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Two Generations of Tire Families Join Forces in Athens, Georgia

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The Troy Porterfield family of Athens, GA. announced today that they are teaming up with the Wood family of Cincinnati to ensure their three businesses continue a tradition of customer service that is friendly, efficient, and convenient. On December 11, 2020, Porterfield Tire stores in Athens and Watkinsville, GA. closed their doors and reopened on December 14, 2020 with Tire Discounters as their new operator. The result creates a combined legacy of almost 90 years of experience as family-owned and operated tire and service centers. 

The two Georgia stores, and commercial operation will add to the company’s roster of 140+ locations. Additionally, Tire Discounters becomes the operator of Porterfield’s commercial outlet and warehouse. The warehouse will house Tire Discounters’ third distribution center in a strategic move to accelerate the company’s expansion in southern states.

Tire Discounters, the largest independent, 100% family-owned tire and service retailer in the U.S., will help Porterfield Tire grow its business by bringing its nationally recognized expertise and experience. Tire Discounters recently announced the company will be adding “best-in-class” franchise dealers in 2021 to complement its corporate locations.

“We only reached out to companies that would continue to look after our customers just like we currently do,” said Troy Porterfield, Owner, Porterfield Tire. “Jamie Ward and the Wood family know how we feel about our customers and our employees, because they feel the same way.” 

Troy Porterfield will maintain ownership of the store properties, leasing to Tire Discounters.  All of Porterfield Tire employees chose to become Tire Discounters’ employees, benefiting from employee benefits like health care, 401(k), and vision and dental insurance that all Tire Discounters employees enjoy, as well as the robust multi-functional support that staff receive from the chain that just won National 2020 Dealer of the year. 

The next generations of the Porterfield family, including Troy Porterfield III and Wes Porterfield, will join Tire Discounters, working alongside the seasoned and local Tire Discounters field management team, led by Charles Curlee, Retail VP.    

“It’s a real honor that Troy believes in our family to carry on their customer-friendly tradition,” said Chip Wood, founder and owner of Tire Discounters. “My brother, sister, sons and daughter all work here, and we’re trying our best to make sure that our industry isn’t taken over by faceless corporations. Family-run stores are still the heart and soul of the tire business.”

Porterfield Tire, according to Wood, will continue a strong commitment to customer service under the watch of the Tire Discounters team.

“We are actively looking for family-owned businesses, like Porterfield, that want to maintain a family legacy and a focus on the customer but need help to stay competitive in today’s market,” Wood said. “This is a unique offering and one we are proud to bring to Porterfield and look forward to welcoming other businesses to the Tire Discounters family with the same commitment.”

About Porterfield Tire

Porterfield Tire is a family-owned company founded in 1972 by Troy Porterfield. Troy’s children have carried on his tradition of providing excellent customer service in the Athens, Georgia area.  Residents know the Porterfield family and have been coming for years and years.  Both the Athens and Watkinsville stores specialize in tires and provide routine automotive repair and factory scheduled maintenance. The company also has a commercial tire warehouse and outlet. 

Porterfield tire

About Tire Discounters

Tire Discounters was founded by Chip Wood in 1976 and is still family-owned and operated. Chip remains the sole owner and company Chairman, but over the past several years has been smoothly transitioning to the second generation of leadership. President Jamie Ward, a valued employee for almost 25 years, is now the driving force in the company day-to-day, working closely with Chip’s children, Anna, Steven, and Evan Wood, to help them learn the business from the ground up. 

Tire Discounters is the nation’s largest, 100% family-owned and operated independent tire provider and is growing rapidly. The company leads the way in providing unique and innovative customer benefits designed to make tires last longer and maximize the overall performance of a vehicle. Tire Discounters’ ASE-certified technicians provide routine automotive repair and factory scheduled maintenance. Tire Discounters currently employs more than 1,400 people in over 140 locations in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.

The Georgia-based commercial outlet and warehouse will serve as Tire Discounters’ third distribution center. The company also has distribution centers in La Vergne, Tennessee, and Sharonville, Ohio.

The speed rating of a tire is based on U.S. Government standards for reaching and sustaining a specified speed. Typically, a tire with a higher speed rating results in better handling. Speed ratings apply only to the tire itself, and not to a particular vehicle. Putting a tire rated for a certain speed on a vehicle does not mean that the vehicle can be safely operated at the tire's rated speed.

