Ken Jones Tires Celebrates 75th Year in Business

WORCESTER, Mass. - June 25, 2013 - PRLog -- From Retreading During Wartime to Selling Globally Online...

Ken Jones Tires,  distributor and online seller of specialty tires and tire chains celebrates their 75th year in business. Founded by Ken Jones in 1938, this third generation family business is still owned and operated by the entire Jones Family. Gerald Jones, Ken’s only son is still actively involved on a daily basis, as are Jerry’s three sons, Steve, Brian, and Darren. Grandsons Chris and Justin help out during school vacations and summers.

Ken Jones Tires has evolved from a local brick and mortar retail and wholesale tire distributor in Worcester, Massachusetts, to expand as an online seller of specialty tires, tire chains, tire tubes and hard to find tires.

And what an evolution it has been!

After graduating from The Wharton School of Business, Ken Jones began his career working for Firestone Tires. He was  transferred from North Carolina to Providence, RI and eventually Worcester Ma.  Ken finally decided, “if I am going to work seven days a week, I may as well work for myself seven days a week,” his son Jerry fondly remembers.

Ken Jones Tires originally began as a Fisk Tire Distributor. When World War II broke out, rubber was rationed and there were few tires to sell. Retreading used tires became extremely important to keep up with the demand. The business ran 24 hours a day.

After a meeting at the Corporate Headquarters of Fisk Tires in NYC in 1942, Ken realized that Fisk was no longer able to supply him enough tires to keep his business growing. On his train ride home, he decided to stop in New Haven, Connecticut to visit a rubber company called Armstrong Rubber. Armstrong agreed to sell him tires, and that was the beginning of a long business relationship between Ken Jones Tires and Armstrong Rubber.  

Their loyalty to Fisk and Armstrong continued for many years, becoming one of their oldest customers.  

         Ken’s only son Jerry, came into the business after graduating from Colby College in 1958. Jerry’s wife Rachel worked for the business for many years and their three sons, Steve, Brian, and Darren joined the business after college.  All three Jones boys began their careers at Ken Jones during high school in the service department and working in the warehouse. This is where they learned the daily activities of the business. From there they advanced as route truck drivers, getting to know their customers. After graduating college, they began working full time in managing the company along with their Dad. Steve, Brian and Darren are now equal owners of the company.

Even the fourth generation of Joneses has begun during school vacation and summers with grandchildren Chris and Justin.

In 1999  Ken Jones launched their first website, eventually converting to a full ecommerce website selling specialty tires, tire tubes and tire chains in 2009.

Today, Ken Jones TIres sells their products globally, and their online division continues to expand.

“Growing our business online has become my passion,” says Brian Jones. “When I get  phone calls from all over the United States, Canada or even American Samoa, I can see our online strategy is working, building the legacy of Ken Jones Tires in the 21st century.”

And evolving with the times is what has kept Ken Jones TIres in business for 75 years.

From that whim of getting off the train in New Haven to the decision to sell tires online, the Jones Family continues Ken’s tradition of hard work, long hours, and honest to goodness business ethics.

Ken Jones Inc

73 Chandler Street

Worcester Ma  01609

For more information contact: Brian Jones

508-755-5255 sales@kenjones.com