team includes Mr. Chase, Ken Rice's son-in-law, along with Ken Rice II.

    “I've only been here for 20 of the 60 years, but it's been gratifying and a lot of fun to build on the foundation laid by the first two generations—Donald B. Rice, who founded the company, and his son Ken, who led and grew the company for many years,” Mr. Chase said.

    He noted that his favorite part of leading the organization over the years has been watching company employees create their own careers at Rice Tire.

    “Our longest-tenured employee, Maggie Buckholz, our vice president of purchasing, will celebrate her 40th anniversary with the company next year,” he said.

    “We have many other 20- to 30-year employees, some of whom have never worked anywhere else. We also have an impressive group of younger associates who are capable and eager to lead the company over the next 10 to 20 years.”

    To reach this reporter: [email protected] crain.com; 330-865-6148; Twitter: @Will_Schertz

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR FREE NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    tb-logo
    Reader Services
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Autoweek
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics & Rubber World
    • Plastics News Europe
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    • LSR World
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Classified
    • Wholesale Tire Directory
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Ad Rates/Specs
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Clasified Rates
    • List Rental
    • Digital Edition
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2019. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • AUTO INDUSTRY
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • FACTORY FIXES
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • INTERNATIONAL
      • MOTOR SPORTS
      • NEW PRODUCTS
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • SEMA/AAPEX
      • SMALL BUSINESS
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Opinion
    • Multimedia
      • VIDEOS
      • PHOTOS
      • PODCASTS
    • Events
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
      • DIRECTORY
    • ADVERTISE
    • Classifieds
    • DIGITAL EDITION