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Looking Forward Tire Company Execs Talk About the Future
August 17, 2009
“The problem with the future is that it keeps turning into the present.” - Calvin & Hobbes creator Bill Watterson And the present has an odd way of getting in the way. For instance, when we first planned for this story, we thought it would be neat to peer into the future and see what the tire industry – products, companies and dealers – might look like in... read more
 
Prep Work: How Dealers Can Get a Jump on ESC Requirements
August 15, 2009
Overall traffic fatalities reported in 2008 hit their lowest level since 1961. The U.S. Department of Transportation released this statement in July. They went on to say, “that fatalities in the first three months of 2009 continued to decrease. The fatality rate, which accounts for variables like fewer miles traveled, also reached the lowest level ever recorded.” As difficult... read more
 
Private Brand Tires Still Offer Added Profits
July 15, 2009
Despite a shrinking market, fallout from an economic recession and tough price competition from overseas, the private brand tire segment still offers dealers the potential for added profits and exclusivity in their own markets. The private brand segment has seen easier days, to be sure, but it is still relevant in today’s marketplace. With the improved logistical capabilities of private... read more
 
Changes & Challenges: The Role of Wholesalers/ Distributors
December 15, 2008
Politics notwithstanding, change is the mantra these days. It is preached throughout the tire industry, and prominent on the platform is the vital link in the distribution chain: the distributor/wholesaler. In the late 1960s and 1970s, brands and brand loyalty were kings. Most successful tire businesses in the U.S. were neatly aligned with the North American tire giants Goodyear, Firestone... read more
 
A Permanent Solution: Safety, Profits From Permanent Tire Repair
October 31, 2008
Even though it ensures customers’ safety plus offers the potential for a steady revenue stream, proper, permanent tire repair is still not a service offered by all tire dealers. It might have something to do with today’s “instant gratification” society, where shops don’t want to take the time to repair a tire, and customers don’t want to spend time... read more
 
Cool Results: Growing Winter Tire Market Offers Steady Profits
June 17, 2008
With the summer months upon us, winter tires are likely one of the last things your customers are concerned about. But by thinking ahead about entering or strengthening your position in this profitable market segment, you may find yourself at an advantage when the temperatures start to drop. Quite popular in Europe and Canada, and slow to catch on in the U.S., sales in this niche have continually... read more
 
Still About Gas: As Fuel Prices Rise, Educating Consumers About Nitrogen More Important
May 22, 2008
In today’s harsh economic climate, consumers are looking for ways to cut back on expenses, even at the detriment of their vehicles and tires. In fact, the latest from the Bureau of Economic Analysis says that since November 2007, consumers have trimmed car expenses by 1.9%. As oil prices – and resulting costs in everything from gasoline to food – continue to rise, vehicle and tire... read more
 
Moving Target: Dealers Need Sure Footing to Take Accurate Aim in New Tire World
July 30, 2007
There’s a growing phenomenon imposing its will on the tire industry these days. It’s called “global warming,” but it has nothing to do with the weather. It has everything to do with “warming up” to imports and overseas suppliers. North American tire dealers – retail and commercial – have certainly seen their brand options increase dramatically... read more
 
While It's Hot: With the Right Business Approach, Selling Nitrogen Can Pump Up Profits
May 29, 2007
For the past five or so years, suppliers of nitrogen-inflation equipment have made serious claims. Compared to moisture- and dirt-laden compressed air, nitrogen – a dry, inert gas – runs cooler, does not permeate through rubber as quickly and does not cause rust to develop on steel cords, expensive wheels or tire pressure monitoring sensors. The result is better fuel economy, more consistent... read more
 
Tighter Squeeze: Low-Cost Options Add Pressure, But Private Branders Remain Strong
April 24, 2007
What do you do when all around you is chaos – a shrinking market, harsh price-based competition from overseas, lost domestic business and predictions of an early demise? U.S. private brands have seen this movie before, back when the first Japanese-produced tires hit these shores and again when South Korean tires made their way here. There was some fall out, to be sure, but private brands... read more
 
