Making the Transition to Non-Lead Wheel Weights
The days of lead wheel weights are numbered. While the federal Environmental Protection Agency has been slow to act, a number of state governments – California, Illinois, Washington, Maine, Vermont and New York – have banned the use of lead wheel weights. In addition, similar legislation is pending in Iowa, Wisconsin, Maryland and Rhode Island,
Challenges Met, Kumho Ready For Continued Improvement
Kumho Tire USA has weathered the storm of 2010 – a year riddled with the financial makeover of parent company Kumho Asiana Group, a sluggish economy and continued repercussions of the Chinese tire tariff – and is looking toward a bright future.Somewhat appropriately, the tiremaker used the sunny backdrop of Los Cabos, Mexico, when delivering
Online Group Discount Programs Guarantee New Customers
Imagine a form of marketing that’s 95% guaranteed to drive new customers to your shop’s door without any upfront costs. Believe it or not, there’s no catch. Online group discount websites are making this scenario a reality for a variety of businesses, including tire dealers.Online group discount sites – which include livingsocial.com, buywithme.com, lifebooker.com, groupon.com
Golf Course Tire Growth Slowed by Decline in Play
After a slump in 2009 and another slow year in 2010, it appears golf course business in the U.S. has scored a double bogey as of late. While the numbers may vary by geographic location, overall total rounds played in 2010 were down compared to the year before – a drop of 2% for public
Kumho Execs Talk 2011 Strategy
During Kumho Tire USA’s recent dealer meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico, Tire Review sat down for an interview with Rick Brennan, vice president of marketing, and Armand Allaire, national vice president of sales. The two discussed the tiremaker’s improvements in 2010, goals for 2011 and what dealers can do to ensure success. In 2010, Kumho’s
After a Year of Introspection, Alliance Ready for Growth
When Tire Review last met with Yogesh Mahansaria, CEO of Alliance Tire Group, the company had recently built a greenfield plant in India and bought portions of the bankrupt GPX International Tire. After spending most of 2010 examining its goals and how the newly-acquired assets fit into the company’s overall strategy, Mahansaria says ATG is
Giant OTR Segment Returning to Pre-Recession Growth Pattern
The roller coaster that is the giant OTR tire segment is once again on an upward climb. While demand hasn’t yet reached the pre-recession figures seen in 2007 and 2008, last year showed significant recovery. And representatives from several tire manufacturers predict this growth will continue into 2011 and beyond – which raises the question
2008 Top Shop Finalist: Direct Tire & Auto Service
In these days of bargain hunting and hurrying to find a quick fix at the cheapest possible price, it’s refreshing to know that people like Barry Steinberg are still in the tire business. Since he opened the very first Direct Tire and Auto Service location in Watertown, Mass., in 1974, Steinberg has stood out in
2008 Top Shop Finalist: Pneus R. Guay
Growing up, siblings Errol, Rene, Candyde, Richard and Claude Guay never had any doubt in their minds about what they would do when they finished school and entered the workforce. From a young age, their parents instilled in them the values that were so vital to the success of their father’s tire dealership: respect, honesty
2007 Top Shop Finalist: Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center
As the oldest family-owned tire and auto repair facility in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Chatham County, North Carolina, Chapel Hill Tire Car CareCenter greets customers by their first names and sends them out the door with a friendly smile. Although the business prides itself on old-fashioned values with regard to customer relationships, each shop location
Ag and Forestry Tire Segments Offer Stability and Profits
For some very positive economic news, one needs to look no further than the agriculture and forestry markets. Although the two fared quite differently during the recession – farming remained fairly strong throughout 2008 and 2009, while logging saw a steep decline during that time – both segments are on a growth track now. This,
Retreading Market Grows as Fleets Look to Reduce Costs
After a slight dip in sales in 2009, the retread market has already recovered and resumed its pattern of steady growth. And even during that blip, the segment picked up new customers as fleets looked for ways to cut costs in the face of hard times.