Automotive

Liberty Mutual Corporate Office

Liberty Mutual was founded in 1912 as the Massachusetts Employees Insurance Association (MEIA) after a law was passed in 1911 requiring employers to provide worker’s compensation.

In 1914, the first branch office was opened in Springfield, Massachusetts, and the company wrote their first auto policy.

In 1917, the company name was changed to Liberty Mutual Insurance Group. Full coverage auto insurance was also offered.

By 1936, Liberty Mutual is the #1 policy writer for worker’s compensation insurance and in 1937, the company is licensed to operate in the 48 continental United States.

In 1964, the company began to offer life insurance and establish a Skid Control school, designed to prevent accidents.

By 1972, the company was writing more than $2 billion in premiums annually.

In 2002, the company converted to its mutual holding company structure.

In 2006, the company launched their very successful “Responsibility” TV campaign.

In 2008, the company acquired SafeCo.

Today, Liberty Mutual is the third largest property and casualty insurer in the US and has numerous subsidiaries, including:

American Fire & Casualty
America First Insurance
Colorado Casualty
Consolidated Insurance Company
Golden Eagle Insurance
Indiana Insurance
Liberty Mutual Surety
Liberty Northwest
Liberty SuretyFirst
Montgomery Insurance
Ohio Casualty
Ohio Security
West American
Peerless Insurance

Liberty Mutual Insurance

Liberty Mutual was founded in 1912 as the Massachusetts Employees Insurance Association (MEIA) after a law was passed in 1911 requiring employers to provide worker’s compensation.

In 1914, the first branch office was opened in Springfield, Massachusetts, and the company wrote their first auto policy.

History

In 1917, the company name was changed to Liberty Mutual Insurance Group. Full coverage auto insurance was also offered.

By 1936, Liberty Mutual is the #1 policy writer for worker’s compensation insurance and in 1937, the company is licensed to operate in the 48 continental United States.

In 1964, the company began to offer life insurance and establish a Skid Control school, designed to prevent accidents.

By 1972, the company was writing more than $2 billion in premiums annually.

In 2002, the company converted to its mutual holding company structure.

In 2006, the company launched their very successful “Responsibility” TV campaign.

In 2008, the company acquired SafeCo.

Today, Liberty Mutual is the third largest property and casualty insurer in the US and has numerous subsidiaries, including:

American Fire & Casualty
America First Insurance
Colorado Casualty
Consolidated Insurance Company
Golden Eagle Insurance
Indiana Insurance
Liberty Mutual Surety
Liberty Northwest
Liberty SuretyFirst
Montgomery Insurance
Ohio Casualty
Ohio Security
West American
Peerless Insurance

Tire Discounters Corporate Office

Tire Discounters was founded in 1976 by current chairman William (Chip) Wood in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company has remained family owned and Chip’s son Jamie Wood currently serves as VP of Sales & Operations.

The company began with a single location but expanded quickly in the southern Ohio region.

The company was the first to offer all-inclusive pricing instead of the traditional way of separating tire and installation charges. The company also offers free 4 wheel alignment with the purchase of 4 tires.

In addition to tires, the company also offers other services like brakes, shocks & struts and oil changes.

Tire Discounters is currently the 10th largest independent tire dealer in the US. There are over 100 Tire Discounter locations in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

In 2017, the company announced that it had plans to double its footprint in the tire industry, growing from 106 locations to 200 or more within the next 5 years.

In January 2023, Tire Discounters acquired Skip Cottrell’s Tire in Kentucky.

Tire Discounters

The company began with a single location but expanded quickly in the southern Ohio region.

History

In addition to tires, the company also offers other services like brakes, shocks & struts and oil changes.

Tire Discounters is currently the 10th largest independent tire dealer in the US. There are over 100 Tire Discounter locations in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

In 2017, the company announced that it had plans to double its footprint in the tire industry, growing from 106 locations to 200 or more within the next 5 years.

In January 2023, Tire Discounters acquired Skip Cottrell’s Tire in Kentucky.

Britax Corporate Office

Britax was formed in 1939 out of a company called British Accessories.

In 1973, the company acquired Germany company Romer and also launched their first child car seat.

In 1986, Australian company Safe-N-Sound was acquired. In 1987, the company acquired Steelcraft.

In 1996, Britax USA is formed and their first car seat, the Freeway, is launched in the US. A year later, the Roundabout, their first convertible car seat is launched.

In 1997, the first booster seat is launched. The first ISOFIX seat is also launched. ISOFIX eventually becomes the LATCH system.

In 2000, Britax launches their first infant car seat.

