Defining Your Future
One-of-a-Kind Coverage Delivers Opportunities for Commercial Dealers
Brilliant Disguise: All That Glitters is Not Gold, Especially When it Comes to Tire Supply
Reviewing the state of the medium truck tire market in the spring of 2005 is enough to make a fortune teller reach for the Pepto. There is a record demand for tires, what appears to be a tightening supply of those tires (depending on who you ask), a continuing strong demand for Class 8 power
Back to Basics: Part 2: Tire’s Belt Package Affects Comfort, Steering, Durability
In the January issue of Tire Review, we talked about the primary role of a tire’s bead and sidewall. Now, we’re going to move to the belt package. Let’s begin with some things you probably don’t know. For example, did you know that there are more parts in a tire’s belt system and carcass than
Winter Tire Blues: Auto Advances Add Complexity to Winter Tire Servicing
The snowflake branded on the sidewall of a winter tire isn’t there for decoration. The designation means the tire addresses three winter driving concerns: traction, cornering and braking. “Put on a set of today’s winter tires, and driving in the winter becomes irrelevant.” That’s a direct quote from long-time tire test driver Bob Strange, who
Shrewd Investing
Most experienced fleet managers and professional tire service providers appreciate the important role tires play in the overall operating cost equation for a trucking business. Much has been written and documented about the benefits of selecting the best tires for specific applications and vehicle configurations and then maintaining those tires to assure long service life.
Next Big Thing: Fleets Still Want Retreads But Prefer Greater Cost Efficiencies
Today, retreading is an integral part of most successful commercial tire servicing operations. The synergy gained from combining replacement tire sales with tire/wheel servicing and retreading makes good business sense from the viewpoints of both the fleet customer and the tire dealer. Truck fleet operators, both small and large, have precious little time and few
Playing to Strengths: Yokohama Looks to Technology to Bolster Its Global Position
As the man ultimately in charge of Yokohama Rubber Co. (YRC) tire efforts, Hisao Suzuki is in a unique position to see the global tire industry from multiple perspectives. Suzuki has been instrumental in Yokohama’s recent worldwide successes and growth, and in the recovery of Yokohama Tire Corp. here in the U.S. Suzuki, 63, was
Uplifting Profits
With the Right Approach, Lifts Can Be More Than Just a Capital Expense The right lift can make all the difference in your shop. Just having one can increase profits. If you’ve got the right lift for the service work you do, however, your profits could be even better. I once worked in a shop
Private-ly Niched: Specialty Private Brands are on the Rise, Filling Niches Nicely
The perception is that the private brand market hasn’t always gotten the respect within the tire industry it deserves. Not because private brand tires are in any way inferior in quality and performance. But merely because they aren’t "major" brands. As any private brander will tell you, their tires are of the highest quality, at
Habit-Changing Agents
When I was in the advertising biz, the best piece of advice I ever got was this: It’s easy to write beautiful copy. It’s damn hard to get someone to spend $1 million on a machine they don’t need. It is equally true is that it’s damn hard to get people to change their ways.