Kipping Tire & Automotive Ltd

What Kipping Tire & Automotive Ltd does

Kipping Tire & Automotive Ltd is an independent, founder-owned tire dealer and automotive repair center founded in 1984 by Tom Kipping, operating two physical locations in Windsor, Ontario (1197 Ouellette Ave and 3600 Tecumseh Rd E). The company serves individual vehicle owners and families across Windsor, LaSalle, Tecumseh, and Essex County, providing passenger and light-truck tire sales (Bridgestone, Firestone, and Fuzion brands) alongside a broad menu of repair and maintenance services including brake repair, wheel alignment via a Hunter Hawkeye Alignment Machine, transmission, steering and suspension, exhaust, differentials, climate control (supporting both R134a and R1234yf refrigerants), electrical diagnostics, EV/hybrid service, nitrogen inflation, computerized wheel balancing, tire rotation, flat repair, and TPMS service.

The underlying operating technology is conventional automotive service equipment rather than proprietary software: computerized wheel balancers, Hunter precision alignment hardware, vehicle diagnostic scanners for engine and emissions fault codes, and dual-refrigerant A/C service equipment. Pricing is quote-based and pay-as-you-go, with free lifetime tire rotations included on any four-tire purchase as a relationship anchor. The company also accepts fleet accounts (GE Capital Fleet, PHH Fleet, ARI, National Account) and runs a digital channel consisting of a website (powered by Net Driven / LeadVenture), online appointment scheduling, an active blog with seasonal car-care content, and Facebook/Twitter accounts, complemented by community sponsorships including the Windsor Spitfires and local youth sports. Distribution is purely direct retail through the two storefronts with no e-commerce purchase capability.

The business model is transaction-based across two revenue streams: one-time tire sales (with optional installation) and per-event automotive repair services. The customer base is horizontal and consumer-dominated, with no disclosed enterprise anchor accounts. Headcount is reported in the 11-50 range and the business operates without external investment, holding no disclosed funding rounds and operating as a private, founder-led independent.

Name

Kipping Tire & Automotive Ltd

Legal name

Kipping Tire & Automotive

Website

https://kippingtire.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kipping Tire & Automotive is a founder-owned, independent tire dealer and auto repair shop in Windsor, Ontario, operating two storefronts that sell Bridgestone, Firestone, and Fuzion tires and provide full-service automotive repair for individual vehicle owners and families across Windsor-Essex County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Repair and Tire Services

NAICS

Tire Dealers (44134), All Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance (811198)

SIC

Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500)

akta.pro primary industry

Retail Tire Sales & Installation (Consumer) (TLAKADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wheel Services (Mount/Balance, Alignment, Rotation) (TLAKADAF), Tire Repair (Puncture, Patch/Plug, Section Repair) (TLAKADAD)

Keywords

• Tire retail services
• Automotive repair services
• Wheel alignment service
• Tire replacement service
• Brake repair service

Headquarters

HQ city

Windsor

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tire Sales: One-time sale of tires (passenger and light truck) from major brands including Bridgestone, Firestone, and Fuzion. Customers purchase tires with optional installation services.
2. Automotive Repair Services: Transaction-based auto repair services including brake repairs, wheel alignments, steering/suspension, transmission repairs, exhaust system repairs, axle/CV joint repairs, preventive maintenance, and diagnostics. Services are charged per repair or service event.
3. Tire Services: Additional tire services including nitrogen inflation, wheel balancing, tire rotation, flat tire repairs, and TPMS service and adjustments, charged per service or included with tire purchases

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kipping Tire & Automotive Ltd is a Windsor, Ontario-based independent tire retailer and automotive repair shop founded in 1984 by Tom Kipping. The company sells major tire brands including Bridgestone, Firestone, and Fuzion and provides supporting auto repair services (tire mounting/balancing, wheel alignment, brake work, and general mechanical repair) across two physical locations serving local personal-vehicle owners.

