KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — For Basin Tire founder Mike Romtvedt, achieving success in rural Oregon the past four decades has been tied to a willingness to reinvent his business multiple times to keep pace with the region's evolving economy.
When Romtvedt founded Basin Tire in 1984, the predominant focus was on commercial, in large part to serve the timber industry in southern Oregon. At that time there were 10 major sawmills active, he said recently in a conversation with Tire Business.
That business climate provided Romtvedt and his founding partner John O'Donnell sufficient expansion opportunities, eventually growing the business to seven service locations, including a pair of Bandag retread plants.
As the timber business began to fade away, however — all but a couple of the mills closed — Basin Tire was forced to retrench and regroup. The owners eventually sold or closed all the locations except the original one, on Washburn Way in downtown Klamath Falls, a city of about 22,000 residents located on the southern shore of Upper Klamath Lake, roughly 10 miles north of the California border.
Over the past couple of decades, the dealership has evolved into much more of a retail-focused business, Romtvedt said, but without completely abandoning its commercial roots: Basin Tire still does a healthy business (about 35% of overall sales) on the commercial side, with four service and two boom trucks active in supporting local farmers. The local farm economy is strong in potatoes and alfalfa.
Asked about the business' evolution, Romtvedt commented: "People don't care what you can't do. Just tell them what you can do and do it well."
Now 69, Romtvedt is easing back from day-to-day duties at Basin Tire, where his son Kevin is taking over running the dealership. Both Basin Tire and Kevin turn 40 this year.
Mike said he developed his approach to running a tire dealership by absorbing the best ideas he experienced while working for others — including Les Schwab Tire and Firestone Tire company stores — before striking out on his own in 1984.
The dealership had its best year ever in 2023, Kevin said, topping $11 million in revenue with roughly 45 employees.
As for growth opportunities, both Romtvedts are of the mindset that being able to provide knowledgeable advice, good value and reliable after-sales service are keys to success.