Work crews removed the gas pumps and tanks in mid-June at Hanson Tire Service in LeRoy. Hanson Tire's owners sold to Bauer Built Tire on Monday. -- Photo submitted by the LeRoy Independent.

New owner will keep name, most workers

LeRoy is swapping tire shop owners but keeping the same finish.

Durand, Wis.-based Bauer Built Tire acquired Hanson Tire Service locations in LeRoy as well as in Preston Monday. While the acquisition officially took hold early this week, Bauer Built Chief Operating Officer Tad Bauer said the move was in the works for several months.

Bauer Built said in a release the gain was an opportunity to expand and to “significantly increase their sales and service to the agricultural market.”

“We’re happy to be in those markets,” Bauer said. “We look forward to carrying on the service and tradition [the former owners] have done for many years.”

Bauer Built plans to offer the same services and product lines as Hanson Tire, which has serviced the Midwest for the last 53 years. Those brands include Michelin, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Firestone, Continental, General, Hercules, Cooper and Kumho tires. It will also feature many of the latest innovations and technological advances available to retreading customers.

“We will add some of our brands to their portfolio,” Bauer said.

While ownership has changed, Bauer Built plans to keep the business under the Hanson Tire name.

Bauer said the company’s intention going into the acquisition was to keep the current management in place.

Owners Randy Eastvold and Greg Rollins, along with Ron Eastvold, will help the Bauer Built management team through the transition. Other Bauer Built employees will work with them for up to a year to ensure a smooth transition takes place, Bauer said.

All but one of the Hanson employees have joined the Bauer Built team.

Bauer Built has serviced the Midwest in the wholesale, commercial and retail distribution of tires, batteries and automotive services for almost 70 years. With the addition of Hanson Tire, Bauer Built now has 31 tire centers, seven retread plants and three rim and wheel refinishing operations. The company also operates a bulk petroleum business out of its headquarters in Durand, which is what the company was originally founded on in 1944.

The previous owners declined to comment.