Modern Tire Dealer - July 2011

JULY 2011 • VOL. 92, NO. 7 • TEN DOLLARS • A BOBIT PUBLICATION

THE INDUSTRY’S LEADING PUBLICATION

TEXT MESSAGE MARKETING: The new frontier AUTOPROMOTEC 2011 highlights

BUILDING THE BOTTOM LINE WITH NEW STORES

INFORMATION EXPLOSION! Access to data changes buying habits

2011 Buyers’ Guide

www.moderntiredealer.com

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Cover feature The

100 Modern Tire Dealer

18 Tire Kingdom vs. Discount Tire Both retail chains reach 800 stores.

Which is No. 1?

19 The top independent tire dealer chains in the U.S.

The Industry’s Leading Publication July 2011, Volume 92, Number 7

Departments 4 Editorial Tire labeling is a done deal: We should be more concerned with tire aging

6 Online Miss a day, miss a lot!

8 News/views Montalbano Tire is 70 years young; Management changes at Michelin; more

16 Ludwig Report Now is the time to check on winter tire orders

Feature 28 Where tires go, wheels follow Or is it the other way around?

It doesn’t matter to Kenda

2011 Buyers’ Guide 50 Manufacturers/marketers Serving the North American tire market

68 National associations TIA, SEMA, AAIA and more

70 State associations Industry-related organizations in the U.S. and Canada

32 Business insight Text message marketing: the next frontier — With an average response rate a staggering 20%, this new technology offers tremendous ROI

38 Counter intelligence Information explosion! Access to data is changing consumer buying habits and tire brands’ value perceptions

42 TPMS Take special care of caps, valves on Buick Allure sensors: Sensors must be taken out of “Off” mode prior to following reset procedures

46 Focus on industry Autopromotec 2011: International event continues to grow after 24 trade shows

48 Focus on industry Ready to launch: the CrossContact LX20 — Continental adds a tire to the highway terrain segment

78 Your turn New life for old tires

72 Products 74 Quik-Link 75 Classified

Modern Tire Dealer is a proud member of:

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TRIB

TIRE RETREAD & REPAIR INFORMATION BUREAU

Member An Industry Association

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Editorial

Tire labeling is a done deal We should be more concerned with tire aging

D

id you know that our government has been working on a consumer tire rolling resistance label for almost 20 years?! In 1993, the White House Conference on Global Climate Change discussed tire labeling and asked the Department of Transportation to do something about it.

One year later, the National

By Bob Ulrich Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officially revisited the Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) System. It asked for comments on, in NHTSA’s own words, “replacing the temperature resistance grade with a rolling resistance grade.”

The industry has been fighting the proposal ever since, although without much success. After all this time, I think everyone opposed should just accept the inevitable and address more pressing matters.

How can you argue with a government agency armed with all sorts of data, charts and graphs essentially proving its point?

You can’t. When NHTSA concluded it was doable, and passed its “final” rule saying as much in 2010, the fight ended.

All that’s left is to hammer out the details of the program, I guess so it can one day become, well, final. It should be good enough that the automotive aftermarket, including the Tire Industry Association (TIA), made sure NHTSA prevented a low-rolling resistance label from becoming a minimum low-rolling resistance requirement.

(Don’t laugh. At one time, California drafted legislation to that effect.)

This snail’s pace has been maddening to many. It took less than a year for Congress to develop and pass the last major piece of legislation affecting our industry, the infamous TREAD (Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation) Act, back in 2001. The government evidently moves either too fast or too slow.

Roy Littlefield, executive vice president of TIA, is one of the “maddening” crowd. He says there are industry proponents on both sides of the issue (TIA is officially neutral). For example, one side believes emphasizing lower rolling resistance comes at a price. “They say you are sacrificing safety for an environmental issue,” he says.

There is some truth to this argument, although

NHTSA certainly addressed the issue when it examined the relationship between tire rolling resistance and safety, durability and fuel economy back in 2008.

The sooner the rulemaking process is completed, the better, according to Littlefield. Tire manufacturers can get started adjusting to new tire testing and labeling requirements. And consumers will have one more way to compare tires. I think that’s a good thing.

Besides, how many of your tire-buying customers actually compare UTQG ratings?

TIA should be more concerned with becoming the administrator of the consumer tire education component of the rule. That could bring in millions of dollars to the association, and is a realistic goal.

There are other matters that need attending to as well.

Eventually, tire aging is going to be addressed in legislative form. New York has two bills prohibiting the distribution and sale of tires six years or older. If we could make it 10 years, and agree to prominently display the date of manufacture on the tire in some way, I would consider it a small victory.

The Federal Excise Tax (FET) on new truck tires is set to expire Oct. 1. Littlefield and the trucking industry say it should be renewed, and I agree. It has been around in some form since the 1930s, and trucking companies have learned to adapt to it.

The tax also encourages the use of retreaded tires. The average cost of a new truck tire last year was $335.52. That was 60% more than a comparable retread, which cost an average of $209.79. If a weight-distance tax is included in the Federal Highway Bill, however, the FET will be eliminated.

Maybe the time has come to tackle tort reform. “Right now, I think the Republican House of Representatives would look at tort reform,” he says.

It would be nice to get ahead of the curve for once. With the tire labeling debate, it always seemed like our industry was trying to play catch-up. And we need to work together: TIA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association and the Rubber Manufacturers Association. “This industry has got to speak in a common voice,” adds Littlefield.

But not about tire labeling. We should work with NHTSA to get the program finalized as quickly as possible. Then we should let... it... go. ■ If you have questions or comments, please e-mail me at bob.ulrich@bobit.com.

New York has two bills prohibiting the sale of tires six years or older.

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MTD July 2011 7/11/11 11:07:51 AM

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Online

Miss a day,

3515 Massillon Road, Suite 350 Uniontown, OH 44685 (330) 899-2200, fax (330) 899-2209 Web site http://www.moderntiredealer.com Editor: ROBERT J. ULRICH Bob.Ulrich@bobit.com Managing Editor: LORI L. MAVRIGIAN Lori.Mavrigian@bobit.com Senior Editor: BOB BISSLER Bob.Bissler@bobit.com Contributors: Auto Service/Technical: MIKE MAVRIGIAN Training/Tire Service: KEVIN ROHLWING Industry Analyst: SAUL LUDWIG Art Director: NEAL WEINGART Neal.Weingart@bobit.com Production Manager: KAREN RUNION Karen.Runion@bobit.com Publisher: GREG SMITH Greg.Smith@bobit.com

miss a lot!

Last month, 185 Web news items were posted on www.moderntiredealer.com.

That included 134 Breaking News and Industry News items, and 51 updates in our Racing News section. Some of our “must see” items included: Breaking News — “Michelin dismisses one of its managing partners,” our Web exclusive story on “Daniels Tire celebrates its 100th birthday,” and “Hankook plans 100 million tires annually by 2014.”

Did you see dealer-related news? It included: “Monro acquires Vespia Tire Centers,” “Carroll Tire increases D/C count to 38,” “Flynn’s Tire president finds e-commerce solution,” “Hornsby Tire adds 3rd distribution center,” and “Evans Tire opens 17th store in San Diego.”

Tire manufacturers and distributors had a busy month. Some of the items MTD editors wrote about included: “Hercules adds touring tire to Ironman line,” “Bridgestone’s Ecopia line grows to 29 sizes,” “Toyo launches luxury green tire,” “TBC introduces two all-season tires,” “Goodyear’s new G572 features a 30-32-inch tread,” and “A new kind of hybrid, a new kind of Yokohama tire.”

In Racing News, we covered “Rod Millen wins on Hankook tires at Pikes Peak,” “Michelin heads to Lime Rock,” “Pirelli takes top spots in MX Grand Prix of Sweden,” and “Team Falken is looking to go four-for-four in Formula Drift” and much more.

We also had exclusive analysis from Saul Ludwig who “Predicts little if any growth in 2011.”

All this — and much more — was presented on www.moderntiredealer.com in one month! See all this archived information — and up-to-the-minute news items — on our Web site. And be sure to leave us a comment!

Total access — totally free www.moderntiredealer.com

South and Texas: GREG SMITH Greg.Smith@bobit.com (330) 899-2200, fax (330) 899-2209 Midwest: MICHELE VARGO Michele.Vargo@bobit.com (330) 899-2200, fax (330) 899-2209 West Coast: JOHN DYAL The Dyal Company John.Dyal@bobit.com (760) 451-5026, fax (760) 451-5039 West Coast: MARIANNE DYAL The Dyal Company Marianne.Dyal@bobit.com (760) 451-9216, fax (760) 451-9292 Automotive Aftermarket: DAN THORNTON djtinc@gmail.com (734) 676-9135, mobile (313) 410-0945 fax (734) 675-6744 Classified Sales: DONNA STEWART Donna_Stewart@cox.net (405) 513-6794, fax (360) 406-7576 Reprint Sales: KAREN RUNION Karen.Runion@bobit.com (330) 899-2200, fax (330) 899-2209 Customer/Subscription Service: (888) 239-2455, fax (888) 274-4580

Modern Tire Dealer is a Bobit Publication Executive offices: 3520 Challenger St. Torrance, CA 90503 Chairman: Edward J. Bobit CEO & President: Ty F. Bobit Chief Financial Officer: Richard E. Johnson

MODERN TIRE DEALER (ISSN 00268496) (CDN IPM #40013413) (USPS #369-170) is published monthly by Bobit Business Media, 3520 Challenger St., Torrance, California 90503-1640. Periodicals postage paid at Torrance, CA 90503-9998 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MODERN TIRE DEALER, P.O. Box 1068, Skokie, IL 60076-8068. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for address changes to take effect.

Subscriptions in the U.S. and its possessions, $65; Canadian, $99; Int’l surface mail, $99; Int’l airmail, $198. Single copies, $10, except the January Facts Issue, $30. Address all subscription correspondence to MODERN TIRE DEALER, P.O. Box 1068, Skokie, IL 60076-8068. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks to receive your first issue. Please address Editorial and Advertising correspondence to MODERN TIRE DEALER, 3515 Massillon Road, Suite 350, Uniontown, OH 44685-6217. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without consent of Bobit Business Media. All statements made, although based on information believed to be reliable and accurate, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. For your information: We sometimes make our subscriber information (i.e. fax, e-mail or mailing address) available to carefully screened organizations whose products and services may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to have your information made available, please write MODERN TIRE DEALER, P.O. Box 1068, Skokie, IL 60076-8068.

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MTD July 2011 7/11/11 11:07:52 AM

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News/views

Montalbano Tire is 70 years young Houston landmark adapts to a changing market by refocusing on retail business

By Bob Bissler

T

ony Montalbano sure knows how to throw a party.

The owner and president of Montalbano Tire & Auto Service, Houston, Texas, recently hosted a celebration to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the family business.

About 250 people attended the day-long event that began with coffee and donuts in the morning, live country and western music from late-morning into the afternoon, a live call-in radio broadcast with “Texas Car Doctor” Skeeter Lothringer and car maintenance demos by BG Products.

“We attempted to mix business with pleasure, but it was mostly pleasure,” says Montalbano. “It was very nice and the weather cooperated. We had registrations for 250 people. Some were new people in the area and some were old-time customers.”

The staff of Montalbano Tire & Auto Service poses in front of the Michelin Man at the company’s 70th anniversary celebration.

As part of the celebration, prize giveaways took place all day. There were hourly drawings for restaurant gift cards and special pricing on tires and mechanical services. Montalbano also gave away a set of Goodyear Fuel Max tires worth $600 and a set of Michelin Harmony tires valued at $700. But the fun didn’t stop there.

“We also had a 12-foot inflatable Michelin Man and my commercial man took pictures of our guests standing in front of it,” says Montalbano. “We had a printer and we gave them their picture right away. That was a nice little touch.”

Many of Montalbano’s family members were in attendance to help, as well as all of his employees. Including

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Montalbano, the shop has a total of nine employees. But they are no ordinary employees.

“I’ve got one employee who is the truck tire man and he’s been with us 43 years,” says Montalbano. “Our office manager has been here 31 years, our service manager has been here for 33 years, I have a general service guy who has been here 22 years, and I have another truck tire man who has been here 21 years. I have a mechanic who is a short-timer; he has only been here seven years. He’s still on probation.”

The business, as well as the neighborhood, has gone through many changes over the years. Montalbano’s parents Joe and Angela started the business in 1941 as a Gulf service station. The family element was present from the start.

Joe Montalbano wasn’t 21 yet so his father co-signed the original lease with Gulf Oil. When Joe went off to World War II following Pearl Harbor, 19-year-old Angela ran the gas station.

“Over time we went from just a gas station doing minor repairs to getting into the tire business quite extensively,” says Montalbano. “Then we started doing automotive repairs heavily when we started our first expansion here at the store in 1967. We’ve had two other expansions since that time, the last one being in 1980. Our total land area is about 20,000 square-feet and our other building is about 14,500 square feet.

“It’s really strange because the area we’re in is called First Ward and we’re near downtown. It was one of the better parts of town and then it deteriorated. Now all of a sudden with the price of gasoline, being close to downtown is a good thing and we’re going through a renaissance. It’s really amazing.”

Montalbano, who is a past president of the Texas Tire Dealers Association, says that his commercial accounts from the area were bought out one by one as property values increased. Now the area is filled with apartment buildings, townhouses and condominiums. All those people living there need tires.

“We really have had to change our focus of our major customers,” he explains. “It used to be that commercial was first and retail secondary. Now it has flip-flopped and our retail business is primary and our commercial business is secondary.”

With plenty of primary and secondary business, Montalbano sure does have a lot to celebrate.

“It’s a good time to be in business and it’s a good time to celebrate,” he says. “We’re looking forward to many more years in business.” ■

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News/views Management changes at Michelin Groupe Michelin and Managing Partner Didier Miraton have parted ways. That leaves the company with two “managers.”

As part of the adjustment in Michelin’s corporate governance and executive management team, the managing general partners decided, with the agreement of the company’s supervisory board, to put an end to Miraton’s appointment as managing partner on June 21, 2011.

The move leaves Michelin with two managing general partners: Michel Rollier and Jean-Dominique Senard. Earlier this year, Rollier expressed his intention to step down before his term of office ends in 2016, and named Senard as his eventual replacement. The shareholders agreed to the move.

Across the ocean at Michelin North America Inc., Chairman and President Richard “Dick” Wilkerson is retiring. Pete Selleck, president of Michelin Truck Tires worldwide, will return to Greenville, S.C., from Michelin’s global headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France, to succeed him.

“Dick has demonstrated exemplary leadership throughout his career at Michelin,” says Senard. “Most recently, he helped guide Michelin North America to record results in spite of the economic recession.”

Wilkerson, a 31-year veteran of the company, has been in his current role since August 2008.

Selleck served as president of Michelin’s global truck tire business since January 2006.

GITI Tire more than doubles U.S. capacity GITI Tire (U.S.A.) Ltd. has opened a distribution center in Portland, Tenn. The 200,000-square-foot warehouse will serve GITI customers in the eastern half of the United States and the Midwest.

“This new facility will mean significant reductions in our delivery times,” says Tom McNamara, vice president of sales.

That, in turn, will enable GITI’s customers to better manage their inventories.

GITI Tire also has a distribution center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. In addition to carrying more than 180,000 passenger and truck tires in inventory, the 177,550-square-foot facility also serves as GITI Tire’s home office.

Pictured at the new GITI distribution center are, left to right: Eastern Division Sales Director Kevin Burkly; Eastern Division Regional Sales Manager Dave Myers; Canadian Sales Director Lou Monico and Director of Technical Service William Estupinan.

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News/views

bites

Mitas breaks ground in Iowa Mitas Tires held a ground-breaking ceremony at the former Winnebago Industries Charles City, Iowa, plant, which the company is converting into a farm tire factory. The plant will begin production early next year. Mitas is currently hiring 10 foremen and core employees, who will be sent to the Czech Republic for training.

Toyo buys Chinese tiremaker Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. has completed the acquisition of 75% equity interest in China-based tire manufacturer Shandong Silverstone Luhe Rubber & Tyre Co. The company has been renamed Toyo Tire (Zhucheng) Co. Ltd. The plant will manufacture automobile tires.

A tire convention in Tennessee The Tennessee Tire Dealers Association (TNTDA) will hold its annual convention Aug. 12-13, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee Speaker of the House Beth Harwell, Representative Jimmy Matlock and Representative Ryan Williams will be speaking. Visit www.TNTDA.org for more information.

3M tests wheel weights 3M Co. is promoting its lead-free wheel weights at the TDI-Panamericana Endurance Challenge, an event covering 16,000 miles.

The challenge began in Argentina and ends in Alaska. 3M’s polymer wheel weights are on a Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel SUV. 100 years for Daniels Tire The company that would become Daniels Tire Service Inc. was founded in Whittier, Calif., in 1911, by R.F. Daniels. In 1939, Arden Daniels, who succeeded his father, joined with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. — a partnership that remains intact more than 70 years later.

One million view Wells videos Wells Vehicle Electronics has a growing library of free online technician training videos that recently exceeded one million views at www.wellsVE.com, its YouTube page. The “Wells Tech” video series includes more than 20 in-depth diagnostic case studies.

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Pep Boys expands in Houston market Pep Boys has acquired seven service and tire stores in the Houston, Texas, area. The stores were previously operated by My Mechanic, a full-service automotive repair chain in the Houston area since 1989.

All seven locations will offer Pep Boys’ full range of quality automotive maintenance and repair services and brand-name tires.

“Our third acquisition this year furthers our stated strategy to grow through Service & Tire Centers,” says Pep Boys President and CEO Mike Odell. “We are very excited to add seven locations that will leverage the existing inventory, distribution and advertising employed by our eight Supercenters and one Service & Tire Center currently operating in Houston.”

Year-to-date, Pep Boys has added 102 Service & Tire Centers, expanding its total count to 155, which complement its 560 Supercenters nationwide.

Monro acquires Vespia Tire Centers Monro Muffler Brake Inc. has completed the acquisition of Vespia Tire Centers Inc. The 24 Vespia locations purchased, which generated net sales of $36 million in 2010, expand Monro’s footprint in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.

Monro also announced that it has completed an amendment of its existing credit agreement that extends the maturity date by five years. The amended agreement increases the amount of borrowings which the company may obtain to $175 million.

“We are pleased to have completed both the Vespia transaction and to have extended our credit agreement,” says Robert Gross, Monro chairman and chief executive officer.

“We are currently integrating the Vespia stores into our highly efficient business model and expect to benefit from the established store density, strong brand recognition, and loyal customer base of this well-established chain.”

MTD wins six editorial and graphics awards Modern Tire Dealer received five medals for editorial excellence at the 20th International Automotive Media Awards (IAMA) ceremony, held June 20, 2011, at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Mich.

In addition to a gold medal, MTD’s May 2010 cover went one step further when it won the “Best of Graphics” division (see photo). Art Director Neal Weingart received a crystal trophy for his “Is the glass half full or half empty?” design, which referred to the lead story on how private brand marketers were adjusting six months after a 35% tariff on Chinese consumer tire imports had been implemented.

Entered in the Magazine Writing division, MTD took home the following Foundation Award medallions: • Gold, Editorial category, “The tariff effect, one year later,” Bob Ulrich.

• Gold, General Technical category, “Emerging Technologies,” Mike Mavrigian.

• Gold, Cover Design category, May 2010 issue, Neal Weingart.

• Silver, Reference category, “Not exactly recession proof,” Bob Ulrich.

