Mutual Rewards: The Case for Outsourcing Has Never Been Stronger
“We hang on to our tire dealership relationships for dear life,” says Gary F. Petty, president and CEO of the National Private Truck Council (NPTC). Petty presumably speaks for most private fleets when he says, ®a lot of them rely on tire dealerships for servicing the tire function. They need that special expertise.® Without question,
Taking Your Pulse: There’s More to Being Financially Healthy Than a Strong Bottom Line
Bottom line got you down? Well, start looking up. When reviewing financial statements, the eyes of most independent tire dealers go straight to the bottom line, says Jack Phillips, vice president of credit and financial services for American Tire Distributors in Charlotte, N.C. And that’s a big mistake. Why? Because looking only at the bottom
Staying Out of the Courtroom: Is Being Sued Inevitable? Maybe. Here’s What You Should Know If the Gavel Drops
“See You in Court.” Today, that’s just a fancy way of saying, “Goodbye.” Unfortunately, that’s often the harsh truth when your employees, your customers or government agencies utter that short but terrifying sentence. So, how can you stay out of court? And, how do you keep from panicking if and when someone says those ominous
Down to Business: BFNAT Commercial Dealers Learn of Upcoming Threats, Opportunities
BFNAT Commercial Dealers Learn of Upcoming Threats, Opportunities
The Real Madness
I don’t know how I did it, but I had the house to myself. The kids, the wife, everyone was gone that Sunday morning. It was just the newspaper and me, and for the first time in months, I was going to enjoy every single page of that paper.
Industry Report
Conti to Add "Low Cost" Production for N.A.Continental AG announced plans to spend upwards of $306.9 million to boost tire capacity in low-cost countries, primarily to benefit its struggling North American operations. In addition, Continental officials said the company is still seeking a partner in China.
The Signs are There
At the end of 2003, some experts were saying that commercial truck equipment demand could create "the mother of all buying cycles" over the next two to three years. Looking at the numbers, the cycle appears poised to bust loose.
A ‘Direct’ Mandate
Since last year, the writers of the rules have been working overtime at what might be D.C.’s most harried agency, NHTSA. It started in August 2003, when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit tossed out NHTSA’s call for indirect tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) in its final rulemaking on the subject.
Tort Me? Tort You!
The word "tort," part of the vernacular of first-year law students, technically means any civil wrongdoing for which a victim can seek legal recourse from one who caused harm or damages.
Industry Report
Reports Say Georgia Site of Planned Toyo PlantIt’s existing capacity stretched to the limit, Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. took a giant step forward, announcing on Feb. 17 plans for a new $150-million passenger and light truck/SUV tire plant that would come on stream in 2006. News reports out of Atlanta in early February indicated the company received approval to build the plant in Bartow County, Ga., about 60 miles north of Atlanta. Toyo said the plant would have the capacity to produce two million consumer tires per year.