While someone is highly experienced in RTO, it doesn't necessarily follow that he or she can jump right into an automotive situation without help.
Dale Ingram, President, Premier Wheel Workz

Photo/RTO Online

Mike Lewis, VP Operations, Premier Rental Purchase.

Dale Ingram, president of Premier Wheel Workz, the custom wheel rent-to-own (RTO) franchise of The Premier Companies, announced this week that Mike Lewis, Vice President of Operations for Premier Rental-Purchase, will offer to Premier Wheel Workz dealers expanded operational training and a dealer check-out program. See related video: Mike Lewis. iTunes Audio: Dale Ingram.

Premier officials say that franchisees who are new to RTO, wheel/tire rentals or more general business ownership will benefit from Lewis' operational expertise and his ability to prepare new Premier franchisees for success.

The custom-wheel culture is unique. Ingram says that years of management experience don't necessarily prepare a new dealer to be a proficient wheel and tire business owner. "While someone is highly experienced in RTO, it doesn't necessarily follow that he or she can jump right into an automotive situation without help, and vice versa," Ingram said. "Mike will enable us to close the gaps in our very aggressive training program that until now has been more focused on teaching the complicated details of our industry to RTO dealers. With Mike on board, we can help current wheel and tire dealers understand RTO. As he does for Premier Rental-Purchase, Mike will bring everything together in a clear and logical way to help dealers get up and running and build a good foundation for a new level of operating – from the owner's seat."

After 12 years in the industry, Lewis joined Premier in 2004 as a franchisee in Mishawaka, Indiana. He has since opened stores in Goshen, Fort Wayne and Elkhart. Lewis was named Premier's Vice President of Operations in 2006 (see story).

Lewis was Premier's Dealer of the Year for 2007. See Bleeding Blue and Yellow - Mike Lewis Named 2007 Premier Companies' Dealer of the Year.

The Premier Companies formed a joint venture with Wheel Workz last year (see story) bringing to the industry a unique combination of wheel and tire rental opportunities and RTO franchising expertise. According to Ingram, dealers experienced in either side of this new industry – automotive or rental-purchase – will find that they have the resources to be successful through Premier.

The national office of Premier Wheel Workz is located in Memphis, Tn. For more information, contact Dale Ingram at 800.2PREMIER ext. 4, or visit www.wheelworkz.com.