Product overview

Kipping Tire & Automotive is a tire dealer and automotive repair center offering a portfolio of products and services centered on two core offerings: tire sales (Bridgestone, Firestone, and Fuzion brands) and comprehensive auto repair services. The company operates two physical locations in Windsor, ON, and provides services ranging from basic maintenance (oil changes, tire rotations, wheel balancing) to complex repairs (transmission, engine diagnostics, suspension). The product portfolio is structured around the core tire sales and auto repair service lines, with specialized offerings including nitrogen inflation, Hunter Hawkeye wheel alignment, TPMS service, and EV/hybrid maintenance. Services are offered on an à la carte basis, with no subscription or software-as-a-service component.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tire sales (Bridgestone, Firestone, Fuzion)
• Tire installation, mounting, and balancing
• Wheel alignment service

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BridgestonecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Bridgestone tire dealer. The company sells Bridgestone tires and promotes the brand on their website. Kipping Tire is licensed to use Bridgestone branding and logos. Bridgestone Corporation owns the Bridgestone trademark used under license.
• FirestonecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Firestone tire dealer in Canada. The company sells Firestone tires and promotes the brand on their website. Firestone is owned in Canada by Bridgestone Licensing Services, Inc., and is used under license by Kipping Tire.
• Windsor SpitfiresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal OHL hockey team sponsorship. The company proudly sponsors the Windsor Spitfires hockey club as part of community engagement and local brand awareness.
• Local Youth Sports OrganizationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors local youth football, baseball, and hockey teams in the Windsor-Essex County community.
• FuzionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird tire brand sold at the dealership, offering additional tire options for price-conscious customers.
• Net Driven (LeadVenture Inc.)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWebsite platform provider. Net Driven (now LeadVenture Inc.) hosts and powers the company website. The Terms of Use document identifies LeadVenture Inc. as the website platform owner and co-site owner with Kipping Tire.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Tire (Automotive Service): Iconic Canadian retailer with a national network of Automotive Service Centres offering tires, alignments, oil changes, and mechanical repair. Comparable in product mix but vastly larger scale, broader assortment, and stronger marketing reach.
• Monro Auto Service and Tire Centers: US-based multi-brand tire and auto service chain (Monro, Mr. Tire, Tire Kingdom). Comparable on service mix (tires, alignments, brakes, mechanical) at significantly larger chain scale; useful benchmark for chain economics and unit-level benchmarks.
• NAPA Auto Parts: Large North American auto parts distributor and retailer serving both consumer and professional installer markets. Comparable as a parts supplier and brand competitor adjacent to the tire and mechanical service category.
• AutoZone: Major North American auto parts retailer with growing DIY/DIFM tire and service programs. Comparable as a tire retail and automotive service competitor at much larger scale, primarily US but with cross-border brand presence near Windsor.

Direct peers

• Mr. Lube: Canada's largest quick-service automotive maintenance chain, focused on oil changes, tires, and under-hood services. Comparable as a Canadian multi-location operator competing for the same preventive-maintenance and tire-services wallet.
• OK Tire: Canadian dealer network of independently owned tire and auto service stores. Most directly comparable on business model: independent ownership, retail tire sales, full mechanical service, and authorized dealer relationships with major tire brands.
• Fountain Tire: Western Canada-headquartered tire dealer and automotive service chain with stores across multiple provinces. Highly comparable as a multi-location independent-style tire retailer offering tire sales, mechanical repair, and fleet services.
• Kal Tire: Canada's largest Canadian-owned tire dealer and auto service chain, offering retail tire sales, alignments, brakes, and mechanical service across hundreds of stores. Directly comparable as a multi-location tire dealer / auto repair operator targeting the same Canadian consumer segments.
• Active Green+Ross: Canadian chain specializing in tires, alignments, brakes, and undercar services across Ontario and beyond. Closely comparable on service mix (tires + alignments + mechanical) and Ontario market overlap.
• Speedy Auto Service: Canadian chain offering tires, alignments, brakes, mufflers, and general mechanical repair, primarily in Quebec and Ontario. Comparable on service portfolio and the Canadian independent-chain competitive set.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/kippingtire
• Facebookfacebook.com/kippingtire

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kipping Tire & Automotive Ltd