Bob and Juanita Purcell, owners of Purcell Tire & Rubber Co. in Potosi, Mo., are the winners of Modern Tire Dealer´s "2004 Tire Dealer of the Year" award.
An independent panel of judges named the Purcells winners based on five criteria: business success, marketing skills, management skills, industry knowledge and community involvement.
"The Purcells exemplify everything our Tire Dealer of the Year award stands for," says MTD Editor Bob Ulrich. "Their hard work and unselfishness make them one of the top independent tire dealers in the country."
Purcell Tire runs more than 60 locations throughout 10 states and Mexico, plus seven retread plants.
Earlier this week, MTD Publisher Greg Smith presented a $10,000 check to Pony Bird Inc. on behalf of the magazine, the Purcells and the following advertisers, listed alphabetically:
* Bank of America N.A.
* Carlisle Tire & Wheel Co.
* China Manufacturers Alliance LLC.
* Continental Tire North America Inc.
* CSK Auto Inc.
* Exide Technologies.
* Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
* Iowa Mold Tooling Co. Inc.
* MaddenCo Inc.
* Michelin North America Inc.
* Mighty Auto Parts.
* Myers Tire Supply Co.
* National City Corp.
* Sonsio Inc.
* Southwest Bank of St. Louis.
* TMP Worldwide.
* Yokohama Tire Corp.
Pony Bird is a Mapaville, Mo.-based organization that provides residential, recreational, educational and adult day programming services to individuals with severe physical and mental disabilities.
The Purcells were introduced to Pony Bird years ago through their relationship with an associate whose son was a resident there. They’ve enthusiastically supported the cause ever since.
MTD´s Tire Dealer of the Year award was started in 1993. It is the most presitious award an independent tire dealer can win. Last year´s winner was John Marshall of Grismer Tire Co. in Dayton, Ohio.
Read more about the Purcells by clicking on the article in the Current Issue section of our home page.
