Monro Muffler Brake Inc. is crediting its record second quarter sales this year to strong sales at its 34 Kimmel Automotive stores.
Monro's Q2 sales jumped to $68 million fron $60.5 million during the same period in 2001, a 12.4% increase.
Monro acquired Baltimore, Md.-based Kimmel last April.
At the time, Kimmel was North America's 27th largest independent tire store chain, according to Modern Tire Dealer statistics.
"We are benefitting from margin improvements as we diversify Kimmel's product line and service offerings," says Monro President and CEO Robert Gross.
Gross says the muffler company is "leveraging" Kimmel's tire expertise.
