Tim Szabo is the Owner of Trail Tire Edmonton Groat Road, with over three decades of experience in the automotive industry. Alongside Fixed Operations Manager Kasey Wood, Tim is dedicated to ensuring every customer departs fully satisfied with their experience. 

Ian McDonald is Manager at Kirks Trail Tire Auto Centers Northern Edge. He is a valued member of the Trail Tire family, known for his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to customer service. His journey into the tire industry began in a unique way, leading him to become an integral part of the Trail Tire network.

Matt Vanderhorst is Manager at Trail Tire Auto Centers Vernon Commercial. He has been with Trail Tire since its early expansion, transitioning from a longstanding relationship with another company to join the Trail Tire family. His alignment with Trail Tire's vision and values has contributed significantly to the company's growth and success.

Dave Antoniuk is Owner of Trail Tire Spruce Grove. He joined Trail Tire in 2021, drawn by the company's philosophy and family-oriented culture. His appreciation for the support and accessibility within the organization highlights the strong sense of community that Trail Tire fosters among its members.

Graham Tanner is Manager at Trail Tire Auto Centers North West. He became part of Trail Tire through a company acquisition, finding alignment with their customer-driven approach and shared values. His dedication to customer care and honesty reflects the core principles that Trail Tire upholds.

Ryan Lien is Manager at Trail Tire Auto Centers Drayton Valley. He  joined Trail Tire in December, bringing with him a strong commitment to community involvement and local business values. His transition to Trail Tire reflects his dedication to aligning with organizations that prioritize local engagement and customer satisfaction.

Joe Paranich is Retail Operations Manager at Trail Tire. He brings a wealth of experience from his long-standing career in the Canadian tire distribution industry. His role focuses on optimizing retail programs and ensuring that locations maximize the benefits available to them.

James O'Reilly is Vice President of Trail Tire Group, with over 23 years of experience in the tire industry. A second-generation tire professional, James has been instrumental in Trail Tire's growth, overseeing its expansion to 63 stores and the addition of a digital e-commerce division. His leadership emphasizes relationships, strategic partnerships, and adapting to change, which have been integral to Trail Tire's success in Western Canada.

In this episode…

Tire and auto repair businesses thrive when built on strong relationships, quality service, and a commitment to innovation. As the industry evolves, independent shop owners must navigate challenges like digital marketing, customer engagement, and network expansion to stay competitive. How can tire dealers and repair shops align with a trusted organization to drive growth while maintaining their core values?

According to Tim Szabo, Ian McDonald, Matt Vanderhorst, Dave Antoniuk, Graham Tanner, Ryan Lien, Joe Paranich, and James O’Reilly, who participated in the Trail Tire Annual General Meeting 2025, success in the tire and auto repair industry comes from being part of a supportive and visionary network. Trail Tire’s leadership and members emphasize the importance of collaboration, transparency, and customer-first values, offering independent dealers the tools and resources they need to compete. Through shared expertise, managed growth, and new business opportunities — such as expanding into truck accessories — Trail Tire provides an ideal framework for business owners looking to scale while retaining their local, community-driven identity.

On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge welcomes Tim, Ian, Matt, Dave, Graham, Ryan, Joe, and James to discuss the culture of Trail Tire, the benefits of joining a strong network, and how the company is shaping the future of independent tire dealers. They explore leadership philosophies, business expansion strategies, and the role of innovation in customer service. Whether you're a tire dealer or an industry professional, this episode offers insights into building a thriving, resilient business.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• [02:37] Why Tim Szabo values Trail Tire's honest, hard-working culture and personal customer interactions
• [04:22] Ian McDonald's unique entry into the tire business and his entrepreneurial journey
• [09:05] Why Matt Vanderhorst believes in Trail Tire's vision and the quality of its people
• [12:46] Dave Antoniuk's reasons for joining Trail Tire in 2021 and his appreciation for the company's support
• [14:49] How Graham Tanner aligns with Trail Tire's customer-driven approach and shared values
• [17:35] Why Ryan Lien transitioned to Trail Tire in December, emphasizing community involvement
• [20:20] James O'Reilly's reflections on the AGM, Trail Tire's growth, and the company's future plans

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Tim Szabo on LinkedIn
• Matt Vanderhorst on LinkedIn
• Graham Tanner on LinkedIn
• Joe Paranich on LinkedIn
• James O’Reilly on LinkedIn
• Trail Tire Auto Centers
• Allen Ambrosie on LinkedIn
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

Quotable Moments: 

• "You can't make more family, you know. You can't make people better." - Tim Szabo
• "I always was entrepreneurial and wanted to do my own thing." - Ian McDonald
• "Alan had his corporate stores in Edmonton, and I was the first three associate stores outside of his group." - Matt Vanderhorst
• "It's not like they want to grow to have 500 stores; they want to look after and be small and not get too large, too fast." - Dave Antoniuk
• "They have your back for any situation that you need." - Graham Tanner

Action Steps: 

1. Prioritize strong customer relationships: Building and maintaining personal connections with customers is crucial, leading to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals. 
2. Embrace a family-oriented culture: Fostering a supportive, family-like environment within your organization can lead to higher employee satisfaction and retention.
3. Stay connected within your industry network: Being part of a strong network helps overcome the isolation that can come with independent business ownership and opens up opportunities for collaboration and growth.
4. Leverage available resources and programs: Address the challenge of resource management by maximizing the benefits of membership and ensure you're not missing out on valuable opportunities.
5. Maintain a forward-thinking mindset: Continuously seeking new opportunities for growth, like expanding into new product lines or services, keeps your business competitive and adaptable in a changing market. 

Sponsor for this episode...

This episode is brought to you by Tread Partners. 

At Tread Partners, we provide digital marketing for multi-location tire dealers and auto repair shops. 

By using our strategy, branding, and marketing services, we help shops sell more tires and put more cars in bays.

We’ve helped companies like Action Gator Tire, Colony Tire and Service, and Ulmer’s Auto Care Center bring extreme growth in paid leads, ROI, and searches. 

So, what are you waiting for?

Visit www.treadpartners.com or email [email protected] to learn more.