Company Leads Action to Reduce Toxic Lead on Northwest Roads
PRINEVILLE, Ore.--(Business Wire)--
Les Schwab Tire Centers announced today that it plans to phase out
use of lead based wheel weights for wheel balancing on passenger cars
and light trucks in all stores throughout its seven states of
operation. The company expects to eliminate all sales of lead based
wheel weights for these vehicles by mid 2009.
"We are moving from lead to steel wheel weights because our
customers are looking for better alternatives," said Dick Borgman,
CEO, Les Schwab Tire Centers. "For the last two years we have been
working with our supplier to develop an excellent steel wheel weight
alternative and are excited to start using it exclusively."
"We are taking steps to redefine industry standards for wheel
weights in order to meet customer expectations, and provide the kind
of product and service excellence everyone has come to expect from Les
Schwab. Steel wheel weights are good for our customers and for the
local communities where we operate," Borgman explained.
Les Schwab expects to have full supplies of steel wheel weights
for passenger cars and light trucks by the middle of 2009.
The elimination of lead based wheel weights for passenger cars and
light trucks is just one of several environmental practices pioneered
by Les Schwab Tire Centers. The company is one of the largest tire
retreaders in the United States and it maintains an innovative program
for recycling waste tires. Les Schwab also recycles wheel weights and
scrap steel.
"Washington state applauds this type of corporate leadership to
protect our environment, said Jay Manning, director of the state
Department of Ecology. "The job of taking care of our environment
takes more than government working alone. Les Schwab is showing that
good business and a clean environment go hand in hand."
About Les Schwab Tire Centers
Les Schwab founded Les Schwab Tire Centers in Prineville, Oregon
in 1952. Today the company is one of the leading independent tire
dealers in the United States with more than 7,700 employees in 419
locations throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California,
Nevada, Alaska and Utah.
In the last eight months Les Schwab Tire Centers received two
awards for its environmental and business practices. The company
received an Environmental Excellence award from the Association of
Washington Business and it ranked among the top 20 companies in Oregon
Business magazine's "Best Places to Work" survey.
Les Schwab Tire Centers
Jodie Hueske, 541-447-4136
www.Lesschwab.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
