HUTCHINSON, KS — T.O. Haas Tire this month officially took over operations of Gullickson Tire in Hutchinson, Kan. This purchase will mark the fifth T.O. Haas Tire store in Kansas, bringing the total number of stores to thirty.
George Hoellen, president of T.O. Haas Tire, said the purchase was a good fit for a number of reasons. “Gullickson Tire was a very good customer of our former wholesale business and we’ve known Don and Freda for many years,” said Hoellen, speaking of the former owners, Don and Freda Menze. “We’re very excited that Don has agreed to stay on as store manager — obviously, he has a great relationship with his customers and employees as well as solid understanding of the Hutchinson marketplace.”
“Aside from the name, I don’t think our customers will notice any changes at all,” said Menze. “We’ll continue to offer the same products and services we provided as Gullickson Tire.” Regarding the buyout, Menze said “Now I can do what I love to do — serve my customers.”
In addition to serving their customers, Don and Freda have been very active in the community and the industry. Don served as president of the Mid America Tire Dealers Association, and he sat on the board of directors for the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce, while Freda has also served on various downtown Hutchinson committees. Their business has supported numerous organizations and clubs in the Hutchinson area.
Gullickson Tire originally opened as a BF Goodrich company owned store. The Menze’s have owned the store since 1983. T.O. Haas Tire is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska with locations in Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. The company is ranked 38th in the nation by Modern Tire Dealer Magazine in their listing of the top 100 independent tire store chains.
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