Fountain Tire
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| Private | |
| Industry | Automotive Retail Distribution |
| Founded | 1956, Wainwright, Alberta, Canada |
| Headquarters | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
Number of locations | 162 locations (As of October 26, 2016) |
Key people |
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| Products | Tires and automotive parts, sales, and service |
| Website | www.fountaintire.com |
Fountain Tire is a tire dealer in Canada, offering a range of car, truck, and trailer tires, as well as automotive services. Started in 1956 in Wainwright, Alberta, by Bill Fountain; Fountain Tire has grown to over 160 stores spanning as far west as Victoria, British Columbia and as far east as Vaughan, Ontario.
History
Founded by Bill Fountain in 1956 in Wainwright, Alberta, Fountain Tire started out as a small double-bay garage. After the company's initial inception, it did not take long for Fountain Tire to grow.
By 1976, it had expanded to 19 stores, but Bill Fountain was killed in a car accident.
The 1980s included further expansion activities for Fountain Tire: a move to the new head office based in southeast Edmonton, a change in Fountain Tire's expansion strategy, and a partnership formed with one of the world's top tire manufacturers, Goodyear. By 1984, the number of Fountain Tire stores totalled 30.
By the end of the 1990s, 100 new Fountain Tire stores had been added across Western Canada. As the number of Fountain Tire stores increased over the years, so nature of the Fountain Tire head office changed along with it. With partnership in mind, the head office became more of a resource centre for the stores. It provided support in the areas of purchasing, point-of-sale systems, accounting, credit, insurance, legal services, human resources, and marketing. This unique partnership structure has helped Fountain Tire to be named one Canada's "Best Managed Companies" every year since 1994, and eventually attaining Platinum Club Member status in December 2003[1]
In 2014, Fountain Tire relocated their corporate headquarters in Edmonton, moving into a new office facility in South Edmonton, called Fountain Tire Place.
Partnership with Goodyear Canada
On September 24, 1987, Fountain Tire sold 49% interest its business to Goodyear Canada. This move was a first for the industry, as not only was Goodyear able to partner with a Western Canadian tire retailer, but Fountain Tire able to partner with a manufacturer who had an established marketing presence.
60th Anniversary
In 2016, Fountain Tire celebrated its 60th anniversary. In recognition, and to celebrate this achievement with the customers that got them there, Fountain Tire hit the road with a 60 day cross-country campaign paying tribute to the 1950's with a Drive In Movie tour, occurring in markets across Canada.
In addition, Fountain Tire wanted to help its customers travel more - and contested away 60,000 AIR MILES.
Corporate
Headquarters
In 2014, Fountain Tire Corporate Office moved to a new location in South Edmonton. The new office, named Fountain Tire Place, houses the company‚ corporate office employees, and includes a large eat-in kitchen, two patio spaces, showers for cyclists and joggers, and walls of windows to allow daylight into every office and workstation.
50/50 Partnerships
Fountain Tire's unique 50/50 partnership started as a nod to the company's dedication to outstanding service, work ethic, and partnership spirit. Through the partnership, managers who effectively meet the needs of customers are offered local ownership of the business through a 50/50 partnership with Corporate.
Marketing
Historically, some of Fountain Tire's slogans have been "Home of the Tire Experts","Winning the West", and "Your Alberta Tire Store". The current slogan is "Trust. Fountain Tire". Thom Sharp became Fountain Tire's spokesperson in 1994,[2] and to this day he still represents the company in advertising as "The Fountain Tire Guy".
Advertising
Below is a selection of Fountain Tire's recent advertising:
Grow Calgary - Close to one million Canadians rely on food banks each month, but most items donated are canned or sealed. In Calgary- not for profit company GROW CALGARY, grows and donates freshly grown produce, giving families a healthier meal. Inspired by their hard work and dedication, a few of Fountain Tire's owners wanted to make a difference.
The Flat - For a 2015 campaign, Fountain Tire wanted to demonstrate what it felt like to be helped by a Fountain Tire owner.
Services
Retail
Fountain Tire sells tires from manufacturers including: Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, GT Radial, Continental, Aeolus, and Trelleborg, as well as various other brands.
Automotive
Fountain Tire also offers complete automotive maintenance and vehicle repair services of: alignment, steering, suspension, air conditioning/heating, automotive battery replacement, brakes, cooling system, radiator service, electrical, fuel injection, mufflers and exhaust system, transmission, vehicle inspections, maintenance and oil changes.
Commercial
Fountain Tire offers a broad line of commercial and fleet vehicle tires and retreads, as well as commercial truck repair services. In addition, Fountain Tire offers a commercial roadside service with a 24-hour emergency on-site tire service at 85 locations throughout Western Canada. Fountain Tire is here to ensure you get the most out of your fleet and you minimize downtime.
Industrial
Fountain Tire carries a full line of industrial and specialty industrial tires. Our selection features tires for forklifts, high speed trailers, skidsteers, lawn and garden tires. Fountain Tire also offers servicing to a wide variety of industrial equipment, as well as foam filling and solid tire pressing at various locations.
Mining & Off-The-Road
Fountain Tire's extensive mining/OTR (Off-The-Road) sales and services include retreading, OTR tire repair, and mining tire services, including: retreading, section repairs, reinforcements, spot repairs, lug repairs and sidewall bumpers.
Farming & Agriculture
Fountain Tire has a strong, storied tradition in farming and agriculture – offering everything from farm tires to on the farm services. Fountain Tire’s technicians are equipped to repair or replace damaged tires on the spot, and with round the clock service – is dedicated to ensure you’re farm vehicle is up and rolling again quickly,
