CERTUS MANUFACTURING

Before the ‘80s, if you had a low tire, you’d better hope you also had your own air compressor. In 1981, Dave Bobert changed all that. That year, working from his garage, Dave created the coin-operated tire inflator industry and launched Air Resource Vending, Inc. (ARV). By 1998, ARV had $20 million in sales and retail and distributor partnerships not just across the nation, but across the globe. Demand was clear, and competitors popped up, but ARV stayed on top, leading the industry in innovation and service. It seemed like a good time to step out of the business, and that’s what Dave did…for a while.