Industry Report
It took seemingly forever, but NHTSA finally issued final tire performance and testing standards in late June – more than a year after its initial proposal was revealed. The new standards feature more stringent performance test parameters, including a controversial low inflation pressure test provision.
Finding Mr./Ms. Right: Staff, Rather Than Location, Will Build or Break Your Business
Finding Mr./Ms. Right Staff, Rather Than Location, Will Build or Break Your Business No. Location, Location, Location are not the three most important factors in retailing success. Instead, they are Staff, Staff, Staff. The smaller your tire dealership, the more important each person becomes. Just one bad apple in a staff of, say, three can
Generation Next?
Generationally speaking, we are at a crossroads. And whether we look left, right or straight ahead, the view is rather dim. "The strength of the independent tire dealer is the owner-operator, the guy who unlocks the door every day," Dick Johnson, president and CEO of American Tire Distributors (nee Heafner Tire Group), told me recently.
Industry Report
Michelin Reopens Closed Plant in Mexico
Keeping It All In The Family: A ‘Well-Run’ Family Business is Not a Contradiction
Keeping It All In The Family A ‘well-run’ family business is not necessarily a contradiction in terms. There have been many cases of successful family companies, and there will be many more to come. But having family aboard can be both a help or a hurt, depending on how things are handled. Family ties are
Knock, Knock, Knock: How to Stay Safe When Uncle Sam Comes Calling
Knock Knock Knock How to Stay Safe When Uncle Sam Comes Calling Most employers do their best to provide employees with a safe workplace, and few, if any, intentionally disregard safety or environmental regulations at the expense of the well-being of their workers or the community. Owners of small businesses find it almost impossible to
Sonic Bust
Sonic Bust Can we rebound form a speed-of-sound decline? It’s fair to say the medium truck tire market is sagging. Stagnant at best. Fleets are filing Chapter 7 and 11 at a record pace. There is a surplus of used trucks just waiting to be bought. Production of new trucks is at a trickle.
State of The Union: Low Cost Radials, consolidations, Economy Hurting Retread Industry
State of The Union Low Cost Radials, consolidations, Economy Hurting Retread Industry Developing a forecast for the tire and retread industries for this year has been like trying to forecast the stock market. I can only hope that my industry forecast and report will be more accurate than my stock market judgments over the last
In the Line of ‘Fire’: Preparation is the Key When It’s Time to Cut the Cord
In the Line of ‘Fire’ Preparation is the Key When It’s Time to Cut the CordPerhaps you can fire any employee "at will," as the legal saying goes. And you may make it stick despite a lawsuit. But who wants an expensive lawsuit where legal costs mean you lose even when you win? Even as
Industry Report
Another Recall, Chairman Quits and Lawsuits Stack UpNew problems and some unexpected after-effects of the Bridgestone/Firestone (BFS) recall continue to plague the Nashville-based firm: