Survival Mode: Significant Changes in Retreading Forcing Independents to Adapt
They expected it to happen eventually. It was just a matter of time, industry insiders said. So, it wasn’t a total surprise when Bridgestone Americas Holding (BAH) announced its intent to purchase retread giant Bandag. After all, BAH and Bandag have collaborated for decades. Bandag-owned Tire Distribution Systems (TDS) stores sell Bridgestone tires, and many
Conti Chief Sees N.A. Market Rebound
(Akron/Tire Review) Continental AG chief Manfred Wennemer expects the North American tire industry to pick up this year, even though the industry still faces unstable and rising raw material costs.
Two Down, BFNAT to Go
(Akron/Tire Review) With a freshly minted and ratified master contract with Goodyear in its hands, USW negotiators are expected to restart talks with Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire sometime this month.
Stocking Stuffers: Catching Up and Clearing the Desk Before the New Year
As you’d expect, I get a lot of questions about the USW contract talks and the future of North America’s tire manufacturing base. And, as you’d expect, my responses are neutral. Anything else is a pure lose-lose proposition. But I will say this: The USW’s effort to negotiate in the media with Goodyear shows that
Union Decides to Return to Bargaining Table
(Akron/Tire Review) The United Steelworkers, in a sudden shift, agreed to return to the bargaining table in an effort to resolve the now two-and-a-half-month strike against 16 Goodyear facilities in North America.
TIC Becomes TyreSafe
(Clacton, U.K./Tyres & Accessories) From January 2007, the Tyre Industry Council (TIC) will be known as TyreSafe.
New Tyre Sensor Offers Increased Safety and Lower Operating Costs
(Clacton, U.K./Tyres & Accessories) A new tyre sensor that can warn drivers of dangerous road conditions or urgently needed tyre maintenance has been developed in Germany.
Better Fuel Economy? Start With a Strong Tire Program
This year, the U.S. interstate highway system marks its 50th anniversary. It is not surprising to drivers who travel these roads that, amid the ever-rising cost of a barrel of oil, and the proliferation of eco-friendly hybrids and alternative fuels, trucks still rule the highways and their many adjoining capillaries. While the percentage of trucks
What Are Retreaders Doing to Improve Fuel Efficiency?
If trucks are kings of the road, then retreaded tires are their scepters. The Tire Industry Association estimates that approximately 17.6 million retreaded truck tires were sold in North America in 2005, with total sales exceeding $3 billion. The majority of these were medium truck tires. That’s almost three-fourths of the entire medium/heavy truck tire
Super Wides: Can Super Wide Tires Cut Fuel Costs?
Smart fleets and progressive tire dealers opt for a symbiotic relationship – one in which the dealer helps the fleet lower its operating costs, while the fleet ensures continued business for the dealer. After all, a supplier relationship in its ideal form should be a partnership, not just a sales contract. Still, commercial tire innovation