Trucking Going Strong Despite Challenges
The economy is not great, but not too bad. We’re halfway through 2015, which means we’re also well into the sixth year of recovery since the Great Recession “officially” ended. Based on historical data and the fact recessions are cyclical, you would assume that another recession looms in our future. The good news is that
Pulling Ahead
Whether its for work or play, people are hauling trailers behind their vehicles all across North America. Dealers looking to increase their profits shouldn’t overlook providing tires to this market. “The trailer tire market is big and getting bigger,” says Doug Addis, national sales manager at Maxxis International USA. “Unlike passenger and light truck tires
It’s in the Book
Most enterprises have established operational policies and procedures that address almost every element of their business, from inventory controls to making bank deposits. These basic operational procedures are usually unique to the individual business unit and subject to the discretion of the business owner. However, more often than not, the single most important operational function
Computer Health Checkup: Replace or Repair?
Every part of a computer serves a function, but much like a car, some parts do more than others. To provide the longest, most reliable service, high use, high wear components like monitors, printers, keyboards, hard drives, and removable drives all require timely maintenance. • Monitors exhibit specific symptoms when they start to fail. When
Organize Your Finances
In business, being constantly busy is good. But often this pace can add to financial disorganization. Get your business’ financial house in order with these easy tips: • Never mix personal and business expenses. • Organize all financial records. Create specific file folders for POs, bills, bank statements, etc. Every financial record that impacts your
Internal Investigations
The first time you learn of an employee’s complaint probably isn’t the day your company is served with a lawsuit. In most cases, the alleged victim complains to the company first. While an initial internal complaint provides an opportunity to solve the problem and limit your legal exposure, all too often an employer drops the
U.S. Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicle Market in Great Shape
The U.S. heavy-duty truck and trailer markets will both have a near record year in 2015. However, the demand for commercial vehicles is expected to peak later this year, so there is concern in the industry about sales activity in 2016 and beyond. Both markets experienced record or near-record order years in 2014, with trailers
Safety Must Drive Tire Registration Conversation
You’ll see on page 8 of this issue that Tia Disagrees with my take that our industry’s two associations aren’t really speaking with each other. I will say only that, respectfully, we will agree to disagree. That lack of relationship – not just being “in agreement” – does matter, for a lot of reasons. Real
Women Tire Buyers Really Want to be Educated
She walks into your dealership and you already have her pegged. She doesn’t know much about tires, you think, and she most likely hasn’t put any effort into researching them before coming. After all, buying tires isn’t really her responsibility anyway; it’s her male partner’s. She probably just has a lot of spare time, so
What Independent Dealers Mean in Today’s World
In an age where they are under constant attack from new car dealers, national chains and online retailers, the independent tire dealer continues to thrive. Despite increased competition from traditional automotive repair chains, there are still thousands of family-owned and operated tire dealers serving their communities each day. I’ve been representing these businesses in Washington,
How ‘Buy Local’ Can Change Your World
To many people, the economy may seem like some far-off issue that we as individuals have no control over. In fact the opposite is true. The American public holds the power to have tremendous impact on the local and national economy in many ways. The easiest is through two simple words: ‘Buy Local.’ The Buy
Inside Brake Noise, Vibration, Harshness
What does your shop Do when a brake noise complaint enters the service bays? Does it end up hurting productivity for the rest of the day as a technician randomly applies lubes, pastes and sprays to the brake system hoping that the problem will be at least temporarily solved? Brake systems are complex and require
