Covering the Extraordinary
I’m sitting here staring at a six-inch thick file, jammed with news clips on the Bridgestone/Firestone (BFS) recall. I have read every word and listened to every press conference for four weeks straight now.. And I don’t even know where to begin. I’m sure you’ve followed this incredible saga as it’s twisted and turned, changing
The Truck Tire/Brake Relationship
The Truck Tire/Brake Relationship Modern trucks have evolved significantly in recent years. Depending on the vantage point of the assessor, today’s over-the-road rigs have been described as innovative, streamlined, incredibly reliable, or as merely highly evolved, electronically assisted versions of some aging basic designs. Most, however, would agree that today’s trucks move more of our
BFS Strike Threatened: Negotiations Go to the Wire; Nine Plants at Stake
Negotiations Go to the Wire; Nine Plants at Stake
Capital Idea: Pieces of Equipment are a Big Piece of the Puzzle
Capital Idea Pieces of Equipment are a Big Piece of the Puzzle To the layman, the only two things needed to open a tire dealership are tires and customers. Too bad that’s not even the majority of the equation. A lot more goes into being successful. Things like quality service, quality technicians, advertising. And let’s
Location! Location! Location?
A few years ago, at least at first glance, one would have thought of a dealer’s success in the OTR tire market was all about Location! Location! Location! If you were correctly positioned geographically, had talented service pros, had access to decent products, and maintained a good relationship with the customer, you had a sizeable leg up on the competition.
The Great Questions of Life
Sometimes I swear I have the best job in the world. At least in the tire world.I can sit and watch the industry press forward in a seemingly endless cycle of inventing, consolidating, buying, selling, creating, synergizing, negotiating, assimilating, downsizing, upsizing, enhancing and rationalizing.And I never get blamed for anything, never get hit by the
OTR Tire Market: Fewer Customers, Bigger Trucks Challenge Even the Best Dealers
OTR Tire Market Fewer Customers, Bigger Trucks Challenge Even the Best Dealers It is by far the most volatile and unpredictable tire segment, operating at a rhythm and pace often well removed from prevailing general economic conditions. With the wide variety of applications and monstrously large equipment getting even bigger, the OTR equipment tire segment
A Tire Is Not a Tire: Measurable Goals, Customer Participation Key to Fleet Test Success
s with a “seeing-is-believing” attitude toward tire and equipment purchasing.Such tests also allow dealers to build stronger working relationships with key accounts by demonstrating another way they can provide increased value and service. Have the End in Mind When setting up or proposing an OTR fleet test, the first step is to clearly define your
Bang The Drum Loudly: To Stay in the OTR Tire Game, Dealers Need to Sell Themselves
Bang The Drum – Loudly To Stay in the OTR Tire Game, Dealers Need to Sell Themselves A few years ago, a construction fleet manager told a group of Bridgestone/Firestone Off Road Tire Co. (BFOR) dealers that he didn’t feel dealers added any value to his operation. The manager, speaking at BFOR’s dealer meeting at
Industry Report
Continued Poor Results Cause Goodyear to Change Management