Rogers Group Experts in Crushed Stone, Aggregates, Gravel, Asphalt Paving, Road Construction, Quarries for 100 Years

Supplier Focus:
TDS / Universal Tire

J.R. Pickel, Sr. and his associates founded Universal Tire in 1944. The Pickel family gained control of the company in 1971, and for the next 26 years it enjoyed significant growth under the leadership of J.R. Pickel, Jr. Rogers Group used this supplier for several years in Knoxville and Gallatin, but just last year extended the relationship to span much of the Southern Region.

Tire Distribution Systems (TDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bandag Inc. of Muscatine, Iowa, stepped into the picture in 1997 when it acquired five large dealerships across the country, which included: Universal Tire in Nashville, TN; Southern Tire Mart in Columbia, MS; Joe Esco Tire Co. in Oklahoma City, OK; J.W. Brewer Tire Co. in Wheatridge, CO; and Sound Tire Co. in Auburn, WA.

December 1998 saw TDS further expand its reach by adding White Tire Co. of Nashville, Tennessee, a former Rogers Group supplier. This was a double bonus for RGI, since many of the White Tire Company personnel were already familiar with Rogers Group before they became part of TDS.

TDS is best known for their expertise in commercial tires, with approximately 75% of its business coming from that arena. Active wholesale business is 5%, with the remainder in retail. They have strong relationships with the new tire manufacturers: Bridgestone/Firestone, Continental General Tire, Yokohama Tire and Kelly Springfield.

"Ours is a hand in glove situation with the Rogers Group," said Ron Mohler, General Manager of TDS' Demonbruen location. "We have multiple locations across the Southeast, putting us very close to many of Rogers' sites. One of the most attractive things that TDS has brought to the table is reduced drive time on deliveries."

The company also conducts periodic inspections to keep RGI informed as to the condition of tires being used in the mining process. TDS then furnishes reports to superintendents to help them better manage their tires and keep costs as low as possible. For example, a tire that has been run too long cannot be retreaded, and this is very expensive for RGI.

"We are very pleased to be a part of Rogers' on-going Supplier Evaluation Process," remarked Mohler. "In this program, we are rated by the various sites, and can use this information as a yardstick for improvement. I applaud Jim Renfro and his team for putting it all together. This creates a climate in which we're able to operate in a productive and positive way."

Finding solutions for their customers is also important for the employees of TDS. "Rogers had a problem getting an odd sized tire," recounted Mohler. "We were able to locate a couple and get them on the equipment the very next day. This is just another reason why we think TDS provides value added service to Rogers."

Recently TDS participated in a safety refresher course organized by some of Rogers' Southern Region superintendents. They presented information on tire safety, air pressure, tread wear, etc. Employees of TDS who work on-site with RGI are also Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) certified.

The territory covered by Universal Tire has been rolled into the TDS Eastern Division, while Memphis falls in its Central Division. There have been no announcements of further expansion into other areas where Rogers operates, but additional acquisitions are possible, as evidenced by their recent purchase of a dealership in Mobile, AL.