Famed Adelaide Tyre Dealer Celebrates Its 57th Anniversary By Being Granted Platinum Status
One of Adelaide’s longest established tyre dealers has just been named as one of Kumho Tyre Australia’s newest Platinum Dealers.
Fred Vella Tyres, based in the Adelaide suburb of Melrose Park has just celebrated its 57th anniversary of operation, since being established by Fred Vella on the 26th August 1968.
Fred Vella, who is now 89, still comes into the business every day, despite long since handing over the reins of the operation to his son, Michael.
Michael Vella says that the dealership has been selling Kumho in Adelaide for more than 50 years, since they were first distributed in SA by local tyre wholesaler, Ron Heath.
“We’ve always been impressed with Kumho because of their performance and overall reliability and longevity, as well as their pricing, so to have been awarded Platinum Dealer status is a great reward for our loyalty and continued support for Kumho,” said Michael.
“The thing about Kumho is that they have a range that covers all the bases and they produce tyres that suit any and every customer,” he said.
While Michael Snr runs the tyre service these days, his son, Michael Jnr, has also been a part of the operation for the past 16 years. Michael Jnr represents the third generation of Vellas in the business, after joining the family operation straight out of school at age 18.
The strong track record and loyal customer support led Kumho to invite Fred Vella Tyres to become a Platinum dealer.
According to Kumho Tyre Australia Retail Operations Manager, Paul Deer, it is the commitment and long term stability of Fred Vella Tyres that was a key factor in promoting the dealership to Platinum status.
“Michael Snr, along with his Dad Fred and the team, have shown amazing focus and commitment over more than five decades and it is fitting that they have now been elevated to Platinum,” Paul Deer said.
The team at Fred Vella comprises Michael and Michael Jnr, admin manager Bronwyn Harris and two tyre technicians.
Administration manager Bronwyn Harris said the legacy of being in the local tyre business with the same owners for 57 years makes for some extraordinary encounters.
“It is amazing how many people come in here to buy tyres and tell us they first came here with their parents to buy tyres for the family car back in the 1960s, when Fred was running the business day-to-day, said Bronwyn Harris.
“The business was originally across the road but we moved the entire tyre operation to this site, next to Fred Vella Smash Repairs some years back, so we have been in basically the same location for the entire existence.”
“That means a lot to customers who like consistency and longevity,” she added.
As well as superior tyre service, the team is able to handle a range of repairs including brake pad replacement, battery replacement, tyre and puncture repair, wheel alignment and wheel balance as well as disposing of your old tyres.
Fred Vella Tyres is open Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 4:45pm, located at 989 South Road in Melrose Park, South Australia.
