After 16 years of working for the Pumpa family business, in High St, the tyre expert bought the Echuca and Moama Goodyear franchises in January.
He explained this week that the four-day Easter holiday period, and the school holidays that followed, often has thousands heading onto the road. And the one thing between them and the road was the vehicle’s tyres.
Jarrod, his wife Fiona, and two daughters — Phoebe and Violet — have sent a message of safe motoring during the holiday period.
“It is important to check tyres regularly, particularly before big trips,” he said.
Jarrod’s 16 years with the previous operators of the businesses was preceded by stints with Tyrepower and Beaureparis, which he said gave him a total of 30 years in the industry.
“I started when I was 17 years old. Now my family and I operate the two stores and have five people working with us at the two sites,” he said.
Coupled with the tyre staff is mechanic Peter Sawyer, who operates his own business under the Goodyear banner.
Jarrod said having Peter on site acted as an incentive for people to take the advice on tyres when they get their car serviced.
“Between three of us on site there is 60 years in the industry. Our priority is giving people the right advice,” he said.
Jarrod said warning signs about tyres, that people should be looking for, including looking for wear when the front wheels on full lock and vibration, squealing or slipping when cornering.
The High St businesses is predominantly a Goodyear and Dunlop dealership, but also offers leading brands like BF Goodrich and Michelin.
“Some Goodyear products don’t suit certain vehicles.
“Goodyear Duratrac has kevlar built into the tyre, and is a 4WD off-road tyre, which is our number one seller,” he said.
He said taking note of the tyre pressure monitoring system, which was available in most modern cars, is something that has really helped alert people to the condition of their tyres.
The business also offers free tyre checks, along with oil and water checks, free of charge.
“We want people to enjoy good old fashion service when they come here,” he said.
Jarrod said the support of previous owners David and Sue Pumpa, in allowing his family to take over the business after 16 years of working on site, had given his own family the chance to improve their own lives.
‘’They and their son, Jade Pumpa, were a pleasure to work with,’’ he said.
