New Orleans was the site of the recent Tire Alliance Groupe Ltd. (TAG) Member/Vendor Spring Meeting. According to President Paul Alves, the group has changed over its 20 years in existence in terms of membership, scope and programs.
“Each year is a challenge as we continue to grow. There are different requirements in terms of member needs, vendor programs, and commitments on both sides. And as the industry has really been flat as it relates to retail sales, we have been fortunate to have the member dedication to continue to grow with our preferred vendors."
Alves presented record revenue results for 2015 to his membership. For the fifth year in a row, the group had substantial revenue growth and paid out record dividends to its members. TAG distributed more than $12 million in rebates and bonuses.
"We have worked hard to have the right vendors and programs that not only are very strong partners but deliver high value in terms of buying opportunities and support," says Alves. "We have been able to structure these programs where we are maximizing bonuses with the group’s volume leverage and buying power.”
TAG is planning to celebrate its 20th anniversary at its Member/Vendor Fall Meeting in New York City.
TAG’s base of large regional retailers and distributors continues to be the key to the group’s success, he says. “Our growth is not only attributed to the existing members taking on more programs from our product portfolio, but also to the addition of key new members and new vendor programs.”
In 2015 TAG added two strategic members.
1. Mavis Tire Supply Corp., based out of Millwood, N.Y., joined the group through its acquisition of Somerset Tire Service Inc. That added an additional 163 retail locations to the membership store count in the N.Y., New Jersey and Pennsylvania area. Mavis and the existing STS stores make up a total of 320-plus locations in this region.
2. Express Oil Change LLC, based out of Birmingham, Ala., does business as Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, Tire Engineers, Epperly Tire, Upton Tire, Trax Tire and Savannah Tire. Express Oil Co. operates a total of 257 retail locations (which includes franchise operations) throughout the southeast region.
The new members have increased the group’s total number to 16 members representing well over 2,500 retail outlets.
While TAG’s growth has been strong, Alves says the group continues to look at expansion opportunities in markets where strategic additions make good business sense and strengthen the relationships TAG enjoys with its vendors partners.
