Ownership of Tredroc Tire Services Inc. has transitioned to Don Barnes Jr. and Bob Barnes of Belle Tire Distributors Inc. following the December 2019 retirement of John Lavelle.
Lavelle, the founder of the commercial tire dealership that eventually became Tredroc Tire Services, has sold his ownership interest to the Barnes brothers.
Up till Lavelle’s retirement, all three men were owners of Tredroc Tire Services. With the transaction, Tredroc Tire Services became a wholly owned subsidiary of Don and Bob Barnes’ business portfolio, which includes Belle Tire, a consumer tire chain of 114 retail stores.
Don Barnes Jr. will serve as chairman of the board for Tredroc. Larry Jeffries, a former Bridgestone executive, will continue in his role as Tredroc’s chief executive officer, a position he has held since 2018.
“Tredroc will continue to operate independently with the support of Don and Bob,” notes Jeffries. “We’re excited to be a part of Don and Bob Barnes' businesses as well as part of Belle Tire, an independent dealership that’s been in business since 1922 and is currently the ninth largest independent retailer in the U.S. We look forward to the next steps in our plans for growth.”
Tredroc Tire Services holds the No. 13 spot on Modern Tire Dealer’s list of the largest independent commercial tire dealers in the country and is No. 21 on MTD’s top retreaders list. On the Modern Tire Dealer 100 list of the nation’s largest independent tire dealers, Tredroc Tire Services is tied for No. 59 and Belle Tire is ranked No. 9.
Lavelle laid the foundation for the success of today’s Tredroc Tire Services in 1977 when he established Antioch Tire Inc. The single-store dealership in Antioch, Ill., expanded with additional employees, service trucks and geographic coverage. Major acquisitions were made in 2001 and 2003. An acquisition in 2007 led to the creation of Tredroc Tire Services.
Today Tredroc Tire Services operates 19 commercial service centers, four retread plants and 270 service trucks. The company is headquartered in Elk Grove Village, Ill., and has locations in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
Few can parallel John’s contributions and influence in the commercial tire business, says Jeffries, Tredroc’s current CEO.
“John’s been instrumental in the commercial tire industry for more than 42 years, and he has touched many lives. He worked tirelessly for his company, his employees and his customers over the course of four decades. Though I have only had a few years to work with John, I can say with sincerity he will not only be missed as a business mentor, but also as a friend. All of us at Tredroc wish him the best in his retirement.”
Lavelle was honored by his employees at a celebration in mid-January.
