Les Schwab Tire Center opens in Havre

Les Schwab Tire Center has opened its doors for business in Havre with the official day of opening Dec. 6.

Store Manager Trent Goslin said he has been training his crew to perform tasks such as full suspension, brakes, alignments, lift kits, lowering kits, service calls, and anything to do with tires on semi-trucks, agriculture vehicles, side-by-sides, golf carts and four wheelers.

Les Schwab is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 103 34th Ave. W. between North 40 Outfitters and Walmart.

Goslin said the shop has a total of 11 employees, including himself and his assistant manager. They are not currently hiring, but they are always accepting applications.

"Les Schwab has always prided itself on its customer service, which is where we try to set ourselves apart from the competition. Just like for starters, we always greet everyone out in the parking lot," Goslin said, "We want everyone to feel welcome when they come in because, obviously, when they come in here they need something, so we want them to feel welcome.

" ... We always try to get customers in and out as quickly as possible and safe back on the road," Goslin added.

The company continues to expand.

"Our founder (Leslie Bishop Schwab) originally started the business in 1952 in Prineville, Oregon, and now there's over 500 stores, right now," Goslin said. "So, the next couple years they project to have about 80 new stores."

Goslin, who moved to Havre in November, began his career with Les Schwab in 2008 in Fairdale, Washington, working in sales and service. He also worked on commercial vehicles, agriculture vehicles and semi-trucks. Goslin worked there for nine years, followed by a promotion to assistant manager in Polson. Havre is his first store manager position.

Goslin's assistant manager, Matt Duncan, who hopes to manage his own store some day, moved to Havre from California.

"I love it here, small town and the people are great," Duncan said. "I started with Les Schwab in 2016 in Fresno, California. I was there for two-and-a-half years, then promoted to Spokane, Washington. Then I was promoted again to southern California as assistant manager and then I lateraled here."

Quentin Schraeder of Missoula, a sophomore at Montana State University-Northern studying for his four-year auto and two-year diesel degrees, said he likes working for Les Schwab.

"I have been with the store for a few months now," he said. "I love this company, they take care of me. It's basically like a second family."

Another employee, Jeffrey Gibbs, who moved to Havre from Bozeman two months ago, is studying for his automotive technology degree at Northern after receiving a degree in community health at Montana State University in Bozeman. He said he has long-term plans with Les Schwab.

"I'd like to be a manager at my own store at some point," he said. "As we expand into Nevada, I would like to move down to Nevada, it's a long-term goal."

Goslin said the company plans to get more involved in events in the area.

"Les Schwab, as a whole, is very big about getting into the community, so that's something I really want to expand into," he said. "Mainly a lot of the schools, Les Schwab likes to do a lot for 4-H and FFA."