Now Playing: On the passing of Les Schwab
Topic: Business & Labor
May 19, 2007, 19:00 GMT
PRINEVILLE, OR, United States (UPI) -- Les Schwab, founder of a U.S. chain of tire stores bearing his name, died in Oregon this week at 89, the Portland Oregonian reported Saturday.
Schwab grew to become a familiar face in the Pacific Northwest with his television commercials and a chain of stores that topped 400 and racked up $1.6 billion in sales last year.
'There will never be another Les,' Phil Wick, chairman of Les Schwab Tire Centers, said in a statement. 'He was a visionary, and all of us who worked with him will stay true to his vision of integrity, service and treating people right.'
Schwab launched his company in his hometown of Prineville in the 1950s after serving in World War II and a pillar of the small central Oregon town until his death, the newspaper said.
As part of his devotion to customer service, all employees of Schwab from president on down were required to begin their careers changing tires at one of his stores.
Copyright 2007 by United Press International