JIM WILSON CO. CELEBRATES 45TH ANNIVERSARY

Jim Wilson Co. is observing its 45th anniversary this year.

The employee-owned wholesaler of tires, automotive and truck repair parts and related equipment held an open house recently at its warehouse facility at 2100 Themis St.

"Several of our manufacturers displayed merchandise at booths throughout the warehouse," said R. J. McKinney, president of the firm. "Several hundred customers came by the open house."

McKinney has served as president of the auto parts and supply firm since 1987 and has been with the company since 1950.

The company started business in 1947 in a 600-square-foot garage, which served as a warehouse and main base of operations for James W. Wilson and Jack Wilson.

The firm has grown from that two-man operation to an employee-owned firm operating out of a 72,000-square-foot facility. Jim Wilson Co. is also the parent company of Express Tire & Auto Service centers at Cape Girardeau and Dexter.

Jim Wilson Co. was incorporated in 1955. In 1977, the firm was sold to the Jim Wilson Co. Employee Trust.

The company, which employs 74 people, includes a sales force of 16 road salesmen and three telemarketing salesmen who service customers in a five-state area Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee.

"We're a family-oriented company," said McKinney. "We realize that the progress and success we have attained would not have been possible without valued customers, and we look forward to serving the new customers with the same enthusiasm the Wilsons did in serving their first customers 45 years ago."

Express Tire & Auto Center, a subsidiary, opened in Cape Girardeau in October 1988 in a 7,628-square-foot building with 11 bays, as a retail outlet that offers tires, motor tuneups, and other automotive service.

The local center, which employs 14 people, is at the corner of Independence and Clark streets, across from Plaza Galleria.

The Dexter center is opening at 1432 West Business 60, across from Wal-Mart, in a building which formerly housed Cam's Inc.

"The renovation of equipment and modernization of the facility should be completed by Monday," said J. B. Wilson, president of Express Tire & Auto. "We're excited about becoming a part of the Dexter community, and are looking forward to providing the services that are needed."

Location manager Kenny Caldwell expects initial employment of three to four persons. Lannie Bell will be head mechanic, and Jeff Jarrell will be the lead tire technician. Employment could eventually reach about 10, Caldwell said.