Tire Discounters Inc. is adding to its reach in the Atlanta, Ga., metro market with two acquisitions and a new store opening, while also expanding into the state of Virginia for the first time.
The acquisitions in Georgia include Bulldog Tire, a three-store retail operation with suburban Atlanta locations in Covington, Monroe and Snellville, plus a wholesale location in Monroe. That added warehouse gives Tire Discounters four wholesale sites company-wide.
Tire Discounters also acquired Lightning Auto Glass in Chamblee, Ga., a deal that "doubles" Tire Discounters' auto glass repair and installation business. The company has an existing mobile glass and ADAS fleet in its northern markets, along with a glass store in its hometown of Cincinnati. The company says it rolled out a mobile glass and ADAS fleet in November in Tennessee.
“Providing glass and ADAS services is an important initiative to the company. Our expansion with a Georgia- based glass business will only further position Tire Discounters for growth in this area,” says Jamie Ward, president and CEO of Tire Discounters.
Additionally, Tire Discounters opened a new store in Lawrenceville, Ga. The company renovated a former Tires Plus store in this Atlanta suburb.
Tire Discounters also has stores in Oglethorpe, Dalton, Watkinsville and Athens, Ga.
“Our excitement for the Atlanta area is huge,” says Ward.
In December 2020 Tire Discounters welcomed Porterfield Tires' two retail stores, commercial outlet and a warehouse/distribution center to the fold. That has accelerated the company's expansion in the south, and Tire Discounters says it expects to add 30 locations in the Atlanta market in 2022.
“Porterfield has been a fantastic addition to the Tire Discounters family, and we’re excited to add Bulldog Tire, Lightning Auto Glass and additional family-run stores, which are the heart and soul of the tire business,” says Ward.
Moving into a new state
The company is also growing outside of Georgia, and the acquisition of Tire Outfitters in Winchester, Va.
“Adding Tire Outfitters to our family is another natural fit for us,” says Anna Wood, Tire Discounters managing director. “When the opportunity came along, we couldn’t pass it up and we look forward to this being the first of many growth opportunities in Virginia.”
Ed Duncan, the owner and operator of Tire Outfitters, says, “Protecting my company’s proud legacy and ensuring my people, some of whom have been with Tire Outfitters for 20 or 30 years, was of utmost importance to me. Tire Discounters is the perfect match for us as we look to provide the infrastructure and support system for this business and its people to continue to grow and flourish into the future."
'A fantastic partner'
Ronnie Ward, owner and operator of Bulldog Tire, says he sees a similarity between his business, founded in 1973, and Tire Discounters.
“Bulldog Tire is a proud brand and business, having served our customers well for many years. Tire Discounters is a fantastic partner for us as we look to strengthen our value proposition with customers and our employees," he says. "We look forward to a bright future of continuing to exceed our customers’ expectations."
Jamie Ward says, "We’re not striving to be the biggest. Our goal continues to be the best. We have been recognized the best in the markets where we have stores. We will continue to open in really terrific markets where we see an opportunity to grow."
The company says through acquisitions and organic growth, it has the potential to open 60 locations next year.
“We are actively looking for family-owned businesses like Bulldog Tire, Lightning Auto Glass and Tire Outfitters that want to protect their legacy but know that operating an automotive business in today’s world has become more and more challenging,” Ward said. “This is a unique offering and one we are proud to provide. We look forward to welcoming other businesses to the Tire Discounters family with the same commitment.”
