New Bigfoot Gets Big Reveal at All-Star Game
The familiar Bigfoot monster truck now has a new look, and will be unveiled at the upcoming Major League Baseball All-Star game in Anaheim, Calif. For the first time in its 35-year history, Bigfoot is now a Chevy. Long time primary sponsor Ford dropped Bigfoot in 2007. When it came time to replace the monster
Mistrial Declared in Firestone, Bronco Suit
A mistrial was declared on June 28 in a defective tire lawsuit against Bridgestone Americas resulting from a 2003 accident involving a Ford Bronco II. Also sued in the Great Falls, Mont., action were Ford Motor Co. and local car dealer Pete’s Auto. Reports said the mistrial was called by District Judge Julie Macek due
Calif. Dealer Gets 5 Star Invite
Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Wheel Works has been named a Bridgestone 5 Star Certified Performance Retailer. Wheel Works earned the honor based on its customer-focused service and professionalism in accordance with the standards set by the program. “Bridgestone 5 Star Certified Performance Retailers are not your average automotive service centers,” said Mike Van Sicklen, Bridgestone Americas director
Emkes Named to Clarcor Board
Franklin, Tenn., filter and packaging manufacturer Clarcor Inc. has named former Bridgestone Americas chairman and CEO Mark Emkes to its board of directors. Emkes retired from Bridgestone in February. He also serves on the boards of the industrial packaging company Greif Inc. and banking company First Horizon National Corp.
Firestone Cord Unit Celebrates 75th
Firestone Fibers & Textiles Co. is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The Kings Mountain, N.C.-based company produces nylon and polyester tire cord for Bridgestone Americas tire plants and other non-tire product manufacturers, and operates three plants in the U.S. and Canada. Capping the company’s anniversary celebration was a recent company picnic and celebration with
Master Social Media to Support Your Brand
Will tire dealers become irrelevant if they don’t master social media? The imperative for dealers to develop a social media program becomes more evident every day. Hundreds of nationally known companies are supporting their brands and selling additional products and services through the strategic use of social media programs. When recently asked about change, Gen.
Aeolus Sales Manager Named by Alliance
Alliance Tire has hired John Hull as its new national truck tire sales manager, responsible for leading Alliance’s Aeolus truck tire program. Alliance acquired the rights for the China-made Aeolus line when it purchased the U.S. assets of GPX International earlier this year. Most recently, Hull was a sales executive with Giti Tire, and held
Firestone Plantation Helps in Surgical Mission
Liberia-based Firestone Natural Rubber Co. recently worked with a team from Children’s Surgery International to provide 142 free operations on underprivileged youths at the company’s Firestone Medical Center in Duside. The 300-bed hospital, reopened in December 2008 after being destroyed during Liberia’s civil war, provides free health care to Firestone Natural Rubber employees and their
RMA Honors Members for Worker Safety
The Rubber Manufacturers’ Safety and Health Improvement Program (SHIP), created in 1981, recognizes member companies that achieve significant enhancements in worker health and safety with awards. This year, 55 tire and rubber manufacturing facilities are being recognized as part of the program. Two categories of awards are presented to companies that demonstrate workplace safety improvements,
Goodyear Joins Price Hike Trend
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. will increase prices on all of its consumer tires in North America by up to 6% as of June 1. This includes Goodyear, Dunlop and Kelly-Springfield brands. The company cites rising raw material and transportation costs as the reasons for the increases. Goodyear is the latest in a long list