Wonderland Tire Co. has acquired Ray's Tire, a fellow commercial and retail tire dealership with two locations in Wisconsin.
Ray's Tire operates stores in Appleton and Green Bay, and offers tires as well as a full menu of automotive repair services. Owner David Ellis is a third-generation owner of the business, and according to its website, he's owned Ray's Tire (named after his grandfather) since 1984. The business was founded in 1937.
Wonderland Tire says the purchase of Ray's Tire "marks a significant milestone in Wonderland Tire’s ongoing commitment to growth." The locations give Wonderland Tire a step into a new market — one “we’ve always talked about doing business in,” said Dave Langerak, chief operating officer of Wonderland Tire. “We’re excited to expand our footprint and we can now offer our AcuTread remanufactured tires in the Wisconsin area.
“Ray’s, as a family owned and operated independent tire dealer, is exactly aligned with our business principles. David Ellis holds to the same values we hold dear as a company. Those values being family, value and trust concerning our customers, suppliers and associates.”
Langerak said Wonderland Tire will “invest in the training, systems and new equipment at Ray’s Tire so that current employees can enjoy a long-term future with a proven family-owned company."
He said Ellis plans to continue working for Wonderland Tire as a manager of the Green Bay location.
“In making the decision to sell my third-generation family business, one of the most important factors for me was to find a company that had the same type of values,” said Ellis. “In Wonderland Tire, I could not have found a better fit. They have shown that they take care of their customers and employees, and I am excited to continue my career working for them.”
With this move into Wisconsin, Wonderland Tire now operates retail and commercial locations in seven states. The six existing states include the company's home state of Michigan, plus Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.
