ATD's reputation: Bad karma or bad rap?

May 12, 2014

As it gets bigger, American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) is always in the crosshairs. Why is that? Isn't big always better?

Not in the eyes of the smaller independent tire retailers. However, it's fuzzy why that is.

ATD recently purchased Terry's Tire Town Holdings Inc., and that was a topic of conversation among many dealers attending recent meetings in New York and New Jersey, respectively. The issue of ATD's expansion even made its way into the question-and-answer sessions held between the dealers and two industry pundits.

Modern Tire Dealer Editor Bob Ulrich was one of those pundits (perhaps sacrificial lamb is a better term). He shares his thoughts on the topic in his latest blog, "As ATD gets bigger, the haters grow in number."

What are your thoughts on ATD? Or wholesale distribution in general? Read the blog, then let us know what you think by leaving a comment!