Discount Tire has acquired the retail tire and automotive maintenance operations of Dunn Tire in a transaction that closed Sept. 30. In addition to tire sales, alignments and tire-related services, Dunn Tire provides parts and installations for brakes, lube and oil services, front-end repairs and state vehicle inspections at 25 locations in western and central New York and Pennsylvania, Discount said.
“We are excited to connect with Randy and Robert Clark to bring Dunn Tire into our family as we enter the next phase of our company’s growth,” said Christian Roe, Discount Tire’s chief revenue officer. “They have built an exceptional business serving customers across New York and Pennsylvania. Looking ahead, we will continue to grow our businesses in new markets and bring full-service offerings to customers.”
The current Dunn Tire chairman, Randall Clark, and a group of Buffalo, New York, area investors acquired Dunn Tire from founder James Dunn in the 1990s. The acquisition of Dunn Tire by Discount Tire expands Discount Tire’s retail footprint in Pennsylvania and marks an entrance for the company into New York markets, Discount said.
“We have the deepest respect for the strong culture that Discount Tire has fostered over its history,” said Randall Clark. “In searching for the right partner that would uphold the highest standard of care and respect for our people and customers, it became clear that was something only Discount Tire could offer.”
Dunn Tire executive Robert Clark, managing director of retail operations, will continue to manage the brand’s day-to-day retail and service operations. Chris Adams, senior vice president at Discount Tire, has oversight of full-service and fleet business segments. All current Dunn Tire retail management and store employees remain employed. The 25 locations acquired by Discount Tire will continue to operate using the Dunn Tire brand name.
Dunn Tire’s investors will retain independent ownership of Exxpress Tire Delivery, a wholesale business operating five distribution centers serving thousands of accounts in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. That business, which employs more than 200 team members in the region and sells all major brands, will continue to be led by the current president, David Simons, and vice presidents, Paul Pittner and Stephen Clave.
Discount Tire is the retail brand name of The Reinalt-Thomas Corporation, which does business as Discount Tire in most of the U.S. and as America’s Tire in parts of California and Pennsylvania. It also owns Tire Rack, a consumer-direct source and wholesaler of tires, wheels and accessories. Previously, the company acquired Ellisville Tire & Service located near St. Louis, Missouri.
Randall Clark, Bruce Halle, founder of Discount Tire, and Tire Rack founder Peter Veldman were inducted together into the Tire Industry Association Hall of Fame in 2012.
“In many ways, the acquisition of Dunn Tire is a storied reunion between great leaders and great people that take care of their communities,” said Adams.
