ATLANTA — TireHub L.L.C. soon will have a new CEO.
Peter Gibbons, CEO of the Bridgestone Americas/Goodyear tire distribution joint venture since its inception in 2018, is leaving the company to pursue a new career opportunity.
He will remain with TireHub through mid-November. Mr. Gibbons’ new company will be disclosed “soon,” a TireHub spokesperson said.
“We are incredibly proud of TireHub’s position as a wholesale distribution channel leader and appreciate all of
Peter’s contributions to the company,” Goodyear and Bridgestone representatives said in a joint statement. “TireHub is in a very strong position for future growth, and we have the utmost confidence in the TireHub leadership team and its commitment to helping dealers and retailers grow their business.”
Ted Becker, vice president of sales and marketing, will serve as interim CEO during the transition. Mr. Becker joined TireHub in August 2020 and has more than 25 years of experience in the tire and automotive industries, including leadership positions at both Group Michelin and Exide Technologies, a solutions provider for stored energy, such as batteries.
“We remain focused on being the trusted distributor with the right product in the right place. We will continue to look after dealers and retailers, grow business for our customers and TireHub, and sustain our culture,” Mr. Becker said. “We are expanding in several markets in the coming months that will help fulfill our mission of providing high quality product to our customers. They are and will always be our top priority. We are excited about what the future holds for our customers and our people.”
When asked if TireHub will seek a new CEO or if Mr. Becker will be a candidate, the spokesperson said:
“There is a process for appointing permanent chief executive officers for all companies, and TireHub is no different. Until this process is completed by our shareholders, Ted Becker is our interim CEO and will lead TireHub through the transition period.”
TireHub launched in July 2018 and operates 71 distribution centers in the U.S. Mr. Gibbons joined TireHub prior to the company’s launch and has led TireHub from a startup to wholesale distribution channel leader “that emphasizes customer service, growth, and a people-centric culture,” the company said.
“He combined over 1,000 Bridgestone and Goodyear employees into one team with a common focus of growing business for tire dealers and retailers,” the spokesperson said. “Under Gibbons, TireHub has built multiple technology systems from scratch; relocated or added TireHub Logistics Centers (TLCs) in 15 different markets; developed a customer-centric sales and operational strategy; and created a strong company culture as a foundational element for success.”
TireHub said it will continue to serve its customers “with the same relentless passion as always.”
“Customers are our number one priority, and we are committed to providing them with the right products at the right location at the right time to help dealers and retailers grow their business,” the spokesperson said. “We have significant growth plans to be announced in the next few weeks and look forward to maintaining the momentum and progress we’ve generated thus far.”
TireHub marked its third anniversary in July, setting volume records in the first six months of 2021 that exceeded pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
“We have a whole game plan,” Mr. Gibbons said during a recent interview, before his departure was announced. “Over the next three years, we’re going to expand to new markets and move facilities to better locations within a market. … We have a pretty extensive plan to fill out the network. We’ve done a lot of good work, and we’ll keep upgrading and expanding our network.”
Mr. Gibbons said he believes the company has been able to grow over the past three years — and successfully navigate the COVID-19 pandemic — because of its culture and its employees.
“Joint ventures are never easy to create — it’s never a straightforward thing,” Mr. Gibbons said, “but the one constant is our people and the way the ‘Hubbers’ have shown up since Day 1.
“Our ‘Hubbers’ have responded fantastically in tackling every challenge. We want to be a growth company, a company that focuses on customers and a company that customers enjoy doing business with. That only happens when the ‘Hubbers’ feel that and live it.”
Similar to all companies in the tire industry, TireHub has been dealing with supply shortages and price increases over the past year. While dealers and retailers — particularly smaller ones — are looking for value, Mr. Gibbons said TireHub’s focus will continue to be on providing premium products from Goodyear, Bridgestone and Toyo.
“When you’re in a time like this where prices are rising and there’s some inflation in the world, for detailers and retailers — particularly small ones — it can be challenging times,” he said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a radical change, but definitely people are looking for value. They’re looking for a mix of product range and programs and promotions to ensure you’re providing value to help them cater to their consumers and drivers. …
“For us, it’s been more of a 2021 experience than 2020. It did not really impact us greatly last year, but there’s so much happening with product supply, there’s more tension there. At the same time, our focus is on premium brands. We’re trying to find ways of creating value for dealers and retailers to allow them to continue servicing consumers and drivers across the range.”