Tackling the Big Questions
For 30 years, the Clemson University-sponsored Global Tire Industry Conference has drawn the attention of manufacturers, suppliers and dealers, covering every subject from training to marketing, from the latest in rubber compounds to the latest in government regulations. It has been the place to network while gaining new insights into technology trends, industry issues, distribution
Return to Mandatory Registration ASAP
Among the many current hot button questions being asked across the industry is this: Should tire registration be made mandatory and put back into the hands of independent tire retailers? The short answer is: Absolutely…and as quickly as possible. This is not a tough issue to handle, and we need to get it done and
When is Road Force Balance Overkill?
Can road force balancing really make a difference? To answer the question of whether road force balancing is overkill, we should probably start by reviewing some basics. We balance tire/wheel assemblies primarily to eliminate, as much as possible, vibration. Vibration produces ride disturbances that are uncomfortable for the driver and passengers and may cause uneven
Strategy of TPMS Diagnostics
The first step in any TPMS diagnostic strategy is to figure out whether or not your customer’s vehicle actually has a TPMS problem. Why? Simply put, there are a number of factors that can cause a TPMS warning light to illuminate or flash – and some are hard to uncover. The light should illuminate when
Mr. Tire Ltd.
Mr. Tire Ltd. is a second generation tire and auto repair shop that was founded in Sydney, Nova Scotia, in 1968. “My dad, Doug, was originally a Firestone rep and then he got into the tire business,” explains owner Glenn Falconer. “He started out as a BFGoodrich wholesaler in a building that didn’t even have
When Disaster Strikes
From tornadoes, hurricanes and floods to fires, earthquakes and more, no one knows when or where a disaster might strike. Natural disasters can cripple cities and towns in their wake, leaving homeowners and businesses to clean up the mess for months – and sometimes – years to come. While no one thinks or wants a
5 Affordable Employee Perks
Studies say that employees who are happy tend to be more productive than those who aren’t. Tire dealers looking to boost employee morale without breaking the bank should consider these five simple, inexpensive ways to give back to their employees: Recognize major life events, such as marriage or the birth or adoption of a child.
Outsourcing Payroll
As most tire dealers already realize, paying their employees involves much more than simply writing a check. Business owners must calculate tax payments, monitor hundreds of state and local jurisdictional requirements, and keep up with new-hire reporting, quarterly and annual tax returns, direct deposits and issuing W-2s. With these complexities, more small companies are choosing
Year One In the Books
The inaugural North American Tire & Retread Expo, held in New Orleans from April 15 to 17, came to a close after three days filled with industry speakers, training seminars, an international retread contest, a tradeshow and conferences. Show organizers even took the occasion to announced a six-year commitment to extend the show. One hundred
Regenerative Brakes
A hybrid vehicle is a different animal than many of us are used to seeing. After all, if the engine of a typical vehicle stalled out at a traffic light, the driver would know something was wrong with it. If that same vehicle still drove with the engine off, then that would mean they were
Driving Forward
In all applications – from a truck running dried goods coast-to-coast to the beer truck delivering frothy kegs to the local watering hole – drive axle tires are constantly working to keep trucks moving. The drive tire’s primary responsibility is to harness and convert the energy transmitted from the engine through the driveline and the
