What’s Treading with Tire Review

Downtime is the enemy of fleets everywhere–a tire problem while on the road is a cog in the supply chain wheel, so to speak. Luckily, independent tire dealers and their teams act as the “superhero” when it comes to responding to service calls in a timely manner. Yet, while on the side of the road, your teams need to be equipped with not only the proper tools, but also the right training to protect...

In an industry that either makes or sells those four round circles of rubber that go on your vehicle, there's quite a lot going on. Tire dealers are being hit hard by the most recent labor shortage, the evolution of technology teams you and your employees must stay on top of training and sustainability is at the forefront of tire technology. With more than 30 years in the tire industry, Tire Indus...

Wheels, especially on high-performance vehicles, are often a part of any vehicle that stands out. They come in different finishes, with various pieces and in all types of colors. Let’s face it: They are the outlandish sibling of the round, black tire. Tires and wheels are commodity items, but when your customer wants to customize the look of their vehicle, wheels are a great place to start, and of...

You may have heard of Sun Auto Tire & Service. The company, formerly known as GB Auto Service, started in 2017 and just last year, it had record growth, doubling in size after acquiring 11 new automotive service brands in 12 new states. Currently, the company, backed by private equity firm Leonard Green & Associates, has more than 350 locations and is looking for opportunities to expand. In this e...

Drive by any construction site today, and you'll probably see tractors, loaders, skid steers - the mainstays that sites need to keep running. However, in recent years, those pieces of equipment have downsized, giving the market for compact construction, ag and lawn equipment a boost. Now, that's not to say those large earthmovers are going extinct. In fact, they play a huge role in readying a site...

You may have heard of the "Internet of Things," or IOT, as it's often referred to. But, if you’re scratching your head thinking, um…how does this relate to my tire business? We’re about to delve into just that. In this episode of What's Treading with Tire Review, presented by AAPEX 2022, we’re joined by Pete Liebetreu, vice president of marketing for Hunter Engineering Co., who describes how Hunte...

On the heels of its latest all-terrain tire launch with the Pinza AT, the Vredestein brand is making its mark in the North American market. In 2019, the brand debuted with its Hypertrac UHP tire, and since then it has grown its presence in the independent tire dealer channel across North America. So, what does the brand have planned for 2022? And what about down the line? In this episode of What’s...

When a customer calls or comes into your tire dealership, it's easy to get into a rhythm and read from a script. What can I do for you today? What's the year, make, and model of your vehicle? What's your tire size? Important questions, sure. However, this is called "winging it;" it's not a true sales process, says Steve Ferrante, CEO of Sale Away LLC and the producer and host of Pinnacle Performan...

Right to repair is an ongoing issue in the automotive aftermarket. Put simply, it allows drivers to have access to their vehicle's data so they can grant you, the independent tire dealer, permission to access it and repair their vehicle. However, with OEMs wanting to maintain control over that data, the automotive aftermarket faces an uphill battle on this issue that's currently making its way thr...

At its recent Tire Pros Dealer Conference in late October, the 600+ dealer franchise unveiled its three-year plan to help its dealers better connect with customers and succeed in today's increasingly digitally focused world. So, what does that plan entail? Tire Pros President Greg Bell takes a deep dive into what the franchise has in store in this latest episode of What's Treading with Tire Review...

In this industry, you often hear the phrase "Appointments vs. Walk-ins." Does your service advisor meticulously manage your shop's scheduled work? Or, are you banking on helping customers out when they need it and walk into your store? The answer for many is both. But as tire dealers worked to manage the flow of traffic in their shops during the pandemic, more and more switched to taking appointme...

Across the automotive aftermarket, shop owners and distributors alike continue to grapple with one huge challenge. You’ve guessed it: labor. More specifically for shops, a technician shortage. We know, we know -- this isn’t news to you. However, since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, some shops are going about recruiting and retaining employees a bit differently. In this episode of What’s Tr...

