Telle Tire growing to 7 stores with latest acquisition

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Telle Tire & Auto Service Inc. is acquiring Shamel Auto & Tire in Bridgeton, Mo., from its founder Richard Shamel.

The deal, expected to close Jan. 2, will boost Telle Tire to seven locations in the St. Louis area. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"The values and culture of Shamel Tire align with our company, and we believe this will be a great fit in our organization," said CEO and President Aaron Telle, a fourth-generation Telle family member.

This is the fourth acquisition for the 75-year-old dealership in two years. In March Telle acquired Safeway Tire & Auto in St. Charles, Mo., and last January bought the St. Louis-area store of Meyer's Automotive.

Shamel Auto & Tire is six-bay Bridgestone Affiliated dealership located at the junction of I-70 and State Route 180 near St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

Mr. Telle said the company continues to look for expansion opportunities and plans on acquiring small family dealerships from owners looking to retire.

"We are a great alternative to the big out-of-town chains looking to acquire small family businesses. We are committed to the culture of these stores and continuing the same great traditions that these long time family businesses have produced over the years," Mr. Telle said.

Telle Tire said it is looking to acquire two to four locations per year for the next 10 years and, for the first time, will be looking outside the St. Louis area to seek out strategic opportunities in the Midwest for further expansion.

Telle Tire began as a tire retreading company in 1942 and, under Aaron Telle's leadership, has transformed from a single outlet with seven employees to seven locations and 56 employees.