Six Robblees' Inc. has been open for business since 1913. Three brothers of varied interests formed the company as J.A. Robblee & Co. in Tacoma, WA. Jim was a sheet metal worker, Bill a locksmith and Herb a bicycle repairman. Although repairing bicycle wheels brought in the majority of their business, by the end of the World War I their experience in tuning bike spokes had been transformed to racing car wheels for drivers of the local Indy car circuit. They had entered the automotive industry.

In 1919 they took on Budd wire wheels and later Budd-Michelin steel disc wheels. Their brother Fred designed and had truck hubs built in Seattle for pneumatic tire conversions. Jim died in 1930 and willed his interest to his six remaining brothers; Bill, Herb, Fred, Ted, Hank and Dick. The company then became Six Robblees' Inc. The locksmithing operation was sold to some nephews in 1948 when Hank and Dick bought out their retiring brothers, Bill, Fred, Herb and Ted.

Dick Robblee started Six Robblees' Inc. of Oregon in Portland in 1940 and worked there until selling to Hank's son, Dave Robblee in Seattle in 1987. Dave Robblee started in 1966 and through the National Wheel and Rim Association (NWRA) expanded the business into custom wheels, installer undercarriage auto parts and a complete line of tire shop supplies and equipment. Dave served as an NWRA trustee, convention chairman and president from 1984 to 1986. Adding to locations already in Seattle, Tacoma and Yakima, the company expanded with branches in Anchorage, AK (1976), Spokane, WA (1977), Billings, MT (1978), Fairbanks, AK (1982), Portland, OR (1987) and purchased Union Rubber Company branches in Oakland, CA (1981) and Rohnert Park, CA (1986).

The 1990's saw additional expansion with a second branch in Anchorage, AK (1991), one in Everett, WA (1994), the purchase of Motor Wheel and Parts of Seattle, WA and Bearing & Rim of Spokane, WA (1992), Dee's Truck Parts in Wasilla, AK (1996), Northwest Wheel in Great Falls, MT (1998), and Montana Wheel in Missoula, MT (1998). In addition, two tire shop supply companies were acquired in Washington; WIM of Kennewick and True Wheel Inc. of Vancouver. The new millennium opened with the purchase of Tech Supply in Eugene, OR (2000) and a new branch in Medford, OR (2001).

Six Robblees' Inc. has grown from a small family business with 3 employees to a small family business with 17 branches in 5 states. Our product offering has expanded to include car, truck and trailer wheels as well as small trailer components, tire shop supplies, equipment and heavy duty parts. We have seen tremendous growth and improvement in product offering and service; preserving the belief - "Customers deserve great service!" We hope you will join with us as we grow in the future.

Andy Robblee
(son of Dave Robblee, grandson of Hank Robblee)