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    ITDG continues growth, expects to reach 100 shareholders this year

    July 7, 2015
    1673379639356 Itdgcontinuesgrowthexpectstoreach100shareholdersthisyear

    The Independent Tire Dealers Group LLC (ITDG) now has a presence in 41 states, with over 550 retail locations and 144 members and 97 shareholders participating. Calling itself the “Band of Brothers,” the ITDG has become a leading “affinity group” in the industry.

    Michael Cox, CEO and president, spoke to the group and its key vendors during its annual meeting last month in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “We only had a presence in four states in 2003 with half the number of shareholders that we have today.

    “Our goals for 2015 are to have 100-plus shareholders and eclipse $200 million in purchases,” Cox said. The group had a 4.35% return to shareholders in 2014, a number that Cox said was very strong.

    Cox and Ed Long, executive vice president of sales and marketing, told MTD that they are continuing their efforts to increase the group’s footprint, “but we want to be selective in how we grow the group. We will not infringe on our existing shareholders’ market areas and we want to make sure any new member shares our visions and values.”

    “Our group offers tire dealers the ability to be part of a larger entity that puts them on a level playing field with the larger retailers and big box dealers, not to mention new car dealers. In the marketplace of today and tomorrow, independent dealers need buying and negotiating power, and that’s what we deliver,” said Long.

    The ITDG currently has buying arrangements with 13 tire suppliers as well as vendors for wheels, lubricants, automotive parts and shop equipment. The captive insurance program that offers workers’ compensation coverage for members continues to attract new signees.     ■

    About the Author

    Greg Smith | Publisher

    A 36-year veteran of automotive trade publishing, Greg Smith has held various publishing positions at the management level. He has worked extensively on both the editorial and publishing sides of the business and is a recognized expert in the aftermarket and tire industries. As such, he is a frequent speaker at many industry events. He has traveled internationally as an advocate for the industries he serves.

    Currently as publisher of Modern Tire Dealer, Greg is responsible for the brand’s business operations.  MTD is where Greg got his start, and through most of the last three decades, has led it to tire market prominence.  

    To support education in the tire industry, Greg leads MTD in its sponsorship of the Tire Industry Association’s Certified Instructor Training Tour, a program designed to train the trainer in proper safety and step-by-step procedures for proper wheel installation. As further reinforcement, Greg created the Performance Handbook, a how-to publication on proper ways to mount, balance and work with performance tires. 

    To help recognize outstanding tire dealers, Greg helped establish the MTD Dealer of the Year award over 20 years ago. The award provides a deserving tire dealer with recognition for accomplishments both within the industry and in the dealer’s local community. 

    Greg helped launch Auto Service Professional magazine in 2010. The primary focus of Auto Service Professional is to provide high-level information to an audience of more than 150,000 automotive professional technicians whether they are business owners or technicians. 

    From his early years in the market, Greg has been active participating on industry committees and boards. Among the early ones were APAA and ASIA, and has since participated in AWDA, SEMA, NTDRA, TIA and TANA. 

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