I recently had the opportunity to visit Gem City Tire and their Goodyear-authorized retread plant in Dayton, Ohio. I was hosted by company founder and President, Jeff Lecklider. The visit highlighted Gem City Tire’s dedication to innovation and quality in the retreading industry, showcasing their achievements and commitment to excellence.
Founded in 2000, Gem City Tire has grown from a small operation into a regional powerhouse with nine locations across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. They just opened their ninth commercial truck service location in Hebron, Kentucky on December 9th. Central to their success is their retread facility, which produces 400 retreaded tires daily. As the largest Unicircle retreader in the United States, Gem City Tire utilizes Goodyear’s advanced materials and techniques to deliver reliable “made in the USA” products backed warranties and appreciated by long-term, loyal customers. My tour highlighted Gem City Tire’s state-of-the-art retread plant, including their commitment to constant improvement and development. While I was there a team from Goodyear was onsite installing software upgrades to improve workflow and productivity in the plant.
Jeff's journey began in 1984 as a tire technician in a Goodyear store. After moving to a different location, he worked his way up the ladder, eventually becoming a partner in the business and then striking out on his own in 2000. Since then, his passion and vision have driven the company’s expansion, which now operates eight locations, employs nearly 200 people, and operates over 60 service and delivery trucks.
Reflecting on their success, Lecklider credits their talented employees, strong partnerships with Goodyear, and loyal customers for fueling their growth. “We’ve grown with our customers as they’ve expanded their businesses,” he said, underscoring the importance of maintaining long-term relationships. Gem City has found ways to give back to the community and their customers in various ways, including wrapping a service truck in pink and raising money for Pink Ribbon Week and cancer treatment.
Jeff also shared his perspective on industry trends during my visit, emphasizing the growing importance of technology and data in fleet management. As the trucking industry consolidates and leasing becomes more prevalent, Gem City Tire aims to evolve into a “total fleet solution provider,” focusing on comprehensive services beyond tire sales. This vision includes leveraging data reporting to meet the needs of increasingly tech-savvy customers.
As Gem City Tire continues to thrive, their relationship with Goodyear remains a cornerstone of their success. Their dedication to delivering high-quality retreaded tires with unmatched service reflects their motto: providing solutions backed by local trust and global quality.
From left to right: Jeff Lecklider and David Stevens