More than 1,000 companies were nominated in four categories, with one final winner per section. The award is given annually to operations that display “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,” says President Mark Kauffman.
In addition to family success, companies selected for the award must also demonstrate contributions to the local region in which they reside.
“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,” reports CEO John Kauffman. “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,” he points out.
“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,” John Kauffman notes.
The company was founded in 1936 in Wooster, Ohio by Harry and Eva Kauffman. It started as a small two-pump gas station and service center. Harry’s son John joined the company in 1960 and became president in 1969. John moved the headquarters to Atlanta in 1975.
With third-generation Mark Kauffman now the active president and John’s son-in-law Tom Money as COO, the chain’s 50th retail outlet is opening this month.
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 it works to ensure the survival and success of family owned enterprises. The mission is to improve their wellbeing via innovative programming, outreach and scientific research.
For more information, visit www.kauffmantire.com.
