Kauffman Tire Inc. recently was named "Georgia Large Family Business of the Year" for 2011 by Kennesaw State University's Cox Family Enterprise Center.
More than 1,000 companies were nominated for awards in four categories, with one final winner per category. This annual award is given to companies with a strong commitment to both business and family.
"We are very humbled and honored to receive this award and every associate in the company should be commended for their contribution in winning this recognition," says President Mark Kauffman.
In addition to family success, companies recognized for this award must also demonstrate contributions to their community, which is something very important to the Kauffman family.
"I have always felt that it is our moral obligation to give back to the community and to help people who are less fortunate than us," says CEO John Kauffman. "We are very blessed just that we are able to play a role in doing this.
"We are very deeply involved in Emory's Winship Cancer Institute, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Junior Achievement. We have made strong commitments to these organizations, and this past fall we completed building our first house for Habitat for Humanity in Atlanta. We had 38 of our staff and their family members donate their personal time to help complete this project."
Kauffman Tire, founded in 1936 in Wooster, Ohio, by Harry and Eva Kauffman, started as a small, two pump gas station and service center. Harry's son John joined the company in 1960 and took over as president in 1969. John moved the company headquarters to Atlanta in 1975, where it remains today.
Kauffman Tire opened its 50th retail store in early December. It is 20th on the Modern Tire Dealer 100 list of top indepenent tire dealers in the United States.
For more information about Kauffman Tire, visit www.kauffmantire.com or follow the company on Facebook, www.facebook.com/kauffmantire, and Twitter, www.twitter.com/kauffmantire.
