K&M Tire Inc. added warehouses, grew the Mr. Tire and Big 3 Tire marketing programs, upgraded its web-based tire ordering system and expanded commercial and farm tire offerings in 2013. At its annual dealer meeting in mid-January in Chicago, the company reviewed 2013 and shared plans for 2014.
In 2013, K&M opened a new warehouse in Barneswell, Minn., to serve the Fargo, N.D. market. A new distribution center was built in Bismarck, N.D to replace a smaller leased facility. The company moved its Dallas distribution center to a larger facility. A new distribution center in Oklahoma City will be operational at the end of February, enabling K&M to serve tire dealers within a 150-mile radius of the city.
K&M, which is based in Delphos, Ohio, operates 16 warehouses.
Also in 2013, K&M:
* grew the Mr. Tire and Big 3 Tire marketing programs by 34% in 2013 to more than 600 members;
* introduced a mobile friendly version of Weblink, its web-based online tire ordering system; and
* added commercial tires from O’Green Tire & Wheel LLC and Double WAREHOUSECoin Holdings Ltd. and Cultor farm tires from Mitas Tires North America Inc.
For 2014, dealers can expect expanded distribution routes throughout K&M’s service area, especially in the new markets of Houston, Dallas and Oklahoma City.
“This year our focus will be in Texas and Oklahoma to grow those areas. They’re our newest areas and we would like to build them up a little bit more. We are looking at possibly acquiring some other small wholesalers in those areas,” says Cheryl Gossard, vice president.
On Jan. 23, K&M announced the purchase of Mid-Tex Wholesale Tire, effective Jan. 27.
For more details on the Mid-Tex purchase, click here.
