BILLINGS, Mont. — While the operators of some smaller dealerships buckle under the weight of competition from big-box corporate dealers, Ryan Anderson stands taller. Business at his single retail shop, Montana Tire Distributors Inc., only improves.
"Honestly, every time one of those guys gets bought out, we seem to gain business," said Anderson, who operates a retail shop and a wholesale distributor in Billings.
"We're getting to be one of the last local guys up here," he said. "There's a few of us left, but it's getting less and less every day. That definitely means something to some people. We're kind of old-school up here still. And with local guys, loyalty is still big."
Anderson said customers feel comfortable with him and his 20-plus employees.
"We don't have anyone to look up to," he said. "We do our own thing, and there's not a big corporation (to answer to). We're just a local shop, and (customers) see the same faces every day. And I think that's important, too."
The long-timers include not only Anderson — the second-generation owner — but also Derek Stennerson, the retail manager who has worked at Montana Tire for 18 years, and Anderson's brother Kyle, a technician and ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) expert who does ADAS work for local body shops and car dealerships. Randy Redfern has run the warehouse for several year as well.
"People like seeing the same face every day, every time they come in, year after year," Anderson said.
Sales reflect that. Anderson said Montana Tire Distributors — not to be confused with Montana Tire Co. in Helena — has grown steadily over the last 10 years, hitting $21.2 million in sales in 2023. He estimated that 90% of sales are tires.
"What we were doing back in 2004 to what we're doing now is tenfold," Anderson said. "We've been really fortunate and have been in some good positions, had some good opportunities."