Today's tire industry is home to legacy brands...you know who they are: Goodyear, Firestone, BF Goodrich, General Tire, Mohawk Rubber. The list goes on. The ones we listed, though, have one thing in common: They started in Akron, Ohio. In fact, as these tire manufacturers developed, so did the city of Akron. Now, the memories and stories from those that helped build these tire giants are being imm...

Following the money can tell you a great deal about what's happening in the tire industry, and in 2021, capital has been in the hands of private equity-backed companies and publicly held behemoths. So, what does that mean for tire dealers? In this episode of What's Treading with Tire Review, we speak with industry analysts who say these investor-led trends increase the value of independent tire de...

As we work to cross over into a post-pandemic world, the current dynamics in today's tire retail landscape are making it ripe for consolidation as well as franchising, according to Tire Discounters. “One of the things we hear from small business owners is that they’re worn out. They’re tired, and quite frankly, that [the pandemic] was a very difficult time in their business history,” says Jamie Wa...

How do you take an unprofitable store and make it a revenue-generating machine? In this episode of What’s Treading with Tire Review, we speak with a tire dealer duo who’s done just that: Cassandra White and Courtney Condor, owners of an RNR Tire Express store in Puyallup, Washington. Just under 10 years ago, these sisters took over their parent’s store and made some major changes to yield positive...

“I want to help make the industry better before I leave this earth, whether it's doing a tire panel or doing a tire podcast, because this industry has been a big part of my life. I'm very proud of what this industry has given to me, and I want to turn around and repay it.” That’s the life mission of John Gamauf, retired president of Bridgestone-Firestone North American consumer tire company. But,...

Sustainable mobility has become a buzzword in the automotive industry, as carmakers look toward an electric—and zero-emissions—future. But how exactly will this grand idea be achieved? Michelin North America has an idea. This year, Michelin introduced its "Michelin in Motion" plan, its “all sustainable” strategy to drive new growth in the next 10 years with a focus on people, planet and profit. It...

When you think of sustainability, what comes to mind? Perhaps, it’s the folded arrows of the triangular-shaped recycling sign. Or, maybe a pocket park in your neighborhood. Well, it’s those things and so much more. Nowadays, sustainability has made its way into corporate culture in the form of ESG, which stands for environmental, social and governance. You’ve probably heard it from tire manufactur...

It's no secret that the tire supply chain has been jolted by the coronavirus pandemic. Things are sort of a hot mess and there are so many factors playing a role – the price and availability of raw materials, shipping, and freight, changes in manufacturing, fluctuating supply and demand...the list goes on. Dealers are most likely seeing these supply chain challenges in the form of low fill rates a...

How do you know if you need a new tire changer? And what do you need to do to keep your wheel balancer in mint condition and working order? The industry has lots of questions about changing and balancing tires, and many of those revolve around tire service equipment. In this episode of What’s Treading with Tire Review, we talk with the experts from Hennessy Industries, manufacturers of Coats tire...

What do you do when the pandemic forces you to lose one of your primary sources of revenue? Well, that’s the predicament the Tire Industry Association found itself in around mid-March last year. When states started to go into lockdown, the association had to cancel its in-person, hands-on training sessions, which made up a majority of its training and a large chunk of its revenue. In this episode,...

People have different opinions about private equity in the tire industry. Some detest PE firms, hearing stories about how they come in and strip down a business. Others reluctantly accept it, and some embrace it, knowing that outside capital is coming in hot, thanks to the resilience of our industry. Regardless of how you feel, private equity has offered a way for many shop owners to transition th...

We’re almost a year into the pandemic, and as a result, industry events like trade shows have been forced to go virtual. For many, there’s also been a change in the way they’re communicating with vendors and customers and serving their needs. One company in the industry that has experienced this is K&M Tire. As a tire distributor, K&M works with both tire manufacturers and dealers with a mission t...

It’s no secret that vehicle technology is changing at a rapid pace. Tire dealers see it in their bays every day when performing both tire and service work. One company that is on the front lines of adapting to new vehicle technology – and understanding the needs of the technician- is JohnDow Industries. “New products and improving existing products... staying relevant and understanding what profes...