Bauer Built, Inc. was founded in Durand, Wisconsin in 1944 by G.F. "Sam" Bauer. The focus of the company, in its beginning, was to sell petroleum products to local service stations and farm accounts. However, very early on, the company got into retailing by opening its own gas station. The growth over the years has been in the tire industry, initially selling tires from the gas stations and then getting into the wholesaling and commercial sales and service of tires.

It was 1953 when we started selling retreaded tires and in the following year we started manufacturing retreads. This was significant as it has evolved into one of the most important aspects of our business today.

In 1976, Sam sold the majority of his interest in the company to his sons and sons-in-law and turned over the day-to-day management of the company to them. Sam ultimately retired from full-time duty in 1980 and passed away in 1994 after 50 years of service and dedication to the company. Under the second-generation leadership the company continued to grow and expand by acquiring tire centers, retread manufacturing facilities, and wholesale distribution centers across the Midwest.

We are one of the largest Tire Dealers and Retreaders in North America. During the 10 years from 1979 – 1989 we acquired 17 tire centers throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota.

In 1994 thru 2004 ownership continued to change. It was during this time that four of the owners for various reasons retired or left the company and the company redeemed their stock.

Bauer Built has over 40 different operating entities including the Bulk Oil Business we started with in 1944, 30 Tire Centers, 7 Retread manufacturing plants, 3 Wheel and Rim Refinishing operations, a transportation company and a car wash.

With headquarters in Durand since inception in 1944 we are centrally managed with all of our support services housed and centralized in Durand.