SAN DIEGO — The record-setting year that was 2019 will be difficult to top, but Walter Lybeck and his team at Point S Tire & Automotive Service USA have every intention of doing just that.
Last year, the independent dealer cooperative set records in sales, best month and number of locations added, Mr. Lybeck, the CEO of the group, and others in his management team told a group of more than 500 dealers and guests attending the recent Point S Annual Owners Meeting in San Diego.
By the numbers: Sales growth topped 10% and the network grew by 19 locations and into four new new states, expanding to 225 outlets in 22 states. Sales in October 2019 were the group's best monthly performance on record.
The conference was held at the Paradise Point Resort in San Diego, Feb. 20-22.
The banner year meant the co-op redistributed $5.5 million to the dealers within the group. The big year was helped, Mr. Lybeck said, by a robust promotion schedule with its preferred partners — Goodyear, Hankook Tire America Corp., Nokian Tyres P.L.C. and Toyo Tire USA Corp.
Toyo became a preferred partner last year after its decades-old exclusive distribution agreement with Les Schwab Tire Centers Inc. expired in early 2019.
"We have a unique, industry-leading partnerships with our tire manufacturing partners," Mr. Lybeck said. "Our members are intimately focused on providing their customers with tires that fit their driving habits and lifestyle needs, now more than ever.
"I feel like we have partnerships and programs that match that desire from our membership.
Point S was hosting a handful of prospective dealers during the meeting to give them a feel for the cooperative, and it is expected several will join.