Tire Load Range refers to the maximum weight a tire can safely support at a specified tire pressure. For Light Trucks and SUVs, ranges are usually expressed using SL (Standard Load) and XL (Extra Load or Reinforced). It can also be represented by letters (e.g., C, D, E), which indicate the tire's ply rating, which traditionally referred to the number of layers of material within the tire.

A higher load range indicates a tire designed to carry heavier loads. For example, a tire with a Load Range E can support more weight than one with a Load Range C. The correct load range is critical for vehicle safety and performance, especially for trucks, trailers, and commercial vehicles.

Tread depth is the distance between the top of the tread rubber to the bottom of the tire's deepest grooves.  In the United States, tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch.

A tire’s maximum load is the maximum amount of weight the tire is designed to hold. The tire’s load carrying capacity is directly related to the tire’s size and amount of inflation pressure that is actually used. Each load range has a assigned air pressure identified in pounds per square inch (psi) at which the tire's maximum load is rated.

A tire’s maximum inflation pressure (PSI) is the highest "cold" inflation pressure that the tire is designed to contain. When measuring a tire’s max PSI, it is important the tire is "cold," because warmer temperatures can cause the tire pressure to temporarily increase resulting with inaccurate readings. This measurement should only be used when called for on the vehicle’s tire placard or in the vehicle’s owners manual.

The mileage warranty of a tire indicates the number of miles that a tire is estimated to last. If a tire fails to last for the number of miles indicated by the warranty, the customer will be given credit from the tire manufacturer toward a new tire based on how many miles short of the estimate the tire fell. Some restrictions apply. 

The total width of the tire, including any raised features on the sidewall. 

This is how many layers of rubber and other materials are in the tire.  

The represents the smallest and widest size wheels that are recommended by the tire manufacturer for the tire to be mounted on. 

 

 

The measurement, in inches, from rim flange to the other rim flange. 

The maximum width of a wheel that a tire can be put onto. 

The minimum width of a wheel that a tire can be put onto.  

A tire's section width (also called "cross section width") is the measurement of the tire's width from its inner sidewall to its outer sidewall (excluding any protective ribs, decorations or raised letters) at the widest point. 

What makes up a tire; each ply, the sidewall, the tread, and bead.  

This number will tell you how well the tire will disperse heat buildup. 

This is how much weight a tire is rated to hold.

Mounting and Balancing – up to $159.96 pending wheel diameter

Lifetime Rotation – $299.90 

Lifetime Balancing – $449.90 

Lifetime Tire Pressure Adjustments – $16 

Rubber Valve Stems – $8

Tire Repair** – $140

Total = $1,073.76

*Estimate based on 4-tire purchase of 60,000-mile tires. 

**Excludes: Under 40 series, run-flats, mud tires, trailer tires, off-road vehicles, and any tire over six (6) years old.  Other exclusions may apply.

TD will repair flat tires as long as it can be done safely in accordance with Tire Industry Association (TIA) Guidelines.  Excludes: Under 40 series, run-flats, mud tires, trailer tires, off-road vehicles, and any tire over six (6) years old.  Other exclusions may apply.  See store for details.  

National accounts and local fleet not included.

Free Alignment with 4-Tire Purchase

National accounts not included.  Other exclusions may apply.

Mounting & Balancing  $76

Lifetime Tire Pressure Adjustments $16

Rubber Valve Stems $8

Lifetime Rotation $240

Total = $340

*Estimate based on 4-tire purchase of 60,000 mile tires. 

Our Nationwide Worry Free Guarantee offers FREE unlimited Tire Repairs for the entire life of your tires. If your tire can't be fixed and is over 3/32" tread, no worries, we will give you a replacement tire at any time, up to 3 years. We'll even help get your tire changed by including reimbursement for Roadside Assistance (up to $75) for the first 12 months at no additional cost. Effective: August 24, 2017. For complete details, see our warranty at any Tire Discounters location.

Components of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor wears over time.

A TPMS Service Kit is suggested each time a tire/wheel is serviced. If left unchanged, over time, these components of the TPMS may corrode, leak or fail.

Tire/wheel service is defined as when tire is removed from the wheel.