Tim Roche, president of Kan Rock Tire in Flint, Mich., is now a stockholder in private brand marketer Del-Nat Tire.

“The Del-Nat program fits well within our needs because we are in the midst of diversifying to include a wholesale division,” Roche said. “This gives us something more we can use in that venture and exclusivity because we’re now able to carry the Delta brand. We’re proud to be on board.”

The Flint wholesaler and retailer joins 78 other dealer stockholders of Memphis-based Del-Nat Tire.

Kan Rock Tire was started by Roche’s father in 1950 as a single gas station in Flint. Over the years the company added locations, shifted over to tire sales in 1965, and added auto service and repair in 2008.

“Del-Nat has welcomed three new stockholders already this year,” said Randy Gaetz, Del-Nat vice president of sales and marketing. “These additions to the co-op, coupled with last year’s growth, have resulted in a very strong start to the year. We anticipate adding several more stockholder members in the coming months. We are seeing that more and more dealers are looking to join Del-Nat in order to maintain their independence. Del-Nat is committed to keeping the independent tire dealer independent.”