Becker Tire & Treading Inc. will celebrate its 50th year in the tire industry on July 7, 2004. The Great Bend, Kan.-based dealership is one of the largest tire distributors and retreaders between St. Louis and Denver.
Started by Harold Becker in 1954, Becker Tire has grown from one retail store into a conglomerate of seven retail stores, one commercial truck center, a wholesale department, a 20,000-square-foot used tire warehouse and a state-of-the-art Bandag retread plant. The company employs more than 150 people.
Becker Tire also supplies 28 independent "satellite locations" with product and signage. The network of wholesale dealers is part of Becker Tire's Home Town Tire Dealer program, which stretches from Kansas into Texas and Missouri.
Harold Becker, 89, is retired. The family-owned business is run by Harold's son, Wayne, chairman and CEO, and Gary Albright, president and COO. Steve Burhenn, executive vice president and CRO; Paul Doll, senior vice president; and Jeanie Radke, vice president of accounting, also help oversee day-to-day operations.
The dealership offers Toyo, Cooper, Sigma, Multi-Mile and Kumho consumer tires, Bridgestone and Firestone medium truck tires, and Michelin agricultural tires.
On July 1, Becker Tire will host a "Chamber Coffee" and barbeque near the company's headquarters in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
