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Mergers and Acquisitions

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Pirelli invests in Mexico

Pirelli & Cie SpA will invest $15 million at its plant in Silao, Mexico, over the course of the next two years. The investment includes the creation of a research and development center at the plant.

Goodyear expands network

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has added two outlets to its company-owned store network — one in Dayton, Ohio, and another in Beckley, W. Va.

OK Tire store opens

A new OK Tire location has opened in Balcarres, Saskatchewan, under the leadership of a trio of owners — Gregory den Brok, Jai Deep and Aaron Leegwater. The team has more than 20 years of experience. The new store will offer passenger and commercial tires, plus on-the-farm and 24-hour mobile tire service.

RNR gives a mom a car

RNR Tire Express recently chose Shante Johnson in Safety Harbor, Fla., from more than 5,000 nominations as the winner of its 2022 Mother’s Day Giveaway. Her prize was a 2022 Hyundai Kona.

Allied Tire founder dies

R. Conrad Heinson, the founder of Allied Oil & Supply Inc. and later Allied Tire Co., died May 16 at the age of 96. He started Allied Oil & Supply in 1958 and later opened Allied Tire, creating a network of retail tire stores that stretched from Omaha, Neb., to San Diego, Calif.

Sun Auto enters Oregon

Sun Auto Tire & Service Inc. has entered the Oregon market by acquiring Good Neighbor Tire & Auto Service, which has two stores in that state, plus two more outlets in Washington.

Pomp’s supports TAT

Pomp’s Tire Service Inc. is supporting the mission of Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT). The commercial tire dealership has added the nonprofit’s logo and safety message onto its first truck and is training employees to be on the lookout for victims of human trafficking. Pomp’s, which is based in Green Bay, Wis., has been a partner with TAT since 2017.

Flynn’s Tire is looking for a few good dealerships

Another independent tire dealership, Hermitage, Pa.-based Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service, is on the acquisition trail. “We’re looking to grow,” says Joe Flynn III, the company’s president.

Flynn’s Tire has more than 30 locations.

Flynn says “there are two things we’re looking for. One is if somebody has a single store with good sales numbers in either western Pennsylvania or eastern Ohio. And we’re interested in multi-store dealerships. We would consider chains outside our current area.”

In September 2021, Flynn’s Tire acquired Snyder Tire, a single-location dealership in Wintersville, Ohio, from its longtime owner, Don Snyder. Other recent Flynn’s Tire acquisitions include L&M tire, a dealership with stores in Hermitage and Grove City, Pa., and Wexford Goodyear, which was based in Wexford, Pa.

In September 2021, Flynn’s Tire acquired Snyder Tire, a single-location dealership in Wintersville, Ohio, from its longtime owner, Don Snyder (pictured center, with left, Flynn’s Tire President Joe Flynn III and Jim Flynn, company vice president.)

Three TIA veterans earn new titles

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has reorganized its leadership team, resulting in new titles for three veteran employees.

CEO Dick Gust says the changes to TIA’s organizational structure will help the association better serve its mission. All three will report to Gust.

The changes include new titles and responsibilities for longtime TIA executives Sandra Martinez, who becomes chief operating officer; Kevin Rohlwing, who is now chief technical officer; and LaKisha Pindell, who has been named vice president of meetings and events.

Previously vice president of operations, Martinez is a 24-year veteran of TIA. She will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day business operations, including finance and human resources, as well as ensuring the infrastructure is in place to achieve TIA’s strategic goals and deliver on its mission statement. She also will have direct responsibility of overseeing policies and procedures needed to drive sustainable growth and operational efficiency within TIA, according to the association.

Rohlwing, who most recently served as TIA’s senior vice president of training, has spent 26 years developing and directing the association’s tire technician training programs. He will be responsible for analyzing tire industry data and trends to ensure the content and direction of the association’s technical training programs, seminars, workshops and white papers are aligned with TIA’s strategic goals.

In addition, he will be tasked with ensuring that TIA’s industry positions are consistent with existing regulations, standards, guidelines and best practices, as well as defending those positions in regulatory proceedings and civil litigation, when necessary.

He also will create timelines for the development and deployment of technology services to maintain a “member-focused outlook” and ensure that technical resources meet the association’s short- and long-term goals, Gust said.

Pindell, a certified meetings planner, has spent 18 years at TIA organizing and managing board meetings, special events and conferences. She will be responsible for overseeing all activities related to the association’s meetings, conferences and special events. In addition, Pindell will implement event strategies, assist in event venue research, create vendor networks, and conduct contract negotiations for meeting and event support services and contact sponsors. ■