Automotive

Meineke Car Care Corporate Office

Meineke Car Care was founded by Sam Meineke in Houston, Texas., in 1972 The original name of the company was Meineke Discount Mufflers. Franchising operations began the following year. The name was changed in 2003.

The company operates a chain of franchised automotive maintenance and repair shops. The parent company, Meineke Holdings, became Driven Brands, Inc. in 2006 and acquired Econo Lube N Tune.

The company also acquired Walt’s Auto Care Center in 2013 and America’s Service Station the following year.

One Meineke franchisor in Delaware offered free oil changes to Veterans in 2019 and gave away more than 260 free oil changes.

In April 2013, Meineke Car Care Centers, Inc. announced the acquisition of the Seattle-Tacoma auto repair chain, Walt’s Auto Care Centers, or “Walt’s”.

In June 2014, Meineke acquired eight America’s Service Station locations in the Atlanta area.

Meineke Car Care has almost 900 locations in the US alone, with many other locations around the world, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and China.

Meineke Car Care Centers maintains a corporate office in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Meineke Car Care

History

The company operates a chain of franchised automotive maintenance and repair shops. The parent company, Meineke Holdings, became Driven Brands, Inc. in 2006 and acquired Econo Lube N Tune.

The company also acquired Walt’s Auto Care Center in 2013 and America’s Service Station the following year.

One Meineke franchisor in Delaware offered free oil changes to Veterans in 2019 and gave away more than 260 free oil changes.

In April 2013, Meineke Car Care Centers, Inc. announced the acquisition of the Seattle-Tacoma auto repair chain, Walt’s Auto Care Centers, or “Walt’s”.

In June 2014, Meineke acquired eight America’s Service Station locations in the Atlanta area.

Meineke Car Care has almost 900 locations in the US alone, with many other locations around the world, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and China.

Meineke Car Care Centers maintains a corporate office in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Oil Can Henry’s Corporate Office

Oil Can Henry’s was founded in 1978 by Marshall Stevens, an Oregon real estate developer. The company operates a chain of oil change and automotive maintenance shops.

The company began franchising in 1989 and grew rapidly. By 1996, the company had reached annual revenues of $15 million. Today, the company has 88 locations in 7 western states. Ashland Global Holdings acquired the company in December of 2015

Oil Can Henry’s has no waiting rooms, unlike other automotive repair shops, but rather, allows customers to sit in their vehicle and watch the mechanics at work via cameras that are strategically placed around the vehicle. Employees are known for their bow-ties and newspaper boy type hats.

Oil Can Henry's

Oil Can Henry’s was founded in 1978 by Marshall Stevens, an Oregon real estate developer. The company operates a chain of oil change and automotive maintenance shops.

History

Milwaukee Electric Tools Corporate Office

Milwaukee Electric Tools was founded in 1924 by A.F. Siebert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company manufactures and markets a wide range of power tools, hand tools, and accessories for professionals around the globe.

The company has been sold several times over the years. Today, it operates as a subsidiary of Techtronic, who purchased the company in 2005. The company sells its products mainly through authorized tool distributors, hardware stores, and home centers. Headquarters are in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

In November of 2015, the company announced a major expansion of their Brookfield headquarters, with cost estimates of $33 million. Milwaukee Electric Tools also announced that they expected to hire at least 500 more employees at their Brookfield plant over the next 5 years. The company also added 126 new jobs at their remodeled Greenwood, Mississippi, manufacturing plant.

Milwaukee Electric Tools

History

Harbor Freight Tools Corporate Office

Harbor Freight Tools was founded in 1977 by Eric and Allan Smidt in North Hollywood, California. The original location was a very small building, with the name Harbor Freight Salvage. As the company expanded and grew, Eric became CEO and changed the name in 1985.

Today, Harbor Freight Tools has more than 700 locations in 47 states, as well as an eCommerce site. From the original two employees, the company now has more than 17,000 full time employees. US General, another mail order tool supplier, was acquired in the mid-1980’s. The company now has headquarters in Camarrillo, California.

Harbor Freight Tools is a discount tool supplier, as well as offering other kinds of equipment, depending on the location, such as farm tools. The company sells many of its own in house store brands such as Chicago Electric, Portland, and Earthquake.

In October 2019, Harbor Freight recalled one million pocketknives due to an issue with the lock when the blade was retracted.

The coronavirus of 2020 has been a crash for some businesses and a boon for others, such as Harbor Freight. Long lines and empty shelves for facemasks, an item Harbor Freight usually stocks, along with bottled water, and packaged snacks.

Harbor Freight Tools

History

In October 2019, Harbor Freight recalled one million pocketknives due to an issue with the lock when the blade was retracted.

Matco Tools Corporate Office

Matco Tools was founded in 1946. The company manufactures tools for automotive and diesel professionals. Like Snap On and Cornwell, Matco (which is an acronym for Mac Allied Tool Company) offers a lifetime warranty on hand tools. Matco has been criticized for contracting with machinists in China to manufacture some of their tools.

The company originally made tool boxes, but sold off the tool box division in 1979. The company uses franchisers to sell their tools from trucks. Each franchiser has his own territory, very much like Snap on and Mac tools. Most franchisers offer no interest financing to their customers.

Matco Tools has mobile franchisers in Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. The company operates as a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation.

Matco Tools

Matco Tools has mobile franchisers in Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. The company operates as a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation.