Bruce Halle, chairman of Discount Tire, is the winner of Modern Tire Dealer magazine’s 2014 Tire Dealer of the Year Award. Halle was chosen to receive the industry’s oldest and most prestigious award from more than 30,000 eligible independent tire dealers throughout North America.
Discount Tire was started by Halle in 1960 with two new tires, four retreaded tires, and a quality he emphasizes above all others: integrity. A definition of "integrity," penned by his good friend Karl Eller, hangs in the showroom of all 887 retail stores in 28 states.
"It also hangs in several places in all of our offices, warehouses and cross docks," says Halle. "The more you read it, the greater the message becomes."
(To read how Eller, author of "Integrity is All You've Got," defines integrity, check out MTD Editor Bob Ulrich's editorial in the September issue click on "Ties that bind.")
Reinalt-Thomas Corp., which does business as Discount Tire (and America’s Tire in parts of California and Oregon), is No. 1 on the Modern Tire Dealer 100 list of top independent tire dealer chains in the United States.
Halle is Modern Tire Dealer’s 22nd Tire Dealer of the Year, the highest honor that an independent tire dealer can attain. Nominees are evaluated on their business success, marketing skills, management skills, industry knowledge and community involvement. They were chosen by a panel of five independent judges.
“Bruce embodies all the best qualities of an independent tire dealer,” says Greg Smith, publisher of Modern Tire Dealer. “He leads a $4.2 billion company with integrity and without micromanaging. He gives back to his people and the community. And he makes sure his customers receive service that exceeds their expectations.”
A $16,000 donation from Modern Tire Dealer and the following participating suppliers will be made in Halle’s name to the Bruce T. Halle Assistance Fund:
* AT&T Inc., Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC, Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co., CompuCom Systems Inc., Continental Tire the Americas LLC, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Dill Air Control Products LLC, Drag Wheels, Falken Tire Corp., FedEx Corp.
* Giti Tire (USA) Ltd., Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Gorilla Automotive Products, Hankook Tire America Corp., Hennessy Industries Inc., Hunter Engineering Co., JD Companies (Level 8 Motorsports), Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc., Lavidge Co., Liquidmetal Motorsports Inc., Michelin North America Inc., Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., Nokian Tyres North America, Pirelli Tire North America Inc., Pro Comp USA.
* SAP North America, Team Penske, TSISSG (Tire Service Equipment Manufacturing Co. Inc. and Saf-tee Siping & Grooving Inc.), Vee Rubber America Inc., Voxx Products Inc., Wegmann automotive USA Inc. (Perfect Equipment), Willis of Arizona Inc. and Yokohama Tire Corp.
The Bruce T. Halle Assistance Fund is a non-profit organization designed to help Discount Tire employees in need. “It helps employees with real problems,” says Halle, “financial problems, health problems, maybe a death in the family, anything.” Everybody in the company contributes to the fund, he adds.
Past Tire Dealer of the Year winners include tire industry icons like the late Les Schwab of Les Schwab Tire Centers in Bend, Ore. (2000); Paul Zurcher of Monroe, Ind.-based Zurcher Tire Inc./Best-One Tire & Service (2005); Bob and Juanita Purcell of Potosi, Mo.-based Purcell Tire & Rubber Co. (2004); Bob Sullivan, president of Sullivan Tire Co. Inc. (2012); Larry Morgan, founder of Morgan Tire & Auto Inc. (2001); and last year’s winners, Dan and Diane Hennelly of Hennelly Tire & Auto Inc.
To read the articles on Halle, click here.
