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The Big O Tires story begins back in 1962, just as Americas new love affair with the automobile was hitting high gear. The market for replacement tires was exploding, and independent tire dealers found themselves struggling to compete in the face of low prices offered by major tire manufacturers​ own company stores. Big Os founding fathers were a handful of progressive independent tire dealers who decided to band together to form a tire-buying cooperative so that they could secure volume pricing and keep their customers happy. Their concept worked. In the years that followed, The Big O Tires co-op evolved into a full-fledged franchise as it continued to find innovative ways to harness the power of the collective to benefit independent dealerships and their customers. Almost a half-decade later, Big O Tires has become North Americas largest retail tire franchisor, with over 400 independently-owned and operated locations in 20 states, providing customers with a broad range of automotive services in addition to quality tires, wheels and accessories. Big O has become an industry role model admired for its innovative approach to franchising and unmatched customer loyalty ratings. In 1996, Big O Tires joined forces with one of the largest and most respected tire marketers in the nation when it became part of the TBC Retail Group, an automotive retail network comprised of some 1,200 Big O Tires, Tire Kingdom, Merchants and NTB locations spanning 40 U.S. states. Big Os reach was broadened again in 2005, when TBC Corporation was acquired by Sumitomo Corporation of America, the largest wholly-owned subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sumitomo, one of the worlds leading traders of goods and services. As Big O Tires continues to thrive and adapt to an ever-changing marketplace, it remains rooted in its humble beginnings as a proud collective of independent dealers committed to putting its customers first.
Hanon Systems is a global provider of automotive thermal and energy management solutions, based in Daejeon, South Korea. Founded in 1986 as Halla Climate Control Corp. through a joint venture between Ford Motor Co. and Mando Machinery Corporation, the company has grown to serve nearly all major automakers. As of 2025, it operates as a subsidiary of Hankook & Company Group, alongside its other core portfolios in tires and batteries. The company specializes in optimizing vehicle performance and occupant comfort through advanced thermal management technologies. Its product offerings include HVAC systems, thermal management components like compressors and cooling modules, and energy efficiency solutions aimed at reducing emissions and improving air quality. Hanon Systems has expanded its capabilities through strategic acquisitions, enhancing its position in the automotive industry. With over 50 facilities worldwide, the company is committed to providing electrification-ready solutions that support the shift toward sustainable mobility.
Blue Jay Racing is a student-run design team open to all undergraduate students. The program was founded in 2004. The team competes annually in three international events put on by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Students design, build, and race a single seat off-road vehicle against a total of ~200 teams representing 14 nations and nearly 4,000 young engineers. The award-winning program offers student engineers an educational experience that goes beyond what the classroom can offer. Aside from the technical knowledge gained, the team-based skills learned through such a rigorous endeavor develops leaders well prepared to enter industry and academia. At each competition the team competes in four of six dynamic events (Acceleration, Maneuverability, Rock Crawl, Suspension and Traction, Hill Climb and Sled Pull) as well as three static events (a sales presentation, design presentations and a cost report). To cap off the competition, the team will also race in a grueling four-hour endurance race. Team members learn as much at competition as from designing and building their vehicle throughout the rest of the year. In addition to their own learning it is also important to the team that all members participate. At competition the team is always working, whether repairing their vehicle or planning and preparing for the next days events. With so much to do and so little time every member contributes to the teams success.
Atlas Copco Group enables technology that transforms the future. We innovate to develop products, services and solutions that are key to our customers success. Our four business areas offer compressed air and vacuum solutions, energy solutions, dewatering and industrial pumps, industrial power tools and assembly and machine vision solutions. In 2023, the Group had revenues of BSEK 173, and at year end about 53 000 employees.
Arq is a diversified, environmental technology company with products that enable a cleaner and safer planet while actively reducing our environmental impact.