Raw (Materials) Deal: Strapped By Rising Costs, Tiremakers Look at Fresh Alternatives
April 12, 2007
The volatility of the world’s political climate, the unpredictable weather in North America and El NiÑo in the Pacific Ocean are having very expected outcomes in terms of the cost of raw materials for the tire industry. Oh yes, and then there’s China. The economy of the world’s most-populous country continues to grow faster than kudzu in the South. By any western m... read more
 
Strange But True Tire Tales
November 28, 2005
Too often, we’re consumed by the Ordinary. We get into our daily routines and never waver. No matter how much you love what you do every day, it’s still refreshing to take a break once in a while from the Everyday. To help you do that, we’ve tracked down some of the most unusual tire stories we could find. Some tales are from decades ago; some occurred just within... read more
 
Winter Harvest: Dealers Can Plant the Winter Tire Seed All Year Round
August 01, 2005
It wasn’t too long ago that some in this industry were ready to declare the winter tire dead. Popular in Europe and Canada, sales in the U.S. had been, at best, flat for the previous couple of winters. A few suggested that advances in standard passenger and performance offerings were enough to cope with slush, snow and ice. An interesting thing happened on the way to the funeral, though... read more
 
Action and Reaction: Can Private Brands Survive a Shakeout?
March 29, 2005
When evaluating the private brand tires you carry, ask yourself one critical question: Can they survive a shakeout? “We are a pull through,” says Pat McLaughlin, president of SURE Tire, a cooperative buying group for private brand tires, about his business. “We can’t push anything into the market. We have to trail.” Reactionary. That’s the essence... read more
 
Winter Tire Blues: Auto Advances Add Complexity to Winter Tire Servicing
December 01, 2004
The snowflake branded on the sidewall of a winter tire isn’t there for decoration. The designation means the tire addresses three winter driving concerns: traction, cornering and braking. “Put on a set of today’s winter tires, and driving in the winter becomes irrelevant.” That’s a direct quote from long-time tire test driver Bob Strange, who lives just west... read more
 
Secrets of Winter Tires
July 09, 2004
Ordinarily used in the same sentence with cooking oils, canola has found a new niche at Nokian Tyre's winter tire plant in Finland. That's where the "low-sat-fat" oil is mixed into Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tire tread compounds. "It increases the tear resistance of rubber and improves the tire's grip in winter and wet conditions," says Nokian. Ordinarily used in the same sentence... read more
 
Style-Driven Service
January 01, 2004
Tire changer and wheel balancer manufacturers are adapting to the latest trends to help your service business keep up.In the tire and wheel business, style often comes before serviceability. As you know, large, low-profile tire and custom wheel sizes continue to proliferate. That’s bad news for the independent tire dealer who hasn't invested in the right equipment yet still must service these... read more
 
Run-Flat Tires: Growth Slow Amid Cost, Performance and Acceptance Issues
November 01, 2003
Run-Flat Growth Slow Amid Cost, Performance and Acceptance IssuesIt seems like it was a long time ago when we first heard that run-flat tires would take over the industry. Drivers saw the added safety potential and never again wanted to change a flat in a driving rainstorm. Because run-flats meant no spare tires, carmakers wanted that space back for passengers, storage or other features. And tiremakers... read more
 
Christmas in July: How Dealers Forecast Winter Tire Sales Before Summer
July 01, 2003
Now that it’s mid-July, it's safe to assume tire dealers in the traditionally snowy climates of North America aren't really paying all that much attention to winter tires. And why is that? Well, because most of them have already placed their winter tire orders, of course. That’s right, by now most dealers who handle winter tires have consulted long-range weather forecasts... read more
 
Private-ly Niched: Specialty Private Brands are on the Rise, Filling Niches Nicely
June 01, 2003
The perception is that the private brand market hasn’t always gotten the respect within the tire industry it deserves. Not because private brand tires are in any way inferior in quality and performance. But merely because they aren’t "major" brands. As any private brander will tell you, their tires are of the highest quality, at a price both you and the customer can... read more
 
  

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