• Bronze, Single Issue (circulation 20,000-100,000) category, “Performance Handbook,” Bob Ulrich, Lori Mavrigian, Mike Manges and Neal Weingart.

The purpose of the International Automotive Media Awards is to “recognize and encourage excellence in all forms of automotive media.”

The IAMA is part of the International Automotive Media Competition (IAMC).

Both are administered, produced and owned by the International Society for VEHICLE Preservation.

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News/views

bites

TRIB helps members at shows The Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) announced that it will distribute members’ promotional materials at its booth at industry trade shows the group attends. Any TRIB member can forward materials to: TRIB, 1013 Birch St., Falls Church,VA 22046.

Yokohama sends ‘Green Wave’ The 23 Japan-based and overseas locations of Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. took part in the global tree-planting campaign “Green Wave 2011.” Worldwide, a total of 1,243 employees took part, planting 13,008 trees.

Kumho partners with insurer Kumho Tires Co. Ltd. is carrying out a joint marketing program with Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance to increase the quality of its customer service. Samsung Fire is South Korea’s largest non-life insurance company with products that include automobile, long-term and commercial insurance.

ASA Tire offers data recovery ASA Tire Systems, a provider of software systems to tire dealers, and data backup and recovery services provider NextVault have partnered to deliver hosted data backup and recovery services for tire dealers. NextVault will now offer automated, secure, off-site, redundant, data protection services for all ASA clients.

RMA issues consumer PSAs The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) is distributing four radio public service announcements urging motorists to properly check tire pressure, inspect tread and understand proper tire repair.

SEMA expands products area The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has upgraded the 2011 SEMA Show, Nov. 1-4, 2011, New Products Showcase that will result in a bigger and more comprehensive display. The upgrade includes a component for “Featured Products,” greater product promotion, and a new, larger area. The Showcase also will be referred to and themed as “Ideas Alive.”

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Continental establishes Tires division, expands globally Effective Aug. 1, 2011, the Passenger & Light Truck Tires (PLT) and Commercial Vehicle Tires (CVT) divisions of Continental AG will be consolidated into one division — Tires. To head it up, PLT division chief and executive board member Nikolai Setzer will take over the combined division. The present head of the CVT division, Dr. Hans-Joachim Nikolin, leaves the company July 31, 2011.

The new Tires division will boast a combined PLT/CVT workforce of 35,100 employees. Combined revenue in 2010 was 7.2 billion euros. Before the merger, the CVT division was the company’s smallest, with 2010 sales of 1.4 billion Euros and 7,100 workers.

“The tire business numbers among Continental’s core competencies,” said Dr. Elmar Degenhart, Continental executive board chairman. “Our goal is a step-up in profitable growth worldwide, above all in the emerging markets. In forming a single tire division, we are now consolidating our forces to achieve this end.”

As the company consolidates and increases tire production, Continental plans to manufacture 124 million passenger and light truck tires worldwide this year, close to 10% more than in 2010. The new plant in Hefei, China, opened earlier this year, will help the company achieve this goal.

In the Americas, Continental is launching an extensive investment program to increase tire production.

The plants in Mount Vernon, Ill., and Camacari, Brazil, will be expanded with additional annual capacities of around four million each.

In addition, new greenfield tire plants Continental AG says strong reare currently in the planning stage in placement and original equipment demand has its consumer tire plants the U.S. and Russia.

“In the European plants, too, bottlerunning at full capacity. necks are being systematically removed, with production undergoing continuous expansion,” says the company. “These plans are set to increase (summer and winter tire) production capacity significantly over the next few years to meet the rise in demand.”

Right to Repair: Can 28,000 people be wrong?

Dozens of supporters of the “Right to Repair” legislation filled a State House hearing room in Massachusetts last month, calling for passage of a bill that would require vehicle manufacturers to sell to independent car repairers the same repair code data they now sell or give to their franchise dealers.

At the start of hearing testimony, the Right to Repair Coalition piled up 28,000 letters of support on a table in front of the committee to show the amount of grass roots interest from consumers for this legislation.

Rep. Patricia Haddad, the speaker pro tempore, expressed her full support of the bill. In addition, several local repairers made a strong case for the legislation.

“The time that the dozens of repairers Piles of letters —28,000 in all— took to come down to the State House and in support of the Right to Repair sit through a four-hour hearing shows that legislation sit in front of legislathis legislation is critical to repairers and tors in Massachusetts. the jobs and businesses they represent,” said Art Kinsman, spokesman for the Right to Repair Coalition.

“Consumers pay for their cars, so they should be able to take their car where they want for repairs.” ■

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Ludwig Report

Now is the time to check on your winter tire orders

L

ast month I warned about softer retail sales and based on my dealer contacts, business in May and thus far in June was especially challenging.

Weak consumer tire shipments (May 2011 vs. May 2010 was down 12%) allowed manufacturers to build their inventories so fill rates are getting better. Also noteworthy is a recent decline in gasoline prices to the $3.65/gallon By Saul Ludwig range, and if that trend continues I would expect to see driving — and tire purchases — resume a modest upward trend during the summer months. Looking to the winter, we all recall how harsh last winter was and most dealers sold nearly every winter tire they had in stock. Be sure to have your winter tire orders firmly in place, as I predict manufacturers will not be able to fill all the orders they receive.

Many manufacturers have announced plans to expand their capacities here in the U.S. and that will be a positive in future years.

Costs show signs of slowing on raw materials In comparing the month of May 2011 with April 2011, average costs for size 215/60R16 major brand tires were flat while selling prices were up 1%. Average costs for a 215/60R16 private brand tire were down 1% while selling prices were down 1% for the month also.

Dealers believed pricing was very firm In May 2011, the vast majority of passenger tire and truck tire dealers suggested pricing was very firm, indicating dealers are seeing a lower level of discounting than normal from manufacturers.

Truck tire inventories remained too low The survey indicated that 50% of passenger tire dealers believed inventories were in line with current business levels, while 32% viewed inventories as too high for current demand. Some 18% felt inventories were too low. The truck tire dealers we surveyed indicated inventories have improved slightly, as 47% believed inventories were in

How dealers view their near-term business

Monthly survey

Dealers

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR(R)

MAY(P)

MAY(10)

A number of independent tire dealers were surveyed concerning current business trends. Except for tire prices and costs, the results of the May 2011 survey are compared with those of May 2010.

Passenger tire Will improve Will worsen Will stay level

70% 0% 30%

43% 0% 57%

60% 0% 40%

56% 0% 44%

45% 14% 41%

57% 7% 36%

Truck tire Will improve Will worsen Will stay level

83% 0% 17%

80% 0% 20%

75% 0% 25%

50% 0% 50%

56% 5% 39%

67% 11% 22%

Truck tire dealers were optimistic

According to our dealer survey, roughly R-Revised P-Preliminary 45% of passenger tire dealers believe business will improve over the next six months while 41% believe it will stay about the same. The remaining line with current business levels and 29% felt inventories 14% expect business to worsen. As for truck tire dealers, were too low. Twenty-four percent felt inventories were 56% see business improving, 39% see business remaining too high. (For a comparison, in April, 40% felt truck tire level and 5% feel business will worsen. Optimism remains inventories were in line with current business and 60% felt for truck dealers as May truck tire sales continued to show they were too low.) strength. These outlook comments tend to be seasonally directed rather than year-to-year comparisons.

Service revenues were up 10%, dealers reported Dealers who provide automotive service reported that Passenger tire sales were down sharply 25% of revenues, on average, were generated by service According to dealer reports, on average, retail sales of during May. Dealers indicated that service business was up new replacement passenger tires were down around 4%. 10% in May 2011 vs. May 2010. Service business has been On the other hand, new truck tire sales were up 7% while strong through most of 2011. â– retreaded tire sales were up 5%. There is no doubt consumers are pulling back as they are feeling the effects of rising Analyst Saul Ludwig is a managing director with Northcoast fuel prices. Some dealers we surveyed believe that these are Research Holdings LLC based in Cleveland, Ohio. He concenonly short-term pullbacks, and are more optimistic about trates on the tire and chemical industries. He has been writing the next six months. for Modern Tire Dealer since April 1975.

16 MTD_10-17.indd 16

MTD July 2011 7/11/11 8:53:52 AM

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18109

MTD_10-17.indd 17

7/11/11 8:53:52 AM

The Modern Tire Dealer 100

Tire Kingdom vs. Discount Tire Both retail chains reach 800 stores. Which is No. 1?

By Bob Ulrich

“Continued growth in our current footprint and expansion or the first time ever, an independent tire dealership into new markets,” said John Snider, president of Snider Tire has reached 800 stores. And there are two of them Inc. (23rd on the MTD 100) in Greensboro, N.C. Snider on The Modern Tire Dealer 100. also was MTD’s Tire Dealer of the Year in 2010.

TBC Corp., based out of Juno Beach, Fla., leads the way “We’re buoyant on continuing to sharpen our retail with 837 company-owned stores. It does business as Tire model and adding more sites in the future,” said Randy Kingdom, Merchant’s Tire, NTB and Big O Tires.

Jones, president of Tireman Auto Service Centers (71st) Discount Tire Co. Inc., based in Scottsdale, Ariz., reached in Toledo, Ohio. “I feel that there is a strong demand for 800 stores earlier this year. It does business as Discount professional auto service centers that do things right and have Tire everywhere but in California, where its enough buying power stores go by America’s Tire. to be competitive.”

“Continued growth” best describes the goal Hennelly Tire & of the dealerships listed on the 10th annual Auto Inc. (31st) in MTD 100, which ranks independent tire Fort Lauderdale, dealer chains in the United States based on Fla., wants new store retail and commercial store count (because growth of six to eight of a six-way tie for 100, there are actually The Tire Choice stores per year, ac105 dealers on the list this year). In a recent survey of the top dealerships, three-quarters cording to CEO Dan of the respondents said they plan to increase Hennelly. their store count this year.

Jeff Darrow, presiThe top five dealers all added stores in the dent of Certified Tire last year. Combined, they account for 46%, “Growth from acquisitions will be ac& Service Centers or 2,478, of the 5,310 outlets on the list. celerated,” said Monro Muffler Brake CEO (44th) in Riverside, The top 100 dealers themselves represent Robert Gross, after 1Q 2011 results.

Calif., said he not only wants more nearly 18% of the 30,000 independent tire dealerships nationwide. retail locations, but also “increased p.m. business!” Bill Les Schwab Tire Centers of Bend, Ore., is the third largest Ziegler, president of Ziegler Tire & Supply Co. (59th) in chain with 430 stores. Rounding out the top five are a pair Massillon, Ohio, said he is tying his business growth to of New York-based companies: Monro Muffler Brake Inc. the health of the economy. of Rochester is fourth at 291, and Mavis Discount Tire of Randy Clark, chairman of Dunn Tire LLC (35th) in Mount Kisco is fifth at 120.

Buffalo, N.Y., said market share expansion is doable. Dunn Monro Muffler Brake’s total includes Mr. Tire, Tread Tire opened its 31st store in July.

Quarters and Autotire Car Care Center retail outlets. It A number of dealers are looking forward to more organic also includes the 24-store, South River, N.J.-based Vespia growth within their respective organizations.

Tire Centers Inc. chain, which the company purchased in “Better unit sales and higher tire unit growth,” said May of this year. It does not include any of the company’s John Quirk, CEO of VIP Parts, Tires & Service Corp.

492 muffler shops, which also sell tires.

(14th) in Lewiston, Maine. Jeff Kruse, vice president of Under Chairman and CEO Robert Gross’s leadership, Belle Tire Distributors (8th) in Allen Park, Mich., echoed Monro has increased its store count 268% since 2003. those thoughts.

Vespia Tire was one of two “top 50” dealerships to drop off Today’s business environment is too competitive for the list from last year to this year. Last year’s seventh largest some, said Russell “Rusty” Coats, operations director for dealership, New Big 10 Tire Stores Inc., was purchased by Bore/MPC LLC (84th), the largest Big O franchisee in the Pep Boys — Manny, Moe & Jack in May. country with 13 stores in and around Columbia, Mo. “The increased complexity of late-model vehicles will Opportunities knock force a number of smaller — or non-affiliated — tire dealWe asked the top dealers the following question: “What erships out of business,” he said. “Governmental burdens opportunities do you see for your business?” Their answers will add to the desire of smaller, and older, operators to were straight and to the point. consider career changes.” ■

F

18 MTD_18-27.indd 18

MTD July 2011 7/11/11 4:45:10 PM

★

WHOLESALE

TOTAL OUTLETS

COMMERCIAL/ RETAIL

COMMERCIAL

RANK/COMPANY HEADQUARTERS CHIEF OFFICER AND TITLE 1. TBC Corp., dba Tire Kingdom, Merchant’s Tire, NTB, Big O Juno Beach, Fla. Orland Wolford, CEO/president 2. Discount Tire Co. Inc. Scottsdale, Ariz.

Bruce Halle, chairman 3. Les Schwab Tire Centers Bend, Ore. Dick Borgman, CEO 4. Monro Muffler Brake Inc., dba Mr. Tire, Tread Quarters, Autotire Rochester, N.Y. Robert Gross, chairman/CEO 5. Mavis Discount Tire Mount Kisco, N.Y. Stephen and David Sorbaro, owners

RETAIL

THE TOP INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALER CHAINS IN THE U.S.

BRANDS 0 Michelin, Goodyear, Sumitomo, Cooper, Yokohama, Bridgestone, Hankook, Falken, Dunlop, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, Nitto, Continental, Nankang

WEB SITE www.tirekingdom.com

837

0

0

837

800

0

0

800

0

0

430

430

291

0

0

291

0 Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, www.monro.com BFGoodrich, Pirelli, Yokohama, Falken, Runway

120

0

0

120

6. Somerset Tire Service Inc. Bridgewater, N.J. Bill Caulin, president 7. Town Fair Tire Centers Inc. East Haven, Conn.

Neil Mellen, CEO/president 8. Belle Tire Distributors Allen Park, Mich.

Don Barnes Jr., president

118

0

0

118

0 Cooper, Dunlop, Firestone, Kelly, Goodyear, Michelin, www.mavistire.com Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Falken, Yokohama, Pirelli, Hankook, Toyo, Nexen, Federal, Uniroyal, General, Kumho, Sumitomo www.ststire.com 7 Bridgestone, Firestone, Continental, Toyo, Pirelli, Michelin, Goodyear, Runway, Falken

84

0

0

84

76

3

2

81

9. Rent-A-Wheel/Rent-A-Tire Inc. Van Nuys, Calif.

John Bowlin and Don Sabino, co-CEOs 10. Pomp’s Tire Service Green Bay, Wis. Jim Wochinske, president 11. Sullivan Tire Co. Inc. Norwell, Mass.

Robert Sullivan, president 12. Purcell Tire & Rubber Co. Potosi, Mo. Robert Purcell, president 13. Tire Discounters Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio Chip Wood, president 14. VIP Parts, Tires & Service Corp.

Lewiston, Maine John Quirk, CEO/president 15. Peerless Tyre Co. Denver, Colo.

Sam Forbes, president 16. Southern Tire Mart LLC Columbia, Miss.

Thomas and James Duff, owners 17. AKH Co. Inc., dba Discount Tire Centers Huntington Beach, Calif.

Andy Andonian, chairman 18. Dunlap & Kyle Co. Inc., dba Gateway Tire & Service Batesville, Miss.

Robert (Bob) Dunlap, chairman/CEO 18. Kost Tire and Auto Care Binghamton, N.Y./Clarks Summit, Pa. Mike & Erwin Kost, owners 20. Kauffman Tire Inc. Atlanta, Ga. John Kauffman, CEO

80

0

0

80

2

28

41

71

1 Kelly, Firestone, Bridgestone, Goodyear, BFGoodrich, Yokohama, Continental, Michelin, Hankook, Titan

54

15

1

70

27

5

35

67

8 Goodyear, Dunlop, Michelin, Kelly, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, www.sullivantire.com Bridgestone, Firestone, Yokohama, Kumho, Jetzon, Sailun, Sumitomo, Fuzion, General, Continental, Pirelli, Hankook 2 Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Hankook, Pirelli, Michelin, www.purcelltire.com Yokohama, Titan

64

0

0

64

56

1

5

62

60

0

0

60

0 Bridgestone, Firestone, Cordovan, Hankook, Fuzion, Falken

www.peerlesstyreco.com

0

56

0

56

0 Bridgesotne, Continental, Firestone, General, Michelin, Yokohama, private brands

www.stmtires.com

55

0

0

55

0 Goodyear, Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli, BFGoodrich, General, www.discounttirecenters.com Bridgestone, Kumho, Continental, Falken, Uniroyal

53

0

0

53

13 Sumitomo, Multi-Mile, Kumho, Bridgestone, Toyo, Firestone, Yokohama, Carlisle, Sailun, Maxxis, Gateway, others

www.dktire.com

53

0

0

53

www.kosttire.com

48

4

0

52

0 Dunlop, Firestone, Cordovan, Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone, Hankook, General, Uniroyal, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, Cooper, 13 Kumho, Pirelli, Toyo, Dunlop, Continental, Blue Streak, Mastercraft, Goodyear, Michelin, BFGoodrich, General, Telstar, Cooper

www.moderntiredealer.com MTD_18-27.indd 19

0 Arizonian, Goodyear, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Michelin, www.discounttire.com Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Yokohama, Fisk, Continental, General, Falken, Kumho, Hankook, Nitto, Cooper, 10 others 0 Toyo, Dean, Federal, Ohtsu, Hankook, Multi-Mile, Maxxis, www.lesschwab.com Double Coin

0 BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone, www.townfair.com General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly, Michelin, Pirelli, Toyo, Uniroyal, Yokohama 1 Bridgestone, Firestone, Continental, General, Goodyear, www.belletire.com Dunlop, Kelly, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Toyo, Mastercraft, Sumitomo, Kumho, Hankook, Falken, Pirelli, two others 0 Falken, Sunny www.rentawheel.com

www.pompstire.com

0 BFGoodrich, Kelly, Pirelli, Michelin, Yokohama, Goodyear, www.tirediscounters.com Continental, Kumho, Toyo, Uniroyal, Nexen, Dunlop, General, Nankang 4 Multi-Mile, Goodyear, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, www.vipauto.com Yokohama, Continental

www.kauffmantire.com

19 7/11/11 4:45:10 PM

★

39. AAA Allied Group Cincinnati, Ohio Craig Sumerel, president 39. Mountain View Tire & Service Inc. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

Nicholas Mitsos, CEO/president 41. Bauer Built Inc. Durand, Wis. Jerry Bauer, president

20 MTD_18-27.indd 20

0

0

50

50

0

0

45

45

0

42

0

17

2

0

WHOLESALE

TOTAL OUTLETS

COMMERCIAL

COMMERCIAL/ RETAIL

RETAIL

RANK/COMPANY HEADQUARTERS CHIEF OFFICER AND TITLE 21. Plaza Tire Service Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mark Rhodes, president 22. Tire Guys Inc./Tire-Rama Inc. Billings, Mont.

David Wehr, CEO/president 23. Snider Tire Inc. Greensboro, N.C. John Snider, president 24. Nebraskaland/Kansasland Tire Group Lexington, Neb. Gary Wright, president 24. Service Tire Truck Centers Bethlehem, Pa. Ronald Bennett, CEO/president 26. ATV Inc., dba American Tire Depot Cerritos, Calif.

