Canton Bandag closing retread plant after six decades

CANTON, Ohio — Canton Bandag Co., one of the oldest Bandag retreaders in the country, has closed after six decades in business.

The business was founded in 1962 by David Richards, who started Canton Bandag after an original Bandag shop, started in 1959 in Akron, failed. The last day of business was Jan. 31.

David Richards Jr., the elder Richards son and current Canton Bandag owner, still has a business card from that first shop.

Richards Jr., 68, estimates that Canton Bandag is the seventh oldest Bandag retreader in the country.

Or it was. Richards recently made the difficult decision to close the business, where he's worked since he was 8 years old, citing health concerns.

"It's what I've done all my life," Richards said, reflecting on more than 50 years in the retread industry. "It's time. Past time."

Closing wasn't Richards' first choice. He said he spent two years searching for a buyer to take over the business and keep it going.

"We had a market. We had our customers," he said.

Canton Bandag, like many other businesses these days, struggled to find employees, he said. "We couldn't find people. We had the work but couldn't get it done."

The business employed 11, including several family members. When Richards spoke to prospective buyers of the business' retreading equipment, many inquired about hiring the shop's staff.

Several employees are in their 60s and are retiring following the closure, he said.

"We've seen them get married, have kids. Kids go off. They get married and have grandkids now. It's just been lifetime," Richards said.

Canton Bandag handled truck tires, but they specialized in the industrial market — industrial solid rubber, foam filled tires, skid steers — a niche market that other retreaders typically don't serve, Richards said.

He said he spent many sleepless nights worried about his customers, who have asked him where they can go now for retreading and service. Canton Bandag was the only shop in miles that offered the services they do, he said,

"I've grieved over the past year. Over what (closing) is going to do to my customers," he said.

Looking back at the last 61 years, Richards said his father's inventiveness still stands out. "If nobody made it, he would make it," he said.

David Richards Sr. died in 2017.

"He always went out of his way to help somebody," Richards Jr. added. "That's what I've always tried to do. It was never the profit end, it was always trying to help somebody."

Richards Jr. takes pride in putting out a quality product for a long time and sticking to his father's philosophy.

"We preferred quality over quantity. We determined many years ago we'd never become a production shop like so many others. Customers would become a number. It becomes about a bottom line. We didn't want to go that way," he said.

LED Transportation, a local luxury fleet service, is taking over the 24,000-sq.-ft. building where Canton Bandag operated. The equipment, much of which can't be purchased today, is largely headed to other retreaders across the country. Richards didn't want to see it scrapped.

Richards said his faith was always a cornerstone of the business.

"I've always trusted the Lord as my leader in the business. I've always operated from a Christian-filled life. My dad was that way. I'm that way. Others here in my business are like that," he said.

"Our ultimate goal every day was to help meet the customers' needs. It all comes back around to you when you do that. Profit was never the issue. It was always what we can do for the customer.

"I'm just thankful that God brings in the people we have here. ... The customers. My employees. I'm so grateful to all of them," he said.