Tires Only to end 'nomadic' life

MINOT, N.D. (Nov. 15, 2016) — Wholesaler Tires Only Inc. is preparing to move its Minot distribution center to a purpose-built 63,000-sq.-ft. structure next summer, ending a five-year “nomadic” existence precipitated by the June 2011 flooding of the Souris River that runs through Minot.

That flood — which lasted several days and forced the evacuation of 12,000 residents and destroyed more than 4,000 houses — forced Tires Only to move its 20,000 tire inventory to temporary shelter, according to Monique Jensen, co-owner of the 23-year-old distributor.

Tires Only was able to secure a more permanent 30,000-sq.-ft. space in downtown Minot, Ms. Jensen said, but has since outgrown that location owing to expanding demand fueled by the growing oil industry in the Dakotas.

Tires Only, through a holding company, broke ground on the new facility June 1. The project is budgeted at $6.7 million and Tires Only will lease the facility from the holding company.

Ms. Jensen said the larger facility will allow Tires Only to add inventory and expand into other, complementary products.

Tires Only distributes to customers in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. The ownership coalition maintains a second warehouse in Fargo, N.D., under the Dakota Wholesale Tire name. That operation caters more to the niche markets, Mr. Jensen said.

The related wholesale businesses generated $44 million in revenue last year. They are admistrators for the Cooper Medallion, Goodyear G110 and Hankook One programs at both locations plus the Kenda Traction program out of Dakota Wholesale in Fargo.

Ms. Jensen is part of an owners' group that includes 17 other investors/dealers, who collectively operate more than 20 retail stores throughout the distribution region. The business started 23 years ago.