Hercules Tires’s Simpson: Adapting to Light Truck Tire Trends [Video]
In the past year, Hercules Tires has launched around six new products—including its first ag tire. Most recently, the company debuted its new mud-terrain tire in partnership with TIS Wheels, the TIS TT1, by Hercules, that targets larger fitments and aesthetics any off-roader would drool over. So, with a wide range of product launches, what’s
The OTAA’s Month of Training & How To Use Training as a Retention Tool
Whether you’re hiring new people or wanting to “upskill” your current technicians, frequent training is a must for your staff to stay on top of new technologies and best practices. Training can come from many sources–manufacturers, parts suppliers, internally or even your own state tire and automotive association. This year, the Ohio Tire & Automotive
AAPEX 2022: What Tire Dealers Can Expect
It’s that time of year again—show time! With about a month and a half before the SEMA and AAPEX Shows, we’re gearing up to bring you live coverage from both…and give you a sneak peek at what to expect at the shows this year. Whether you’re busy planning your trip to Vegas for the biggest
More Customers are Planning Major Auto Purchases. Here’s How You Can Help [Video]
The way consumers shop for tires has evolved over the years–you’re probably installing more tires from an online purchase than ever before and having conversations with customers who know (or think they know) what tires they need on their vehicle, thanks to the endless amount of information at our fingertips. The pandemic shifted consumers’ digital
Digging into CEMB’s Wheel Balancing Roots & US Expansion [Video]
When it comes to tire equipment, your mind can spin at the many options to choose from in each category. Each company makes a wheel balancer, tire changer, aligner or inspection equipment their own by adding certain features aimed at helping tire shops save time. One company in this space that specializes in wheel balancing
4 New Tires in 1 Year: Nexen Talks Product Strategy, Marketing Goals
In the last year, Nexen Tire Americas has launched four tires in key segments with no plans of stopping. It has also moved its headquarters from southern California to Richfield, Ohio, to be closer to its R&D center, and has doubled down on its motorsports partnerships and OE fitments. So, how is the tiremaker faring
An Inside Look at the Goodyear-Cooper Integration Process
A little over a year ago, Goodyear acquired Cooper Tire for $2.5 billion, promising synergies among the two companies and streamlined services for dealers. So how are they doing that? What does it take to integrate two American powerhouse tiremakers? Like you, we had lots of questions about how the companies would sort out their
Toyo Tire’s Graber: More Tires Coming for US Dealers, All-Weather is ‘Growth Segment’
When tire dealers tell you, “Keep doing what you’re doing, I just need more tires,” that’s a simple yet hard mandate to follow, especially in an environment where the supply chain is as predictable as the weather. Yet this is what Toyo Tires dealers told Michael Graber, president and CEO of Toyo Tire USA, when
Tire Supply Chains Are ‘Anything But Normal’ and They Won’t be for a While
For the last several years, the one word that constantly comes up in conversations about the tire business is supply–No. 1 getting the tires, and No. 2, getting the ones you need. Inflation has caused logistics and transportation costs to rise, and we’re still seeing port congestion and other ripple effects from COVID shutdowns and
Sullivan Tire CEO Eyes ‘Controlled Growth’ in New England States [VIDEO]
With 77 locations across the New England states, Sullivan Tire & Auto Centers is definitely “one of the big guys” in the northeast. Like its competitors, it is eyeing growth and looking at where the business can expand its footprint. However, as it expands, it knows the business can get more corporate, so how do
Bridgestone Talks Guayule Rubber Research, Creating a Circular Economy
Now more than ever, going green is permeating the industry. Automakers are required to meet certain sustainability requirements, which means everything that goes into creating a vehicle–ahem, the tires–are held to higher sustainability targets, too. Just ask Bridgestone, whose goal is to have 100% carbon neutrality and 100% renewable resources in its tires by 2050.
Commercial Tire Service Safety Basics That Save Lives (Audio)
Downtime is the enemy of fleets everywhere–a tire problem while on the road is a cog in the supply chain wheel, so to speak. Luckily, independent tire dealers and their teams act as the “superhero” when it comes to responding to service calls in a timely manner. Yet, while on the side of the road,
