While Government ‘Acts,’ Dealers Take the Reins
When bad things happen, there is usually a Congressional hearing in the aftermath. And they all start with the same premise: How did this happen? Easy. As apparent as the stupefied look on the faces of committee members is this fact: Government is never proactive. The Zero to 60 time for a government agency is
Another Good Guy Steps Down
More than once in my career I’ve been caught in the vapor trail of a tire company CEO entourage, a pack of VP-level brown-nosers who followed their boss around wherever he went. Sometimes with embarrassing results, but that’s another story. It’s been a good long time since that’s happened, and we are all the better
Four New Firestone Tires Launched
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations introduced four new Firestone branded tires at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show: two new Precision tires, a new Firehawk Summer ultra high performance tire and a new Destination tire. The Precision Touring tire, with a wide footprint and circumferential grooves, provides improved wear, handling and resistance to hydroplaning. The Touring, which
Who Dat? Tire Blogger Leaves, Super Bowl Halftime and Cool Calendars
Before I go MIA on a lengthy business trip, I wanted to catch up on a few things that deserve mention: • The industry is a bit poorer with the end of the Heavy Treadin’ blog from BuyBigTires.com. The “man behind the curtain,” Kurt Hartman, is leaving BBT for other things, and has run down
Clemson Tire Industry Conference Shaping Up
Clemson University’s 26th annual Tire Industry Conference will take place April 7-9 at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa in Hilton Head, S.C. The conference will feature 23 technical sessions led by various industry professionals. To download a PDF detailing the conference schedule, click here. Call Kay James at 864-656-2200 to register. The
Environment Issue Committee Formed by TIA
TIA has completely revamped its Tire and Rubber Recycling Advisory Council, replacing it with a new Environmental Advisory Council. Named to serve on the EAC were Co-Chairmen Dick Gust of Liberty Tire Recycling and Larry Brandt of MSB Tires; TIA board members Michael Baggett of Yokohama Tire Corp., Chip Huber of Q Fix Truck Service,
Stepping Back Into Christmas
Among the various holiday cards and cool stuff we received over the recent holidays was a gem that brought back childhood memories – a Firestone Christmas album. More properly, “Firestone Presents Your Christmas Favorites Volume 8,” the long awaited follow-up to Volume 7….which had been issued a mere 41 years ago. That’s right, in 1968.
Part II: Sports Marketing Proves That a Rolling (Bridge)Stone Gathers No Moss
NYSportsJournalism.com recently interviewed Phil Pacsi, vice president of North America Consumer Tire Marketing for Bridgestone Americas, about the company’s sports marketing eeforts, sports fans and consumers, Tiger Woods and The Who. Part I of this interview appeared yesterday on Tirereview.com. Q: Bridgestone will be title sponsor of the Super Bowl XLIV half time show for
Sports Marketing Proves That a Rolling (Bridge)Stone Gathers No Moss (Part I)
Bridgestone Americas is not just an all-star player in the tire industry, the company has also become an MVP in sports marketing. The Bridgestone brand is the official tire of the NFL, NHL and PGA Tour, and sibling Firestone last week became the first official tire of MLB, adding to a roster that also includes
Staying Strong: Despite Downturn, Farm Outlook ‘Looks Quite Positive’
By most measures, 2008 was a banner, record-setting year for the North American agricultural community, even considering the sudden, sharp economic decline that started in October 2008. 2009, though, is much different. After posting an all-time record of $87 billion in 2008, net farm income is projected to fall 34.5% to $57 billion for the