Britax is currently the best selling child car seat manufacturer in Europe and one of the top manufacturers in the USA. In addition to carseats, the company also produces strollers, baby carriers and other accessories.

Britax

Britax was formed in 1939 out of a company called British Accessories.

In 1973, the company acquired Germany company Romer and also launched their first child car seat.

In 1986, Australian company Safe-N-Sound was acquired. In 1987, the company acquired Steelcraft.

History

In 1996, Britax USA is formed and their first car seat, the Freeway, is launched in the US. A year later, the Roundabout, their first convertible car seat is launched.

In 1997, the first booster seat is launched. The first ISOFIX seat is also launched. ISOFIX eventually becomes the LATCH system.

In 2000, Britax launches their first infant car seat.

Fiat Corporate Office

Fiat was founded by Giovanni Agnelli in 1899 in Turin, Italy. It’s first model was the 3 1/2 CV.

In 1903, the company produced their first truck. In 1908, they exported to the USA for the first time. They also began producing aircraft engines this same year.

By 1910, Fiat was the largest automobile producer in Italy. They still maintain this position today. A Fiat factory was opened in NY at this time and owning a Fiat was a sign of distinction.

In 2009, Fiat acquired Chrysler.

Fiat is currently the 9th largest auto maker in the world. Their worldwide headquarters is located at:

Via Nizza, 250
Torino, 10126 Italy

Fiat

Fiat was founded by Giovanni Agnelli in 1899 in Turin, Italy. It’s first model was the 3 1/2 CV.

In 1903, the company produced their first truck. In 1908, they exported to the USA for the first time. They also began producing aircraft engines this same year.

By 1910, Fiat was the largest automobile producer in Italy. They still maintain this position today. A Fiat factory was opened in NY at this time and owning a Fiat was a sign of distinction.

History

In 2009, Fiat acquired Chrysler.

Fiat is currently the 9th largest auto maker in the world. Their worldwide headquarters is located at:

Via Nizza, 250
Torino, 10126 Italy

Pilot Flying J Corporate Office

The first Pilot station was opened by James (Jimmy) Haslam II in 1958 in Gate City, Virginia.

In 1965, Marathon Oil purchases half of Pilot and provides them with $4 million to expand. By 1973, there are 50 locations.

In 1976, Pilot opens their first convenience store. The following year, the company acquires Lonas Oil Co. and converts their locations to convenience stores.

By 1981, there are 100 Pilot locations.

In 1988, the company buys back Marathon Oil’s shares.

In 2001, Pilot and Marathon join forces again to form Pilot Travel Centers. In 2003, the company acquires Williams Travel Centers.

In 2006, the first Canadian location is opened. In 2008, the company buys Marathon’s shares back for a second time.

In 2010, Pilot buys Flying J’s travel stations from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and Pilot Flying J is formed.

Pilot Flying J currently operates over 550 truck stops, convenience stores and restaurants in the US and Canada.

As of 2015, Pilot Flying J is the leading seller of over the road diesel fuel in America. The company is also the largest Travel Center in the US while holding the third place position as a provider of fast food franchises.

In October 2017, the Berkshire-Hathway company purchased a 38.6% share of the company, with plans to increase their share to 80% by the end of 2023. The Haslam family will continue to run the day to day operations.

In January 2020, the company announced that it would rebrand itself and change its name to simply Pilot Company.

In December 2023, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway company and the Haslam family, which owns 20 percent of Pilot, accused each other of manipulating profit numbers.

Pilot Flying J maintains a corporate office in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Pilot Flying J

The first Pilot station was opened by James (Jimmy) Haslam II in 1958 in Gate City, Virginia.

In 1965, Marathon Oil purchases half of Pilot and provides them with $4 million to expand. By 1973, there are 50 locations.

History

In 1976, Pilot opens their first convenience store. The following year, the company acquires Lonas Oil Co. and converts their locations to convenience stores.

By 1981, there are 100 Pilot locations.

In 1988, the company buys back Marathon Oil’s shares.

In 2001, Pilot and Marathon join forces again to form Pilot Travel Centers. In 2003, the company acquires Williams Travel Centers.

In 2006, the first Canadian location is opened. In 2008, the company buys Marathon’s shares back for a second time.

In 2010, Pilot buys Flying J’s travel stations from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and Pilot Flying J is formed.

Pilot Flying J currently operates over 550 truck stops, convenience stores and restaurants in the US and Canada.

In January 2020, the company announced that it would rebrand itself and change its name to simply Pilot Company.

In December 2023, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway company and the Haslam family, which owns 20 percent of Pilot, accused each other of manipulating profit numbers.

Pilot Flying J maintains a corporate office in Knoxville, Tennessee.