Staying Strong: Despite Downturn, Farm Outlook ‘Looks Quite Positive’
By most measures, 2008 was a banner, record-setting year for the North American agricultural community, even considering the sudden, sharp economic decline that started in October 2008. 2009, though, is much different. After posting an all-time record of $87 billion in 2008, net farm income is projected to fall 34.5% to $57 billion for the
SEMA Show Wrap Up
At its annual meeting, TIA placed special attention on repealing recently enacted tariffs on imported China-made passenger tires and on getting a seat at the table when it comes to a new consumer education offering. TIA members approved two resolutions aimed at those issues. The first states that TIA “will strive to be a significant
Multiple Components Can Influence Truck Handling
Change is a constant, even accelerating, part of the trucking industry and never has this been more obvious than in the increasing diversity of vehicle sizes, configurations and the service conditions they are expected to endure. The days of typical trucking fleets being composed of simply line haul tractors and smaller delivery trucks are rapidly
Playing it Smart: Companies Adapt Wheel Trends in a Recovering Economy
The best thing about being at the bottom is that there is only one way to go: Up. 2009 has been a dismal year for the aftermarket industry, especially custom wheels. Manufacturers and distributors felt the downturn in 2008 and held off on new styles that required capital investment in molds and inventory. Going in
Moving Business: Container Handling Niche Offers Dealers Unique Opportunities
In a global economy where products are imported and exported worldwide, it takes a multitude of resources to keep things moving and on track. From load docks to loading bays, container handling equipment is everywhere products are being shipped, moved and inventoried. And vital to that equipment’s operation is – you guessed it – tires.
The Most Important Environmentally Friendly Products In The World
Every time a tire is retreaded many gallons of oil are saved and one more tire is kept out of scrap tire piles. Hundreds of millions of passenger cars, trucks and all types of commercial vehicles worldwide have safely been using retreaded tires for many years. Even commercial and military airlines worldwide are users of
Commercial Dealers Can Improve Response, Revenue
Before the fleetHQ Solution Center began handling Donald B. Rice Tire Co.’s after-hour calls, the tire dealer’s customers may have had better luck reaching a medical or law office than getting the right tire for their trucks. “Our after-hour calls were being answered by a local answering service that also works for doctors and lawyers,”
R-Compound Tires Bring Dealers Recognition, Loyalty
– R-compound (racing) tires, to be exact – could be the key to attracting new customers, bringing in added sales opportunities and boosting a dealership’s brand recognition. R-compound tires – AKA street-legal, DOT-compliant tires – are used primarily by weekend racers for autocross, racetrack or rally performance. Because they were never intended to be driven
The Tools and Manuals Needed to Service Today’s TPMS
/>In general, a good TPMS tool should have the following features, according to Bartec: the ability to audit the vehicle before the wheel is broken down; the ability to know all of the different low frequency wakeup patterns to transmit and activate the sensors on each type of make/model/year combination; and the ability to establish
Dodging Disaster: Follow These Simple Steps to Avoid Costly Wheel-Offs
cy, broken or stripped wheel studs, warped disc brake rotors or loose wheels. Here’s a warning from a major insurance underwriter: Loose and missing lug nuts have resulted in terrible car wrecks, severe injuries, fatalities, bad publicity and expensive litigation. Although you may think technicians would never forget to reinstall and properly tighten the lug
Top Shop Honorees Share More Keys to Success
I have written this column for several years now, many times discussing various aspects of performance, whether it is tires, wheels or suspensions. And I’ve tried to focus on tangible items we can touch and measure, one against another, to derive the best product for a given application. As we head to Las Vegas and
Second Class Citizens? Not Any More!
There was a time when retreaded tires were pretty good but they didn’t last as long as new tires and their adjustment rate was somewhat higher than comparable new tires. However, they were safe and saved truckers and other motorists considerable amounts of money when compared to higher priced new tires, even if they didn’t