At the Tire Industry Association’s (TIA) 2017 Tire Industry Honors night, Tire Review Editor Patti Renner presented the Tire Review Top Shop trophy to Alyeska Tire of Alaska, with general manager Craig Wortham, accepting the award on behalf of Alyeska Tire owners Jerry Wortham and Carla Wortham and the entire team. It is their first time to enter the competition.
The prestigious Top Shop Award, presented by Coats, is now in its 11th year and celebrates the best of the best of independent tire dealerships.
Finalists for the 2017 award include: Redwood General Tire based in Redwood City, Calif.; Waukegan Tire & Supply based in Park City, Ill.; and Monroe Tire based in Shelby, N.C.
Based in Alaska with eight locations (including six retail locations, one truck tire center and one distribution center), Alyeska Tire is known for its small-town approach to customer service. Founded in 1978, the business is exceptional at both serving the diverse tire needs of its clientele and rewarding employees as part of its operations model. The business is owned by Jerry and Carla Wortham and includes son Craig Wortham as general manager.
Tire Review’s Top Shop contest evaluates dealers of all sizes, honoring independent tire dealers that best display the key attributes and values of a highly successful tire business: customer service and retention, training and education, merchandising and promotion, professional standards and conduct, appearance, solid business management, community involvement, business growth, achievement and innovation.
“This year’s winner, Alyeska Tire, epitomizes what it means to be a true independent tire dealer,” said Renner. “They’ve built a strong business based on Tier Two tire brands, and instead have focused on branding themselves and their business. Once the snow starts to fly, they literally have people lined up at the door for winter tires. And they’ve figured out how to get their people to think like owners — by paying them like owners and sharing their gross profits in a generous bonus program. From the frontier of Alaska, they truly are one of America’s best tire dealers.”
Coats has served as the presenting sponsor of the program since its inception in 2006. Winners and finalists receive prizes of cash, new Coats equipment and the recognition that being a Top Shop deserves.