Ara Tchaghlassian, president 27. Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers Inc. High Ridge, Mo. David Dobbs, president 27. McCarthy Tire Service Inc. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. John McCarthy Jr., president 29. Colony Tire Corp.

Edenton, N.C. Charles Creighton, owner 30. Commercial Tire Inc. Meridian, Idaho Bob Schwenkfelder, president/general manager 31. Fletcher’s Tire & Auto Service Inc. Phoenix, Ariz.

Jerry Fletcher, president 31. Hennelly Tire & Auto Inc., dba The Tire Choice Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Daniel and Diane Hennelly, owners 31. Raben Tire Co. Inc. Evansville, Ind. Thomas Raben, president 34. Conrad’s Tire Express & Total Car Care Cleveland, Ohio John Turk, CEO/president 35. Scher Tire Inc./Bruce Scher’s Goodyear Riverside, Calif.

Bruce Scher, owner 35. Dunn Tire LLC Buffalo, N.Y. Randall Clark, chairman 37. Black’s Tire & Auto Service Whiteville, N.C. Ricky Benton, president 37. Everybody’s Oil Corp., dba Tire Barn Anderson, Ind. Christopher Jones, CEO/president

BRANDS 1 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Summit, Nokian, Cyclone, Falken, Runway, Yokohama, Pirelli 0 Cooper, Yokohama, Bridgestone, Roadmaster, Firestone

WEB SITE www.plazatireservice.com

42

0 Michelin, Goodyear, Continental, Yokohama, BFGoodrich, Hankook, Long March

www.snidertire.com

22

41

1 Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Cooper, Mastercraft, Alliance, Titan

www.thetirestore.com

1

40

41

0 Michelin, Yokohama, BFGoodrich, Cooper, Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, GPX

www.sttc.com

40

0

0

40

www.americantiredepot.com

38

0

0

38

0 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Continental, Pirelli, Yokohama, Toyo, Hankook, Kumho, Cooper, Falken 1 Goodyear, Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, Cooper, Dunlop, Cordovan, BFGoodrich

6

12

20

38

0 Bridgestone, Firestone, General, Kelly, Yokohama, Goodyear

www.mccarthytire.com

34

1

0

35

www.colonytire.com

6

6

22

34

2 Cooper, Falken, Mastercraft, Michelin, Multi-Mile, Toyo, BFGoodrich, Continental, Yokohama, Uniroyal, General, Gladiator, Wanli 1 Yokohama, Bridgestone, Cooper, Firestone, Fuzion

33

0

0

33

www.fletcherstireandauto.net

33

0

0

33

0 BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Capitol, Continental, Dayton, Firestone, Fuzion, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, Nexen, Nitto, Toyo, Uniroyal, Yokohama 0 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Fuzion, Pirelli, Yokohama

5

3

25

33

2 Goodyear, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Cooper, Kelly

www.rabentire.com

32

0

0

32

2 Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Mastercraft, Starfire, General, Continental, Bridgestone, Firestone, Pirelli

www.econrads.com

31

0

0

31

2 Goodyear, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Uniroyal, Dunlop, Kelly, Pirelli, Bridgestone

www.schertire.com

31

0

0

31

0

0

30

30

4 Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone, www.dunntire.com General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly, Kumho, Mastercraft, Michelin, Pirelli, Uniroyal, Yokohama, Kenda 2 Goodyear, Falken, Federal, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Dean, www.blackstire.com Cooper, Dunlop, Kelly, Hankook, Continental

30

0

0

30

29

0

0

29

29

0

0

29

0

0

28

28

www.tirerama.com

www.gotodobbs.com

www.commercialtire.com

www.thetirechoice.com

0 Michelin, Goodyear, Cooper, Toyo, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Uniroyal, Hercules, Fuzion, Bridgestone, Kumho, Firestone, General, Continental, Pirelli, Yokohama, Sumitomo 0 Cooper, Dean, Yokohama, Bridgestone, Michelin, Hankook, Firestone, Goodyear, BFGoodrich, Toyo, Uniroyal, GT Radial 0 Goodyear, Cooper, Dunlop, Kelly, Starfire, Nankang

www.tirebarnusa.com

0 BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Firestone, Fuzion, Hercules, Kumho, Maxxis, Michelin, Uniroyal, Tireco, Roadmaster, Alliance, Titan, Carlisle

www.bauerbuilt.com

www.bsts.com

www.mountainviewtire.com

MTD July 2011 7/11/11 4:45:10 PM

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18110

MTD_18-27.indd 21

7/11/11 4:45:11 PM

★

WHOLESALE

TOTAL OUTLETS

COMMERCIAL/ RETAIL

COMMERCIAL

RETAIL

RANK/COMPANY HEADQUARTERS CHIEF OFFICER AND TITLE 41. Ben Tire Distributors Ltd., dba Neal Tire and Auto Toledo, Ill. Burnham Neal, president 41. McGee Tire Stores Eaton Park, Fla. Mike McGee, president 44. Graham Tire Co. Sioux Falls, S.D./Spencer, Iowa Bob and Tom Graham, owners 44. T.O. Haas Tire Co. Inc. Lincoln, Neb. George Hoellen, president 44. Certified Tire & Service Centers Inc. Riverside, Calif.

Jeff Darrow, president 47. Express Tire Auto Service Center Escondido, Calif.

John Marchioni, president 47. Jack Williams Tire Co. Inc. Scranton, Pa. Bill Williams, CEO 49. Ken Towery’s Tire and AutoCare Louisville, Ky. Ken Towery, president 50. Grismer Tire Co. Dayton, Ohio Charles Marshall, president 51. Boulevard Tire Center Deland, Fla. Earl Colvard, president 51. Kramer Tire Norfolk, Va. Ronald Kramer, president

BRANDS 7 Bridgestone, Cooper, Firestone, Kelly, Yokohama, Mickey Thompson, Pro Comp, Dayton, Goodyear, Multi-Mile, Sumitomo, Kenda, Alliance, Titan, Carlisle

WEB SITE www.bentire.com

28

0 Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Michelin

www.mcgeeautoservice.com

16

27

0 Goodyear, Hankook, Cooper, Kelly, Dunlop, Michelin, Uniroyal, Continental, General, Nitto, Titan

www.grahamtire.com

0

0

27

www.tohaastire.com

0

0

27

27

0 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Kumho, Nexen, Goodyear, Nitto, Fuzion, Westlake, two others 0 Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Falken, Hercules, Capitol, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Firestone, Kumho, Michelin, Pirelli, Toyo, Uniroyal, Yokohama

25

0

0

25

0 Cooper, Toyo, Goodyear, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Uniroyal, Dunlop, Kelly

www.expresstire.com

25

0

0

25

www.jackwilliamstire.com

24

0

0

24

7 Goodyear, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Dunlop, Kelly, Continental, General, Mastercraft, GT Radial, Nexen, Yokohama, Toyo, Nokian 1 Michelin, Firestone, Bridgestone, Uniroyal, BFGoodrich, Hankook, Goodyear, Cooper

22

1

0

23

0 Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, Nokian, Dayton, www.grismertire.com BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, General, Continental, Falken, Fuzion

7

15

0

22

20

2

0

22

53. Action-Gator Tire Stores Orlando, Fla. Fred Christensen, president

20

0

1

21

53. Appalachian Tire Products Inc. Charleston, W.Va. Jennifer Dial, president 53. Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service Mercer, Pa. Joe Flynn, president 53. Jensen Tire & Auto Omaha, Neb. Matthew Jensen, president 53. Tredroc Tire Services/Belleroc Tire Services Antioch, Ill. John Lavelle, CEO 53. Valley Tire Co. Inc. Charleroi, Pa. James Stankiewicz, president 59. Allen Tire Co. Lakewood, Calif.

Fred Allen, president 59. Southern Indiana Tire Inc./Best One Tire & Service Princeton, Ind. Paul Weaver, president 59. Ziegler Tire & Supply Co. Massillon, Ohio William Ziegler, president 62. Royal Tire Inc. St. Cloud, Minn.

Mick Pickens, president

10

1

10

21

0 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Riken, Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Cooper, Starfire, Bridgestone, Firestone, Primewell, Kumho, Yokohama, Nitto 2 BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Diamond Back, Dunlop, Fierce, General, Goldway, Goodyear, Kelly, Michelin, Nexen, Pirelli, Uniroyal, Westlake, Yokohama, four others 0 Fierce, Hankook, Goodyear, Cooper, Falken, Kelly, Dunlop, Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Kumho, Michelin, General, Pirelli, Nitto, Continental, Nankang, Firestone, Uniroyal 1 Goodyear, Michelin, Toyo, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Fierce, Kelly, Uniroyal, Cordovan

18

3

0

21

4 Kelly, Dunlop, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, GT Radial, Yokohama, Vanderbilt, Sumitomo, Tireco, Goodyear

21

0

0

21

1 Goodyear, Cooper, BFGoodrich, Cordovan, Michelin, Kelly, www.jensentireandauto.com Dunlop, Fierce, Uniroyal, Toyo

0

21

0

21

1 Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, Continental, General, www.tredroctire.com Toyo, Hankook, Wanli, Sunny, Titan, Yokohama, two others

6

11

4

21

0 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Firestone, Continental, General, Yokohama, Sumitomo, Uniroyal

www.valleytireco.com

20

0

0

20

0 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, Cooper, Toyo, Nexen, GT Radial

www.allentire.com

4

7

9

20

3 Bridgestone, Firestone, BFGoodrich, Dayton, Continental, www.bestonetireandservice-sit.com Fuzion, General, Cooper, Goodyear, Falken, Wanli, Michelin, four others

4

0

16

20

2 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Continental, General, Toyo, GT Radial, Delta

www.zieglertire.com

5

10

4

19

0 Bridgestone, Firestone, Mastercraft, Summit, Michelin, Toyo, Roadmaster, Yokohama

www.royaltire.com

22 MTD_18-27.indd 22

28

0

0

28

25

3

0

8

3

27

www.certifiedtire.com

www.kentowery.com

www.boulevardtire.com

www.kramertire.com

www.actiongatortire.com

www.apptire.com

www.flynnstire.com

MTD July 2011 7/11/11 4:45:11 PM

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18111

MTD_18-27.indd 23

7/11/11 4:45:12 PM

★

66. Pete’s Tire Barns Inc. Orange, Mass.

Peter Gerry, president 71. Cassidy Tire & Service Chicago, Ill. John Ahern, owner 71. Delta World Tire Co. New Orleans, La. Kevin Cates, president 71. T&W Tire Inc. Oklahoma City, Okla.

Charles Wilson, CEO 71. Ted Wiens Tire & Auto Centers Las Vegas, Nev. Ted Wiens, president 71. Tireman Auto Service Centers Toledo, Ohio Randy Jones, president 76. Capital Tire Inc. Toledo, Ohio Thomas Geiger Sr./Jr., owners 76. Jennings Tire Co./American Tire Co. Murfreesboro, Tenn.

H.B. Willis, CEO 76. Martino Tire Co. Miami, Fla. Andy Martino, president 76. Morpheus Investments, dba Tire Works Total Car Care Las Vegas, Nev. Jeffrey and Roshie Weightman, owners 76. Northwest Tire and Hi-Tech Service Flint, Mich.

A.J. Faught, president 76. P.R. Walker Inc., dba Tire Tracks Joliet, Ill. Frank Shipla, president 76. Ramona Tire & Service Centers Hemet, Calif.

Don Digby, CEO 76. Warren Tire Service Center Inc. Queensbury, N.Y. Robert Kellogg, president 84. A to Z Tire & Battery Inc. Amarillo, Texas Philip Nussbaum, president 84. Advanced Auto Service & Tire Center Mesa, Ariz.

Paul Couture, owner

24 MTD_18-27.indd 24

WHOLESALE

TOTAL OUTLETS

COMMERCIAL/ RETAIL

COMMERCIAL

RETAIL

RANK/COMPANY HEADQUARTERS CHIEF OFFICER AND TITLE 63. Clark Tire & Auto Hickory, N.C. John Clark, owner/CEO 64. Evans Tire & Service Center Inc. Carlsbad, Calif.

John Andonian, president 66. Big Brand Tire Co. Bakersfield, Calif.

Greg Robinson, president 66. Enger Auto Service & Tire Inc. Euclid, Ohio Jim Enger, owner 66. F & F Tire & Service Co. Janesville, Wis. Jeff DeVries, president 66. Lamb’s Tire & Automotive Center Austin, Texas Ron Meredeith, CEO

16

2

0

18

BRANDS 2 Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Hankook, GT Radial, Michelin, Trazano, Toyo

WEB SITE www.clarktire.com

17

0

0

17

0 Goodyear, Kelly, Falken, Pirelli, Nankang

www.evanstire.com

16

0

0

16

16

0

0

16

www.bigbrand.com 1 Continental, Michelin, Goodyear, Kumho, BFGoodrich, Cooper, Dunlop, Falken, General, Pirelli, Yokohama, Delta, Hankook, Nokian, Uniroyal www.enger-tire.com 3 Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, Goodyear, Kelly, Kumho, Nexen, Hankook

16

0

0

16

0 BFGoodrich, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Uniroyal

www.tiredeals.com

16

0

0

16

www.lambstire.com

0

0

16

16

0

0

15

15

0 BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Goodyear, Kelly, Michelin, Fierce, General, Continental, Yokohama, Bridgestone, Firestone, Cooper, Hankook, Kumho, Maxxis, Nexen, Nitto, Pirelli, Toyo 1 Michelin, Uniroyal, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Cooper, Continental, Goodyear, Firestone, Ohtsu, General, Double Coin 0 Continental, General, Toyo, Roadmaster, Gladiator

12

0

3

15

1 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Cooper, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Delta, Falken, Toyo, Riken, Starfire

0

10

5

15

0 Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Michelin, Continental, Yokohama www.tandwtire.com

12

3

0

15

www.tedwiens.com

15

0

0

15

1 Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Continental, Uniroyal, General, Hankook, Fuzion, Toyo, Goodyear, Kumho, Pirelli, Hercules 0 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Cooper, Multi-Mile, Goodyear, Bridgestone

8

6

0

14

1 Goodyear, Cooper, Dunlop, Toyo

www.capitaltire.com

13

0

1

14

0 BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Goodyear, Kelly, Michelin, Riken, Uniroyal

www.american-tire.com

14

0

0

14

www.martinotire.com

14

0

0

14

0 Goodyear, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Firestone, Dunlop, Continental, General, Michelin, Pirelli, Kelly, Hankook, Falken 0 Bridgestone, Firestone, Yokohama, Pirelli, Continental, General, Dayton, Fuzion, Falken, Cooper

14

0

0

14

0 BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Dunlop, Firestone, General, Goodyear, Michelin, Uniroyal, Kelly

www.northwesttire.com

14

0

0

14

www.tiretracksusa.com

14

0

0

14

1 Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Continental, Dayton, Delta, Falken, Fuzion, General, Goodyear, Nexen, Pirelli, Primewell, Runway, Vogue 0 Bridgestone, Firestone, Fuzion, Michelin, BFGoodrich, GT Radial, Hankook, Yokohama, Continental, Pirelli

14

0

0

14

0 Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Nokian, Michelin

www.warrentiresvc.com

0

0

13

13

www.atoztire.com

13

0

0

13

10 Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Cooper, Toyo, Kumho, Roadmaster, Sampson, Long March, Pirelli, Starfire, Westlake, three more 0 Continental, Dunlop, General, Hankook, Goodyear, Toyo, GT Radial, Cooper

www.petestire.com

www.cassidytire.com

www.deltaworldtire.com

www.thetireman.com

www.tireworkstcc.com

www.ramonatire.com

www.advancedauto.com

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★

84. Stratham Tire Inc. Brentwood, N.H. Lional LaBonte, president 90. Associated Tire Stores Inc./Plains Tire Co. Logan, Utah Christie Stock, president 90. Bob Sumerel Tire Co. Inc. Erlanger, Ky. Bob Sumerel, CEO 90. Callaghan Tire Bradenton, Fla. Dan Callaghan, owner 90. Custom Bandag Inc. Linden, N.J. Fred De Jesus Sr., CEO/president 90. Daniels Tire Service Inc. Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

Douglas Daniels, chairman/CEO 90. Free Service Tire Co. Inc. Johnson City, Tenn.

Lewis Wexler Sr., chairman/CEO 90. McGriff Treading Co. Inc. Cullman, Ala. Barry McGriff, president 90. Mock Beroth Tire Inc. Winston-Salem, N.C. Cary Mock, president 90. Western Tire Centers Inc., dba Jack Furrier Tire & Auto Care Tucson, Ariz.

Jack Furrier, president 90. Northwest Tire Inc. Bismarck, N.D. Dan Pearson, president 100. Chabills Tire Service Inc. Morgan City, La. Charles Gowland and William Parker, owners 100. Pueblo Tires & Service McAllen, Texas Ricky Ivey, general manager 100. Redburn Tire Co. Phoenix, Ariz.

J.D. Chastain, president 100. Robertson Tire Co. Inc. Tulsa, Okla.

Mark Robertson, president/COO 100. Steve Shannon Tire Co. Inc. Bloomsburg, Pa. Steve Shannon, CEO/president 100. City Tire Co. Inc. Springfield, Mass.

Peter Greenberg, president

WHOLESALE

TOTAL OUTLETS

COMMERCIAL/ RETAIL

COMMERCIAL

RETAIL

RANK/COMPANY HEADQUARTERS CHIEF OFFICER AND TITLE 84. Bore/MPC LLC, dba Big O Tires in Missouri Columbia, Mo. Jerome Taylor, president 84. Cross-Midwest Tire Co. Kansas City, Mo. Greg Trum, president 84. S&S Firestone Inc. Lexington, Ky. Brooks Swentzel, president

13

0

0

13

BRANDS 0 Big O, Yokohama, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Nitto, Falken, Sumitomo, Goodyear, Sailun

WEB SITE www.mfaoil.com

0

0

13

13

0 Bridgestone, Michelin

www.crossmidwest.com

13

0

0

13

www.sstire.com

1

1

11

13

0 Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Dunlop, Firestone, Fuzion, Goodyear, General, Kelly, Kumho, Mastercraft, Michelin, Nitto, Pirelli, Primewell, Yokohama, Super Swamper 2 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Hankook, Toyo, Double Coin, Bridgestone, Summit

12

0

0

12

0 Goodyear, Toyo, Kumho, Hankook, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Continental, Mastercraft, others

www.plainstire.com

0

10

2

12

0 Bridgestone, Firestone, Yokohama, General, Cooper, Continental, Goodyear, Carlisle

www.bobsumereltire.com

0

10

2

12

0 Bridgestone, Firestone, Continental, General, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Yokohama

www.callaghantire.com

0

0

12

12

0 Cooper, General, Firestone, Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear, Continental, Yokohama

www.custombandag.com

7

5

0

12

0 Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Cooper, Fierce, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Yokohama, Titan

www.danielstireservice.com

10

2

0

12

1

11

0

12

4 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Hankook, Falken, www.freeservicetire.com Continental, General, Cooper, Yokohama, Pirelli, Runway, Sumitomo, Nankang, Pro Comp, others 0 BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Firestone, General, www.mcgrifftireservices.com GT Radial, Michelin, Yokohama, Uniroyal, Dayton

0

0

12

12

2 Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Michelin, Uniroyal, BFGoodrich, Kumho, Dunlop, Goodyear, Continental

11

0

1

12

12

0

0

12

1 Primewell, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Cooper, Uniroyal, Pirelli, www.jackfurriers.com Goodyear, Continental, General, Hankook, Yokohama, Falken, Toyo, Bridgestone, Firestone, Nexen, Dunlop, Kumho, five others www.nwtire.com 5 Bridgestone, Firestone, Falken, Nokian, Yokohama, National, Delta, Titan, Goodyear

11

0

0

11

0 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Kelly, Cooper, Riken, GT Radial

www.chabillstire.com

0

0

11

11

1 Bridgestone, Falken, Radar, Kumho, Yokohama

www.pueblotires.com

0

11

0

11

0 Continental, General, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, www.redburntireco.com Firestone, Yokohama, Cooper, Ohtsu

11

0

0

11

1 Riken, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Continental, General, Hankook, Pirelli

www.robertson-tire.com

11

0

0

11

1 Yokohama, Continental, Michelin, Kumho, General, Bridgestone, Firestone, Uniroyal, Dayton

www.steveshannon.com

6

0

5

11

0 Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, Toyo, Delta, Hankook, Fuzion, Goodyear, BFGoodrich, Continental, Cooper, Dunlop, Falken, General, Kumho, Nexen, Nokian

www.city-tire.com

www.strathamtire.com

www.mockberothtire.com

★

Footnotes: Page 19: Mavis Discount Tire jumped from sixth to fifth on our list. It also does business as Cole Muffler Brake & Tire, which represents 37 of Mavis’ 120 outlets. Page 20: When asked what opportunities he sees for his business, McCarthy Tire Service Inc. President John McCarthy Jr. said “consolidation.” McCarthy has grown from 26 outlets to 38 since 2006. Page 22: McGee Tire Stores moved from 58th on our 2010 list to a tie for 40th, the biggest jump on the MTD 100. The Eaton Park, Fla.-based dealership purchased eight former Superior Auto Service Centers in the greater Tampa, Fla., area in April. Page 24: Northwest Tire and Service in Flint, Mich., changed its name to Northwest Tire and Hi-Tech Service. Page 26: Cross-Midwest Tire Co.’s outlet in Joplin, Mo., was destroyed by a tornado on May 22.

