TBC Corporation Adds Two New Directors to its Board

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Feb. 1, 2007 -- TBC Corporation, a leading marketer and retailer of automotive replacement tires in the U.S., announced two new appointments to its Board of Directors following the company's regularly scheduled meeting of the Board.

The new directors are two long serving TBC executives, Ken Dick, President & CEO, TBC Wholesale Division and Private Brands Division, and Orland Wolford, CEO, TBC Company Owned Retail Stores Division.

"We are very pleased to add these two individuals to the Board as I envision their depth of experience at the company, and their loyalty and dedication will be tremendous assets," said Susumu Kato, President and CEO of Sumitomo Corporation of America, which is the parent company of TBC Corporation.

Larry Day, TBC Chairman and CEO commented that Ken Dick and Orland Wolford both played major roles in the growth of the company, and he looks forward to their participation in leading the company's continued expansion.

Ken Dick has been with TBC for 36 years and currently serves as President & CEO of TBC Wholesale Division and TBC Private Brand Division, which includes Treadways, Carroll Tire and TreadExpress. Ken resides in Memphis, Tennessee with his wife, Nancy.

Orland Wolford joined TBC in 2000 and is the CEO of TBC company owned Retail Stores Division, which includes Tire Kingdom, Merchants and NTB Branded stores. Orland resides in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida with his wife, Tracey.

TBC Corporation is one of the nation's largest marketers of automotive replacement tires through a multi-channel strategy. The Company's retail operations include company-operated retail centers under the "Tire Kingdom," "Merchant's Tire & Auto Centers" and "National Tire & Battery" brands and franchised retail tire stores under the "Big O Tires" brand. TBC markets on a wholesale basis to regional tire chains and distributors serving independent tire dealers throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Company's proprietary tire brands have a longstanding reputation for quality, safety and value.

TBC Corporation is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation of America and Sumitomo Corporation , one of the world's leading traders of goods and services.