VISIONS Magazine (May 2026 Edition)
TBC at 70: Evolving Through Partnership, Distribution and Mobility
TBC Corporation marked its 70th anniversary on March 23, 2026, reflecting on a history that began in 1956 as a purchasing group of tire retailers and has now grown into one of North America’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tires through wholesale and franchise operations. Palm Beach County, Florida – where TBC is headquartered – recognized the company’s milestone and contributions to the community by designating March 23, 2026, as TBC Corporation Day.
A longtime Group Company of Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA), TBC has continued to evolve alongside SCOA, with the relationship helping strengthen the company’s operational capabilities, supply chain infrastructure, leadership development, and long-term strategic direction.
Over the decades, TBC expanded through acquisitions, joint ventures and geographic growth. The company entered the Mexican market through TBC de Mexico in 1995 and expanded its franchise business through the acquisition of Big O Tires® in 1996. Before becoming part of SCOA in 2005, TBC added Carroll Tire Co., a major wholesale tire distributor in the United States, along with retail brands including Tire Kingdom Service Centers, NTB Tire & Service Centers, and Merchant’s Tire & Auto Service Centers. In 2012, the organization expanded further with the addition of Midas, SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service, and R.O. Writer.
TBC’s business mix continues to evolve. Most recently, the company has increasingly focused on strengthening its wholesale distribution, franchising, logistics capabilities, and integrated mobility services businesses. Today, TBC continues to support customers through its extensive wholesale and distribution network, supply chain services operations, and a nationwide Big O Tires franchise presence that approaches 470 locations.
As TBC has transformed over the decades, company leadership says a consistent set of values has remained central to its culture and long-term direction.
“With every relationship we forge, we strive to be the most trusted provider of innovative and value-creating business solutions in the mobility industry,” said TBC’s President & Chief Executive Officer, Don Byrd. “We adhere to our core values, which are: act with integrity, practice teamwork, stay people-focused, demonstrate accountability, and leave everything better.”
Byrd said TBC also organizes its business around its “4Ps”: Purpose, People, Planet and Profit. Together, those priorities focus on organizational leadership, employee development, community impact, and long-term value creation.
“The 4Ps establish a cultural roadmap for sustained industry leadership and personal and professional fulfillment,” said Byrd. “These principles empower our teams to reach their full potential.”
TBC’s relationship with SCOA has also played an important role in the company’s operational development and long-term direction.
“Having a partner like SCOA has provided TBC with a clear advantage because we’re able to leverage the company’s best practices, robust global information network, and supply chain capabilities in ways that competitors can’t match,” said Byrd. “SCOA’s technology resources and capital investment have also contributed to and accelerated our growth.”
Josh Yuichi Suzuki, Head of the Tire & Mobility Unit of SCOA’s Automotive Group, added that the relationship between SCOA and TBC has also created opportunities for leadership development and knowledge sharing between the organizations.
“SCOA’s talent exchange program has provided both companies with the benefit of shared knowledge, deeper leadership skills and has helped pair rigor with innovative strategies,” says TBC’s Chief People Officer, Megan Filoon.
TBC’s structure across wholesale, distribution, franchising, and supply chain services remains central to its business model and positioning within the mobility sector.
“It’s a tremendous advantage,” said Byrd. “We have longstanding relationships across each of these channels, broad visibility into all aspects of the various businesses, and a deep understanding of the needs of all parties – including and most importantly, the vehicle owner.”
Bill Schafer, Chief Revenue Officer, TBC Wholesale, said TBC’s scale and distribution capabilities continue to support the company’s sales channels including TBC’s private brand tire business, Big O Tires franchisees, and customer service operations across multiple markets.
“We are the largest marketer of private brand tires in North America, and we leverage economies of scale to deliver premium tires and services to vehicle and fleet owners,” said Schafer.
Looking ahead, TBC is focusing on innovation, operational efficiency, and organizational integration. One recent example is the company’s transition toward operating its wholesale business under the unified “TBC Wholesale” structure.
Schafer noted, “The transition has optimized TBC’s go-to-market strategy, simplified customer interactions, improve responsiveness, and strengthened coordination throughout the organization.”
“We are continuously self-evaluating and looking for ways to improve processes, organization and products. TBC stays aggressive in implementing positive changes that can help grow our business and benefit our employees, distributors, franchisees and customers," said Byrd.
TBC also emphasizes employee development, workplace culture, safety, and community engagement through initiatives including TBC University, Driven to Give, Helping Hands and Big O Tires Big Hearts charity and more.
“These programs are foundational to who we are as a company and drive our success,” said Filoon. “In fact, we can’t see a recipe for success that doesn’t start with prioritizing the people within our organization.”
At 70 years, TBC is building on its long history while adapting to changes across the mobility and automotive industries. For SCOA, the company remains an important part of the Automotive Group’s tire and mobility business and an example of an impactful long-term collaboration.
