Furthering TIA’s Mission
A letter from Tom Formanek, TIA’s incoming president: This November, I will begin my one-year term as president of the Tire Industry Association (TIA). I am truly honored to serve this fine industry and continue the great and important work of this association. I want to begin by thanking Glen Nicholson and all the other
On Being a Top Shop
When I ask successful tire dealers what they do, I hear things like, “We try to make someone’s day better,” and “We keep families safe,” and “Whatever it takes to serve the customer,” or “We set an example, to make a positive impact on our community.” Rarely does selling tires come up first. So this
Embracing Online Sales
I’m experiencing déjà vu. Another tire manufacturer – Michelin North America – has entered the direct-to-consumer market. And no surprise, Tire Review’s website blew up with comments from tire dealers that manufacturers are out to steal the tire dealer’s business. I feel your pain. This direct-to-consumer sales trend hurts your business. You’re no longer in
Lessons from Danville
It’s been a few weeks since the calling hours and funeral of Billy Scheier. Somewhere in Virginia his son, Bill Jr., is probably in a classroom, searching for a new normal without his biggest fan. Wife, Wendy, is probably missing him every day, summoning the strength to smile when asked how she’s doing: “I’m fine.”
State of the OTR Industry with Yokohama’s Tim Easter
Tim Easter, director of OTR sales for Yokohama Tire Corp. and a 27-year OTR industry veteran, shares what causes the OTR tire market to change so frequently and what the future holds. Question: How’s the overall OTR market been so far in 2016? Tim Easter: Certain industries are doing well, but mining is down considerably,
Industry Change Starts with the Independent Tire Dealer
Welcome to Tire Review’s SourceBook 2016. In the pages that follow, you’ll find the latest numbers, details and statistics based on in-depth research gathered from across our industry. The information in this issue is designed to help tire dealers better understand the market forces and global industry that directly impacts their business on a daily
Setting the Stage
As the new editor of Tire Review, it’s a true privilege to be in this role, serving the tire industry and its members with the information you need most to be stay ahead and stay successful. To quote my predecessor, the late Jim Smith, “This is your magazine. We are simply its caretaker.” In the
The Evolving Vehicle
Cars have come a long way since the first “production” vehicles made by Karl Benz. Power steering, automatic transmission, ABS systems and even TPMS, these technologies seem light years ahead of the technology in the first road car. Today we’re going even further, entering a new era of vehicle – the “smart” car. The autonomous
Correcting Blind Spots
You tell yourself, you’re the best tire dealership in your area. But, how do you really know that’s true? Do you have basis for your opinion or is that something you just believe out of self-pride? Odds are you aren’t No. 1 or even No. 2, you just believe your business is on top. We
Letter to the Editor: Tariff – Where Are the Trucking Industry, the Teamsters Union and Warren When You Need Them?
The tire industry is again facing a petition placed to enact tariffs against imported tires manufactured by factories located in China. The Department of Commerce (DOC) has begun its anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of truck and bus tires from China. The government’s investigation of truck and bus tires was initiated
Classic Jim, Here’s to You
Anyone who Visited Jim’s office was immediately taken with his Jack Daniel’s oak barrel hanging rack. Upon the barrel Jim displayed lanyards from the more than 400 industry events, trade shows, conferences and dealer meetings he attended during his 30 years in the tire industry and 16 years as editor of Tire Review. Every badge
A Sit Down with the Auto Care Association’s Bill Hanvey
Bill Hanvey recently took over as president and CEO of the Auto Care Association in December, following the retirement of longtime leader Kathleen Schmatz. Hanvey lets us in on a few of his priorities for the association in 2016 and beyond. Bill, we’ve known each other for a number of years now – first during your time
