Jan. 5, 2018—Discount Tire founder and company Chairman Bruce Halle passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, January 4, the company confirmed.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that today, our friend, founder and a passionate family member, Mr. Halle, has passed away,” said Michael Zuieback, CEO at Discount Tire. “I have had the privilege of working with and learning from the most talented, respected, humble and kind leader anyone could hope for, and I speak on behalf of all who knew Bruce in that he will be dearly missed.”
Halle opened the first Discount Tire store in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1960 with six tires and no business plan. At the time, Bruce served as the tire technician, accountant, sign painter, toilet cleaner, customer service representative and any other position needed to grow the fledgling business. Halle established a simple business ethos: treat others how you want to be treated; always give the customer a good deal; surprise the customer with unexpected benefits like clean bathrooms, free snow tire changes or free flat repairs; build your customer base through word of mouth; and have fun. Over the years, Halle built the largest and most recognized tire store in the country, but never lost sight of his early years in the bay as a tire technician.
He and wife, Diane, launched The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation, a philanthropic resource for a broad range of charitable endeavors. Halle also created programs to benefit Discount Tire employees such as the Bruce T. Halle Assistance Fund, which provides financial assistance to employees in need, as well as the Bruce T. Halle Scholarship Program, which has awarded over 2,700 scholarships for employees’ children to attend college.
Discount Tire, the world’s largest tire and wheel retailer, will surpass 1,000 stores in 34 states this year.