26

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Specialty tires

Where tires go, wheels follow Or is it the other way around? It doesn’t matter to Kenda Second in a series

J

Kenda USA President Jimmy Yang took Modern Tire Dealer on a tour of his wheel manufacturing facility and tire distribution center in Tallmadge, Ohio.

(See more information and photographs on page 30.)

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Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18114

immy Yang says he wants to make American Kenda Rubber Ind. Co. Ltd. “a one stop shop for tires.“ It is a realistic goal given the company’s track record.

Yang is president of what is commonly referred to as Kenda USA. To tire dealers, Kenda has been known as a specialty tire and wheel manufacturer for nearly 50 years, specializing in the industrial, trailer, lawn and garden, golf cart and ATV segments. Kenda also has a complete line of consumer tires. It produces passenger (Kruiser, Komet, Klever), high performance (Kaiser), light truck (Klever, Koyote, Kargo) and winter (Polar Trax) tires.

Kenda has three specialty wheel manufacturing facilities in the United States. Small wheels are produced in Atlanta, Ga., and Tallmadge, Ohio. The company also has six tire manufacturing plants in Asia.

American Tires & Wheels, another subsidiary, assembles the tires and wheels at three U.S. locations so you don’t have to. ■

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Specialty tires Left: “I have 90% of the U.S. golf cart OE business,� says Kenda President Jimmy Yang.

Right: Martin Wheel Co., a Kenda subsidiary based in Tallmadge, Ohio, is a major producer of slowspeed industrial, turf care, ag and recreational equipment wheels.

Kenda manufactures Loadstar and Karrier trailer tires.

Kenda makes one-, two- and three-piece wheels (for small tire applications) in Ohio and Georgia.

Martin Wheel distributes tires throughout the U.S. and Canada.

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Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18116

MTD July 2011 7/11/11 11:06:41 AM

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18117

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7/11/11 8:59:39 AM

Business insight

Text message marketing: the next frontier With an average response rate a staggering 20%, this new technology offers tremendous ROI

By Wayne Croswell

Y

ou may already be involved in mobile or text message marketing, but I doubt it. If you are, congratulations, you are ahead of the curve! More likely you haven’t heard of this type of marketing yet. It doesn’t matter where you are on the spectrum. This article will help you learn what this new marketing phenomenon is, how to take advantage of it, and what positive impact it can have on your business.

This may be a new concept for you, but mobile or text message marketing (TMM) has been around for nearly five years. However, it’s still at the pioneer stage.

Like m o s t emerging technologies, it will grow in popularity and use very quickly. Now is the time to hitch your wagon to this star and get a jump on the competition.

What is TMM? I am certain you have heard about,

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and probably use, text messaging on your cell phone. You probably know some teenagers who live and die by text messaging 24/7 and send and receive hundreds of texts per day. Well, TMM takes advantage of that text message technology to put you instantly in touch with your customers to promote products, provide information and announce specials and promotional events.

In 2010, 1.6 billion mobile devices were sold. Interestingly, only 20% of them were smart phones. What exactly is a smart phone? Smart phones have many features that cell phones do not. Think of them as devices that, unlike a cell phone, can not only read e-mails, they can surf the Internet. Smart phones can receive video and audio messages. Yet both smart and “not-so-smart” phones can send and receive plain old text messages.

Several of the marketing predecessors to TMM are still being used today. While they have their place, their ROI is incredibly low and they can become very costly marketing tactics. Some of TMM’s ancestors are radio and TV advertising, print ads in newspapers, Yellow Page listings, mailers or flyers sent via snail-mail and the infamous “fax blast” campaigns. Today, more modern concepts in social media marketing include the likes of Web sites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, Groupons, Yelp listings and the like. These methods put your marketing efforts online and give your customers and prospects direct access to your promotions and campaigns. Many dealers have even ventured into e-mail marketing.

But beware; entire businesses have been created to combat these marketing campaigns. Today, companies develop SPAM filters or blockers to prevent the over-abundance of SPAM e-mails being sent every day. And, guess who filters all of that junk snail-mail? You do. Statistics indicate most of the marketing snail-mail ends up in the “round file”

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Business insight before ever being opened. It’s time to think smarter, try new things and stay ahead of the curve. Text message marketing can help you do just that.

Did you know experts say that only 10% of direct mail advertising is even read? And, only 19% of e-mail marketing pieces are opened. But, check this out, 95% of all text messages are read. And, even more exciting, 90% of all text messages are read within three minutes of receipt. Advertising pundits state that a successful response rate for traditional marketing activities is typically 1% or 2%. That’s it, and as marketers we

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have come to accept that. But, what do you think the average response rate is to TMM? It’s a staggering 20%.

Let’s think about those statistics: 95% of all text messages are read and 90% are read within three minutes of receiving them. The average response rate to text message marketing is an impressive 15% to 25%. Imagine the ROI you will see on your marketing investment when you are getting a 15% to 25% close rate on your promotional materials. With close rates that high, why wouldn’t you try it?

Let’s do the math. If you sent out a promotional mailing that had a conservative gross profit of $20 to 1,000 customers, and if 20% of the recipients took advantage of your promotion, it would yield $4,000 in gross profits. Now ask yourself: How much would you be willing to pay for that promotion? You will be amazed how little that promotion can cost you in the TMM world. Would you be willing to pay $100, $200 or even $500? How about as little as $69? That’s right; you can spend as little as $69, including the cost of sending the actual text message.

That’s definitely a bang for your buck.

It’s very easy to get started. But, don’t try and go it alone. You will end up with arrows in your back, just like the pioneers of old. Find some pioneers in this market; they are easy to spot. They are the ones with arrows sticking out of their backs; they have done the dirty work for you. The pioneer you pick should have made everything easy for you. They should have an easy-to-use Web site where you can build your campaigns, including links to sites, documents and even videos. They will take care of all the technical stuff. All you should have to do is dream up the promotions, enter them into the Web site, and leave the rest to the experts.

Once you have chosen a TMM provider, your first task will be to develop some key words, also known as “affinity words.” These are your special codes that when texted to a certain number, trigger that the owner of that mobile phone has just responded to your message and wants to do business with you.

You might be saying that all of this is well and good, but how do I use this concept effectively in my tire dealership?

Once you have established your TMM service with a provider, you will need to begin advertising it. You will want this to be an “opt-in” service. In other words, you want your participants to want to

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Business insight participate. If you think people get ugly over SPAM e-mails, just watch them react to SPAM text messages. There is a right way and a wrong way to go about this process. A good TMM partner will show you the right way.

You will need to grow your TMM membership by having people willingly sign up for your service. And, you need to

to opt out anytime, it should be free for them and you should let them know that membership has its privileges; by joining they will be treated special.

Get creative and have no fear. Throw caution to the wind and try something new! Remember the definition of insanity according to Einstein? “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

It’s time to try something new. Go for it! People want to belong to the exclusive “free” clubs, especially when they are going to get “special” treatment and cool free stuff. What are you waiting for? It’s time to enter the next level of promotional marketing — text message marketing.

There is so much that you can do with this new medium.

Now’s the time to find out more about TMM and how you can take advantage of it now in your business. There’s a ton of fresh ideas on the proper use of this technology which will help you increase your profits and grow loyal customers. Some successful pioneers have blazed this trail for you already. ■

Offering specials and discounts will help your TMM membership grow. promote your new service via means other than text messaging. For example, you can put a “how to sign up” sign in your showroom, add a message to your invoices, list it in your print ads, include it on your Facebook site, or Tweet about it on Twitter. It’s as simple as telling your prospective members to text your affinity word to a certain number; the rest is history.

Your membership list will start to grow.

You should give them something special for signing up like a discount or a coupon. With this, people will sign up willingly and your exclusive club will be born. They should be allowed

36 MTD_28-37.indd 36

Wayne Croswell is CEO and president of WECnology LLC (www.wecnology.com) and is a “complimentary technology advisor” for independent tire dealers. He can be reached at (603) 249-5530 or wcroswell@wecnology.com.

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18121

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7/11/11 9:01:25 AM

Counter intelligence

Information explosion!

Access to data is changing consumer buying habits and tire brands’ value perceptions

I

f there is one theme that runs through the articles I’ve written for Modern Tire Dealer over the past year, it is this: change.

I’ve written about the speed of change, the changes in the private brand tire business, the changes in the number of SKUs, and the changes in trends from print media to digital media.

I’ve written about the changes By Wayne Williams necessary to be prepared at the sales counter and how the Internet has changed the way consumers research tires before determining who they will call or visit.

Most of these changes have been in process and are accelerating, gaining momentum, and altering perceptions and business behavior. I believe I see something on the horizon that is a game changer, and I see major rubber

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companies positioning themselves to remain competitive and improve their margins where possible.

Google, Yahoo, Bing, Yelp, Facebook and a vast variety of other “information” providers are changing everything, and the outcome will be dramatic. I want to know what you think the net outcome will be. Will this flatten margins or improve margins? Please follow my logic and tell me what you think.

More margin? Less margin?

I was reading an interesting article online last week about Michelin tires, Bayer aspirin and Fiji water. The short article was based on this premise: How can Michelin, Bayer and Fiji continue to sell and “market for margin”?

One question in the article was: How can Fiji charge twice as much for a bottle of water? Isn’t water, water?

Another was how can Michelin command a premium price for its products when other products offer similar features, benefits and performance for less money?

These are good questions and deserve a closer look. I believe that our new digital age will challenge long-held perceptions regarding quality and brand identity. Will the “margin-driven” brands be permitted to charge their premium price and reap the benefits of increased margins?

For years I worked and was involved at the retail tire sales counter and experienced firsthand the “power of perception.” Almost daily, a customer would request replacement premium tires that had come as OE on their vehicle. Usually, after visiting the car and asking a few questions, the customer would say something like this: “I got over 80,000 miles on my Brand X tires from the factory....”

Along with their perception of Brand X quality, they now had experienced the quality and service firsthand.

A little better than half the time I was able to convince the customer that I had a tire that was “just as good as their Brand X” and would meet their expectations. Nearly half would stick with their perception and buy the Brand X tires. Some customers were actually offended that I would dare challenge their perception and recommend what they perceived as an inferior product.

My question is this: In our information age, will “margindriven” brands feel downward pressure on their margins, and will they sustain current levels or improve margins?

There are several ways to look at the margin issue. With more information readily available online, will consumers continue to perceive premium tires — such as Michelin — as brands worth paying more for, or will they discover that perhaps there are satisfactory options that meet their needs at lower prices?

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Counter intelligence Case in point: You’re at Walmart buying mouthwash, and there is the “leading brand” for $4.99. Alongside is the Walmart brand with the same shaped bottle, the same fluid ounces, the same color, and the same ingredients for $2.99. Consumers are being offered choices such as this continually. Consumers are being reprogrammed, offered options — good options, for less money. It’s less complicated to find and understand where and how to save.

Study after study shows that consumers, though loyal to certain brands, are increasingly open to good “value-driven”

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Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18125

options. The theme of this month’s article is “perceived value.”

Perceived value has always been, and will continue, to be a determining factor when consumers decide what products and services they will buy and where they will buy them.

Another case in point: Several years ago the Buick brand of automobiles was considered by many to be an “old man’s car company,” and a brand certain to become extinct. Today, it’s one of America’s fastest growing brands, a leader in the full-size, crossover vehicle category.

Surveys show that as high as 90% of new car shoppers research online. When searching, guess what they found — that Buick has great new products and offers “value.” In their research, their perception of Buick and their “perceived value” changed enough to buy the product.

Simply stated, perceptions are based in reality. Buick changed and so did perceptions.

It’s the information that changed the perception. It’s the Internet that makes the information easily available.

Information challenges long-held perceptions and changes the net outcome.

It helps consumers answer their most important questions, their value questions, their what-and-where questions.

To my point, I Googled “tires.” In less than half a second, there were 229,000 options to review. Granted, this was overkill, but on the first page alone was more than enough information to make an informed decision. The first page was loaded with a variety of information, maps, rebates, tire manufacturers, national retailers, regional retailers and local independent retailers. It had pictures and prices and Web sites and reviews.

I selected one of the 48 possible options on page one. One click later and I was on a page with a variety of competitors, thousands of reviews including test results, shipping costs, side-by-side price comparisons, and more information than most tire consumers can digest. One “e-tailer” had more than 5,000 reviews.

Most of the reviews were very positive and, if read, could certainly affect the consumer’s value perception.

I’m not sure if all this information is making tire shopping/research simpler or more complex — it’s probably both. I read a survey reported by Forbes magazine indicating that two-thirds of the people surveyed say they are noticing “tech overload’ when searching for information online. Available information has

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grown by 50% since last year. Obviously, my simple research on Google indicates there’s more information available than is necessary to make a tirebuying decision. There is plenty of information to challenge or change consumers’ perceptions.

As if all this information is not enough, certain social medias now make possible additional information that impacts perceptions. Yelp, a social media site, assists in local search capabilities and allows users to “rate” local businesses. In short, with Yelp’s five-point rating system, customers can “review” the local business and rate their satisfaction/ dissatisfaction, creating a de-facto reputation system.

Now, potential customers can read reviews from previous customers before deciding to visit a local retailer in their area. If you’re not familiar, you may want to check www.yelp.com.

What’s different? Everything is different. It’s driven by information, and that information is quickly changing perceptions and buying decisions.

The value equation and value perceptions are changing and becoming more complicated as a result of the explosion of available information.

Of course, every product or service has a price/value equation. The equation is some factor of the product or service’s function, features and benefits, attributes, image, perception and price. Consumers “rate” and “re-rate” businesses continually with every interaction, every purchase, every product.

Customer satisfaction and customer loyalty is always in play.

Every detail matters. Every interaction matters. Every shortand long-term perception matters.

Everything is constantly in play, all day, every day!

Consider this: Usually the higher the perception, the higher the price; the higher the price, the higher the profit; the higher the profit, the more ability or flexibility to offer additional value that reinforces the perception, thereby strengthening the perception, the margin, the profitability and the brand.

This cycle is healthy and supports a business/product/ service with continued customer loyalty that ensures a sustainable enterprise.

It’s not accidental that Michelin, Bayer and Fiji are able to command a higher price and collect extra margin. Margin requires forethought, planning, execution, marketing and, of course, a quality product with a great reputation.

My closing thoughts are these: Michelin is a high-quality

www.moderntiredealer.com MTD_38-45.indd 41

product; it enjoys a high-quality reputation and commands a price commensurate with its quality and reputation. It has earned this reputation during its long history and, therefore, the value equation Michelin adheres to currently works.

One thing I think I know — there is a new reality facing all of us, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, e-tailers and consumers alike.

Everything is in play every day.

Perceptions are changing rapidly.

Access to information is driving the changes. All perceptions are on the table with the consumer.

To compete, real value is critical to success.

Hyundai came to the U.S. a number of years ago. Their reputation for quality and design was poor.

Things improved at Hyundai and the word got out. Quality improved.

Service improved. Warranties improved. Sales improved. Now the perception has changed and it goes something like this: It’s a great car for the money; it even looks and drives like a Mercedes Benz for thousands and thousands of dollars less. I guess that perception is reality, or reality is a perception of reality.

Using Michelin as an example, do you think the access to additional information by consumers will erode the brand’s margin or enhance it? Every day millions of consumers search and research for value online, and the information they gather will change their perceptions. What’s it going to be? ■ Wayne Williams is president of ExSell Marketing Inc., a “counter intelligence” firm based in La Habra, Calif. He can be reached at exsellmkting@gmail.com.

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18126

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TPMS

Take special care of caps, valves on Buick Allure sensors Sensors must be taken out of ‘Off ’ mode prior to following reset procedures SUBJECT VEHICLE: 2006-09 Buick Allure SENSOR IN TIRE? No, sensors are mounted in the wheels.

RESET PROCEDURE? Yes. Directions follow.

SPECIAL TOOLS NEEDED? Yes, a scan tool.

The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) in 2006-09 Buick Allures displays individual tire pressures and their locations on the Driver Information Center (DIC) when there is a significant loss of tire pressure. The system uses the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the Body Control Module (BCM), the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC), the DIC, the Remote Control Door Lock Receiver (RCDLR), a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitting pressure sensor in each wheel/tire assembly, and the serial data circuit to perform the system functions.

The RCDLR receives and translates the data contained in each sensor RF transmission into sensor presence, sensor mode and tire pressure. The RCDLR then sends the tire pressure and tire location data to the DIC via the serial data circuit, where they are displayed. The sensors continuously compare their current pressure sample with their last pressure sample and will transmit in re-measure mode whenever a 1.6 psi change in tire pressure has occurred.

When the system detects a significant loss of tire pressure, the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message displays on the DIC and the low tire pressure indictor is displayed on the IPC. To remove and old sensor, follow these steps.

1. Raise the vehicle on a suitable support. Remove the tire/ wheel assembly from the vehicle.

2. Demount the tire from the wheel following the tire changer manufacturer’s instructions while paying attention to the following to avoid damaging the tire pressure sensor: a. Place the sensor’s cap and valve on a dry, clean surface after removal. The cap is aluminum and the valve is nickelplated to prevent corrosion. DO NOT substitute a cap or valve

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Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18127

made of any other material. b. Position the bead breaking fi xture 90 degrees from the valve stem when separating the tire bead from the wheel. c. Position the mounting/demounting head so the tire iron (or pry bar) can be inserted Figure 1 slightly clockwise of the sensor body when prying the tire bead up and over the mounting/demounting head. d. Using a tire machine, rotate the tire/wheel assembly clockwise when transferring the tire bead to the outside of the wheel rim. e. Repeat items for the inner bead.

