Around the Globe
My youngest son, Alex, loved Legos. Still does. For Christmas or his birthday, he would often get those pre-fab Lego kits that would yield a racecar, Space Shuttle, robot, what have you. One quick glance at the instructions and 10 minutes later, he’d be done. So much for the “hours and hours of enjoyment” promised
Do You Know Us?: If You Don’t, You May be Alienating Your Most Profitable Customers Forever
If you’re like most tire dealers, you’re probably turning your back on the most profitable customers you’ll ever see. Not intentionally, perhaps, but this unique group of customers – tuners, enthusiasts, restylers, whatever you want to call them – is often left frustrated trying to deal with dealers. So, they leave and find another option.
While Rome Burns
Last spring, an independent analysis of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)data confirmed the obvious – the U.S. road system was in bad need of repair. Anyone driving the highways and byways can tell our infrastructure is structurally unsound. But, what would high-priced researchers do if they weren’t masters of the obvious? Regardless, nonprofit The Road Information
OTR Market Climbs
As the OTR market starts to rebound, dealers need to focus on the value they bring to these demanding customers. "A lot of our dealers think we’re in the tire business. We’re not," says Manny Cicero, vice president, North American OTR sales for Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT). That’s an interesting sentiment for someone who
People Can Make or Break You: Building and Keeping a Winning Tire Team
Surrounding yourself with good people is the dream of every manager. From the President of the United States to the store manager at your local Subway, having good people is not a new idea. But here’s the rub. How do you keep them happy? Nearly 70% of tire dealers questioned by Tire Review say they’re
Poised and Ready: With OE Presence and R&D, ‘Quiet’ Hankook Looks Forward
Jin W. (J.W.) Choi became president and CEO of Hankook Tire America Corp. in 2001, capping a career with Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. that began in 1975. Choi served in a wide variety of management positions for Hankook Tire Co., including international assignments in Iran, Germany and the U.S. Prior to his current assignment with
In the Face of Reason
We know they aren’t very bright, and many of their ideas prove that if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there. But still we elect these people. And re-elect them. With TV cameras and microphones in their faces, these officials are the picture of vast knowledge and heartfelt concern for
Image is Everything
Building on last month’s coverage of store layouts and marketing ideas, this column will highlight several products that can enhance any retail store and offer your customers an appealing environment that not only looks great, but is highly functional, as well. Special events are a great way to generate some buzz, get your name out,
State of the Art
Technical centers are critical to the development of tires, and to the success of tiremakers. They are a necessary part of R&D, from creating the right design and the right compounds to testing those designs and going back to the drawing board, if need be. All in the effort of creating the best tire possible.
Side by Side
As has been done in nearly every meeting the company has had for the past three years, Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s (BFNAT) annual commercial dealer meeting – Bizcon ®€“ reinforced the idea that the tiremaker and its dealers need each other.