GCR Tire Centers 60th Anniversary - Congrats!
August 24, 2005; With years of success as an industry leader, GCR Tire Centers has something
to celebrate. The leading commercial tire supplier in North America which
focuses on the service and tire needs of truckers, is celebrating its own
long haul the company¹s 60th anniversary.
What started out in 1945 as one small store in Texas has grown into a
network of commercial tire and service providers spanning the United States
and Canada. Today, GCR Tire Centers is the largest commercial tire company
in the world with nearly 200 store locations and an additional 28 retread
shops. The company employs more than 2,000 teammates, and has more than
1,000 technical service employees focusing on customer needs such as on-site
service repairs and 24-hour roadside assistance.
³Thanks to the dedication and constant drive of each team member, GCR Tire
Centers has continued to grow and succeed as a leader in its industry. At
each step, we have worked as a team to surpass customers¹ expectations and
provide outstanding service,² said Mike Caswell, president, GCR Tire
Centers.
In 1945, Mr. Balie Griffith opened the first of the GCR tire stores in
Odessa, Texas. His son, Balie Griffith, Jr. and two other experienced tire
dealers, Harold Crawford and Perry Rose, later joined their businesses in
Abilene and Austin, Texas, to form the corporation that took its name from
theirs, The GCR Group, Inc. After acquisition by Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
in 1987, the Group was renamed GCR Truck Tire Centers and is now GCR Tire
Centers.
GCR Tire Centers has been honored with numerous awards, among them being
ranked #1 by J.D. Power & Associates in the 2004 Canadian Customer
Commitment StudySM in the category of ³Highest Overall Customer Satisfaction
Among Service Providers,² and being the recipient of Vulcan Materials
Company¹s Gold Service Award in both 2004 and 2005, signifying outstanding
performance as a supplier.
GCR Tire Centers serve the commercial industry with truck tire service and
retreading; agricultural, forestry and flotation tires and service; and also
services off-the-road customers with tires and service for the mining and
construction industries. GCR¹s broad range of services include providing
foam fill, truck alignment, wheel refurbishing, conveyer belts and 24-hour
roadside service. By offering this variety of products from the world's
leading manufacturers, Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and other quality
brands, GCR is able to handle customers' tire and service requirements.
From their achievements throughout the past 60 years, GCR Tire Centers is
continuing to go above and beyond for their customers. There is no doubt
this determined company will be offering superior service for another 60
years.
