Les Schwab Tire Center Expands to New Ulm with a Focus on Exceptional Customer Service
On Wednesday, Les Schwab Tire Center opened its doors for a soft rollout of its newest shop in New Ulm, Minnesota. The new tire center is located at 1507 U.S. Highway 14 near the roundabout, marking another step in the company's expansion eastward from its Oregon headquarters.
A Legacy of Service Since 1952
Founded in 1952 in Oregon, Les Schwab Tires has built a reputation on customer-centric values. With shops now in Fairmont, Mankato, and New Ulm, the company continues to grow while maintaining its commitment to service.
Jeff Brown, manager of the New Ulm location, emphasizes that customer service is at the core of their business. "We’re in the customer service business," Brown said. "We like to run out and greet customers with a smile when they are still in the parking lot."
More Than Just Tires: A One-Stop Shop
While the name suggests a focus on tires, Les Schwab handles everything adjacent to tires, including:
- Brakes, alignments, shocks, and struts
- Batteries and oil changes
- Custom suspension jobs (raising or lowering vehicles)
"The idea is to be a one-stop shop," Brown explained, ensuring customers can address multiple needs in one visit.
Handling Emergencies with Care
The shop is equipped to handle both scheduled appointments and sudden vehicle emergencies, such as flat tires. Brown acknowledges that customers with flat tires are "usually not having a great day," so the goal is to make the repair process as painless as possible to encourage return service.
Schwab offers some services for free, including rotation, rebalancing, and air checks, demonstrating their commitment to customer satisfaction.
Expertise and Innovation
The staff at Les Schwab are experts in tires and stay updated with the latest advancements. Assistant Manager Ryan Jones highlighted ongoing innovations, such as tires with tread compounds that extend lifespan to 80,000 miles and tires specifically designed for electric vehicles.
Modern Design and Expanded Services
The New Ulm location features a new design with updated signage detailing the company's history and computer kiosks for customers to browse tire options. The garage includes seven vehicle service bays and a large bay for semi-trucks.
Additionally, the store operates a service truck for on-call assistance for vehicles unable to reach the shop. Brown noted that the New Ulm shop collaborates with other Les Schwab Centers, ensuring the closest location responds to service calls.
"If you get serviced at our shop, you can also drop in at the Mankato shop," Brown said, highlighting the network's flexibility.
Team and Operations
As of opening day, the shop has nine full-time staff members, plus Jones and Brown. A grand opening celebration is planned for Friday, March 13. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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