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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.
Smardt Chiller Group is a global leader in oil-free centrifugal chiller technology, focusing on high-efficiency HVAC solutions for commercial, industrial, and institutional applications. Founded in 2005 by Roger Richmond-Smith and Ron Conry, the company has over 25 years of experience in magnetic bearing compressors and oil-free systems. Smardt operates manufacturing facilities in Canada, the USA, Australia, Germany, and China, with more than 10,000 chillers installed worldwide. The company offers a range of products, including water-cooled, air-cooled, and evaporative-cooled chillers, as well as customizable modular systems. All chillers utilize oil-free centrifugal compressors with magnetic bearings, which enhance energy efficiency and reduce maintenance needs. Smardt also provides custom engineering, global support for installation and maintenance, and energy efficiency consulting to help clients optimize their systems and reduce carbon footprints. The company serves various industries, including government facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturing, data centers, and hospitals, emphasizing reliability and sustainability in its solutions.
Antheia is a science and technology company developing next generation plant-inspired medicines.