Online tire retailer SimpleTire promotes Iyer to CEO

BENSALEM, Pa. — SimpleTire L.L.C. President Karthik Iyer will add the title of CEO when he succeeds co-founder Andy Chalofsky, who plans to leave the online tire retailer in June as part of a planned succession.

Chalofsky will continue as a shareholder in the business.

Iyer joined SimpleTire in 2020 as president to accelerate its growth strategy. The company has doubled employment and grown revenue over 40% since then the company said.

"I have been consistently impressed with Karthik's ability to scale the company and have full confidence in his capability to lead the team forward," Chalofsky said.

"I am excited to focus on taking a leading role in my other businesses, including a continued partnership with Dealer Tire in a start-up venture. I look forward to continuing my involvement with SimpleTire as a shareholder, adviser and co-founder."

Dealer Tire L.L.C., a Cleveland-based independent replacement tire distributor for car dealerships, became an investor in SimpleTire in 2018.

"I am incredibly excited about the future of SimpleTire and honored to have the opportunity to lead such a passionate and innovative team particularly as we focus on continued growth," Iyer said.

"Our vision, the strength of our team and our unique capabilities in e-commerce puts us in a great position to deliver a best-in-class consumer experience and develop long-term strategic partnerships across the industry."

Bensalem-based SimpleTire was a finalist in Tire Business' Best Places to Work this year.

In 2012, brothers Andy and COO Josh Chalofsky developed the concept for Simple Tire while working in their family's brick-and-mortar tire business. With their business partner Kenny Pratt, they converted a traditional tire sales business model into a technology-driven model, linking independent tire distributors across the country into one e-commerce network.

Josh Chalofsky will remain COO through year-end, when he will join his brother in co-leading other business ventures. Pratt will remain with SimpleTire as chief technology officer.