Chabill’s Tire Traxx opened its 13th location at 4966 Hwy. 1 in Mathews in February. “The Cajun Cannon” Bobby Hebert was on hand for the kick-off celebration.

Chabill’s 13th location opens in Mathews.

For Chabill’s Tire Traxx, 13 is a lucky number.

On Feb. 7, the company opened its 13th retail location at 4966 Hwy. 1 in Mathews.

On the heels of the New Orleans Saints’ dream season, the “Cajun Cannon” Bobby Hebert was on hand signing autographs and talking football with customers.

Chabill’s Tire Service, LLC, first opened its doors in 1968 in Morgan City. Since then, it has expanded to include locations across south Louisiana.

There are two locations in Houma and Lafayette, and one each in Mathews, Thibodaux, Morgan City, Bayou Vista, Franklin, New Iberia, Broussard and Crowley. According to founder and co-owner Charley Gowland, the company serves a population of nearly one million people.

To this day, Chabill’s retains its Morgan City presence. The company operates a corporate headquarters and warehousing facility there.

Chabill’s stocks, sells and services a diverse selection. It carries Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Cooper, Goodyear & Kelly products.

In fact, Chabill’s is one of the only two Louisiana retail tire dealers with a direct buying relationship with Michelin Tire Company of Greenville, S.C. That relationship provides Chabill’s with the tire prices low enough to compete on tire pricing with the like of Wal-Mart, Sears and other national chains, and still provide the benefit of a smaller company’s individualized and locally tailored customer service.

Gowland said he is “extremely proud to be one of only two Michelin Alliance dealers in Louisiana and one of less than 300 in the entire United States.”

The company continues to excel in its trade, catching attention across the country as a leader in the tire industry. In 2006, Chabill’s was listed as one of the top 100 independent tire dealers in the United States in sales volume by Tire Business magazine.

In addition to tire sales, Chabill’s has a complete service department, Gowland said. The company employs over 50 service personnel, many of whom have multiple ASE certifications in brakes, steering and suspension, air conditioning repair and engine diagnostics, and are capable in repairing and providing scheduled maintenance for nearly every vehicle type.

Chabill’s has provided its customers with excellent service and quality products for almost 40 years, Gowland said. “This fact is directly attributed to the dedication and proficiency of each employee. This effort, focused and guided by the experience and vision of the ownership, has made it possible for the company to consistently enjoy a distinguished reputation in each of its markets while growing from its modest beginnings to its present size.”

Currently, Chabill’s is aggressively pursuing the development of its 14th retail location in south Louisiana.

Chabill’s Tire Traxx opened its 13th location at 4966 Hwy. 1 in Mathews in February. “The Cajun Cannon” Bobby Hebert was on hand for the kick-off celebration.