To TIA: Let’s Continue to Support Industry Females
As a woman covering news in the tire industry, the Tire Industry Association’s efforts this past year, lead by President Freda Pratt-Boyer, started to get me excited for females working in the industry. The association had an entire issue dedicated to women in the tire industry; it hosted its first all-female certified ATS class; and
Into the Woods
Like many other specialty tire segments, demand in the forestry tire market is cyclical. With the demand for logging often echoing the economy, tire demand fluctuates as machines either sit or run. Currently the forestry industry is on a slight uptick, which is good for tire dealers who service this niche segment. “With some very
Looking Into Plant Expansion
The hustle and bustle of 23 million people in the streets of Shanghai is echoed in Double Coin Holding’s factories in and north of the city. From one end of the factories to the other – the mixers, calendars and extruders to tire fabrication and curing – the buzz of activity is everywhere. Tire Review
TIA’s All-Female Certified ATS Program a Success
The Tire Industry Association hosted its first-ever all-female Certified Automotive Tire Service Instructor Training course on Oct. 6-9 in Denver, Colo. Eight women attended the program. “This being the inaugural class, we had no expectations. I was thrilled with the turnout and the class was excellent. The ladies in attendance where there to learn and
Yokohama Celebrates TBR Factory Opening
What does it take to build a tire factory? For Yokohama Rubber Co.’s first green field factory in the U.S., it’s taken just over 24 months and tireless teamwork with the state of Mississippi, as well as construction and utility partners. Over the course of two years more than 535,000 cubic yards of cut and
Pulling Ahead
Whether its for work or play, people are hauling trailers behind their vehicles all across North America. Dealers looking to increase their profits shouldn’t overlook providing tires to this market. “The trailer tire market is big and getting bigger,” says Doug Addis, national sales manager at Maxxis International USA. “Unlike passenger and light truck tires
Double Coin Exploring Plant Options, Joint Ventures
Chinese tire manufacturer Double Coin Holdings is exploring the possibility of opening its first plant outside China. Liu Xunfeng, chairman of Huayi Shanghai (Group) Co. that owns 66% of Double Coin, told trade media during a recent trip to China that the company is conducting feasibility studies for plants outside the country. Liu first mentioned
Michelin Expanding Defender Promise
This August, Michelin North America is extending its Defender promise to drivers of light trucks and SUVs with the new Defender LTX M/S. With the same Defender promise offered on passenger tires, the Defender LTX M/S gives drivers all-season confidence, tread life and fuel efficiency, Michelin said. Being called a “compound evo-lution,” the Defender LTX
Full Service Dealer
Commercial tire dealers who sell medium truck or OTR tires but do not sell smaller OTR units are missing out on a tremendous additional business opportunity. “If a commercial dealer wants to be a full line supplier to their customer, then they need to consider offering small OTR products, as well,” says Tim Easter, director
Celebrating 50 Years, Climbing Up an Icon
Standing at the bottom of a metal ladder that’s slightly rusted and visibly curved, I wonder why am I doing this again? Then the Uniroyal representative manning the tire tells the small group clustered around him that more people have been struck by lightning than have climbed the iconic 80-foot Uniroyal tire. I may or
Continued Program Success
It was a big year for Continental Tire the Americas’ Gold Dealer program, with a record number of tire dealers qualifying for its 10th annual incentive trip. This year, 304 dealers, including 31 new Elite dealers, sold more than 2,000 units each in 2014 to qualify for a cruise through the Caribbean between March 23-29.
Maintaining the Green: Helping Landscapes Grow
As the economy continues to recover, the landscape service industry is poised for growth in 2015 and beyond. This growth can translate into a little extra money for tire dealers prepared to service the commercial landscape market. For tire dealers, the landscaping business offers many potential sales. Lawn care and landscape companies utilize light trucks
