In June of 1919, Dan Wexler, Sr. ran a newspaper ad announcing the establishment of his business on Buffalo Street in Johnson City, Tennessee. The automobile was not very reliable in those days. Tires were bad, radiators often needed water, and the gasoline gauge had not yet been invented. The auto was constantly in need of service, "Free Service" as far as Dan Wexler was concerned.

A fleet of blue and yellow motocycles with side-cars containing air, water and gasoline were dispatched to aid the stranded motorists whose vehicles had failed them. The only charge was for the gasoline and tire patches. The remainder was "free service", thus the beginning of Free Service Tire Company, - a company whose business is based on service.

Today, Free Service Tire & Auto Centers operates eleven retail locations along with two commercial truck tire centers and serves the area of Tennessee, North Carolina, Virgina, West Virginia and Kentucky.  More details on this member may be found on their website by clicking on the link above.

Free Service Tire strictly adheres to its' motto, "If it's not right, we make it right." Although the blue and yellos motocycles with side-cars are no longer in service, the spirit of the fleet still exists at Free Service Tire, a company built on service...and thriving on service.

Great Lakes Tire Group, LLC (GLTG) was formed in 1999 by eight independent tire dealers in Michigan.  Membership in this not-for-profit partnershipenables the smaller tire dealer (10 or fewer retail locations) to reap the purchasing power benefits of TAG's much larger dealers.  As the name indicates, GLTG is centered in the Great Lakes region and welcomes members from Michigan, Northern Ohio, Illinois and Indiana.  At present GLTG members boast 31 retail locations and continues to grow.

According to Dan Clark, founder and president of the group, himself an own of a two store retail dealership, "TAG is like having a big mean brother"..."and this member ship in their elite club has taken the smaller independent tire dealer's destiny out of the hands of the giants like Discount Tire and Wal-Mart".

GLTG group members may purchase tires directly from Continental, Yokohama, Mohawk, Pirelli and Runway.

Interested parties should contact Dan Clark.

Kost Tire & Auto Care was founded in 1938 by Mike Kost, Sr. in the town of Forest City, NY. Kost Tire & Auto Care, a family owned business, has grown to 53 stores located throughout upstate New York and northeastern Pennsylvania. Their philosophy, "take pride in your performance", has been in place since its founding and is still evident today.

The company has always offered its customers guaranteed lowest prices on tires and the best of automotive services with helpful small-town hospitality. The goals of Kost Tire & Auto Care are to keep going far into the future, improving on customer service, keeping their prices and cost in line and promoting a happy work environment for their employees. Goals are set and monitored with close attention being paid to each and every customer that walks through the doors.

 Kost Tire & Auto Care believes one reason for their success is their continuing effort to give the customer the best pricing on products, and then back them up with 100% customer service satisfaction.

"Our customers deserve our best service and we will do whatever it takes to deliver."

Martin Tire started out in 1945 at 610 Texas Street in El Paso by Robert C. Martin and Claude Martin and has remained a family business. Martin Tire is the largest wheel and tire distributor in the El Paso Southwest with approximately 6,000 custom wheels and 25,000 tires in stock. This huge stock assures Southwest area residents and businesses that their tire and wheel needs will be better met.

Hundreds of other wheel and tire brands are available through special order.

Martin Tire Company's tire selection includes not only tires for cars and pickups but also tires for farm, industrial, ATC, trucks and almost any other application you can think of.

Hiring the best mechanics, servicemen, salesmen, and managers and providing top notch training is Martin Tire Company's way of insuring the best for our clients. We have a lot of long term employees that live the Martin Tire commitment to customer satisfaction. The Martin family still own and oprate the business, ensuring our customers of only the best quality product and service.

Pueblo Tires has been servicing the greater South Texas region for over thirty years. Services for autos, light trucks and trucks are available and include suspension, brake service, diagnostics, maintenance, and much more. Pueblo also offers twenty four hour service and sales for large tractor and off the road tire needs. Fleet service and accounts are available to qualified customers.

Addtional website with more information at:

http://www.thinktires.com

When Vernon "Pee Wee" Rhodes first opened Plaza Tire Service in 1963 in Cape Girardeau, MO, it was actually a hand-operated car wash named Plaza Car Wash. The company quickly recognized a need for tire services within the Cape Girardeau community; therefore, Plaza Car Wash began providing tire repairs and replacements with a jack along the sidewalk outside its building. Local regulations ended this practice although this method proved to be quick and convenient for customers. From that point on, Plaza Car Wash became Plaza Tire Service, which exclusively provided high quality tire and automotive services.

Forty years later, Plaza Tire Service is constantly finding new ways to meet customer needs and improve customer service. Plaza Tire Service consistently updates its facilities to accommodate state-of-the-art equipment and provide an inviting atmosphere for its customers. Plaza Tire Service also strives to meet customer needs with unique products including The Forever Tire and its own Tire Protection Plan. In addition to its facilities and products, Plaza Tire Service consistently expands into new markets and serves other communities with its "customer-first" attitude. Plaza Tire Service plans to continue this rate of expansion by opening a new facility in Crestwood, MO later this year making it the 40th location in the company and by expanding its wholesale department into new territories.

Somerset Tire Service operates over 100 retail tire and automotive service stores located in the states of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

STS Tire & Auto Centers offer a full array of tires and automotive services. The tire product offering includes quality major brands such as Bridgestone, Continental, Toyo, Firestone, Dayton, Michelin, Goodyear, Pirelli and more. STS uses brand name automotive parts as well. Each location is staffed with well trained management and technical personnel who will take care of your vehicle like it's their own.

Founded in 1958, STS Tire & Auto Centers has taken pride in providing exceptional service and superior value to it's customers for over 45 years. STS is the largest independent tire and automotive service company in the Northeast, with retail locations throughout New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Unique to the retail tire and automotive industry, STS is an employee-owned company dedicated to providing customers with convenient locations where long term relationships are based on TRUST.

THE STS PROMISE

"Your Vehicle is Ready When Promised."

"Our Work is Done Right the First Time."

"You Pay Only for Work You Authorized."

Tire Warehouse Inc., is a privately owned, New Hampshire based corporation operating within New England for over 30 years, employing over 250 top quality personnel with the knowledge and training of today's tire and automotive parts needs.

Robert Dabrowski, owner and CEO of Tire Warehouse Inc., plans to perpetuate the quality and reputation Tire Warehouse has established throughout the region. With the addition of 5 to 7 locations added annually, Tire Warehouse will be able to offer "Tires and Auto Parts For Less" to its ever growing customer base.