Ted Wiens Tire & Auto, the longest-running independent tire dealership in the Las Vegas, Nev., area, is celebrating its 75th year in business.
The company, which was founded by Ted Wiens Sr., marked the milestone on March 3 with a celebratory dinner for employees and their spouses or significant others.
More than 170 people attended the event. That included representatives from several vendors, as well as the Independent Tire Dealers Group LLC.
Former Bridgestone Americas Inc. executive John Gamauf spoke during the dinner.
“We’ve been a Bridgestone-Firestone dealer since the beginning of time!” says Jennifer Wiens, who is married to Ted Wiens III, the dealership’s vice president and third generation of the Wiens family to work in the business.
“John showed pictures of Ted Sr. with Harvey Firestone” and shared clips of old Ted Wiens TV commercials, including the dealership’s famous “talking tire” spot.
“Another commercial (touted) the grand opening of a location,” says Jennifer. “Back then, we sold everything from tires to boats, washers and dryers and refrigerators.”
“John also did a little interview with Ted Jr.,” the dealership’s president and second-generation owner, as part of his presentation.
Ted Wiens III also spoke during the event, as did his daughter, Brianna Wiens, the company’s development manager.
“Tonight we are celebrating 75 years of being in business,” Ted Wiens Jr. told attendees. “What does that mean? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, if you start with 100 companies, only 36 will last 10 years. Seventy-nine percent of companies would not make it past their 20th year.
“For us to be a fourth-generation company, that’s a huge milestone. Not many can say that.”
Ted Wiens Tire & Auto has nine retail stores, two commercial tire locations and one distribution center.
“And we’re looking at expanding,” says Jennifer.
