Sullivan Tire celebrating 70 years in New England

NORWELL, Mass. — Sullivan Tire & Auto Service, one of the nation's largest retail, commercial and wholesale tire dealerships, will celebrate its 70th anniversary April 1.

Since its founding, Sullivan Tire has grown to more than 127 retail, commercial and wholesale locations across five New England states, including its Liftworks operation, an automotive lift and shop equipment supplier.

In 1955, Robert Sullivan founded Sullivan Tire on a dead-end street in Rockland, Mass., and for 16 years the company worked out of that one location. Everything was done outside in the New England elements, the company said, and all of Sullivan's 10 children worked for the company in some capacity over the years.

"The foundation upon which Robert J. Sullivan started Sullivan Tire in 1955 was, 'Treat everyone, customers and fellow employees, as you would a member of your family,' and that tradition continues today," the company said.

As business grew, Sullivan began to hire non-family members and in 1971 he opened a second location and continued to expand into neighboring states.

Today the dealership operates 83 retail locations, 21 commercial truck centers, 14 wholesale distribution satellite locations, two truck tire retread plants, two LiftWorks facilities and five distribution centers throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Based on those numbers, Sullivan ranks:

• No. 19 among independent retail tire dealerships in the U.S.;
• No. 25 among independent commercial tire dealerships in the U.S.; and
• No. 25 among truck tire retreaders in the U.S.

In 2023, the Sullivan family sold the business to its more than 1,500 employees, making Sullivan Tire one of the largest Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) in the country.

"We are so proud of this 70-year milestone and thrilled that we were able to pass this business on to our dedicated employees," Paul Sullivan, vice president of marketing, said. "We could not have done it without them. We thank the entire New England region for trusting us with their automotive needs and allowing us to grow over the past seven decades."

The company will celebrate throughout the year with sales and promotions, in-store events and contests and giveaways to customers and employees.