3. Remove the tire pressure sensor nut (see Figure 1).

4. Remove the sensor from the wheel hole.

5. Remove the sensor grommet from the valve stem.

To install a new sensor, follow these steps.

1. Clean any dirt or debris from the grommet sealing areas.

Install grommet on the sensor valve stem.

2. Insert the sensor in the wheel hole with the air passage facing away from the wheel.

3. Install the sensor nut, and position the sensor body parallel to the inside wheel surface while tightening the nut to 62 in.-lbs. (7 Nm). NOTE: A service replacement tire pressure sensor is shipped in OFF mode.

In this mode, the sensor’s unique identification code cannot be learned into the RCDLR’s memory. The sensor must be taken out of OFF mode by spinning the tire/wheel assembly above 20 mph for at least 10 seconds in order to close the sensor’s internal roll switch.

4. Before installing the tire on the wheel, note the following items to avoid tire pressure sensor damage upon tire mounting: a. Position the mounting/demounting head 180 degrees from the valve stem. b. Position the bead transition area 45 degrees counterclockwise of the valve stem.

MTD July 2011 7/11/11 8:55:45 AM

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18128

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TPMS c. Using a tire machine, rotate the tire/wheel assembly clockwise when transferring the tire bead to the inside of the wheel rim. d. Repeat items for the outer bead.

5. Install the tire on the wheel. Install the tire/wheel assembly on the vehicle.

Now you are ready for the reset procedures. Retrain the tire pressure sensor, as follows.

1. Turn on the ignition with the engine off.

2. Apply the parking brake.

3. Initiate the TPMS Learn Mode using one of the following procedures: a. Using a scan tool, initiate the TPMS Learn Mode. A double horn chirp will sound, indicating the Learn Mode has been enabled. The left-front turn signal will also be illuminated. b. On vehicles equipped with keyless entry, simultaneously press the keyless entry transmitter’s lock and unlock buttons until a double horn chirp sounds, indicating the Learn Mode has been enabled. The left-front turn signal will also be illuminated. c. On vehicles not equipped with keyless entry, press and release the driver information center INFO button until the RELEARN TIRE POSITIONS message appears on the DIC display. Press and hold the SET/RESET button until a double horn chirp sounds, and the DIC displays a TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message indicating the Learn Mode has been enabled. The left-front turn signal will also be illuminated.

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WARNING: Overinflating the tires may cause personal injury or damage to the tires and wheels. When increasing tire pressure do not exceed the maximum inflation pressure as noted on the tire sidewall.

4. Starting with the left-front tire, learn the tire pressure using one of the following methods: a. Method 1: Hold the antenna of the tool against the tire sidewall close to the wheel rim at the valve stem location, then press and release the activate button and wait for a horn chirp. b. Method 2: Increase/decrease the tire pressure for eight to 10 seconds, then wait for a horn chirp.

The horn chirp may occur before or up to 30 seconds after the eight to 10 second pressure increase/decrease time period has been reached.

5. After the horn chirp has sounded, repeat step 4 for the remaining three sensors in the following order: right-front, right-rear, left-rear.

6. After the left-rear sensor has been learned, a horn chirp will sound, indicating all sensors have been learned.

7. Turn off the ignition to exit the learn mode.

8. After the learn mode has been exited, adjust all tires to the recommended pressures. ■ Information for this column comes from Mitchell 1’s ”Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Guide” for domestic and import vehicles through 2008. Headquartered in Poway, Calif., Mitchell 1 has provided quality repair information solutions to the automotive industry for more than 80 years. For more information, visit www.mitchell1.com.

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18129

MTD July 2011 7/11/11 8:55:46 AM

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18130

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7/11/11 8:55:48 AM

Focus on industry

Autopromotec 2011 International event continues to grow after 24 trade shows

T

he Autopromotec Show in Bologna, Italy, continues to grow and gain in international visitors.

This year’s 24th edition had 103,666 visitors, with more than 18,500 being foreign attendees, according to the organizers.

The biennial international event devoted to automotive equipment and the aftermarket had 1,473 participating exhibitors, a record figure and an increase of 2% over the 2009 show.

The exhibition area was 150,000 square meters (1.6 million square feet), including both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Thirty-seven percent of the exhibitors — 547 in total — came from outside Italy. There were 51 exhibitors from the United States; other U.S. companies were represented by their overseas distributors.

The increase in foreign exhibitors over the years

Gaither Tool Co. Inc. President Richard Brahler II holds the company’s latest product, the Bead Bazooka. See more information on this product on page 72.

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has been achieved by developing a series of relationships with local associations in a number of countries, and by collaboration with the Italian Agency for Foreign Trade.

These partnerships have been of key importance in the international promotion and organization of groups of delegates at the trade fair. Delegations of buyers from the U.S., South Korea, Egypt, Japan, India, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Mexico, and Russia attended the show.

Representatives from the Tire Industry Association, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, Retread Tire Association and the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau were on-hand during the show.

Autopromotec is owned by the Italian Tyre Retreaders Association (AIRP) and the Italian Garage Equipment Manufacturers Association (AICA). — Greg Smith ■

During the Autopromotec Show, whenever a piece of mounting or balancing equipment was being demonstrated, a crowd immediately gathered around to watch. This demonstration was taking place at the Corghi SpA booth.

MTD July 2011 7/11/11 10:32:15 AM

Marangoni SpA has a full line of passenger and light truck tires in the European market. The offgreen colored tire captured attention.

MichaelThompson, a representative from the U.S. Department of Commerce, presents the U.S. Trade Fair Certification to Giorgio Cometti, president of AICA. Patrick Capriati from the Italian Trade Commission is on the right. The Certification was presented to Promotec SpA for the Autopromotec 2011 Show.

Antonio Verrillo, Managing Director of Govoni Specialty Automotive Tools, shows off his company’s suspension system’s testing device. The product measures the oscillations from a vehicle’s suspension and generates a computer print-out that shows if parts need replaced.

Instead of using hydraulics to simply raise the flatbed up to haul a vehicle, this truck hinges at the frame to tilt both the cab and the flatbed.

Yokohama Europe ran rolling resistance demonstrations outside during the entire show in promotion of its BlueEarth line in Europe.

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47 7/11/11 10:32:16 AM

Focus on industry

Ready to launch: the CrossContact LX20 Continental adds a tire to the highway terrain segment

By Bob Ulrich

T

he new Continental CrossContact LX20, a premium SUV, crossover and light truck tire, will launch in 36 sizes in August. According to Bob Liu, technical product manager, passenger tires for Continental Tire the Americas LLC, the size complement for the LX20 will cover 73% of the “highway terrain” segment.

Sizes range from 235/75R16 116T to 285/50R20 112H, with outline white letter or black sidewall styling. They are broken out as follows:

polymers that increase compound bonding, resulting in improved wear and fuel efficiency.

2. +Silane additives are designed to enhance grip on slippery roads, therefore reducing stopping distance on wet road surfaces.

16-inch: 10 sizes.

17-inch: 11 sizes.

18-inch: 11 sizes.

19-inch: one size.

20-inch: three sizes.

Eventually, the LX20 will replace the CrossContact LX line (see sidebar), which is available in 76 sizes, including 10 LT sizes.

The new LX20 features EcoPlus Technology, which consists of two main components. The key is “how we mix the compounds and how we cure the compounds,” said Liu. 1. Tg-F Polymers are temperature-activated functional

Fill-rate problems?

Continental addresses that hot button topic Tire dealers didn’t hold back when Continental Tire the Americas LLC officials introduced the CrossContact LX20 in Uvalde, Texas, in late May. Domenic Margarucci, sales representative for Pine Brook Tire Co. in Pine Brook, N.J., cut right to the chase.

“There’s been a problem with fill rates in the recent past. Is this going to be any different?”

Bob Liu, technical product manager for passenger tires, said the LX20 will be available in fewer sizes than the tire it is replacing, the CrossContact LX. The company also is adding capacity at its Mount Vernon, Ill., facility. “With a lineup more focused on premium applications and continued investments in production capacity, we expect to improve our fill rates. Unfortunately, there is no short-term solution right now.”

William Vielhauer, owner of Bill’s Tire Center in Ogdensburg, N.Y., asked if the tire, with its “improved snow traction,” will come with the mountain snowflake symbol, which certifies a tire for severe snow usage.

No, said Liu. “The industry has agreed not to put the snowflake on tires not designed as winter tires.”

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Steve Pilley, parts manager and service adviser for Eastern Tire Inc. in Rockland, Maine, checks out the continuous circumferential ribs on the LX20. The ribs help absorb the sound generated from the center of the tread pattern.

Continental recently introduced the tire at a “drive and learn” event at its 5,000-acre Uvalde, Texas, test track. (Editor’s note: During the wet braking test, with 1.2 mm of water on the track, the 2011 Chevy Silverado I was driving at 50 mph stopped 101.2 feet after I slammed on the brakes. The LX20s and the vehicle stayed in a straight line.)

The tire also was designed with “snow-on-snow” traction, thanks to grip from inside the grooves (Traction Grooves Technology), and responsive handling with a smooth, quiet ride (Smooth Response Technology).

Backed by a 70,000-mile limited tread wear warranty, the LX20 is targeted to fit 2004 and newer premium vehicles, added Liu. It will be marketed as both a replacement and original equipment tire. In the replacement market, it will be marketed against tires such as the Pirelli Scorpion STR and Michelin LTX M/S 2. ■

MTD July 2011 7/11/11 10:32:18 AM

Buyers’ Guide

2011 MTD Buyers’ Guide Looking for a new tire supplier? Want to contact a tire balancer equipment manufacturer? It’s easy with Modern Tire Dealer’s updated Buyers’ Guide!

On the following pages you will find our directory of manufacturers and marketers serving the North American tire market. Included is contact information as well as product listings for companies offering tires, equipment and much more. (Products are often broad categories, not specific goods or services.)

Also, following the manufacturers/marketers you will find listings for national associations and state/provincial associations.

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Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18131

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Manufacturers/Marketers 1-800EveryRim.com, 9935 Beverly Blvd., Pico Rivera, CA 90660. (562) 692-0109 or (800) 383-7974. Products: wheels and accessories, wheel repair and chrome plating. www.1-800everyrim.com

A A to Z Tire, P.O. Box 9138, Amarillo, TX 79105-9138. (806) 373-2592. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, tire repair materials. www.atoztire.com ABMS - Tire Guru Software, 895 N Main St., Logan, UT 84321. (877) 470-2267. FAX: (435) 730-6465. Products: computers and software. www.tireguru.net Action Equipment Co. Inc., 2800 Hayes St., Newberg, OR 97132. (503) 537-1111.

FAX: (503) 537-1117. Products: scrap tire disposal/recycling equipment. www.actionconveyors.com

Aftersoft Network NA Inc., 3435 Winchester Rd., Suite 100, Allentown, PA 18104. (610) 336-9045 or (800) 8039762. FAX: (610)-336-9055. Products: computers and software. www.aftersoftna.com

Akebono Brake Corp., 310 Ring Rd., Elizabethtown, KY 42701. (270) 2345500. FAX: (270) 234-5504. Products: brake products. www.akebonobrakes.com

MTD has gone digital!

It’s the same great information in a digital format! Sign up for it today at: www.ModernTireDealer.com/Digital

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specialty tires, truck tires. www.americanpacificindustries.com

Alliance Tire Americas Inc. (brands: Alliance, Galaxy and Primex), 750 Old Hickory Rd., Bldg. 2, Suite 260, Brentwood, TN 37027. (615) 712-6280 or (877) 97-TIRES. FAX: (615) 712-6282. Products: ag/farm tires, OTR tires, specialty tires, truck tires. www.atgtire.com Altura Tyres, 4637 Allen Rd., Stow, OH 44224. (330) 374-1000 or (800) 321-0941.

FAX: (330) 374-0038. Products: ag/farm tires, LT tires, OTR tires, specialty tires, truck tires. www.tyresinternational.com AME Intl., 2324 Circuit Way, Brooksville, FL 34604. (352) 799-1111 or (877) 755-4263.

FAX: (352) 799-1112. Products: tire gauges, tire repair materials, truck and SUV accessories, lifts and jacks, material handling equipment, shop maintenance equipment, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, wheel repair equipment. www.ameintl.net American Car Care Centers Inc., 5050 Poplar Ave., Suite 920, Memphis, TN 38157.

(901) 680-9927 or (800) 998-9170. FAX: (901) 680-9931. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, consulting, financing and credit programs, insurance programs, roadside assistance programs, tire disposal/recycling/shredding, tire retailer support programs, trade show representation, Web and other online assistance. www.accconline.com American Omni Trading Co., 15354 Park Row, Houston, TX 77084. (281) 600-8473 or (800) 785-2702. FAX: (281) 600-8475.

Products: ag/farm tires, antique/classic tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, tire exporter/importer. www.american-omni.com American Pacific Industries Inc., 27413 Tourney Rd., Suite 200, Valencia, CA 91355.

(661) 702-0988 or (800) 944-8414. FAX: (661) 702-0292. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires,

American Tire Distributors, 12200 Herbert Wayne Ct., Huntersville, NC 28070. (800) 632-1897 or (800) 222-1167. FAX: (704) 992-1280. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, tire tubes, truck tires, suspension components, tire fills and sealants, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire valves, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, air compressors, lifts and jacks, nitrogen inflation equipment, shop heating/cooling equip., tire pressure monitoring system equipment, consulting, roadside assistance and tire retailer support programs. www.atd-us.com

ANCO®, a Federal-Mogul brand, World Headquarters: 26555 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, MI 48033. (248) 354-7700.

Products: The ANCO® family of premium wiper blades will keep your customer’s family safer with a clearer view of the road ahead. ANCO’s full line of wiper blades are designed for any driving environment and are engineered with the latest technology to ensure a clear streak free wipe. For conventional or profile-style wiper blades look to ANCO for any season...and any vehicle. www.ancowipers.com

Andreoli & Associates Inc., 18525-D7 Statesville Rd., Cornelius, NC 28031.

(704) 895-2780 ext. 32 or (800) 438-4487 ext. 32. FAX: (704) 895-2985. Products: computers and software. www.aasys.com

MTD July 2011 7/12/11 2:43:10 PM

Arista Tire, 1191 Huntington Dr., #365, Duarte, CA 91010. (877) 484-8473. FAX: (626) 608-9154. Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.aristatire.com

ASA Tire Systems, 25 Manchester St., Suite 100, Merrimack, NH 03054. (603) 889-8700 or (866) 210-6717. FAX: (603) 880-3438. Products: consulting, tire retailer support programs, web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.asatire.com ASA Wheels, 7101 Vorden Pkwy., South Bend, IN 46628. (574) 287-2316 or (800) 445-0179. FAX: (574) 236-7700. Products: wheels and accessories. www.tirerackwholesale.com Asia Pacific Products Ltd., 883 Kuipers Crescent, Kelowna, BC, Canada V1W 5B1.

(250) 764-6186. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires.

ATE Premium Brake Parts, 6755 Snowdrift Rd., Allentown, PA 18106. (610) 289-0488. FAX: (610) 289-1766. Products: brake products, brake service equipment. www.ate-na.com Atturo Tire Corp., P.O. Box 302, Lake Villa, IL 60046. (847) 348-3455 or (888) 9-ATTURO. FAX: (847) 589-8446. Products: passenger tires. www.atturo.com

AutoBiz Software by TABS, 4748 Engle Rd., Suite 107, Carmichael, CA 95608.

(916) 489-2886 or (866) 822-7797. FAX: (866) 713-3332. Products: computers and software. www.tabsautobiz.com AutoWare Technologies LLC, 103 Amar Pl., Suite 101, Panama City Beach, FL 32413.

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(850) 230-9695 or (877) 230-9695. FAX: (850) 230-9691. Products: passenger tires, wheels and accessories, tools and tool accessories, tire retailer support programs, Web/online assistance, wheel repair and chrome plating, computers and software. www.autowaretech.com

wheel repair equipment, work benches. www.bendpak.com Best Choice Intl. Trade Co. Ltd., Room 312, N Anhua Mansion. No. 8, Yinghua West St., Chaoyang District, Beijing, China 100029. +86-10-64416193 or +86-1064440553. FAX: +86-10-64447978. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR B tires, passenger tires, truck tires, wheels and accessories, tire exporter/importer. www.chinese-tyres.com; www.sunewtyre.com BFGoodrich Tires, One Parkway S, Greenville, SC 29615. (864) 458-5000 or (877) 788-8899. FAX: (864) 458-6359.

Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, B&J Rocket America Inc., 325 N Main St., specialty tires.

Middlebury, IN 46540. (574) 825-5802. www.bfgoodrichtires.com FAX: (574) 825-7972. Products: retread- Big O Tires LLC, 12650 E Briarwood ing equipment, scrap tire disposal/recy- Ave., #2D, Centennial, CO 80112. (303) cling equipment, tire repair equipment, 728-5500 or (800) 321-2446. FAX: (303) tools and tool accessories.

728-5700. Products: ag/farm tires, antique/ www.bj-rocket.com classic tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, truck tires, used tires, antifreeze, batteries, bearings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, cleaners and polishes, cooling/AC products, filters and filtration systems, fuel system products, BADA, 759 Hennessy Way, Bowling oil products and lubricants, personnel Green, KY 42101. (888) 694-0759. protection and safety products, steering Products: wheel weights. and suspension components, tire fills and www.steelwheelweights.com sealants, tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire Bartec USA, 44231 Phoenix Dr., Sterling studs, tire valves, wheel weights, wheels Heights, MI 48314. (586) 686-1300. FAX: and accessories, wiper blades, financing (586) 323-3801. Products: tire pressure and credit programs, roadside assistance monitoring systems and equipment. programs, Web and other online assistance. www.bartecusa.com www.bigotires.com Bee Line Co., 2700 62nd St. Ct., Bettendorf, IA 52722. (563) 332-4066 or (800) 728-7828. FAX: (563) 332-6517. Products: alignment equipment, lifts and jacks, tire mounting and balancing equipment. www.beeline-co.com BKT Tires USA Inc., 2650 W Market St., BendPak Inc./Ranger Products, 1645 Fairlawn, OH 44333. (330) 836-1090 or Lemonwood Dr., Santa Paula, CA 93060.

(888) 660-0662. FAX: (330) 836-1091.

(805) 933-9970 or (800) 253-2363. FAX: (805) 933-9160. Products: air compressors, Products: ag/farm tires, OTR tires, alignment equipment, brake service equip- specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes. www.bkt-tires.com ment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, shop maintenance equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire repair equipment, Borbet Wheels, 7101 Vorden Pkwy., South

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Manufacturers/Marketers Bend, IN 46628. (574) 287-2316 or (800) 445-0179. FAX: (574) 236-7700. Products: wheels and accessories. www.tirerackwholesale.com Robert Bosch LLC, 2600 S 25th Ave., Broadview, IL 60155. (708) 865-5200.

Products: batteries, brake products, filters/ filtration systems, fuel system products, spark plugs, wiper blades, alignment equipment, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment. www.boschautoparts.com www.boschdiagnostics.com Branick Industries Inc., 4245 Main Ave., Fargo, ND 58103. (701) 281-8888 or (800) 437-4394. FAX: (701) 281-5900. Products: alignment equipment, brake service equipment, hoses, reels, nitrogen inflation equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, retreading equipment, tire handling equipment, tools and tool accessories, roadside assistance programs. www.branick.com Breyton Wheels, 7101 Vorden Pkwy., South Bend, IN 46628. (574) 287-2316 or (800) 445-0179. FAX: (574) 236-7700.

