A Fresh Look: Supply Problems and Advancing Technologies Fuel Retreading Growth
Suppose for a moment that you’re the owner of a candy store, and that, for quite some time, you’ve been selling all of the quality candy that you can possibly stock in your limited storage space. And, suppose that your customers seem to be happy campers and that, for once in your career, they aren’t
Looming Mandate: Without Help, Dealers Face Dark Future. How Will You Cope?
To many in the tire industry, TPMS is a four-letter acronym that is quickly becoming a four-letter word. That goes for retail dealers and, soon, consumers alike. But these people are only considering the hassles involved with servicing tire/wheel assemblies featuring these gizmos. Look a little deeper, and you’ll see the potential for independent tire
Maxed Out?: Size Race Slows, But Fashion vs. Function Questions Remain for Dealers
For a few years, the tire and wheel industries resembled the Cold War nuclear arms race – every year, someone rolled out a bigger weapon. It started with eye-popping, wheel-well-stretching 20-inch wheels and tires and progressed to the 2004 SEMA Show, where gigantic 28-inchers were every where. A sort of dÉtente has settled in, if
Loads & Inflations
s. Fortunately, the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) and the gross vehicle weight rating for the entire vehicle (GVWR) appear on the vehicle placard. A quick aside: It is important that the cold inflation pressure for a motorhome tire never exceeds the maximum inflation pressure branded on the tire sidewall and/or the maximum load or
Style-Driven Service
Tire changer and wheel balancer manufacturers are adapting to the latest trends to help your service business keep up. In the tire and wheel business, style often comes before serviceability. As you know, large, low-profile tire and custom wheel sizes continue to proliferate. That’s bad news for the independent tire dealer who hasn’t invested in
Types and Finishes
Types and Finishes Let’s talk about wheel construction, types of finishes and the pros and cons to each. Understanding the nuances of each will allow you to guide your customer to the right kind of wheel to fit their specific needs. First, wheel construction. Almost everyone is familiar with steel wheels – an inner face
Start at the Beginning
Start at the Beginning Welcome to Wheel Turnings, a new regular column that will discuss important – and, we hope, valuable – technical and application issues with custom wheels and tire/wheel packages. In our ever-changing industry, we must always be aware of what our retail customers need and demand from us. First, a little bit
The Weighty Issues of Law
Regulation and legislation. Usually the twin banes of industry. Due to current circumstances, top of mind in the tire biz. Two recent regulatory matters – one a serious directive from Europe, and the other a piece of knee-jerk silliness from South of the Mason-Dixon – demonstrate the yin-yang of legislative matters – some are good,
There’s Bucks in LT/SUV Tire Balancing
Tire/wheel balancing is a service that most tire dealers offer because it helps tires ride smoother and last longer. It can also add some much-needed profit to your bottom line. Proper balance is especially important with light truck/SUV tires – especially LT-sized units ®€“ because of their larger diameter and heavier tread and casing. The
Programs Offer Options
Profit Handbook Programs Offer Options There’s a quiet confidence about Dave Crawford. He can get animated, mind you, especially when it comes to discussing "the program." When you ask him why a tire dealer wouldn’t want to join American Car Care Centers (ACCC), the group’s marketing director answers bluntly, "I don’t think they understand the