Raben Tire Co. Inc. will acquire the assets of Disney Tire and Rubber Co. Inc., subject to final approvals and agreements. The deal is scheduled to close on December 31, according to Tom Raben, president of Raben Tire.
Disney Tire is a distributor of Summit, Remington, Hercules and other private brand tires. It has distribution centers in Louisville, Ky.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Knoxville, Tenn.
The centers serve about 1,500 wholesale customers -- most of them independent tire dealerships -- throughout Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia, Illinois and North Carolina.
Raben Tire, headquartered in Evansville, Ind., operates wholesale distribution facilities throughout the Midwest; they feature Goodyear, Michelin and a variety of other brands.
Raben Tire runs 32 retail, commercial and wholesale outlets, good for 34th place on Modern Tire Dealer's "Top 100 Independent Tire Store Chains" list.
The Disney and Raben product lines will be combined under the Raben Tire banner and will be the responsibility of Steve Disney, Disney Tire president.
Customers of both companies will see immediate benefits from the unification, including access to complete lines of consumer, commercial, agricultural, specialty tires and retreads, according to the parties.
"Combining our wholesale operations will allow Disney wholesale dealers access to major brand products, and will allow Raben Tire to improve operating efficiencies and increase service levels," says Disney.
"Both businesses have a long history of serving the needs of independent tire dealers in the Midwest and Midsouth regions, and I believe Raben Tire will be able to build on that tradition with great brands, robust dealer programs and strong growth," adds Raben.
