2008-04-25 23:51:17 -

- Since it's founding in 1970, the Tuffy Auto Service Center organization has experienced sustained growth while expanding the number of Tuffy Centers nationwide and the services they provide. "As customers' needs change and economic and marketplace conditions change, our company must change as well," says Roger Hill, President and CEO.

"The average Tuffy dealer is a single store

owner/operator who works at his store counter six days a week," explains Bryan Kaufman, Tuffy's Director of Marketing. "Our customers like to know they are dealing with the owner of the business, and our dealers realize their livelihoods depend on taking care of our customers by offering outstanding service, competitive pricing, and financing options." Kaufman continues, "We received more compliments from our customers last year than ever before, and I think this is the reason."

Tuffy dealers from all over the country converged on the Renaissance Marriott resort in Orlando, Florida for their annual Dealer Meeting. "It's great when these dealers can disconnect from their shops for a few days and network with other franchisees who deal with the same issues they do on a daily basis." By all accounts, this year's meeting was the most positive and well received in recent memory. From vendor presentations and featured speaker Jim Metzger of the Automotive Service Institute, to the Dealer Panel Discussion; Tuffy dealers were sure to find something they can take back to their local markets to help grow their businesses. "We have an outstanding group of dealers," Kaufman explains. "Whether you talk to our vendors, customers, corporate staff or anyone who spends time with our dealers you hear a common theme: this is a unique group of smart, fun, hard- working people who stand apart from the rest of the automotive franchising world."

Tuffy is one of the largest full-service automotive repair franchises in the country, specializing in brakes, alignments, oil changes, air conditioning, tires, heating and cooling systems, starting and charging systems, and general maintenance and repair. Tuffy opened 11 new locations in 2007, and looks to open a similar amount in 2008. Headquartered in Toledo, Tuffy Associates Corp. operates and franchises over 235 Tuffy Auto Service Centers in Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Tuffy Associates Corp.
Bryan Kaufman
(419)865-6900