Southern Tire Mart to manage, expand Pilot/Flying J truck care network

COLUMBIA, Miss. — Southern Tire Mart, the largest independent commercial tire dealership in North America, has struck a deal with Pilot Co. to take over the management of 35 Pilot Flying J Truck Care maintenance facilities and open as many as 100 more such facilities in the next 18 months across the nation.

The companies' strategic alliance, dubbed Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J, "will leverage the strengths and conveniences of Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers, as well as the tire and maintenance expertise of Southern Tire Mart," the new partners said.

"With the growing demand for fleet customers to find greater efficient means to maximize their up-time and maximize driver productivity, the need to create and build a consistent nationwide network is clear," John Boynton, president of Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J, said.

"Our goal is to help fleet operators maximize the return on their investment, while creating an exceptional driver experience."

Mr. Boynton is a former Bridgestone Americas and Tredroc Tire Service executive who joined Southern Tire Mart in 2018.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The business partnership foresees expanding the network to 200-plus locations within the coming three years. The new truck care facilities will be built on existing Pilot and Flying J Travel Center properties "to better serve over-the-road fleet customer needs."

"The new operation remains dedicated to providing professional drivers and fleet customers with exceptional repair, maintenance, roadside assistance, lube and tire-focused services," company officials said.

"We're excited to bring together the strengths of our network with the expertise of Southern Tire Mart to better meet the tire and maintenance needs of the trucking industry," Pilot CEO Shameek Konar said.

"Through this partnership, we look forward to building a nationwide network of on-highway commercial vehicle maintenance, lube and tire-focused services that keeps fleet and drivers moving with safe, well-maintained trucks."

Knoxville, Tenn.-based Pilot Co. operates 750-plus highway travel centers in 44 U.S. states and six Canadian provinces.The 35 Truck Care outlets are scattered throughout the country in 22 states, including five in Texas.

The centers off standard truck services, lube services, as well as, retail and National Account sales. Tire brands offered include Michelin, BF Goodrich, Bridgestone, Yokohama and Giti.

Pilot/Flying J customers also will be able to access services at Southern Tire Mart's 140-plus commercial tire service centers.

With sales of $1.8 billion in 2020, Southern Tire Mart is considered the No. 1 independent commercial tire dealership in North America, according to Tire Business calculations.