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Community Corner

17 INDEPENDENT RETAILERS BAND TOGETHER TO FORM UNITED TIRE & SERVICE

We are pleased to announce the launch of United Tire & Service. This group of 17 independent tire stores in the Delaware Valley is uniting against the big box retailers and national tire dealers. By joining forces, this group of tire dealers and auto repair facilities are able to offer the consumer the most competitive pricing on big name brands like Goodyear and Michelin – while still providing the high level of customer service expected from a local center. This comprehensive retail platform provides these independent dealers with a brand identity and the buying power to, not only survive in such a competitive marketplace but to also become leaders in it.

 

"We are now able to compete and win with every major national tire center chain,” says Ken Sylvester, President of United Tire & Service, “without compromising our mission to not only meet our customers’ expectations but to exceed them.”

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All locations will remain exactly the same – including the same store managers and ASE certified technicians – with the exception of a new branded identity and increased buying power. Each store will continue to be run by the local owner that lives in the community of that store.

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It is estimated that six new independent tire centers will join the group by the end of 2014, with more to follow thereafter. Each store is dedicated to contributing to their local community’s economic development and expects employment to increase across the network by over 10%. As a collective group, United Tire & Service will be ranked as the largest independent tire group in the region. In fact, in their market area, they are the second largest tire group period, preceded only by the mega chain Pep Boys.

 

“We hope this real life David & Goliath story inspires other small business owners to hold their own against industry conglomerates,” says Ken Sylvester.

 

On April 29th United Tire & Services will celebrate the 17-store launch with a grand opening event at the Main Line store at 208 East Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore at 11:30 am. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at noon. 

 

In honor of this exciting venture United Tire & Services will be making a donation of $5,000, as well as a percentage of proceeds from opening day sales, to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), an organization very close to their hearts. MADD is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. The donation will be made in the name of Ian Mann, a mechanic from the Downingtown location who was tragically killed by a drunk driver.

 

United Tire & Service has 17 locations in the Delaware Valley with even more to come. Each facility offers the best and most competitively priced brand name tires and all aspects of automotive repairs including oil changes, tune-ups, tire balancing and more. For more information on United Tire & Service please visit www.unitedtire.com. And make sure to stay connec
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