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USA
Wonderland Tire Acquires Sumerel Tire Service
TRAC Tire Services to Serve TRAC Intermodal Chassis Exclusively
Wonderland Tire of Grand Rapids Michigan has completed the acquisition of Sumerel Tire Service, Inc., headquartered in Newport Kentucky. The newly merged company, which began operations on March 10, 2021, can now claim to be among the top 25 retreaders in the U.S., owning a total of four manufacturing facilities in Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee including two of the largest AcuTread plants. Wonderland now has thirteen locations in six states with the capacity to produce over 137,000 retreads per year. The acquisition is the culmination of a long
process at their Grand Rapids location, which they did in 1998, replacing the Oliver Precure System.
In 2002 Bob Majewski, Henr y K amps, Earl K amps, Jon Langerak, Dave Langerak and Terr y Westhafer partnered to form the AcuTread Alliance Group. In 2014 the K amps and Langeraks bought the AcuTread Process and trademark from Majewski and Westhafer.
Bob Majewski, CEO of Sumerel Tire said “This is more than just an ordinar y business deal; this is a marriage of like-minded cultures and people who know each other and share in a
Underscoring its
commitment to
fleet quality and
sustainability,
TRAC
Intermodal has
converted its
TRAC Tire
Services division
to exclusively
serve the
company's marine chassis fleet. This shift is consistent with TRAC's strategy to build the industry's most modern and reliable fleet of marine chassis, while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability. Since 2015, TRAC has invested over $350 million to continually improve its fleet, adding new premium equipment and starting a BlueEdge Chassis Upgrade programme, which transforms older chassis to the highest- level of safety and performance. Each year, thousands of TRAC chassis are converted to feature LED lights and radial tires.
TRAC Tire Services operates one of the country's largest tyre retreading facilities. The division, in partnership with tyre maker Goodyear, uses rigorous quality control and proprietary compounded intermodal rubber to improve performance and minimise tread-wear.
TRAC Tire Services currently provides close to 50 percent of the tyre needs across TRAC's fleet. TRAC is also partnering with third- party suppliers to complement this tyre production and secure the required tyre capacity to meet its needs. These strategic partnerships ensure high quality, sustainable tire solutions at market rates. "TRAC Tire Services division is an important strategic investment for TRAC, and we want to fully optimize its value to our organization," says Daniel Walsh, CEO at TRAC Intermodal. "With this conversion, we gain greater control over the production and tyre quality of our chassis fleet, accessing the innovative technology of Goodyear products. In addition, we're taking a proactive approach to sustainable business practices, using radial tyre conversion and retreading programmes to help reduce our overall environmental impact."
Left to right: Bob Majewski CEO/STS, Dave Langerak COO of Wonderland, Jon Langerak President/CEO of Wonderland, and Joe Disser President STS
relationship between the two companies.
Jon Langerak, CEO of Wonderland Tire explained; “33 years ago, we met Bob Majewski, then employed with Hercules- Cedco when he sold us our first chamber. Our two companies have worked together for 24 years and have developed a close working partnership with similar goals, technologies, business processes, and most importantly, producing top quality remanufactured yires to reduce fleet owner’s costs and increase customer satisfaction.”
In 1994, Majewski became part owner of Sumerel Tire, and in 1995 the trademark of AcuTread became official. Two years later Majewski and Tom Sumerel approached Wonderland about implementing the AcuTread
common commitment to quality products, our customers, and employees. We manufacture and sell identical re-manufactured AcuTread tyres as well as the same new tyre brands, so this combination will provide increased scale and geographic reach in the competitive and continually evolving tyre market/industr y. This consolidation was a natural step in our overall strategic plans for both companies. This acquisition will allow our experienced management team to stay in place, so our customers will continue to receive the same great service they have come to love and expect. No one will be leaving the Sumerel Team as we join the Wonderland Tire Family."
TIA to Hold 2022 OTR Tire Conference
in Miramar Beach, Florida
The Tire Industry Association will hold its 67th annual Off-the-Road Tire Conference Feb. 23-26, 2022, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa in Miramar Beach, Florida. This follows the cancellation of the 2021 conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are excited to announce the return of the OTR Tire Conference in 2022,” said TIA President Dan Nothdurft. “This is the world’s premier event for the OTR tyre community, and we are looking forward to an outstanding
conference with a strong educational programme, tabletop exhibitions and plenty of time for conducting business and networking.”
The last OTR Tire Conference in 2020 drew more than 500 attendees from 163 companies, 40 states and 12 countries.
In addition to the business activities, the conference will include a golf and fishing tournament as well as several networking receptions. Registration will open in late summer.
16 Retreading Business