‘Go east!’

ITDG wants more dealers in southeastern U.S.

By: Mike Manges

Michael Cox, CEO and president of the Independent Tire Dealers Group LLC (left), talks business with Vic DeIorio, executive vice president of sales and development for GITI Tire (USA) Ltd. Cox says ITDG’s tire vendors support its expansion plans.

In the 1800s, “Go west, young man!” was a famous expression. This year, the Independent Tire Dealers Group LLC (ITDG), until recently a western states-focused organization, is going east.

ITDG’s eastward expansion began in April, when it added Ronnie Ward Tire Co. Inc. of Monroe, Ga. The distribution group plans to sign more dealers throughout the mid-south and southeast, ITDG CEO and President Michael Cox said during ITDG’s annual member meeting, held last month in Palm Desert, Calif. (ITDG currently has 109 members who represent more than 300 tire and service center locations.)

“Now that we have a foothold in the southeast, we have a reason to go there. We’re not going after the one-bay or two-bay corner gas station or the used tire guy. We’re looking for strong independent tire dealers. Our members’ numbers per location average between $1.5 and $2 million on an annual basis, and some of them are higher.”

Cox said ITDG’s tire vendors support the group’s expansion plans and will even work with it to sign new members. “We’re going to travel with them and call on prospective customers.”

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