Two names many locals know to trust are that of Mike Johnson and his business, Howick Tyres & Alignment.
After 42 years in the industry, he now often works with the third generation of local families he began dealing with in the 1980s.
“Often young ones will say to me, their grandfather recommended my business to them,” Mike explains. These comments make the community-minded Mike (he’s a local boy – grew up and went to school in Howick) very proud.
“It means Howick Tyres & Alignment were recommended because of our old-fashioned courtesy, good service and consistency of prices over the years.”
About three years ago and after 16 years under the Beaurepaires Howick banner, Howick Tyres & Alignment reverted to its original name. Mike and his wife, Carol, bought the business in 1986 – which he has been managing from 1981.
Major stockists of Continental tyres, they can get in most of the type of tyres required – all at competitive prices and in a short time frame.
The company has recently invested in an upgrade on their wheel alignment machine, bringing their equipment up to date with the very latest in cutting edge technology.
Mike and Carol are assisted by two workers, including James Butler, who has worked there for Howick Tyres & Alignment for eight years.
The Howick Tyres team will also check your tyres pressures and even pump up tyres completely free of charge. “I recommend this check every six week,” he explains.
Other services on offer:
- Tyre Fitting
- Wheel Alignment
- Wheel Balancing
- Tyre Rotation
- Puncture Repair
- Nitro Fill
The workshop is very well presented and immaculate – no worries about getting smart business clothes soiled or oil on your new shoes there – and the business is very professionally run.
He is often known as “Mad Mike” because of his pranks – such as making minions from tyres. But, the couple are serious about their business and giving back to the local community.
It is a proud supporter of the charity, Bellyful East Auckland, which provides meals for families with newborn babies or young children who may be suffering an illness.
Carol helps out in the regular cook-athons and the business recently bought 13,819 key-rings (typical “Mad Mike”) which they are giving away to customers in return for a gold coin donation to be passed to Bellyful East Auckland.
Mike reports that the key-rings have sold well at Howick Tyres & Alignment – resulting in a healthy donation to the charity. Yes, definitely a Howick business and a Howickian you can trust.
Howick Tyres & Alignment
33 Wellington Street, Howick.
Phone 09 534 4975.
www.howicktyres.co.nz
