Dealer Diary: On Their Minds
On Their Minds For the past two years, Tire Review has brought you Dealer Diary, a monthly series that focuses on typical tire dealers and the ins and outs of their businesses.Both Dave Schardt, president of The Wheel Source in Dayton, Ohio, and Barry Steinberg, owner of Direct Tire and Auto Service in Boston, have
Hot Tires and Cool Wheels
Hot Tires and Cool Wheels The tire and the wheel. Each is similar in that they’re round and are a major component of any vehicle. But while one is made of rubber, the other is metal – steel, aluminum or an alloy. One costs more than the other, and one may never need replacing. One
Treadwear Tales
Tires always tell a story. The danger is misreading the story and coming to the wrong conclusion about what might be causing the tread to wear prematurely or unevenly. All tires wear as miles accumulate, and all treads eventually wear down to the point where replacement becomes necessary to maintain safe driving, traction and handling.
One Way You Can Help
It’s not possible for any of us to return to our "normal" workaday lives. After the events of Sept. 11, the lives of so many will never be the same. Too much has happened to our world. Too much damage. Too much pain. The horrific loss of life, the suffering of innocents, the senselessness of
Tire Dealer Profile Study
Profits Still Key: Prices and Margins Both Higher vs. 1999
Door To Door: Gamauf Stumps Dealers, BFS Team
In this new semi-regular feature, we’ll interview key individuals on important issues facing the tire market. For this first installment, we sat down with John Gamauf, vice president of consumer tire sales for Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., to discuss the impact last year’s recall and the current Ford-Firestone situation has had on BFS’s business. There’s been a
Mere Coincidences?
You don’t have to be deaf, dumb, blind or even nasally challenged to know there’s something really smelly about the Ford Explorer. Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. (BFS) has taken the brunt of the negative publicity, and suffered significant financial and perception damage, because of concerns that a "high" number of its tires failed on one particular vehicle.
Progress and Conservatism
Eighty years ago, a fledgling industry organization held its very first trade show. Every tire dealer in the country was invited to Cleveland, Ohio, to partake in what was being hailed as the first exhibit of its kind.
Withering in the Field: Ag Dealers Can Remain Profitable in a Down Market
Withering in the Field Ag Dealers Can Remain Profitable in a Down Market It’s late August, and for a farmer the harvest is right around the corner. But there’s a problem. The corn is a good foot shorter than it should be this time of year. Nothing can be done. The weather isn’t cooperating –
Not Cutting It
Not Cutting It There is a distinct difference between fixing something or repairing it. A “fix” is a temporary solution, while a ®repair® permanently restores the object to its original condition.When tires go flat as the result of a puncture, there is only one acceptable method for returning them to service. Repair.According to tire manufacturer
In The Driver’s Ed Seat
Hi. My name is Jimmy, and I’m filling in for Dad this month.He asked me to write his column for him, so this becomes my Father’s Day gift – apparently he didn’t think a card was enough. With all the work he tells me he does, and the baseball coaching and stuff around the house,
Changing Public Opinion
Changing Public Opinion If you remember one message from reading this magazine today, let it be this: The public needs to know that the tire industry makes and sells only the highest quality products. The tire industry today is the focus of unprecedented attention from consumers, the media, Congress and the judicial system. And, unfortunately,