FTC Enterprises, Inc.
Owner: Ron & Jen Barlow
FTC Enterprises has evolved over the years. Bob Gutwein, 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 the 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 and also change your oil as well. It’s great to have a local business that remains in Francesville after 50+ years.
FTC Enterprises
4455 S US Highway 421
Francesville, IN 47946
(219) 567-2441
Owner: Ron and Jen Barlow
email: [email protected]
Click HERE to find FTC Enterprises, Inc. on Facebook.
Click HERE to find FTC Enterprises, Inc. on the Internet.
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 the 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 and also change your oil as well. It’s great to have a local business that remains in Francesville after 50+ years.
FTC Enterprises
4455 S US Highway 421
Francesville, IN 47946
(219) 567-2441
Owner: Ron and Jen Barlow
email: [email protected]
Click HERE to find FTC Enterprises, Inc. on Facebook.
Click HERE to find FTC Enterprises, Inc. on the Internet.
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