Kauffman Tire Named "Georgia Large Family Business of the Year"

ATLANTA, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 29, 2011, Kauffman Tire was awarded the 2011 "Georgia Large Family Business of the Year Award" from Kennesaw State University's Cox Family Enterprise Center. More than 1,000 companies were nominated for awards in four categories, with one final winner per category. This annual award is given to companies with a strong commitment to both business and family.

"We are very humbled and honored to receive this award and every associate in the company should be commended for their contribution in winning this recognition," said Mark Kauffman, president.

Kauffman Tire was founded in 1936 in Wooster, Ohio by Harry and Eva Kauffman and was started as a small, two pump gas station and service center. Harry's son John joined the company in 1960 and took over as president in 1969. John moved the company headquarters to Atlanta in 1975 where it remains today.  With Mark Kauffman, the third generation, now the active president of the company, and John's son-in-law, Tom Money the COO, it is easy to see the strong tie family plays into the company. Kauffman Tire's 50^th retail store opens in early December, a testament to the success of the Kauffman family's business success.

In addition to family success, companies recognized for this award must also demonstrate contributions to their community, which is something very important to the Kauffman family.

"I have always felt that it is our moral obligation to give back to the community and to help people who are less fortunate than us. We are very blessed just that we are able to play a role in doing this. We are very deeply involved in Emory's Winship Cancer Institute, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Junior Achievement. We have made strong commitments to these organizations and this past fall we completed building our first house for Habitat for Humanity in Atlanta. We had 38 of our staff and their family members donate their personal time to help complete this project," says John Kauffman, CEO.

About the Cox Family Enterprise Center

The Cox Family Enterprise Center in the Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University has been nationally recognized since 1987. It was one of the first family business centers in the country and works to ensure the survival and success of family owned businesses. The center's mission is to improve the wellbeing of family business through their innovative programming, outreach and scientific research.

For more information about Kauffman Tire, visit their website, www.kauffmantire.com or follow them on Facebook www.facebook.com/kauffmantire and Twitter, www.twitter.com/kauffmantire.

SOURCE Kauffman Tire