COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tire distributor TireHub L.L.C. has opened a TireHub Logistics Center (TLC) in Columbia, marking a new area of operation for the joint venture.
To celebrate the opening, TireHub donated sets of Goodyear- and Bridgestone-brand tires to Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity for use on the non-profit's vehicles.
This is the third distribution center opened this year by TireHub, the U.S. tire distribution joint venture run by Bridgestone Americas Inc. and Goodyear, which operates 70 D/Cs in 35 states.
TireHub said the region previously was served by TireHub TLCs in Charlotte, N.C. and in Lawrenceville, Ga. The presence in Columbia, the company said, allows it to increase the frequency of these deliveries to up to four times a day within a 20-mile radius.
Among other areas that the facility will serve are greater Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Bluffton and Buford, S.C., and Augusta, Ga.
"We can also strengthen relationships within the close proximity and continue to help dealers and retailers grow their business and serve their customers," a TireHub spokesperson said. "We also look forward to having the opportunity to reach and serve more customers throughout South Carolina."
Earlier this year it added a centers in Lakeville, Minn., and Fort Myers, Fla., and since opening for business in July 2018, it has relocated centers in Austin, Texas; Knoxville, Tenn.; Mobile, Ala.; Oakland, Calif.; and Las Vegas to meet product demand in each respective market.
TireHub CEO Peter Gibbons said the company hopes "this donation will help Habitat for Humanity to continue to serve those within the Columbia area. Their work is making a difference in the lives of people in this community, and we're honored to support their mission of a world where everyone has a stable place to live."
Roy Kramer, executive director of Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity, said the donation will help "provide safe transportation to both our construction and ReStore teams, as well as saving funds that can go directly into community services."
The 30,000-sq.-ft. leased facility, part of a new, 45,000-sq.-ft. spec industrial building, has a capacity of approximately 35,000 tires. TireHub is the first tenant in the building.
The facility will create between eight and 10 jobs when fully staffed. TireHub said it is actively hiring and all prospects have been local to date.
According to the spokesperson, TireHub is "always exploring opportunities to serve customers where it makes sense, whether it be expanding to have a larger presence in current markets or looking into new ones."
TireHub distributes full passenger and light truck tire product lines from the Goodyear and Bridgestone companies, including Bridgestone, Goodyear, Dunlop, Firestone, Fuzion, Kelly and LeMans, as well as Toyo and Goodyear and Kelly commercial tires.