Celebrating Employee Ownership Month at Sullivan Tire

October is Employee Ownership Month (EOM), and Sullivan Tire is proud to be celebrating two years as a 100% employee-owned company. It’s the perfect time to reflect on what being employee-owned means for our team, our customers, and the future of the company.

Our Journey to Employee Ownership

In 2023, the Sullivan family made the decision to transition the business into an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), selling the company to its more than 1,500 employees.

The impact of this decision has been transformative. Today, when a customer visits one of our locations, calls for service, or speaks with someone at our corporate office, they’re talking to an Owner of Sullivan Tire. This shift represents more than a change in structure — it reinforces our long-standing commitment to our company motto:

“Treat everyone — customers and fellow employees — as you would a member of your family.”

What It Means to Be 100% Employee-Owned

Becoming 100% employee-owned gives every team member a direct stake in our success. This has strengthened our culture of teamwork, accountability, and dedication to providing exceptional service across New England.

Our ESOP structure empowers employees to think and act like owners, driving innovation, customer satisfaction, and long-term sustainability. It also helps attract and retain top talent who value a workplace where contributions truly make a difference.

Employee Ownership in New England

Sullivan Tire is proud to join a growing community of respected New England businesses that have embraced employee ownership — including Harpoon Brewery in Boston and Hypertherm in New Hampshire.

Like us, these companies understand that employee ownership strengthens culture, rewards dedication, and ensures that the brand’s legacy continues for generations to come.

As Paul Sullivan said:

“What is important to us is preserving the brand of Sullivan Tire and recognizing our employees who helped us get there — the ones who are doing it each and every day. They demonstrate an awful lot of care, and that’s what’s built our tremendous customer base.”

The Benefits of Employee Ownership — for Everyone

• For customers: You receive the same friendly, dedicated service you’ve trusted for decades — now delivered by employee-owners who take even greater pride in their work.
• For employees: Ownership brings a stronger sense of purpose, personal growth, and financial reward.
• For the company: Our collective investment ensures that Sullivan Tire’s values and community commitment stay strong for generations to come.

By sharing in ownership, we share in success — ensuring that Sullivan Tire continues to thrive as a locally rooted, employee-driven business.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate Employee Ownership Month, we’re reminded that our people are the heart of Sullivan Tire’s 70-year legacy. Every oil change, tire installation, and customer interaction reflects the pride of employee-owners who know that their success is tied directly to the company’s success.

We’re grateful to our team, our customers, and our communities for supporting us on this journey. Together, we’re building a stronger future — one that’s locally owned, employee-driven, and here to #GetYouThere.

Learn More

• Learn about our company history
• Find your nearest Sullivan Tire location
• Explore career opportunities with an employee-owned company
• Discover our community involvement

About Sullivan Tire and Auto Service:

Headquartered in Norwell, MA, Sullivan Tire and Auto Service is New England’s home for automotive and commercial truck care with 83 retail locations; 21 commercial truck centers; 14 wholesale distribution satellite locations; two truck tire retread plants; two LiftWorks facilities; and five distribution centers, across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Maine. The foundation on which Robert J. Sullivan started Sullivan Tire in 1955 was, “Treat everyone, customers and fellow employees, as you would a member of your family,” and that tradition continues today. In 2023 Sullivan Tire announced a new Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), turning ownership of the company over to its more than 1,500 employees. For more information on Sullivan Tire please visit www.sullivantire.com.