Products: wheels and accessories. www.tirerackwholesale.com

Bridgestone, a brand of BATO, 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) 937-1000 or (800) 543-7522. FAX: (615) 937-1414. Products: light truck tires, motorcycle tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.bridgestonetire.com

system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire fills and sealants, tire gauges, tire identification, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, transmission/drive line products, wheel weights, wiper blades, air compressors, alignment equipment, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, oil/lubrication equipment, shop maintenance equipment, suspension equipment, tire display racks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, work benches, consulting, financing and credit programs, roadside assistance programs, tire retailer support programs, web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.affiliateddealer.com

Bridgestone Americas, parent company of BATO, 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) 937-1000 or (800) 5437522. FAX: (615) 937-1414. Products: ag/ farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck tires, retreading materials. www.bridgestoneamericas.com

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO), 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) 937-1000 or (800) 543-7522.

FAX: (615) 937-1414. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, OTR Bridgestone Affiliated Dealer Program, tires, passenger tires, tire tubes, truck tires, 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) retreading materials, 937-3385 or (800) 435-0689. FAX: (615) www.bridgestonetire.com 493-0781. Products: ag/farm tires, light Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck Ag division (Firestone brand), 4600 NW tires, antifreeze, batteries, bearings, gaskets 2nd Ave., Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50313. and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, (515) 283-1440. FAX: (515) 283-1610. chemicals, cooling/air conditioning products, Products: ag/farm tires, specialty tires. electrical/ignition products, exhaust system www.firestoneag.com components, filters/filtration systems, fuel Bridgestone Canada Inc., 5770 Huron-

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tario St., Suite 400, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5R 3G5. (905) 890-1990 or (800) 267-1318. FAX: (905) 890-1991. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck tires, retreading materials. www.bridgestonecanada.com Bridgestone Commercial Solutions Group, 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (800) 523-6366. Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, truck tires, retreading materials, tire repair materials, retreading equipment, tire display racks, tire repair equipment, roadside assistance programs, trade show representation, Web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.trucktires.com

C

CarCareONE by GE Money, 950 Forrer Blvd., Kettering, OH 45420. (866) 2094457. FAX: (866) 947-3063. Products: financing and credit programs. www.gemoney.com/automotive

Carlisle Tire & Wheel Co. (Carlisle Transportation Products), 23 Windham Blvd., Aiken, SC 29805. (803) 643-2900 or (800) 827-1001. FAX: (803) 643-2919.

Products: ag/farm tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, wheels and accessories. www.carlisletire.com Carpenter Co., 5016 Monument Ave., Richmond, VA 23230. (804) 359-0800 or (800) 825-6836. Products: tire fills and sealants. www.carpenter.com

Tire Dealer of the Year

MTD’s September issue will feature MTD’s our 2011 Tire Dealer of the Year! To nominate a deserving dealer for 2012, please fill out the form on: www.ModernTireDealer.com

MTD July 2011 7/12/11 2:43:11 PM

Carter®, a Federal-Mogul brand, World Headquarters: 26555 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, MI 48033. (248) 354-7700.

Products: OE-matched Carter replacement fuel pumps, assemblies and modules are made to install easily and surpass performance expectations with forward thinking designs, innovative features and fuel system advancements.

Carter fuel pumps also come complete with application specific repair solutions including tank seals, wiring harness and strainers in the box, when required. www.carterfueldelivery.com Challenger Lifts, 200 Cabel St., Louisville, KY 40206. (502) 625-0700 or (800) 648-5438. FAX: (502) 625-0711. Products: alignment equipment, lifts and jacks. www.challengerlifts.com

Champion®, a Federal-Mogul brand, World Headquarters: 26555 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, MI 48033. (248) 354-7700. Products: The globally recognized Champion brand brings its latest “Performance Driven™” technologies to the ignition, engine additive and filters markets to help customers maximize performance and reliability. Champion spark plugs, performance additives and new oil and air filters are available through leading suppliers across North America. www.federalmogul.com Champion, 1301 N Euclid Ave., Princeton, IL 61356. (815) 875-3321 or (888) 436-5499. FAX: (815) 872-0421. Products: oil products and lubricants, tire pressure monitoring systems, air compressors. www.championpneumatic.com Chicago Pneumatic, 1800 Overview Dr.,

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Rock Hill, SC 29730. (803) 817-7349 or (800) 624-4735. FAX: (866) 399-9619.

Products: gloves, air compressors, hoses, reels, shop maintenance equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.cp.com China International Tire Expo (Shanghai) - CITEXPO, Rm. 1702, Bldg. 6, SOHO New Town, Beijing, China 100022. +86-1085898181. FAX: +86-1085898180.

Products: ag/farm tires, antique/classic tires, casings, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, off-the-road tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, used tires, tire fills and sealants, tire gauges, tire identification, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, air compressors, alignment equipment, diagnostic equipment, lifts and jacks, nitrogen inflation equipment, retreading equipment, scrap tire disposal/ recycling equipment, tire display racks, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, wheel repair equipment, work benches, tire exporter/importer, trade show representation, computers and computer software. www.citexpo.com.cn China Manufacturers Alliance LLC, 406 E Huntington Dr., Suite 200, Monrovia, CA 91016. (626) 301-9575 or (888) 226-5250.

FAX: (626) 301-9579. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, truck tires, tire exporter/importer. www.cmaintl.com

CIMS Tire Registration, P.O. Box 1610, Akron, OH 44309. (330) 794-9190.

FAX: (330) 784-6900. Products: tire registration systems, tire identification, consulting. www.cimstireregistration.com

Clore Automotive, 8735 Rosehill Rd., Suite 220, Lenexa, KS 66215. (913) 310-1050 or (800) 328-2921. FAX: (913) 310-1075.

Products: batteries, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, air compressors, battery charging and testing equipment, diagnostic equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.cloreautomotive.com Coker Tire Co., 1317 Chestnut St., Chattanooga, TN 37402. (800) 251-6336. FAX: (423) 756-5607. Products: antique/classic tires, motorcycle tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, cleaners and polishes, gloves, tire gauges, tire valves, nitrogen inflation equipment, tire display racks, insurance programs (tire protection plans), tire exporter/importer. www.coker.com Continental Tire the Americas LLC, 1830 MacMillan Park Dr., Fort Mill, SC 29707.

(704) 583-3900 or (800) 847-3349. FAX: (704) 583-3939. Products: light truck tires, motorcycle tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires, roadside assistance programs, tire retailer support programs, trade show representation, Web and other online assistance. www.continentaltire.com Continental Tire the Americas LLC Commercial Vehicle Tire Div., 1830 MacMillan Park Dr., Fort Mill, SC 29707.

(704) 583-3900 or (800) 450-3187. FAX: (704) 583-8737. Products: industrial tires, truck tires. www.continental-truck.com; www.continental-industrial.com

Cooper Tire, P.O. Box 550, Findlay, OH 45839-0550. (419) 423-1321. FAX: (419) 424-4108. Products: light truck tires, motorcycle tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.coopertireandrubber.com

Keep up on breaking news See www.ModernTireDealer.com.

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Manufacturers/Marketers

Cordovan Tires, 4770 Hickory Hill Rd., Memphis, TN 38141. (901) 363-8030.

FAX: (901) 541-3647. Products: advertising/marketing programs, ag/farm tires, ATV tires, high performance tires, industrial tires, lawn and garden tires, SUV/light truck tires, medium/heavy truck tires, off-the-road tires, passenger tires, RV tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, tire valves, tire pressure monitoring systems, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, alignment equipment, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire display racks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, Web and other online assistance, tire retailer support programs, roadside assistance programs. www.cordovantires.com Corghi USA, 9325 Sutton Pl., Hamilton, OH 45011. (513) 874-5958 or (800) 260-0968.

FAX: (513) 874-1162. Products: tire mounting and balancing equipment. www.corghiusa.us

CustomerLink Systems, 1376 Lead Hill Blvd., Suite 150, Roseville, CA 95661. (916) 781-4344 or (888) 699-5413. FAX: (916) 781-4345. Products: marketing services. www.customerlink.com

Cyclone Tires/TBC Intl., 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (561) 383-3100 or (800) 926-8473, ext. 4301.

FAX: (561) 383-3039. Products: highperformance tires, light truck tires, passenger tires, SUV tires. www.tbc-international.com

D D M Marketing LLC, 1356 Hwy. D, Bland, MO 65014. (314) 272-0277 or (877) 265-5516.

FAX: (847) 589-8446. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, tire exporter/importer. www.dmtire.com

Dawg Pound Tires-East Bay Tire, 2200 Huntington Dr., Fairfield, CA 94533. (707) 437-4700 or (800) 831-8473. FAX: (707) 437-4800. Products: ag/farm tires, OTR tires, specialty tires. www.dawgpoundtires.com Counteract Balancing Beads Inc., 13029 8th Line, RR #1, Georgetown, Ontario, Canada L7G 4S4. (905) 873-3339 or (800) 572-8952. FAX: (905) 873-3088.

Products: tire fills and sealants, wheel weights. www.counteractbalancing.com CRC Industries, 885 Louis Dr., Warminster, PA 18974. (215) 674-4300 or (800) 272-8963. FAX: (800) 272-4560. Products: brake products, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, electrical/ignition products, fuel system products, oil products and lubricants, transmission/drive line products. www.crcindustries.com

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Del-Nat Tire Corp., 2365 Texas Dr., Memphis, TN 38106. (901) 775-5002. FAX: (901) 775-2495. Products: ag/farm, light truck, OTR, passenger and specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, wheel weights, roadside assistance programs, tire exporter/ importer, tire retailer support programs. www.delnat.com Delta Tire/Del-Nat Tire Corp., 2365 Texas Dr., Memphis, TN 38106. (901) 775-5002.

FAX: (901) 775-8102. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, wheel weights. www.deltatire.com

DENSO Sales California Inc., 3900 Via Oro Ave., Long Beach, CA 90810. (310) 8346352 or (888) 96-DENSO. FAX: (310) 9527526. Products: cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, filters/filtration systems, fuel system products, spark plugs, wiper blades. www.densoaftermarket.com Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, 4600 Prosper Dr., Stow, OH 44224. (330) 928-9092 or (800) 222-9092. FAX: (330) 928-0503.

Products: LT tires, wheels and accessories. www.dickcepek.com Diversified Marketing Solutions, 8520 Bluffton Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46809. (260) 469-2400 or (800) 995-4003. FAX: (260) 469-6555. Products: exhaust system components, TPMS, wheels and accessories. www.diversifiedmktg.com Dunlop Tires, 1144 E Market St., Akron, OH 44316. (330) 796-2121. FAX: (330) 7960528. Products: light truck tires, motorcycle tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.dunloptire.com Duro Tire and Wheel, 14290 Lochridge Blvd., Covington, GA 30014. (770) 788-2060 or (866) 788-2060. FAX: (770) 788-2099. Products: light truck, motorcycle tires, passenger tires, specialty tires. www.durotire.com

E

East Bay Tire Co., 2200 Huntington Dr., Fairfield, CA 94533. (707) 437-4700 or (800) 831-8473. FAX: (707) 437-4800.

Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, tire fills and sealants, wheels and accessories, tire exporter/importer. www.eastbaytire.com; www.dawgpoundtires.com

MTD July 2011 7/12/11 2:43:11 PM

ECI International Ltd. (Tyrexpo Asia 2011, Tyrexpo Africa 2012, Brityrex Intl. 2012, Tyrexpo India 2011), Speldhurst Business Park, Langton Rd., Speldhurst, Kent, England, TN3 0NR. +44 (0) 1892 863888. FAX: +44 (0) 1892 863828. Products: exhibition organizer of niche market tyre and garage equipment trade events. www.eci-international.com Eibach Springs Inc., 264 Mariah Cir., Corona, CA 92879. (951) 256-8300 or (800) 222-8811. FAX: (951) 256-8333.

Products: suspension components, truck and SUV accessories, wheels and accessories. www.eibach.com

Eldorado Tire, 2000 Campus Ln., East Norriton, PA 19403. (610) 615-8000 or (800) 895-1449. FAX: (610) 615-8001.

Products: advertising/marketing programs, ag/farm tires, ATV tires, high performance tires, industrial tires, lawn and garden tires, SUV/light truck tires, medium/heavy truck tires, off-the-road tires, passenger tires, RV tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, tire valves, tire pressure monitoring systems, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, alignment equipment, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire display racks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, Web and other online assistance, tire retailer support programs, roadside assistance programs. www.eldoradotire.com Electrodyne Inc., 4750 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304. (703) 823-0202 or (800) 296-8850. FAX: (703) 823-0842.

Products: exhaust system components, suspension components, wheels and accessories. www.electrodyne.cc Emanuel Tire Co., 1300 Moreland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21216. (410) 947-0660 or (800) 445-1887. FAX: (410) 947-3708.

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Products: used tires. www.emanueltire.com Equus Products Inc., 17291 Mount Hermann St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708. (714) 432-7511 or (888) 466-6821. FAX: (714) 432-7511. Products: diagnostic equipment. www.equus.com Excalibur Wheel Accessories, 2000 S Grove Ave., Bldg. C, Ontario, CA 91761.

(909) 923-8300 or (800) 227-0504. FAX: (909) 923-8600. Products: cleaners and polishes, tire valves, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.excaliburwheel.com Excel Tire & Wheel, P.O. Box 1044, Walnut, CA 91788. (763) 479-6679 or (877) 685-4417. FAX: (877) 685-4414. Products: specialty tires, tire exporter/importer. www.exceltireandwheel.com

F Falken Tire, 13649 Valley Blvd., Fontana, CA 92335. (909) 466-1116 or (800) 723-2553.

FAX: (800) 950-2561. Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.falkentire.com FEC Inc., 284 Roan Rd., Spruce Pine, NC 28777. (828) 765-4599 or (800) 633-8865.

FAX: (828) 765-0949. Products: truck bed products, air compressors, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, material handling equip., service trucks and associated equipment, tire handling equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.fectrucks.com Federal-Mogul Corp., World Headquarters: 26555 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, MI 48033. (248) 354-7700. Products: gaskets and seals, brake products, chemicals, filters/filtration systems, fuel system products, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, wiper blades. www.federalmogul.com Federal Tire Corp., No. 369, Sec. 2, Chung Hwa Rd., Chungli 320 Taoyuan, Taiwan.

886-3-4522156. FAX: 886-3-4616355.

Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires. www.federaltire.com

Federated Auto Parts, 542 Greenville Ave., Staunton, VA 24401. (540) 885-8460.

FAX: (540) 885-7612. Products: antifreeze, batteries, bearings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, exhaust system components, filters/filtration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire fills and sealants, tire gauges, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire valves, transmission/drive line products, truck/ SUV accessories, truck bed products, wheel weights, wiper blades, air compressors, alignment equipment, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, oil/lubrication equipment, shop heating/cooling equipment, shop maintenance equipment, suspension equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tools and tool accessories, welding equipment, work benches, roadside assistance programs, tire retailer support programs, trade show representation, Web/ online assistance. www.federatedautoparts.com

Quik-Link direct

MTD makes it easy for you to receive free product information by phone or through the Web. Each advertisement and product announcement in this issue includes our toll-free Quik-Link phone number and an exclusive extension number.

To request free information, call 800-687-1557 and enter the extension number. (For a complete list of participating companies, see the handy list on page 74 of this issue.)

Or you can log on to: www.mtdquiklink.com/ (plus the corresponding Quik-Link number under the ad or product) and you will be directed to the correct Web site. You’re just a click away from receiving free information on the new products that interest you.

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Manufacturers/Marketers systems, fuel system products, oil products and lubricants, spark plugs, steering ® Fel-Pro , a Federal-Mogul brand, World components, suspension components, tire Headquarters: 26555 Northwestern Hwy., pressure monitoring systems, transmission/ Southfield, MI 48033. (248) 354-7700. drive line products, wiper blades.

Products: As “The Gaskets Professionals www.fordparts.com Trust™,” Fel-Pro products maintain a Foreign Tire Sales Inc., 2204 Morris Ave., reputation for engineering excellence Suite L-5, Union, NJ 07083. (908) 687through highly innovative use of ad0559 or (800) 634-8335. FAX: (908) 687vanced materials, designs and produc0231. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tion processes. In fact, Fel-Pro gaskets tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty are the number one choice of today’s tires, truck tires, tire exporter/importer. repair professionals, engine rebuilders www.foreigntire.com and NASCAR, NHRA and semi-pro race Fuzion, a brand of BATO, 535 Marriott teams.

Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) 937-1000 www.felpro-only.com or (800) 543-7522. FAX: (615) 937-1414.

Products: light truck tires, passenger tires. www.thefuzionzone.com Firestone, a brand of BATO, 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) 937-1000 or (800) 543-7522. FAX: (615) 937-1414.

Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, tire tubes, truck tires. www.firestonetire.com Fleet Equipment Corp., 567 Commerce St., Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417. (201) 3377332 or (800) 631-0873. FAX: (201) 3373294. Products: air compressors, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, material handling equipment, nitrogen inflation equipment, service trucks and associated equipment, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.fectrucks.com FMP Group (Australia/Malaysia/Thailand) Pty. Ltd., North American Offices: 3529 Cannon Rd., Suite 2B #515, Oceanside, CA 92056. (760) 295-6034. Products: brake products. www.axxisbrakes.com; www.pbrbrakes.com FordParts.com, 16800 Executive Plaza Dr., Dearborn, MI 48126. Products: batteries, bearings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, exhaust system components, filters/filtration

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Gegax Advisors, P.O. Box 16323, Minneapolis, MN 55416. (612) 920-5114. FAX: (888) 808-3642. Products: consulting. www.gegax.com General Tire, 1830 MacMillan Park Dr., Fort Mill, SC 29707. (704) 583-3900 or (800) 847-3349. FAX: (704) 583-3939. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, roadside assistance programs, tire retailer support programs, trade show representation, Web and other online assistance. www.generaltire.com GITI Tire (USA) Ltd., 10404 Sixth St., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. (909) 9800968 or (866) GT-TIRES (488-4737). FAX: (909) 476-4028. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.gtradial-us.com

G Gabriel Ride Control LLC, 750 Old Hickory Blvd., Suite 1-180, Brentwood, TN 37027.

(615) 221-7433 or (800) 251-5932. FAX: (615) 221-7190. Products: suspension components. www.gabriel.com

Goodyear Farm Tires, made by Titan, 2345 E Market St., Des Moines, IA 50317-7597. (515) 265-9200 or (800) USA-BEAR. FAX: (515) 265-9301. Products: ag/farm tires www.titan-intl.com

Gaither Tool Co. Inc., 21 Harold Cox Dr., Jacksonville, IL 62650. (217) 245-0545 or (800) 452-5010. Fax: (217) 245-0940.

Products: tire gauges, tire repair materials, tire handling equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.gaithertool.com www.winntec.net

Goodyear North American Tire, 1144 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44316. (330) 796-2121 or (800) GOODYEAR. FAX: (330) 796-0528. Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires, retreading equipment. www.goodyeartires.com Gorilla Automotive Products, 2011 E 49th St., Los Angeles, CA 90058. (323) 585-2852. FAX: (323) 587-0119. Products: tire gauges, tire studs, tire valves, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, tools and tool accessories.

