Some of the country’s largest commercial tire dealerships have grown through acquisitions, relocations or new facilities in the past year.
In October 2023, Bethlehem, Pa.-based Service Tire Truck Centers Inc. (STTC) acquired Giant Tire Service of Hawthorne, N.J. This deal gave STTC eight locations in the New Jersey area.
STTC dealership ranked number seven on MTD’s 2023 list of the Top 25 Commercial Tire Dealers in the U.S.
At the time, Walt Dealtrey, president and CEO of STTC, said Giant Tire Service "has been widely recognized for its exceptional truck and earthmover services" for decades.
He said the acquisition was "an ideal match for both organizations."
The deal brought STTC to 54 total locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
In November 2023, Frederick, Md.-based Rice Tire Co., opened a new commercial truck tire location in Camp Hill, Pa. The new outlet features three bays and is 9,000 square feet. It's the company’s 13th location.
Rice Tire ranked 19 on the 2023 Top 25 Commercial Tire Dealer list.
In March 2024, truck stop chain Pilot Flying J announced plans to open 30 new Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J locations within the next year.
Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J is a joint venture with Columbia, Miss.-based Southern Tire Mart LLC, the biggest commercial tire dealership in the U.S.
"We are very excited about our partnership with Pilot and the opportunities moving forward," said Tommy Duff, who, along with his brother, Jim Duff, owns Southern Tire Mart. (The Duffs were the recipients of MTD's Tire Dealer of the Year Award in 2021.)
Southern Tire Mart and Pilot Travel Centers joined forces in January 2021 to establish the Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J network.
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.-based McCarthy Tire Service Co. Inc. made two big moves in the commercial tire world this year.
In April 2024, the company unveiled a new in-house commercial wheel refinishing facility, which can refinish more than 1,000 wheels per day.
The new facility in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. features new technology and eco-friendly processes to deliver wheel restoration. Trained technicians utilize new equipment for inspections, surface preparation, pre-treatment and automated coating.
“This investment reflects our dedication to providing our customers with unparalleled efficiency and a one-stop shop for all their commercial tire and wheel needs,” said John McCarthy Jr., president of McCarthy Tire, which came in at number five on the 2023 Top 25 Commercial Tire Dealers list.
McCarthy was MTD's Tire Dealer of the Year in 2019.
Then, in June of this year, the company relocated its Williamsport, Pa., location to a larger facility.
Given the larger footprint of the new facility, McCarthy Tire has closed its old Williamsport location.
“The facility on Reach Road boasts comprehensive solutions for both passenger and commercial vehicles, from tires to services such as alignments, oil changes, state inspections and more,” said John McCarthy III, regional president at McCarthy Tire Service.
Norwell, Mass.-based Sullivan Tire Co. Inc., expanded its footprint by buying the assets of seven Stratham Tire locations. The stores are in Bangor and Auburn, Maine, Portsmouth and Brentwood, N.H.
The acquisition was announced in May of this year and the new locations opened under the Sullivan Tire name at the beginning of June.
All the newly acquired locations continue to provide complete auto service, while the Bangor, Auburn and Brentwood outlets also offer commercial truck service and products.
“Current employees at the Stratham Tire locations will have the opportunity to stay on as Sullivan Tire employees, maintaining the local relationships that have been established in the area,” according to Sullivan Tire officials.
Stratham Tire ranked 24 on the 2023 Top 25 Commercial Tire Dealers list, with Sullivan Tire landing at 21.
