Continental Introduces Convenient Belt Product Display Kit
Continental said its new Elite branded Belt Product Display Kit contains 16 12-in.-sized belt samples representing the automotive, industrial, outdoor power equipment, sport and heavy-duty truck markets in North America. “This product briefcase is for anyone who sells Continental Elite automotive or heavy-duty belts,” said Tom Lee, Continental’s marketing manager for its North American aftermarket
OTR a Real Mixed Bag
The off-the-road tire segment of the overall tire industry is, admittedly, a niche market. But, at roughly 10% of the global $170-plus billion tire industry, it is a sizeable niche and one that provides some interesting opportunities for all commercial tire dealers, whether they consider themselves OTR sellers or not. Last year, a good friend
Hagan: Linglong Americas is Truly Building for the Future
John Hagan’s varied 26-year tire industry career is instructive of how he got to his current post as COO of Linglong Americas Inc., and driving the Chinese tiremaker’s North American ambitions. Hagan started as a credit manager for Pirelli in 1989, moving to financial analyst and customer service manager. In 1994 he took his first
Ex-Nexen Man Aben Joins Giti as Sr. VP
Former Nexen Tire Corp. sales executive John Aben has joined Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. as its new senior vice president. The tire industry veteran will “work with the Giti executive team to strengthen the position of the Giti family of brands with distributors, dealers and retailers in the North American replacement tire market, as well
Chicago Pneumatic Unveils New Line of Workshop Equipment
Chicago Pneumatic has launched a new line of workshop equipment for the professional automotive and heavy fleet maintenance industries. The new line includes jack stands, bottle and floor jacks, air-hydraulic jacks and presses, torque wrenches and other accessories. All equipment is fully certified and meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI, assuring
Continued Program Success
It was a big year for Continental Tire the Americas’ Gold Dealer program, with a record number of tire dealers qualifying for its 10th annual incentive trip. This year, 304 dealers, including 31 new Elite dealers, sold more than 2,000 units each in 2014 to qualify for a cruise through the Caribbean between March 23-29.
ChemChina, Pirelli Can Gain Much in Deal
Ren Jianxin, the 57-year-old chairman, referred to the $7.7 billion acquisition of Pirelli SpA , as “revolutionary” for ChemChina, almost as though it was the mouse that had swallowed the elephant. In fact, Ren’s ChemChina, which he created 30 years ago on a $1,600 government loan, is six times Pirelli’s size, certainly the elephant in
Of Mice, Men and Where the ChemChina-Pirelli Deal Will Take Us
Ren Jianxin, the 57-year-old chairman, referred to the $7.7 billion acquisition of Pirelli SpA, as “revolutionary” for ChemChina, almost as though it was the mouse that had swallowed the elephant. In fact, Ren’s ChemChina, which he created 30 years ago on a $1,600 government loan, is six times Pirelli’s size, certainly the elephant in most
ATD Withdraws IPO
ATD withdrew its plans for an initial public offering on March 23, according to NASDAQ. The company originally filed in June 2014 for an IPO that was expected to raise $500 million or more. In February 2015, TPG sold about half of its 94% stake in ATD to Ares for $620 million. At the same
ATD Rebrands Canadian Operation, Purchases Integra
Starting in February, American Tire Distributor’s wholesale operations in Canada will consolidate into a new brand, National Tire Distributors (NTD). Currently, ATD operates nine different wholesale brands in Canada, all acquired through a series of acquisitions over the last three years. These are all being rebadged under the NTD name. “The NTD brand effectively takes
