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.