Worth Watching: Maritime Shipping Woes Set to Slam Tire Industry
At the end of January, certain shipping companies indicated that they are considering what is known as "super slow-steaming" on the Asia-Europe route. This news, which potentially extends the already long time it takes for Far Eastern tires to go from “on the water” to “in the warehouse,” serves to highlight the complicated business of
Conti Boosting Junior Staffers in 2010
Just days after announcing plans to use football as a means of highlighting its attractiveness as an employer, Continental AG has outlined plans to “put stock in fresh expertise, new ideas and, thus, increasing innovative prowess in the form of highly qualified junior staff” during 2010. “This year we plan to hire around 1,000 university
Specialized Selling: Smart Dealers Can Stack Up Profits in Skid-Steer Market
In work sites across the country, one can find the versatile skid-steer loader. Because of its convenient size and capacity for special attachments, the machine can be used by consumers and pros in a multitude of applications, including construction, farming, excavation, recycling, landscaping, mining and snow removal. The skid-steer tire niche has changed quite a
Michelin Selects Media Buying, Planning Group for U.S.
Michelin North America has selected Mediaedge:cia (MEC) to manage its media planning and buying activities for all of Michelin’s U.S. business units and brands, including Michelin, BFGoodrich and Uniroyal. MEC’s New York office will begin work in the United States on Jan. 1. While MediaCom will retain media planning and buying responsibilities for Canada and
F1 Gets First Green Technology Sponsor
Formula One is set to receive its first green technology sponsor following the signing of a multi-year partnership between the Virgin Racing team and Carbon Green. The U.S.-based company, as reported by tyrepress.com on December 10, primarily focuses upon pyrolysis based tire recycling that permits the 100% recycling of tires and waste rubber into commercially
Bridgestone Retail Chief AASA Conference Keynoter
Larry Magee, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Retail Operations, will be a keynote speaker at the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association’s third annual Vision Conference. The AASA event will be held on March 17, 2010, at the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill. “The national service chain segment is critical to many of our members, the
The Carpocalypse – What Does it Mean to Shops?
Last month, I had a chance to attend a panel discussion at Northwood University in Midland, Mich., titled "Reinventing the Wheel." The panel featured the usual analysts and industry experts, but it also featured a new car dealer and an executive vice president of a major aftermarket parts program group. The event was held in
2009 Top Shop Finalist: Griffin Brothers
You would expect tire dealers in the heart of NASCAR country to know something about automobiles. Griffin Brothers Tires, Wheels, and Auto Repair in the Charlotte, N.C., area not only knows tires, but the company also has mastered the art of building relationships with people. Over the past 48 years, this family-run company has built
Lack of Support? Dealer Says ‘We Don’t Know How to Make Our Voices Heard’
I’m usually the type of dealer that sits back and watches as events happen in our industry. That doesn’t mean I don’t care, it’s just that as an independent dealer I don’t really know how or what I can do to change things. That was until today, when I read the New York Times article
Scrappage Scheme Boosts Sales For Kia And Mazda
Tyres & Accessories – With sales reaching 9,772 in September, Kia Motors (UK) Ltd. has hit a new record for the brand in any European market. No Kia subsidiary or distributor in Europe has ever sold so many new cars in one month throughout the brand’s history and with total sales for the year passing