GE Money - CarCareONE, 950 Forrer Blvd., www.gorilla-auto.com Kettering, OH 45420. (866) 209-4457.

Greenball Corp., 222 S. Harbor Blvd., Suite FAX: (866) 947-3063. Products: financing 700, Anaheim, CA 92805. (714) 782-3060 and credit programs. or (800) 946-9412. FAX: (866) 878-3802. www.gemoney.com/automotive Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires,

MTD July 2011 7/12/11 2:43:11 PM

OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires, wheels and accessories, tire exporter/importer. www.greenball.com

shop maintenance equipment. www.hydra-lift.com Hennessy Industries Inc., 1601 J.P. Hennessy Dr., La Vergne, TN 37086. (615) 641-7533 or (800) 688-6359. FAX: (615) 641-6069. Products: wheel weights, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire repair equipment. www.ammcoats.com

GTC North America Inc., dba GreatLakes Tire Co., 4580 Stephen Circle NW, Suite 202, Canton, OH 44718. (330) 498-5000.

FAX: (330) 498-5002. Products: ag/farm tires, OTR tires, specialty tires, truck tires, tire exporter/importer.

H Hankook Tire America Corp., 1450 Valley Rd., Wayne, NJ 07470. (973) 633-9000 or (800) HANKOOK. FAX: (800) TIRES-OK. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, tire retailer support programs, trade show representation, Web and other online assistance. www.hankooktireusa.com

Harvest King, 4770 Hickory Hill Rd., Memphis, TN 38141. (901) 363-8030.

FAX: (901) 541-3647. Products: ag/farm tires. www.tbcbrands.com

Haweka USA, 2201 E Loop 820 N, Fort Worth, TX 76118. (866) 442-9352. FAX: (866) 770-3239. Products: alignment equipment, lifts and jacks, tire mounting and balancing equipment. www.haweka-usa.com

Go green!

See Modern Tire Dealer’s Dealer’s digital version on: www.ModernTireDealer.com

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Hercules Tire and Rubber Co., 16380 E U.S. Rte. 224, Suite 200, Findlay, OH 45840. (419) 425-6400 or (800) 6773573. FAX: (419) 425-6404. Products: ag/ farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, truck tires, tire exporter/importer. www.herculestire.com Hercules Tire Intl., a div. of The Hercules Tire & Rubber Co., 41 Ardelt Pl., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2C 2C8. (519) 885-3100 or (888) 774-7730. FAX: (519) 885-2883.

Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires. www.herculestire.com Heritage Tires/SURE Tire Co., 935 Main Plaza Dr., Wentzville, MO 63385. (636) 3325100 or (866) 882-1612. FAX: (636) 3275130. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires. www.suretire.com Hunter Engineering Co., 11250 Hunter Dr., Bridgeton, MO 63044. (314) 731-3020 or (800) 448-6848. FAX: (314) 731-1776.

Products: alignment equipment, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire mounting and balancing equipment. www.hunter.com Hydra Lift Industries Inc., #132-15028 32nd Ave., Surrey, BC, Canada V4P 1A3.

(604) 560-2235 or (800) 387-5718. Products: alignment equipment, lifts and jacks,

I Identifix, 3058 E Sunset Rd., Suite 107, Las Vegas, NV 89120. (800) 745-9649. FAX: (800) 317-1674. Products: online diagnostic information provider. www.identifix.com

Independent Tire Dealers Group LLC (ITDG), 754 N U.S. Hwy. 1, Tequesta, FL 33469. (561) 630-8737. FAX: (561) 6308657. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, antifreeze, batteries, bearings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ ignition products, exhaust system components, filters/filtration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire fills and sealants, tire gauges, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, transmission/drive line products, truck and SUV accessories, truck bed products, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, wiper blades, air compressors, alignment equipment, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, material handling equipment, nitrogen inflation equipment, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, work benches, financing and credit programs, insurance programs, roadside assistance programs, Web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.itdgusa.com

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Manufacturers/Marketers Independent Tire Sales, 3150 Jacob St., Wheeling, WV 26003. (304) 233-5700 or (800) 624-6908. FAX: (304) 233-5723.

Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires.

Info Touch Corp., 1201 Peachtree St., 400 Colony Sq., Suite 200-625, Atlanta, GA 30361. (404) 315-8500 or (800) 678-8682.

FAX: (770) 234-5122. Products: computers and software. www.infotouch.com Ingersoll-Rand Co., 1467 Route 31 S, Annandale, NJ 08801. (908) 238-7000 or (800) 376-TOOL. FAX: (908) 238-7054.

Products: air compressors, material handling equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.ingersollrandproducts.com

International Marketing Inc., 25 Penncraft Ave., Suite C, P.O. Box 2002, Chambersburg, PA 17201. (717) 264-5819 or (800) 233-7086. FAX: (717) 264-5483. Products: motorcycle tires, retreading materials, tire fills and sealants, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire valves, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, tire mounting and balancing equipment. www.imiproducts.com Italian Trade Commission, 401 N Michigan Ave., Suite 3030, Chicago, IL 60611. (312) 670-4360. FAX: (312) 670-5147. Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires, bearings, gaskets and seals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/ air conditioning products, exhaust system components, fuel system products, spark plugs, steering components, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, air compressors, alignment equipment, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, oil/lubrication equipment, retreading equipment, shop heating/cooling equipment, shop mainte-

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nance equipment, suspension equipment, tire display racks, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, welding equipment, wheel repair equipment, work benches. www.italtrade.com/usa

J

Jetzon Tire, 2000 Campus Ln., East Norriton, PA 19403. (610) 615-8000 or (800) 895-1449. FAX: (610) 615-8001.

Products: advertising/marketing programs, ag/farm tires, ATV tires, high performance tires, industrial tires, lawn and garden tires, SUV/light truck tires, medium/heavy truck tires, off-the-road tires, passenger tires, RV tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, tire valves, tire pressure monitoring systems, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, alignment equipment, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire display racks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, Web and other online assistance, tire retailer support programs, roadside assistance programs. www.jetzontire.com JMK Computerized Tire Dealer Information System, 703 S Glover Ave., Urbana, IL 61802. (217) 384-8891 or (800) 397-8100.

FAX: (217) 384-8099. Products: computers and software. www.jmktdis.com

K K&M Tire, 965 Spencerville Rd., Delphos, OH 45833. (419) 695-1061 or (800) 6861734. FAX: (419) 695-9519. Products: ag/ farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, antifreeze, batteries, filters/filtration systems, gloves, personnel protection

and safety products, TPMS, shop equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, tire retailer support programs. www.kmtire.com Kaeser Compressors Inc., P.O. Box 946, Fredericksburg, VA 22404. (540) 898-5500 or (800) 777-7873. FAX: (800) 898-5520.

Products: air compressors. www.us.kaeser.com Kelly Brands/Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 1144 E Market St., Akron, OH 44316.

(330) 796-2121. FAX: (330) 796-0528.

Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.kellytires.com Kelsey Tire Inc., P.O. Box 564, Camdenton, MO 65020. (573) 346-2506 or (800) 325-0091. FAX: (573) 346-3022. Products: antique/classic tires, specialty tires. www.kelseytire.com

Kenda USA, 7095 Americana Pkwy., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. (614) 8669803. FAX: (614) 866-9805. Products: ag/ farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, tire exporter/importer. www.kendatire.com Ken-Tool, 768 E North St., Akron, OH 44305. (330) 535-7177 or (888) 536-8665.

FAX: (330) 535-1345. Products: brake service equipment, service truck equipment, shop maintenance equipment, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.kentool.com Kiene Diesel Accessories, 325 S Fairbanks St., Addison, IL 60101. (630) 543-5950 or (800) 264-5950. FAX: (630) 543-5953. Products: brake products, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, lifts and jacks, service trucks and associated equipment, shop maintenance equipment, suspension equipment, tire handling equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, wheel repair equipment. www.kienediesel.com

MTD July 2011 7/12/11 2:43:11 PM

Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc., 10299 Sixth St., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. (800) HIKUMHO (445-8646). FAX: (909) 428-3992.

Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.kumhotireusa.com Kwicksilver Systems LLC, P.O. Box 428, Washington, VA 22747. (540) 808-0908 or (800) 201-7597. FAX: (540) 675-3230.

Products: wheels and accessories, wheel repair equipment, wheel repair and chrome plating. www.kwicksilverusa.com KYB America LLC, 140 N Mitchell Ct., Addison, IL 60101. (630) 620-5555. FAX: (630) 620-8133. Products: suspension components. www.kyb.com

L Lakin Tire West, 15305 Spring Ave., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670. (562) 802-2752 or (800) 488-2752. FAX: (562) 802-7584.

Products: used tires. www.lakintire.com Liberty Trading Inc., 154 Quail Run Dr., Defiance, MO 63341. (636) 398-4816 or (866) 398-4816. FAX: (636) 398-4817. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.libertytradinginc.com Lucas Classic Tires, 2850 Temple Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806. (562) 595-6721 or (800) 952-4333. FAX: (562) 595-0381.

Products: antique/classic tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, used tires, tire exporter/importer. www.lucasclassictires.com

M M & R Tire Products Inc., P.O. Box 948, Simcoe, Ontario, Canada N3Y 5B3. (905) 456-0607 or (800) 569-0337. FAX: (905) 456-0844. Products: tire mounting and

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balancing equipment. www.magnumbalance.com MaddenCo Inc., 4847 E Virginia St., Suite G, Evansville, IN 47715. (812) 474-6245.

FAX: (812) 474-6254. Products: computers and software. www.maddenco.com

Marangoni Tread N.A., 708 Myatt Dr., Madison, TN 37115. (615) 868-4050. FAX: (615) 868-0402. Products: retreading materials, retreading equipment. www.marangoni-na.com

Mastercraft Tires, a product of Cooper Tire, P.O. Box 550, Findlay, OH 458390550. (419) 423-1321. FAX: (419) 424-4108. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.mastercrafttires.com Maxxis International - U.S.A., 545 Old Peachtree Rd., Suwanee, GA 30024. (770) 962-9947 or (800) 4-MAXXIS. FAX: (770) 962-7705. Products: light truck tires, motorcycle tires, passenger tires, specialty tires. www.maxxis.com McGard LLC, 3875 California Rd., Orchard Park, NY 14127. (716) 662-8980 or (888) 444-5847. FAX: (716) 662-8985. Products: wheel and tire security, wheel accessories. www.mcgard.com Michelin North America, One Parkway S, Greenville, SC 29615. (864) 458-5000 or (800) MICHELIN. FAX: (864) 458-9139.

Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires, wiper blades, roadside assistance programs. www.michelin-us.com Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, 4600 Prosper Dr., Stow, OH 44224.

(330) 928-9092 or (800) 222-9092. FAX: (330) 928-0503. Products: antique/classic

tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, wheels and accessories. www.mickeythompsontires.com Mighty Auto Parts, 650 Engineering Dr., Norcross, GA 30092. (770) 448-3900 or (800) 829-3900. FAX: (770) 446-8627.

Products: antifreeze, batteries, belts and hoses, brake products, chemicals, cooling/ air conditioning products, filters/filtration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, safety products, spark plugs, tire fills and sealants, TPMS, tire repair materials, tire valves, transmission/drive line products, wheel weights, wiper blades, battery charging and testing equipment, nitrogen inflation equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.mightyautoparts.com Mile-X Equipment Inc., 801 N 2nd St., Coldwater, OH 45828. (419) 678-1442 or (800) 837-3818. FAX: (419) 678-2489.

Products: air compressors, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, nitrogen inflation equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, shop maintenance equipment, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, wheel repair equipment. www.mile-x.com

Mirada, TBC Brands, 4770 Hickory Hill Rd., Memphis, TN 38141. (901) 363-8030.

FAX: (901) 541-3647. Products: passenger tires, performance tires, SUV/light truck tires. www.tbcbrands.com Mitas Tires North America Inc., 7400 Carmel Executive Park, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28226. (704) 542-3422. FAX: (704) 5423474. Products: ag/farm tires, motorcycle tires, OTR tires, specialty tires. www.cgs-tires.com Mobile Awareness, 34200 Solon Rd.,

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Manufacturers/Marketers Suite 12, Solon, OH 44139. (440) 248-5523 or (866) 653-5036. FAX: (440) 248-3919.

Products: tire pressure monitoring systems. www.mobileawareness.com moda wheels, 7101 Vorden Pkwy., South Bend, IN 46628. (574) 287-2316 or (800) 445-0179. FAX: (574) 236-7700. Products: wheels and accessories. www.tirerackwholesale.com Monroe Brakes, One International Dr., Monroe, MI 48161. (734) 243-8000. FAX: (734) 384-7572. Products: brake products. www.monroebrakes.com Monroe Shocks & Struts, One International Dr., Monroe, MI 48161. (734) 243-8000.

FAX: (734) 384-7572. Products: suspension components. www.monroe.com

MOOG®, a Federal-Mogul brand, World Headquarters: 26555 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, MI 48033. (248) 354-7700.

Products: As the automotive service industry’s trusted “Problem Solver®,” MOOG® steering and suspension parts are engineered to deliver improved performance, longer component life and faster, easier installation. These advantages have made MOOG the number one choice of service professionals and NASCAR® crew chiefs. Industry-leading MOOG products are available for virtually any foreign-nameplate or domestic passenger vehicle. www.moogproblemsolver.com Morgan Marketing Solutions Inc., Two Galleria Tower, Suite 1000, Box 8, 13455 Noel Rd., Dallas, TX 75240-6620. (972) 931-7993. Products: consulting. www.morganmarketingsolutions.com Motorcraft, 16800 Executive Plaza Dr., Dearborn, MI 48126. Products: batteries, bearings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, exhaust system components, filters/filtration

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systems, fuel system products, oil products and lubricants, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire pressure monitoring systems, transmission/ drive line products, wiper blades. www.motorcraft.com MRF Ltd., 4637 Allen Rd., Stow, OH 44224.

(330) 374-1000 or (800) 321-0941. FAX: (330) 374-0038. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, specialty tires, truck tires. www.tyresinternational.com Multilift Inc.,a.k.a. E-ZLIFT Conveyors, 2000 S Cherokee St., Denver, CO 802233917. (303) 733-5533 or (800) 821-9966.

FAX: (303) 733-5642. Products: material handling equipment, tire handling equipment. www.ezliftconveyors.com

Multi-Mile Tires, 4770 Hickory Hill Rd., Memphis, TN 38141. (901) 363-8030.

FAX: (901) 541-3647. Products: advertising/marketing programs, ag/farm tires, ATV tires, high performance tires, industrial tires, lawn and garden tires, SUV/light truck tires, medium/heavy truck tires, off-the-road tires, passenger tires, RV tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, tire valves, tire pressure monitoring systems, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, alignment equipment, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire display racks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, Web and other online assistance, tire retailer support programs, roadside assistance programs. www.multimiletires.com

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Myers Tire Supply Co., 1293 S Main St., Akron, OH 44301. (330) 253-5592 or (800) 998-9897. FAX: (330) 7616133. Products: chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, retreading materials, tire fills and sealants, tire gauges, tire identification, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, wheel weights, air compressors, alignment equipment, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, material handling equipment, nitrogen inflation equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, retreading equipment, scrap tire disposal/recycling equipment, service trucks and associated equipment, shop heating/cooling equipment, shop maintenance equipment, tire display racks, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, work benches, financing and credit programs. www.myerstiresupply.com

N NAPA, 2999 Cir. 75 Pkwy., Atlanta, GA 30339. (770) 956-2200 or (800) LETNAPA. FAX: (770) 956-2201. Products: antifreeze, batteries, bearings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, exhaust system components, filters/filtration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire fills and sealants, tire

MTD July 2011 7/12/11 2:43:12 PM

gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, transmission/drive line products, truck and SUV accessories, truck bed products, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, wiper blades, air compressors, alignment equipment, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, nitrogen inflation equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, shop heating/cooling equipment, shop maintenance equipment, suspension equipment, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, welding equipment, work benches. www.napaonline.com National Tire/Del-Nat Tire Corp., 2365 Texas Dr., Memphis, TN 38106. (901) 7755002. FAX: (901) 775-8102. Products: ag/ farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, wheel weights, roadside assistance programs, tire exporter/importer, tire retailer support programs, Web and other online assistance. www.nationaltire.com Net Driven, 201 Lackawanna Ave., Suite 302, Scranton, PA 18503. (877) 860-2008.

FAX: (570) 300-1879. Products: Web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.getnetdriven.com

wheel weights. www.fycautoparts.com

NitroFill Inc., 3750 Park Central Blvd.

N, Pompano Beach, FL 33064. (954) 970-1691 or (877) 2GO-FILL. FAX: (954) 970-1695. Products: tire gauges, air compressors, hoses, reels, nitrogen inflation equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, consulting, roadside assistance programs, Web and other online assistance, wheel repair and chrome plating. www.nitrofillnow.com Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., 5665 Plaza Dr., Suite 250, Cypress, CA 90630. (714) 252-0007 or (800) 648-8652. FAX: (714) 252-0008.

Products: light truck tires, passenger tires. www.nittotire.com Nokian Tyres Inc., 1945 Main St., Colchester, VT 05446. (800) 565-2525. FAX: (802) 857-0329. Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, tire tubes. www.nokiantires.com North Shore Laboratories Corp., dba Safety Seal, 40 Endicott St., Peabody, MA 01960. (978) 531-3044 or (800) 888-9021.

FAX: (978) 532-3509. Products: tire repair kits, tire repair tools, tire repair chemicals and liquid patch. www.nslsales.com

O Nexen Tire America Inc., 21073 Pathfinder Rd., Suite 100, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. (909) 923-4011 or (800) 57-63936 (NEXEN). FAX: (909) 923-3991. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, tire retailer support programs. www.nexentire.com Ningbo Fortune Auto Parts Mfg. Co., 7/F, No.19 Jiangxia St., Haishu District, Ningbo, China 315010. 86-574-87278116. FAX: 86-574-87277006. Products: lead free

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O.Z. Wheels, 7101 Vorden Pkwy., South Bend, IN 46628. (574) 287-2316 or (800) 445-0179. FAX: (574) 236-7700. Products: wheels and accessories. www.tirerackwholesale.com Ohio Rack Inc., P.O. Box 3517, Alliance, OH 44601. (800) 344-4164. FAX: (330) 823-8136. Products: material handling equipment, tire display racks, tire handling equipment. www.ohiorack.com Ohtsu Tire, 13649 Valley Blvd., Fontana, CA 92335. (909) 466-1116 or (800) 723-2553.

FAX: (800) 950-2561. Products: OTR tires. www.ohtsutires.com OM International Trading Inc., 27281 Las Ramblas, Suite 200, Mission Viejo, CA 92691. (949) 420-3140. FAX: (949) 4203141. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, batteries, tire exporter/importer.

Omni-United USA, 9334 SW 97 Path, Miami, FL 33176. (305) 596-7731 or (877) 288-9337 ext. 9533. FAX: (888) 351-1678.

Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, tire exporter/importer. www.omni-united.com

ORO-TEK, 14382 Hoover St., Suite A16, Westminster, CA 92683. (877) 738-9990.

