TechForce CEO: The Tech Shortage Will Pass if the Industry Steps Up Now
This year’s Transportation Technician Supply and Demand report, released Nov. 1, might make you involuntarily suck your teeth. Compiled annually by the TechForce Foundation, the report helps us understand the current and projected shortfalls of professionals needed to service the nation’s automotive fleet. Here’s a breakdown of some of the stats that blew our hair

Leeds West Groups CEO Talks Expansion Strategy
With 121 automotive retail locations and counting, Leeds West Groups (LWG) is a company you oughta know. It is the biggest Big O Tires franchisee and is a private equity-backed company that has reaped rewards from its investment in tire retail. According to CEO Judd Shader, the group will strategically expand its reach, especially on

Continental Focuses on Adding Value to Dealers Amid Economic Uncertainty
With a hectic economy and changing tire landscape, leadership at Continental Tire the Americas believes the way to win dealers is by adding value to their business. Being a consistent, reliable partner in the market is the way their team has always built relationships with dealers, and as businesses continue to rebound from pandemic lows,

Big O Tires Exec. Interview: Nationwide Expansion on Horizon
Do you realize how hard it is to win three straight championships in a row in professional sports? The last time it was done was all the way back in 2002. The Los Angeles Lakers – stacked with Kobe Bryant and Shaq in their prime and Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson – won three

Pirelli Talks EV Tires for the Aftermarket, Investing in North America
You may not be seeing electric vehicles in your shop now, but, as market data predicts, they are coming, and tiremakers are preparing in a variety of ways to provide for this new vehicle segment. Thanks to its OE relationships and technology-driven development, one tiremaker that is making significant strides in this segment is Pirelli,

How Indycar Tire Production is Leading the Sustainability Charge
Bridgestone is certainly no stranger to advancing sustainable tire manufacturing practices. Be it addressing end-of-life tire waste, investing in rubber alternatives like the Guayule plant or sourcing tire plant electricity from renewable energy sources like hydro, geothermal, solar and wind energy, Bridgestone has made sustainability-minded headlines in the past year with the goal to be

Smithers Answers Three Burning Last-Mile Truck Tire Questions
Look at your window for an hour and, while your across-the-street neighbors are bound to wonder what’s wrong with you, you’re bound to spot a handful of last-mile delivery vehicles on their way to drop more cardboard at their next destination. UPS, FedEx, Amazon, DHL and the likes are all growing their last-mile operations, and

UHP A/S Tires: Q&A with Hankook Tire America President
The world may never run short on drivers looking to improve their car’s performance, but these drivers have yet to fully congregate in areas of the world where it stays warm and sunny year-round. Sometimes sporty driving has to wait until it stops raining or, God forbid, snowing. Thankfully, the UHP tire market hasn’t limited

Pirelli CEO Talks Future Mobility, Industry Challenges
As Pirelli rings in its 150th anniversary this year, international celebrations have honored the brand’s mark on the tire industry, art and society. Yet, with a storied past, it’s also a time to think back on the company’s history and what’s to come as the automotive industry continues to evolve. Reflecting on the company’s history

Yokohama Tire Executives Look Ahead to 2022
The following is an executive interview submitted by Yokohama Tire Corp. The tire industry rebounded in 2021 but faced an uphill battle due to continued pandemic-related issues and supply chain challenges. In this executive Q&A, Jeff Barna, president and CEO of Yokohama Tire, along with Stan Chandgie, executive vice president of sales, review 2021 and

Littlefield Reflects on 42 Years of Service to Tire Industry
Tire Review caught up with Roy Littlefield III, outgoing TIA CEO, to hear some of his memories—both on and off Capitol Hill—from his 40+ years in the industry and what he feels are the top legislative issues that will need to be addressed in the coming years.

How Continental Has Battled the ‘Big Unknowns’ of the Pandemic
Read through the Q&A from Continental’s Gold Dealer Meeting for insights on supply challenges, planning around the ‘big unknowns’ and more.
