The Andersons Completes Sale of Tireman Interest
2 April 2000
MAUMEE, Ohio - The Andersons, Inc. announced on Friday that it has completed
the previously announced sale of its share of the Tireman Auto Centers to a
management group consisting of its former joint venture partner, privately
owned World Tire Corporation, and Randy Jones, former Tireman general manager
and now president of Tireman. The principals of World Tire are Bill and Brad Cox.
Tireman sells tires, batteries and automotive service at 10 locations in
northwest Ohio, with sales of light truck and passenger car tires representing
about half of the business. Total annual retail sales are approximately
$12 million.
The Andersons and Toledo-based World Tire formed the joint venture in
1981. "We have had a very solid business relationship, but as The Andersons
focuses on core businesses, the time is right to sell our interest in
Tireman," said Mike Anderson, president and chief executive officer of The
Andersons.
The change in ownership will not affect service or product offerings,
according to Bill Cox, World Tire president. "Our plans are to grow this
business, improve our brand selection and become even more competitive," he
added.
No terms of the sale were disclosed.
The Andersons is a respected leader and dominant regional player in the
grain industry. This strong position in its basic businesses has allowed the
company to diversify into other agribusiness operations, several processing
and manufacturing businesses, and general merchandise retailing. The company
has been in operation since 1947.
