NAICS 423130 Quarterly Industry Report
Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 423130Sector: Wholesale Trade (42)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 423130 draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5] economic profiles, Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] employment surveys, and SBA size standard publications[7]. Our research team tracks replacement tire demand, distribution channel dynamics, and fleet purchasing patterns to provide valuation context for tire wholesale operations. Updated quarterly, each data point is sourced to its originating government or institutional database.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the tire and tube merchant wholesalers industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 423130) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of new and used tires and tubes for passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, agricultural equipment, industrial machinery, and specialty applications. These distributors purchase tires from manufacturers and resell them to tire dealers, automotive service centers, fleet operators, and other wholesale buyers.
The tire wholesale distribution channel bridges tire manufacturers and the retail installation network. Distributors maintain regional warehouse inventories across multiple tire brands, sizes, and types to support rapid delivery to dealer and installer customers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau[5], this classification covers both new and used tire wholesale distribution, distinguishing it from tire manufacturing (NAICS 326211) and tire retailing (NAICS 441330).
The industry serves a replacement tire market driven by vehicle miles traveled, tire wear patterns, and seasonal demand cycles. Winter tire changeovers in northern states and pre-summer road trip preparations create predictable seasonal peaks. Wholesale distributors compete on brand availability, delivery speed, pricing, and value-added services like mounting assistance and warranty processing. National and regional tire distributors operate hub-and-spoke warehouse systems to serve dealers across broad geographic territories. Commercial fleet accounts represent a major revenue segment, as trucking companies and delivery services require consistent tire supply and rapid turnaround to keep vehicles in service.
What's Included in This Industry
- New passenger tire wholesale distribution
- Commercial truck tire wholesale operations
- Used and retread tire wholesale distribution
- Agricultural and off-road tire wholesaling
- Inner tube wholesale distribution
- Specialty and racing tire wholesale operations
- Industrial and forklift tire wholesale distribution
- Tire wholesale warehousing and logistics
- Wholesale tire mounting and balancing equipment supply
- Motorcycle and ATV tire wholesale distribution
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Wholesale Trade | 42 |
| Subsector | Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 423 |
| Industry Group | Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 4231 |
| NAICS Industry | Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers | 42313 |
| National Industry | Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers | 423130 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 423120 | Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers | Motor vehicle supplies and new parts merchant wholesalers distribute other automotive components alongside but separately from tires and tubes in the aftermarket channel |
| 423110 | Automobile and Other Motor Vehicle Merchant Wholesalers | Automobile merchant wholesalers distribute complete vehicles that create downstream replacement tire demand as those vehicles accumulate miles on the road |
| 423140 | Motor Vehicle Parts (Used) Merchant Wholesalers | Used motor vehicle parts merchant wholesalers handle salvaged components including some used tires but focus broadly on recycled auto parts distribution |
| 441330 | Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers | Automotive parts and accessories retailers sell tires at retail prices to consumers, purchasing wholesale inventory from tire distributors in this classification |
| 326211 | Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading) | Tire manufacturing produces the new tires that wholesale distributors purchase from factory sources for resale through dealer and installer networks |
| 326212 | Tire Retreading | Tire retreading and rubber manufacturing provides retreaded tires that enter wholesale distribution channels for commercial fleet and budget replacement markets |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 10.1% | 254 |
| 2 | Texas | 9.6% | 242 |
| 3 | Florida | 9.2% | 233 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 5.1% | 130 |
| 5 | Georgia | 4.7% | 118 |
| 6 | Ohio | 4.5% | 115 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 3.8% | 96 |
| 8 | New York | 3.6% | 90 |
| 9 | Tennessee | 3.4% | 85 |
| 10 | New Jersey | 3.0% | 77 |
% Of Establishments
0%
10%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
48
Total SBA Loans
$34.8M
Total Loan Volume
$726K
Average Loan Size
12 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.33%
Average Interest Rate
504
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA[7] classifies Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers under NAICS 423130 with a size standard of 200 employees. Most regional tire distributors operate with moderate workforces relative to their warehouse footprints, and many fall below the SBA ceiling. Qualifying firms can access SBA lending programs[8] for warehouse expansion, delivery fleet investments, and inventory financing that help independent distributors maintain competitive brand assortments and service levels. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[9] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[10] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 16 | $30.0M | $1.9M |
| 2 | Northeast Bank | 16 | $3.2M | $200K |
| 3 | Stone Bank | 8 | $1.2M | $150K |
| 4 | The Huntington National Bank | 8 | $430K | $54K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 423130?
NAICS 423130 covers merchant wholesalers that distribute new and used tires and tubes for passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, agricultural equipment, and specialty applications. These include national and regional tire distributors, independent warehouse operators, and used tire wholesalers. Per the U.S. Census Bureau[5], the classification distinguishes wholesale tire distribution from tire manufacturing and retail tire sales.
How is NAICS 423130 structured within the broader classification?
This code belongs to Industry Group 4231 (Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers), Subsector 423 (Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods), and Sector 42 (Wholesale Trade). It shares Industry Group 4231 with 423110 (vehicles), 423120 (new parts), and 423140 (used parts).
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 423130?
The SBA[7] sets the size standard at 200 employees for Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers. Businesses with fewer than 200 employees qualify as small businesses for federal contracting set-asides and SBA loan programs.
Which NAICS codes are most closely related to 423130?
Sibling codes 423120 (new auto parts) and 423140 (used parts) cover other aftermarket distribution segments. Tire manufacturing (326211) and retreading (326212) supply the products. Tire retail dealers (441330) are the primary customers. Per NAICS reference sources, the wholesale-retail boundary determines whether a tire operation falls under 423130 or a retail trade code.
What industries interact most with tire wholesale distributors?
Automotive repair shops (811191, 811198) and tire retailers (441330) are the primary customers. Tire manufacturers (326211) and retreaders (326212) supply product inventory. Commercial trucking fleets (484220) consume tires at high volumes. Per Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] industry data, employment in tire wholesale distribution reflects these broad customer relationships. Agricultural equipment operators purchase farm implement tires through wholesale channels.
What specific activities are included in NAICS 423130?
Activities include purchasing tires from manufacturers, warehousing and distributing passenger, truck, agricultural, and specialty tires, distributing inner tubes, managing brand assortments across multiple tire lines, operating delivery networks to dealer and installer locations, and providing wholesale services like warranty processing and mounting equipment supply. According to NAICS references, the merchant wholesale function of taking title to tires defines this classification.
Can tire wholesalers access SBA loans?
Yes. Tire wholesalers with fewer than 200 employees qualify for SBA loan programs[8] including 7(a) loans for inventory financing and working capital, 504 loans for warehouse facilities and delivery vehicles, and microloans for smaller capital needs. These programs help independent distributors maintain competitive inventory levels and delivery capabilities.
Where are tire wholesale distributors concentrated in the United States?
Regional distribution warehouses spread across the country to serve local tire dealer markets, with concentrations near major population centers. National distribution hub operations cluster along interstate corridors in the Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest. States with large vehicle fleets and high driving activity, such as Texas, California, Florida, and the Northeast corridor states, support higher densities of tire wholesale operations.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA size standard publications sba.gov
- [8]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [9]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [10]504 loans sba.gov
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