New Tech For New Opportunity
As Kenda USA ramps up the development of new tires for the North American market, the tiremaker’s Kenda North American Technical Center (KATC) in Green, Ohio, has changed dramatically. Since its ribbon-cutting ceremony in November 2015, the 50,000-square-foot facility has transformed into a multiple laboratory location with new testing equipment, new technologies and four new
Kenda USA Showcases Operations to RNC Taiwanese Delegation
Kenda USA, the U.S. division of Kenda Rubber Ind. based in Taiwan, hosted the RNC Taiwanese delegation for an exclusive luncheon and tour of several Kenda facilities near Akron on Thursday, the last day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. “This is very exciting not only for the Republicans, but also the world because
Dealer Profile: Kevin Davis
Kevin Davis grew up immersed in the tire industry. By the age of 6, he was learning to change tires; by the time he was out of high school, he was running his own service truck; and by the age of 19, Davis became an independent tire dealer. Now, Davis and 62 employees successfully run
Rebranding After Acquisition
A dark and dingy showroom is a thing of the past. Before your customer service, even before your vehicle service, the showroom offers a first impression of your business. Customers expect a neat and clean showroom, but they also need to recognize your business. Branding your tire dealership is key to building a strong relationship
A New Chapter
Commercial tire and wheel solutions provider IMI is now under one roof after settling into its new headquarters in Chambersburg, Pa., the same town where Robert Fogal Sr. founded the company in 1973. About a month after the company’s April 8, 2016, move-in date, IMI welcomed a handful of trade media to take a look
Kenda Hosts American Tech Center Open House
Kenda USA is busy developing products for the North American market at its North American Technical Center (KATC) in Green, Ohio, near Akron. On June, 20, the tiremaker invited distributors, tire dealers and media to tour the 500,000-square-foot facility. Following its ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 2015, Kenda has significantly developed the tech center with new
Rockin’ and Rollin’ into 2016
Still aiming to be dealers’ “No. 1,” Continental Tire the Americas announced a number of updates for 2016 during its Gold Dealer Meeting, themed “Conti Rocks Cancun,” on April 12 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Cancun, Mexico. “Two years ago here, we made a statement that you are our No. 1.; our No. 1
Proud to Be a Tire Dealer: Jim Jones
Jim Jones may be owner of Toledo, Ohio-based JAM Best-One Fleet Service, but you won’t find that title on his business card. Jones is the head coach, or simply “Coach.” Although he has years of experience coaching wrestling, Coach got the idea for his title from former Tires Plus leader Tom Gegax’s book, “The Big
Wide Base Tires
Wide base tires are an investment, but they can pay off in the long run for fleets looking to haul heavy loads and save weight. While these benefits are very appealing to fleets, tire dealers need to help their customers determine if wide base tires are just what the doctor ordered. The biggest difference between
IMI Moves to New HQ
Commercial tire and wheel solutions provider IMI is now under one roof after settling into its new headquarters in Chambersburg, Pa., the same town where Robert Fogal Sr. founded the company in 1973. About a month after the company’s April 8, 2016, move-in date, IMI welcomed a handful of trade media to take a look
Titan Names New Senior VP, Interim CFO
John Hrudicka is transition from his current role as chief financial officer at Titan International Inc. to senior vice president of North American tire. Titan’s board of directors also approved James M. Froisland as interim CFO to replace Hrudicka. Froisland will serve as CFO temporarily as the company searches for a permanent candidate, Titan said.
Proud to Be a Tire Dealer: Bill Simon
In 1966, an ad in the newspaper and a $1,500 loan helped a country boy from Oklahoma find work running an Esso service station in Baton Rouge, La. Fifty years later, 79-year-old Bill Simon, founder and president of Simple Simon Tires, has transformed that service station into two successful tire dealerships through hard work, trust
