Industry Report
Cooper Builds Up Commercial Division With Hercules PurchaseThe best business deals, they say, are the ones that are clear win-wins for both parties.
Dealer Diary
Dealer Diary For the past two years, Tire Review has brought you Dealer Diary, a monthly series that focuses on typical tire dealers and the ins and outs of their business.This year, we’re profiling someone whose primary focus is customer service – Barry Steinberg, owner of Direct Tire and Auto Service, headquartered in Boston. By
Mark-Up vs. Margin: Knowing the Difference Makes a Difference in Profits
Mark-Up vs. Margin Knowing the Difference Makes a Difference in Profits Independent dealers often buy service parts from auto dealerships because, for some applications, they feel the quality may be superior to aftermarket parts, or because certain parts are available only through OE sources. Unfortunately, auto dealers typically discount hard replacement parts about 20% to
State of The Union: Low Cost Radials, consolidations, Economy Hurting Retread Industry
State of The Union Low Cost Radials, consolidations, Economy Hurting Retread Industry Developing a forecast for the tire and retread industries for this year has been like trying to forecast the stock market. I can only hope that my industry forecast and report will be more accurate than my stock market judgments over the last
Comp/Tech: Keep Your Face Out There
With the speed and freedom afforded by e-mail and Web sites, your employees may become isolated, focusing on the technology instead of the humans on the other end. And your customers may know you only through a Web address or periodic e-mails. Technology has changed the way we do business, but nothing happens in business
Management: This Space for Rent
There is an age-old question for tire dealers to consider: Do I buy or lease? That question extends down from the building itself to the equipment inside. But it’s the building itself that costs the most all around. Tire dealers need room. But should they buy or lease a structure? Sometimes a situation dictates what
What Do You Get With …
Three Hall of Famers and one Humanitarian? Four tremendous people from our industry!Recently, the tire industry met for the annual International Tire Exposition.
We Will Come Back’: New BFS Chief Says Actions, Not Words, Will Restore Confidence
The devastating impact of its massive voluntary product recall has taken a toll on Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. (BFS), its employees and, importantly, its dealers. But now that the recall effort is close to completion, BFS is starting to look to the future and standing squarely behind its century old Firestone brand. In his first extensive interview
Industry Report
Hard Decisions Come
Headbanging Over the Internet
I don’t particularly care for Metallica. But I’ve always been impressed with the band’s co-founder and drummer Lars Ulrich. It’s hard to picture a devout headbanger as being bright, but Lars has proven himself as one of the most intelligent and erudite people in music today. Metallica has been a loud opponent of Napster, a