Les Schwab Tire Centers is a tire retail chain operating in the western United States. Founded in 1952, The company is named for founder Les Schwab and is headquartered in Central Oregon. The private company employs over 7,000 people in eight western states. The company is known for its customer-oriented employees and product guarantees.

History

Les Schwab founded the company with a single store in Bend, Oregon, when he bought OK Rubber Welders in 1952. The headquarters were later moved to nearbye Prineville. In 1964, an annual February "Free-Beef" promotion started to boost sales during slow late-winter months. On December 12, 2006, the company announced that its headquarters will move to nearby Bend where a number of its executives live. Dick Borgman became CEO on the same day. As of 2007, the chain operates more than 410 stores in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The company does more than $1.6 billion in sales each year, and, according to the AP, is the number two private tire retailer in the United States.

Operations

In addition to tires, the company sells a variety of other auto parts and auto related services, including brakes and shocks. Forbes magazine ranks Les Schwab as the 324th largest privately held company in the country. Modern Tire Dealer has called the Les Schwab "arguably the most respected independent tire store chain in the United States." The company closes all of its stores on Sundays while employees are known for running to customer vehicles when they pull in to park.

References

External links

• Profile of founder Les Schwab
• Les Schwab and Conservation Partnerships
• Forbes
• Les Schwab Tire Centers Women in Management
• Les Schwab Tire Centers to Phase-Out Lead Wheel Weights
• Oregon Business Top 100 Companies to Work For, Les Schwab ranked #23