Getting to Know You:
Alex Conlan Technicians aren’t just experts in diesel engines—there are some specialized fields such as tire maintenance and retreading that the trucking industry depends on to keep freight moving. Conlan Tire and his team are perfect examples of this. Conlan Tire is based in Mulberry and was founded by Alex Conlan in 2015. They specialize in setting the bar at a new level when it comes to retread quality and innovation. They have a fleet of 60 service trucks capable of servicing the biggest offroad tires or industrial forklift press-ons. What made you decide to go into the tire retreading business? When I was 18 years old, the only place that would hire me was a commercial retread shop. Turns out, working in the watermelon fields was great training for stacking truck tires. What’s the most adventurous thing you have ever done? I once crossed the country on an XR650 Dirt Bike.
32 | SUMMER 2018
What was the most challenging thing about starting your business?
families show up to support them! Very touching.
The most challenging task in starting our business was finding the right team members to build this company with you.
Strangest reason a tire needed to be fixed?
What is something most people don’t know about your industry? Technology has grown leaps and bounds in our business. Retreading today is nothing like it was years ago in the top shops. Who do you most admire? I admire my mom and dad because they raised 7 children on a small farm. Best thing about having kids? Best thing about having kids is being able to play with their toys! What was the best thing about SuperTech this year? I really enjoyed seeing how much the event meant to the participants. I couldn’t believe how many of them had their
FLORIDA TRUCK NEWS
We were not able to fix the tire, however, we had a road call for a flat and once we arrived on site, it did not take long for us to figure out the guy had hit a porcupine. Porcupines will ruin a tire! Best vacation you ever took? I took a week off and stayed at home with my family… BEST IDEA EVER!! What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever received? I was told not to start my own business. What did you want to be when you grew up? I actually wanted to be a truck driver. If you could move anywhere, where would it be? Continental Tire asked me this once, and I said “Florida”!