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.
Patience
to enhance consumer knowledge and create greater value for you and the products you sell. No, our position hasn’t changed one iota. The problem is there is nothing really to write about. While there have been numerous published stories about the concept, in truth, there’s been nothing tangible to report. Plenty of opinion and ideas
Industry Report
Working its way out from under a $728,000 deficit, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) is closing its Louisville, Ky., offices and training center and consolidating all of its operations at the association’s headquarters in Bowie, Md. The move was announced Jan. 12 and is effective as of Feb. 1.
Peaks and Valleys:
Like the economy, Alliance Tire Co. (1992) Ltd. has bounced up and down in the North American market, feeling the effects of pressure from all over the globe. But after a few years on the down slope, Alliance is making a strong comeback, posting its first quarterly profits in years. And the tiremaker’s new top management is looking to rebuild its North American presence with some technological advances and market positioning.
Business Opportunities: Use ‘Em or Lose ‘Em
u. The quick fix is to get them to take a closer look at your people. In fact, fleet managers should be encouraged to spend time talking with your tire experts to see which ones can really help them. Ideally, a good fleet manager will strike up a long-term relationship with someone from your staff,
Spitting out Rubber
Have you ever watched an auto race and thought about what it would be like to become one with a machine? Pushing yourself and a car right to the edge of catastrophe, yet be in total control? If you’re like me, there’s only one answer: Heck, yeah! Across this nation, people of all ages and
Industry Report
Master contract talks between Bridgestone Americas Holding (BAH) and the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) shattered Nov. 13 after union negotiators walked out of a bargaining meeting claiming the company’s contract proposal was "so far off the mark" and setting the stage for a possible strike at BAH tire plants across North America.