The ties that bind


Prineville resident Steve Lieser played a large role in developing the “Alpine Premier” and “Alpine Sport” tire chains sold at Les Schwab.

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Prineville resident Steve Lieser played a large role in developing the “Alpine Premier” and “Alpine Sport” tire chains sold at Les Schwab.

He is a regional sales manager for the Laclede Chain Manufacturing Company, and was the first to market European style diamond pattern chains to Les Schwab.

These new chains – with a flexible hoop for ease of mounting on the inside of the tire – quickly became a featured product at Schwab stores in snow country, with the diamond pattern providing 325 percent of a bare tire’s traction. This compared to only 200 percent for the less costly ladder style, according to Lieser.

The story really begins when Lieser was a child. As a fourth-generation Oregonian (both sets of great grandparents travelled the Oregon Trail), he and his mother spent every summer on his grandfather’s ranch, east of Prineville, while his father served his country in the Navy. As a result, Lieser acquired a deep love for Central Oregon, and especially for Prineville. He vowed to return when he got the chance.

Read more at the Central Oregonian.

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