Continental Suspends Production at Plant in Russia
During Continental’s year-end earnings call on Mar. 9, CEO Nikolai Setzer announced that the company would be suspending tire production at its plant in Kaluga in western Russia. Setzer said, “We have made this decision as a result of the war” and promised support for not only the 1,300 employees affected by the closure but
Custom Wheel Balancing Checklist
To maintain a smooth ride on a vehicle, good wheel balancing is a necessity. In the video above from the Tire Review Continental Tire Garage Studio, we’ll talk more about the process of balancing a customer’s wheels. Custom wheels with low-profile tires can cause tire vibration and discomfort in the driver’s seat if the wheels
Tony Puckett Breaks Down Sun Auto’s Record Growth [Video]
You may have heard of Sun Auto Tire & Service. The company, formerly known as GB Auto Service, started in 2017 and just last year, it had record growth, doubling in size after acquiring 11 new automotive service brands in 12 new states. Currently, the company, backed by private equity firm Leonard Green & Associates,
Ohio Tire & Auto Association Gathers for Hockey Event
Members of the Ohio Tire & Auto Association cheered on the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team during an outing March 1 at Nationwide Area. Tire dealers and tire professionals from across Ohio enjoyed mingling with each other, watching the game and being able to get together for an in-person event. During the event, some dealers
Richard Petty Details His Ideal Performance Car and Engine
What makes a good performance vehicle? Well, the engine, of course, right? Not if you ask one of the most winning racecar drivers in history. That man is Richard Petty and his answer to that question might surprise you. The Petty name has been associated with performance vehicles and engines for decades, and “The King”
Selling Ride Control: Do Not Back Down
Let’s say you have a customer come in with a broken passenger side spring. You write up that the customer needs four struts, two springs and front upper strut mounts. However, they start questioning you about whether there’s a less expensive option, saying, “can I replace just the fronts? Or one side?” You want to
Infrastructure Bill, Ukraine Crisis Will Affect OTR Industry
The news of Russia invading Ukraine, the labor shortage and the effects of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill were on the tire industry’s mind last Thursday, as the OTR side of the business gathered for the 2022 OTR Conference, held at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida. So, how will
Smetz’s Tire & Service’s ‘Raving Fans’ Key to Dealer’s Success
About 12 years ago, Troy Smetzer, owner of Smetz’s Tire & Service Center in Ashland, Ohio, asked his staff to read a book. But it wasn’t just any book. “I wanted my employees to know why we sometimes ask them to do something that wouldn’t make us a dime more money.” In fact, Troy was
Gallery: 2022 TIA OTR Tire Conference
The first in-person event for many since the pandemic, the Tire Industry Association‘s 2022 OTR Conference saw a year of record attendance at this year’s event in Destin, Florida. In its 67th year, the OTR Conference mixed educational sessions and fun with industry peers as attendees were able to gain a deeper understanding of the
Richard Petty’s Lessons on Business in the Automotive Industry
Richard Petty might be known as the most winning racecar driver of all time, but his name is also synonymous with owning successful racing teams, including Petty Enterprises and Richard Petty Motorsports, which is now Petty GMS Motorsports. So, from the asphalt to the board room, what has Richard Petty learned along the way about
Amid Labor Shortage, Training & Diversity Stressed at OTR Conference
Members of the OTR tire industry gathered in Destin, Florida this week for the Tire Industry Association’s 67th OTR Conference from Feb. 23-26 to gain a deeper understanding of the trends in the OTR tire market today and what to expect in the future. One of those trends that permeated the sessions was the labor
Percheron-Backed Big Brand Tire Plans for Growth in 2022
Private equity firms aren’t new to the tire industry, but there is one that is, and it has plans to rapidly grow its portfolio company, Big Brand Tire & Service in 2022. That company is San Francisco-based Percheron Capital, which entered into the tire and automotive space after the purchase of Big Brand Tire in
