Bakke Tire Service Center's four locations in Montana have merged with Billings, Mont.-based Tire-Rama Inc.
Tire-Rama is the 48th largest independent tire store chain, according to Modern Tire Dealer research. With the Bakke locations, Tire-Rama will now have 30 locations and approximately 300 employees.
Bakke has three stores in Missoula and one in Hamilton. Tire-Rama now also has stores in Belgrade, Billings, Bozeman, Fort Benton, Glasgow, Glendive, Great Falls, Hamilton, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Livingston, Miles City and Missoula.
Bakke Tire opened in the Missoula area in 1953 and employed a total of 30 people. Except for the retirement of Bob Bakke, president, no other changes in personnel are anticipated. The newly acquired stores will use the name "Bakke Tire-Rama" during the initial transition period.
Tire-Rama is headed by Chuck Patrick, president, and distributes a wide range of tires and automotive products through retail, commercial, agricultural and wholesale distribution channels.
Its primary lines include Cooper, Starfire, Goodyear, Lee, Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, Yokohama and Nankang tires, Bandag retreads and American Racing, Sendel and other custom wheel selections.
In addition to tire and wheel services, the company’s stores perform a variety of services including tuner packages, alignment, front-end, lift kits, brake, air conditioning, ride control, battery, exhaust and lubrication services.
Tire-Rama opened in 1964 as B.L.M. Tire. It had seven locations and was purchased in 1977 by the present control group and merged with Hasty Tire to form The Tire Guys Inc. dba Tire-Rama.
