Francesville, Indiana
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Francesville Tire Company (FTC)

FTC Enterprises has evolved over the years. Bob Gutwein, the late Al Olson and Larry Holdcraft, started the Francesville Tire Company in the early 1960’s.  This business, a dealer of Goodyear Tire products, operated in the former Ed Hauptli building that once stood just south of the former hotel, now apartments across from the library.   Ed Hauptli sold Oliver Tractors and animal feed. Soon the three owners decided to leave the center of town and relocate to Hwy 421. They purchased chicken houses north of town that belonged to Bob’s father, Clarence Gutwein. The converted chicken houses served as offices, a showroom and a place to change tires.  Later as the business expanded, an additional building was built to meet growing needs. Both are part of the current facility used today.

In the early 1970’s, Bob and Al bought out Larry’s share of the business.  The building used for their offices became the sole property of the Holdcraft’s.  It is that building, along with the house on the property. that now belong to Rich and Darlene Tanner.  Thus it was in the 70’s that FTC began operating in the current site owned by Barlows today.


A few years later, Al sold his share to Bob.  It was then that Bob began manufacturing dual wheels for farm tractors and Terra-Tires, a Goodyear Product.  In the mid 1970’s Doug Gutwein, Bob’s youngest brother, became the operations manager. Later in 1986, Doug purchased FTC from Bob.  Doug continued to manufacture and sell Terra wheels for farm field fertilizer application. It was at this time that Doug renamed the business to FTC Products, as Bob continued to use the initials FTC for his Francesville Tree Company.  Devoting his time to politics as a State Representative, Doug sold the FTC Products business in 2012 to the Barlows.


Under the new name of FTC Enterprises Inc, Ron Barlow continues to manufacture and sell Terra wheels.  In addition to these wheels, Barlow is a dealer for Nichols Tillage Tools, Michelin Ag, Firestone Ag, Falken, MasterCraft and Bridgestone/Firestone Cart Truck Distributor.   FTC Enterprises Inc does routine automotive service such as oil changes, brake jobs, and tire rotation. They even sell various kinds of mulch for landscaping needs!


With the closing of the Knapp Tire Company, it is the customers who are appreciative to still have a local business that will not only fix a flat tire or sell you a new one, but change your oil as well.  It’s great to have a local business that remains in Francesville after 50+ years.


We hope the mark that Ron Barlow is making on our town will be a lasting tradition of a local tire company.  Thank you Ron and Jennifer for seeing a need, believing it will work and capitalizing on it!


Jodie Schlatter
Uptown Project Inc


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  • Home
  • Our Town
    • Francesville Library
    • Francesville Post Office
    • Map
    • Picture Gallery
    • Francesville History
    • Schools >
      • Medaryville Nursery School
      • West Central School Corp
    • Francesville Housing >
      • Live in Francesville
  • Town Government
    • ADA & Title IV
    • Town Hall
    • Town Council >
      • Ordinances
      • Documents
    • Town Services >
      • Fire
      • Street & Sanitation Dept
      • Police
      • Water Department
    • Pulaski County >
      • Pulaski County Info
      • Pulaski County Sheriff
    • Contact
  • Business Profiles
    • Agriculture >
      • Circle S Farm Solutions
      • Cornerstone Farms, LLC
      • Eden Valley Farms, LLC
      • Gutwein Popcorn
      • Monticello Farm Service
      • Rose Acre Farms
      • Schlatter's Inc.
    • Manufacturing >
      • Clear Decision Filtrations
    • Restaurants >
      • Rod's Pizzeria
      • The Farmhouse Kitchen
      • The Patio Drive-In
    • Retail >
      • Montgomery Mercantile 1 >
        • Beautiful You Boutique
        • Coffin Coffee Company
        • Dee W Designs
        • Handmade by Linda
        • Hoosier Handcraft
        • Preserving Goodness
        • Tulip Fields
      • Montgomery Mercantile 2 >
        • Local Authors
        • Beautifully Transformed
        • Our Talents for His Glory
        • Rosemary's Etc.
        • Tanner Woodwork
        • Ferns Hollow
      • Alan Sutton Graphic Designs
      • Country Color Floral
      • Debco Metal Culverts
      • DMK Street Treats
      • Francesville Tire Company
      • Francesville Market
      • Stonewheel Pottery
    • Services >
      • Alliance Bank
      • Cut-N-Cuddle
      • D-1 Trucking and Trailer Repair
      • Dance Development Academy
      • Frain Mortuary
      • Fit 'n Fabulous
      • Five Star Plumbing and Heating
      • Francesville Tribune
      • Gutwein Agency
      • Gutwein Bulldozing & Excavating
      • Kennedy Electric
      • Ladybug Cleaners, LLC
      • Melissa Tanner Photography
      • NV Salon & Tanning
      • Pelsy Septic & Drain Cleaning
      • Parkview Haven
      • Ventriloquist Beth Sutton Cummins
  • Organizations
    • 4-H
    • Boy Scouts
    • Francesville Fall Festival >
      • FFF Annual Golf Outing
      • FFF 2021
    • Girl Scouts
    • Humanitarian Dist Center
    • Lions Club
    • Places of Worship
    • Pulaski Co Farmers Market
  • Health Care
  • Parks & Recreation
    • Francesville Park
    • Francesville Gazebo
    • Moss Creek Golf Course
    • West Central Youth League