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Show David Early Tire acquires five Goodyear tire stores By GARY R. BLODGETT David Early Tires, Inc., the Intermountain West's largest in-- in-- dependent tire retailer, has acquired five Goodyear company-owned stores and - unveiled plans to distribute Goodyear tires at discounted dis-counted prices through their 19 stores. A Utah-based corporation, David Early Tires has a current payroll of .about 225 employees and expects to t add 50 to 60 employees with the addition of the five Goodyear stores. "While our growth alongfthe -t Wasatch Front has been rapid in the past,' this most recent purchase is , our most ambitious move ever," - said President. David Early. -'It reflects our company's strengthening strengthen-ing position in the tire and service industry, as well as bur deep commitment com-mitment to Utah." Goodyear Tire, with an annual gross sales of more than $8 billion, claims to be the world's largest tire manufacturer. Goodyear officials said they will give distribution, marketing and training support to the David Early stores. Local Goodyear officials confirmed con-firmed that future expansion of their firm will center around David Early retail outlets "and that no new local Goodyear stores are planned." "This type of arrangement between be-tween a major manufacturer, like Goodyear, and an independent tire company is unprecedented," said Alan Hansen, vice president of operations for David Early; "It's an historic landmark agreement that forms an on-going relationship with Goodyear that goes beyond buying their stores and tires." He said former Goodyear customers will be able to purchase both Gooflyear's full line of performance per-formance tires, plus certified auto service for mechanical work, through David Early's cost-plus pricing. David Early has been in the tire and automotive business for 17 years and has stores along the Wasatch Wa-satch Front - including one in Bountiful - and in Phoenix and Las Vegas. ' r Vi-- CERTIFIED -. . A David Early Auto Service Center will soon be opening at five Goodyear company-owned stores. David Early will distribute ..; Goodyear tires at discounted prices through 19 stores. '''' |
