Aug 07, 2014
Fargo/Moorhead Area Residents Win Tuffy Dealer of the Year for Multiple LocationsToledo, OHKim and Shelley Kappes added another award plaque to the impressive collection that adorns their shop waiting room with their most prestigious award yet by earning the 2009 Dealer of the Year Award for Multiple Locations at the Tuffy Auto Service Centers annual dealer conference in Schaumburg, IL. This award honors the top franchisee in Tuffy’s chain of 230 service centers. Kim and Shelley are lifelong residents of the Fargo/Moorhead area and bought their first Tuffy Auto Service Center in Fargo in 2000. They opened a second store in Grand Forks in 2003 and have never looked back. In their 10 years as Tuffy franchisees, Kim and Shelley have won nearly every award that their parent company hands out, including the Tuffy Total Quality Award, New Dealer of the Year, Manager of the Year, and President’s Award. “We were caught completely by surprise to be named Dealer of the Year,” says Mr. Kappes. “There are some very strong performers in the Tuffy System, and to win top honors with that level of competition is remarkable.” “Kim and Shelley and their crew are among the most consistent performers in our chain,” says Roger Hill, President and CEO of Tuffy Associates Corp. “They do a fantastic job, and their customers love them for it.” Kim and his team of ASE Certified Technicians have always prided themselves on running an honest business that puts the customer squarely in the forefront. A graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Business, Kim hasn’t always been in the auto service field. “My background was in the grocery business prior to buying my first Tuffy store,” Kim explains. “The concept of treating customers honestly, fairly, and professionally is the same in any business.” “Kim’s contribution to the community is significant, donating time and services to a large number of charitable organizations in Fargo and Grand Forks,” explains Bryan Kaufman, Director of Marketing of Tuffy Associates Corp. “When he’s not busy running the store, Kim is working to help grow and strengthen the Tuffy organization through his involvement with Dealer Panel discussions as well as Tuffy’s Franchise Advisory Council. Kim and Shelley are well liked and respected within the Tuffy Franchisee Community. This award couldn’t go to nicer or more deserving people. The Dealer of the Year award is about more than sales numbers. It’s about running a good business, about giving back to the community, and about doing things the right way. Tuffy wishes to congratulate Kim and Shelley on their accomplishment.” Tuffy is one of the largest full-service automotive repair franchises in the country, specializing in brakes, alignments, oil changes, air conditioning, tires, heating and cooling systems, starting and charging systems, and general maintenance and repair. Headquartered in Toledo, Tuffy Associates Corp. operates and franchises over 230 Tuffy Auto Service Centers in Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and Wisconsin. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Bryan Kaufman at 419/865-6900 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . |