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Kelly-Springfield to Produce Winston Tires

10 June 1997

    CUMBERLAND, Md., June 10 -- A long-term supply agreement was
announced today by the J. H. Heafner Co., and The Kelly-Springfield Tire
Company for the production of over one million tires annually.
    Kelly-Springfield is a division of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
    In a joint announcement, William H. Gaither, president of Heafner, and Lee
N. Fiedler, president of Kelly-Springfield, said the tire company will be
manufacturing Winston brand tires Heafner's newest acquisition.  Heafner, one
of the country's largest tire distributors headquartered in Lincolnton, N.C.,
purchased Oliver & Winston Inc., of Burbank, Calif., in May.
    Winston is the country's fourth largest independent tire dealership,
according to a tire industry ranking.  Heafner intends to continue to operate
the company's 175 retail outlets under the Winston Tire banner.
    Kelly-Springfield will manufacture Winston brand radial light truck and
passenger tires in their plants in Fayetteville, N.C., and Tyler, Texas.
    According to Gaither, the popular Winston tire lines will be sold in the
retail stores located in California and Arizona.  "In addition, we plan to
distribute the Winston brand from our distribution centers along the
Southeast, which covers 18 states," Gaither said.
    Kelly-Springfield's Monarch tire lines have been sold by the North
Carolina company since 1972.  Also, the company produces a high performance
line of Heafner's private label tires, Regul.
    "Kelly-Springfield is known throughout the industry for making quality
products and for their responsiveness to customers.  As we approach the next
century, supplier partnerships will be more important than ever.  We have a
good history with Kelly-Springfield and that will add to our success," said
Gaither.
    Fiedler added:  "Heafner is a company with good direction and a definite
plan for the future.  We are pleased with the opportunity to grow our
partnership will Bill Gaither and the Heafner organization."

SOURCE  The Kelly-Springfield Tire Company