FAX: (714) 891-0068. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, personnel protection and safety products, tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire valves, wheels and accessories, tire pressure monitoring system equipment. www.orotekusa.com OTC/SPX Service Solutions, 655 Eisenhower Dr., Owatonna, MN 55060. (507) 455-7000 or (800) 533-6127. FAX: (507) 455-7391. Products: cooling/air conditioning products, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, lifts and jacks, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.otctools.com OTR Wheel Engineering Inc., 6 Riverside Industrial Park, Rome, GA 30161. (706) 235-9781. FAX: (706) 234-8137. Products: ag/farm tires, OTR tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, tire fills and sealants, scrap tire disposal/recycling equipment. www.otrwheel.com

P Parker Hannifin Corp., 242 Neck Rd., Haverhill, MA 01835. (978) 858-0505 or (800)

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Manufacturers/Marketers 343-4048. FAX: (978) 556-7501. Products: nitrogen tire inflation systems. www.tiresavernitrogen.com Pathway Polymers, 2003 Curtain Pole Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37406. (423) 697-0400 or (800) 251-7642. FAX: (423) 697-0424.

Products: tire fills and sealants. www.pathwaypolymers.com PCL Air Technology, 5819 Fire Light Ter., Moseley, VA 23120. (804) 517-1590. FAX: (757) 257-9548. Products: tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, nitrogen inflation equipment, dealership shop maintenance equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.pcltireinflation.com

Perfect Equipment Inc., 1715 Joe B. Jackson Pkwy., Murfreesboro, TN 37127.

(615) 893-0643 or (800) 251-1566. FAX: (615) 641-3969. Products: wheel weights, tire mounting/balancing equipment. www.perfectequipment.com

Pirelli Tire North America, 100 Pirelli Dr., Rome, GA 30161. (800) PIRELLI. FAX: (706) 368-5832. Products: light truck tires, motorcycle tires and passenger tires. www.us.pirelli.com Pit Bull Tires, 1815 Locust St., St. Louis, MO 63103. (314) 621-8954 or (800) 6452006. FAX: (314) 621-5396. Products: ATV radial tires, light truck bias tires, light truck radial tires. www.pitbulltires.com

Plus Sizing Guide, 2537-D Pacific Coast Hwy., #330, Torrance, CA 90505. (310)

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357-7293. FAX: (310) 427-7199. Products: The Ultimate Wheel and Tire PlusSizing Guide: tire and wheel application solutions for OE and plus sizes, print and digital formats, current and vintage vehicles, fitment and measuring tools. www.plussizingguide.com

Q QBC Systems Inc., 25 Hazelwood Dr., Buffalo, NY 14228. (716) 691-5201 or (800) 321-0603. FAX: (716) 691-3390. Products: consulting, computers and software. www.tireserv.com

R Power King, 4770 Hickory Hill Rd., Memphis, TN 38141. (901) 363-8030.

FAX: (901) 541-3647. Products: industrial tires, specialty tires, OTR tires, truck tires, light truck tires. www.tbcbrands.com Pre-Q Galgo Corp., 4329 Bronze Way, Dallas, TX 75237. (214) 330-7300 or (888) 737-7300. FAX: (214) 331-2222. Products: retreading materials. www.pre-q.com Prier Tire Supply Inc., 27524 State Hwy. J, Golden, MO 65658. (417) 271-3508 or (800) 552-2938. FAX: (417) 271-3181.

Products: chemicals, tire fills and sealants, tire gauges, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, wheel weights, wiper blades, air compressors, alignment equipment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, material handling equipment, nitrogen inflation equipment, oil and lubrication equipment, service trucks and associated equipment, tire display racks, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, roadside assistance programs. www.priertiresupply.com

Pro-Trac Tire LLC, 555 Frost Rd., Suite 106, Streetsboro, OH 44236. (800) 240-0100. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires, tire exporter/ importer. www.pro-tractire.com

Racing Dynamics Inc., 4750 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304. (703) 823-5788 or (800) 296-8881. FAX: (703) 823-0842.

Products: exhaust system parts, suspension components, wheels and accessories. www.racdyn-usa.com Rancho Suspension, One International Dr., Monroe, MI 48161. (734) 243-8000.

FAX: (734) 384-7572. Products: suspension components. www.gorancho.com Raybestos/Brake Parts Inc., 4400 Prime Pkwy., McHenry, IL 60050. (815) 363-9000.

FAX: (815) 363-9303. Products: brake products. www.raybestos.com Reifen 2012-Essen Trade Shows, 1500 Front St., Suite B1, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598. (914) 962-1310. FAX: (914) 9621320. Products: trade show representation. www.essentradeshows.com Rema Tip Top/North America Inc., 119 Rockland Ave., Northvale, NJ 07647. (201) 768-8100 or (800) 225-REMA. FAX: (201) 768-0946. Products: chemicals, gloves, oil products and lubricants, retreading materials, tire gauges, tire marking products, tire repair materials, tire valves, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, shop maintenance equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, wheel repair equipment, tire retailer support programs, trade show representation. www.rematiptop.com Revolution Lift, 2700 Lanier Dr., Madison, IN 47250. (800) 604-3359. Products: lifts and jacks. www.revolutionlift.com Rotary Lift, 2700 Lanier Dr., Madison, IN 47250. (812) 273-1622 or (800) 640-5438.

FAX: (800) 578-5438. Products: alignment equipment, lifts and jacks, tire handling equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.rotarylift.com

MTD July 2011 7/12/11 2:43:12 PM

Royal4Systems, 5000 E Spring St., Suite 415, Long Beach, CA 90815. (562) 4209594 or (888) 8ROYAL4. FAX: 562-420-7818.

Products: wheels and accessories, consulting, tire retailer support programs, Web/ online assistance, computers and software. www.royal4.com

RTI Technologies Inc., 10 Innovation Dr., P.O. Box 3099, York, PA 17402. (717) 840-0678 or (800) 468-2321. FAX: (717) 755-8304. Products: brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, nitrogen inflation equipment. www.rtitech.com

S SafetyScholars.com, a public Web site provided by BATO, 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) 937-1000 or (800) 543-7522. FAX: (615) 937-1414. www.safetyscholars.com

Sailun, TBC Brands Div., 4770 Hickory Hill Rd., Memphis, TN 38141. (901) 3638030. FAX: (901) 541-3647. Products: passenger tires, SUV/light truck tires, medium/heavy truck tires. www.tbcbrands.com Santa Ana Wheel, 1420 N Burton Pl., Anaheim, CA 92806. (714) 239-1122.

FAX: (714) 239-1130. Products: wheels and wheel accessories, wheel repair and chrome plating. www.santaanawheel.com Schrader Intl., 205 Frazier Rd., Altavista, VA 24517. (434) 369-4741 or (800) 3450578. FAX: (434) 369-6592. Products: cooling/air conditioning products, tire gauges, tire identification, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves,

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wheel weights, wheels and accessories, air compressors, TPMS, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.schraderinternational.com Sentaida Intl., 16000 NW 59th Ave., Miami, FL 33014. (305) 621-5101. FAX: (305) 624-7881. Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.delintetires.com; www.landsailtires.com; www.sentaida-international.com Shamrock Marketing Inc., 11206 Bluegrass Pkwy., Louisville, KY 40299. (502) 266-7403 or (800) 354-4495. FAX: (502) 266-7405. Products: gloves, retreading materials, tire repair materials, retreading equipment. www.shamrockmarketinginc.com

Sigma Tires, 4770 Hickory Hill Rd., Memphis, TN 38141. (901) 363-8030.

FAX: (901) 541-3647. Products: advertising/marketing programs, ag/farm tires, ATV tires, high performance tires, industrial tires, lawn and garden tires, SUV/light truck tires, medium/heavy truck tires, off-the-road tires, passenger tires, RV tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, tire valves, tire pressure monitoring systems, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, alignment equipment, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire display racks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, Web and other online assistance, tire retailer support programs, roadside assistance programs. www.sigmatires.com

SKF, 890 N State St., Suite 200, Elgin, IL 60123. (847) 741-7840 or (800) 8820008. FAX: (224) 535-4891. Products: bearings, gaskets and seals. www.vsm.skf.com

SolidBoss Worldwide Inc., 200 Veterans Blvd., South Haven, MI 49090. (269) 637-6356 or (888) 258-7252. FAX: (269) 637-8955. Products: ag/farm tires, OTR tires, specialty tires. www.solidboss.com

SONAR Tires/TBC Intl., 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (561) 383-3100 or (800) 926-8473, ext. 4301.

FAX: (561) 383-3039. Products: high performance tires, ultra-high performance tires. www.tbc-international.com Sonil Ventilfabrik, B-48, GIDC Industrial Estate, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India 361004. +91 288-2560107. FAX: +91 288-2562891. Products: tire valves, tire pressure monitoring system equipment. www.sonil.co.in STBB Inc., 10015 FM 361 Rd., Richmond, TX 77469. (979) 793-6105. FAX: (979) 7935159. Products: tire repair equipment. www.stavinohatireshop.com Stellar Industries Inc., 190 State St., Garner, IA 50438. (641) 923-3741 or (800) 321-3741. FAX: (641) 923-2812. Products: air compressors, service trucks and associated equipment, tire handling equipment. www.stellarindustries.com

Sumitomo Tire, 2000 Campus Ln., East Norriton, PA 19403. (610) 615-8000 or (800) 895-1449. FAX: (610) 615-8001.

Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.sumitomotire.com Summit Tires/SURE Tire Co., 935 Main Plaza, Dr., Wentzville, MO 63385. (636) 332-5100 or (866) 882-1612. FAX: (636) 327-5130. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, spe-

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Manufacturers/Marketers cialty and truck tires, tire flaps and tubes. www.summittire.us Supersprings, 5055 Sixth St., Carpinteria, CA 93013. (805) 745-5553 or (800) 898-0705. FAX: (805) 745-5501. Products: suspension components, truck and SUV accessories, suspension equipment. www.supersprings.com SURE Tires Inc., 935 Main Plaza Dr., Wentzville, MO 63385. (636) 332-5100 or (866) 882-1612. FAX: (636) 327-5130.

Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires. www.suretire.com Symtech Corp., 524 SE Transport Dr., Lee’s Summit, MO 64081. (816) 525-9263 or (888) 884-8182. FAX: (816) 525-9283.

Products: cleaners, alignment and diagnostic equipment, shop equipment. www.symtechcorp.net Systeme Huntingdon Inc., 110 Wellington, Huntingdon, QC, Canada J0S 1H0. (450) 264-6146 or (800) 363-5304. FAX: (450) 264-6066. Products: tire retailer support programs, trade show representation. www.systemeinc.com

20 Group - Dealer Strategic Planning, 2932 Enchanting Cir., Virginia Beach, VA 23456. (757) 301-9897. Fax: (757) 689-3610. Products: consulting, tire retailer support programs. www.dsp-20group.com TAF Management Inc., 8007 Captains Ct., Frederick, MD 21701. (301) 662-7223.

FAX: (301) 662-7224. Products: consulting, employment services. www.tafmanagement.com

TBC Brands, 4770 Hickory Hill Rd., Memphis, TN 38141. (901) 363-8030. FAX: (901) 541-3647. Products: ag/farm tires, SUV/light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, wheel weights, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment. www.tbcbrands.com

T

31 Inc., 100 Enterprise Dr., Newcomerstown, OH 43832. (740) 498-8324 or (800) 438-3302. FAX: (740) 498-8325.

Products: retreading materials, tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire valves, tire pressure monitoring system equipment. www.31inc.com

TBC Intl., 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (561) 383-3100 or (800) 926-8473, ext. 4301. FAX: (561) 383-3039. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, ultra-high performance tires, 4X4 and medium truck tires. www.tbc-international.com

TCF Equipment Finance Inc., 11100 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 801, Minnetonka, MN 55305. (952) 656-3231 or (800) 442-7811.

FAX: (952) 656-5081. Products: financing and credit programs. www.tcfbank.com TCS Technologies, 500 S Walnut Ave., Cookeville, TN 38501. (888) 449-8473.

3M Automotive, 3M Center, Bldg. 223-1S- FAX: (888) 338-8473. Products: tire retailer 02, St. Paul, MN 55144. (800) 328-1684. support programs, Web and other online FAX: (734) 779-5241. Products: wheel assistance, computers and computer weights. software. www.3M.com/moderntiredealer www.tcstire.com

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Tech International, 200 E Coshocton St., Johnstown, OH 43031. (740) 967-9015 or (800) 433-TECH. FAX: (740) 9673583. Products: tire fills and sealants, tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire valves, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.tech-international.com TeensDriveSmart.com, a public Web site provided by BATO, 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) 937-1000 or (800) 543-7522. FAX: (615) 937-1414. www.teensdrivesmart.com

Telstar Tire, 2000 Campus Ln., East Norriton, PA 19403. (610) 615-8000 or (800) 895-1449. FAX: (610) 615-8001.

Products: advertising/marketing programs, ag/farm tires, ATV tires, high performance tires, industrial tires, lawn and garden tires, SUV/light truck tires, medium/heavy truck tires, off-the-road tires, passenger tires, RV tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, tire valves, tire pressure monitoring systems, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, alignment equipment, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire display racks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, Web and other online assistance, tire retailer support programs, roadside assistance programs. www.telstartire.com Timken, 1835 Dueber Ave. SW, Canton, OH 44706. (866) 984-6536. FAX: (877) 846-5369. Products: bearings, gaskets and seals. www.timken.com/aftermarket Tire Centers LLC, 310 Inglesby Pkwy., Duncan, SC 29334. (864) 329-2700 or

MTD July 2011 7/12/11 2:43:12 PM

(800) 603-2430. FAX: (864) 329-2926.

Products: ag/farm tires, casings, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, antifreeze, batteries, bearings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, chemicals, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, filters/ filtration systems, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire fills and sealants, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, wheel weights, roadside assistance programs, tire disposal/recycling/shredding, trade show representation, Web and other online assistance, wheel repair and chrome plating. www.tirecenters.com

Tire Country, 1801 Lejeune Blvd., Jacksonville, NC 28546. (910) 353-8473. FAX: (910) 355-2223. Products: light truck tires, motorcycle tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, used tires, antifreeze, batteries, bearings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, exhaust system components, filters/filtration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire fills and sealants, tire gauges, tire marking products, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, transmission/drive line products, truck and SUV accessories, truck bed products, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, wiper blades, alignment equipment, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, hoses, reels, oil lubrication equipment, suspension equipment, tire display racks, tire handling equipment, financing and credit programs, tire exporter/importer, wheel repair and chrome plating. www.tirecountry.net

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Tire Group International LLC, 7500 NW 35 Ter., Miami, FL 33122. (305) 696-0096 or (855) TGI-TIRE. FAX: (305) 696-5926.

Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, off-the-road tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, consulting, financing and credit programs, insurance programs, tire exporter/importer, tire retailer support programs, trade show representation, Web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.tiregroup.com

TIRECO Inc., 500 W 190th St., Gardena, CA 90248. (310) 767-7990 or (800) 2278925. FAX: (310) 217-9267. Products: ag/ farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, wheels and accessories, tire exporter/importer. www.tireco.com

TireJobs, 8007 Captains Ct., Frederick, MD 21701. (301) 662-7223. FAX: (301) 662-7224. Products: consulting, employment services. www.tirejobs.com TireSafety.com, a public Web site provided by BATO, 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) 937-1000 or (800) 5437522. FAX: (615) 937-1414. www.tiresafety.com TireStarz North America, Bridgestone Tire Rack Wholesale, 7101 Vorden Pkwy., Americas Tire Operations LLC, 535 South Bend, IN 46628. (574) 287-2316 Marriott Dr., 10th Flr., Nashville, TN 37214. or (800) 445-0179. FAX: (574) 236-7700. (615) 937-1429 or (800) 543-7522. FAX: Products: tire pressure monitoring (615) 493-1482. Products: light truck tires, systems, wheels and accessories, wiper passenger tires, antifreeze, batteries, bearblades. ings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, www.tirerackwholesale.com brake products, chemicals, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, Tire Service Equipment Mfg. Co., Inc./ exhaust system components, filters/filtration Saf-Tee Siping & Grooving, 3451 S 40th systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil St., Phoenix, AZ 85040. (602) 437-5020 products and lubricants, personnel protecor (800) 223-4540. FAX: (602) 437-5025. tion and safety products, spark plugs, steerProducts: lifts and jacks, nitrogen inflation ing components, suspension components, equipment, scrap tire disposal/recycling tire fills and sealants, tire gauges, tire identiequipment, tire mounting and balancing fication, tire marking products, tire pressure equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tool accessories. tire studs, tire valves, transmission/drive line www.tsissg.com products, wheel weights, wiper blades, air Tire Systems Engineering Inc., 16825 compressors, alignment equipment, battery Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe, MI 48230. charging and testing equipment, brake (313) 886-6860. FAX: (313) 882-3173. service equipment, diagnostic equipment, Products: consulting. hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, oil/lubrication

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Manufacturers/Marketers equipment, shop maintenance equipment, suspension equipment, tire display racks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, consulting, financing and credit programs, tire retailer support programs, Web and other online assistance. www.tirestarz.com

U Treadways LLC, 2000 Campus Ln., East Norriton, PA 19403. (610) 615-8000 or (800) 895-1449. FAX: (610) 615-8001.

Products: ag/farm tires, SUV/light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, truck tires, wheel weights, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment. www.treadwayscorp.com

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Titan Tire Corp., 2345 E Market St., Des Moines, IA 50317-7597. (515) 265-9200 or (800) USA-BEAR. FAX: (515) 2659301. Products: ag/farm tires, OTR tires, specialty tires. www.titan-intl.com Titan Wheel Corp., 2701 Spruce St., Quincy, IL 62301. (217) 228-6011 or (800) USA-BEAR. FAX: (217) 228-3166. Products: ag wheels, OTR wheels. www.titan-intl.com

Towmax, 4770 Hickory Hill Rd., Memphis, TN 38141. (901) 363-8030. FAX: (901) 541-3647. Products: specialty tires, ST radial tires. www.towmaxtires.com Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., 6261 Katella Ave., Suite 2B, Cypress, CA 90630. (714) 2362080 or (800) 678-3250. FAX: (714) 2296199. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires www.toyotires.com

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Uniroyal Tires, One Parkway S, Greenville, SC 29615. (864) 458-5000 or (800) 4221683. FAX: (864) 458-6359. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires. www.uniroyal.com United Software & Design Inc., Augusta, ME. (207) 512-4748 or (888) 825-9639.

Products: computers and software. www.tire-dealer-software.com

Trelleborg Wheel Systems, 3421 Ridgewood Rd., Suite 100, Fairlawn, OH 44333.

(330) 396-7141 or (866) 633-8473. FAX: (330) 396-7141. Products: ag/farm tires, OTR tires, specialty tires, tire tubes. www.trelleborg.com/wheelsystems_us.

Tuffy Manufacturing Industries Inc., 1055 Evans Ave., Akron, OH 44305. (330) 630-1111 or (800) 341-6667. FAX: (330) 630-9120. Products: cooling/air conditioning products, gloves, personnel protection and safety products, retreading materials, tire fills and sealants, tire gauges, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, wheel weights, air compressors, alignment equipment, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, material handling equipment, nitrogen inflation equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, tire display racks, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, welding equipment, work benches. www.tuffymfg.com Tyres International Inc., 4637 Allen Rd., Stow, OH 44224. (330) 374-1000 or (800) 321-0941. FAX: (330) 374-0038. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, truck tires, tire exporter/importer. www.tyresinternational.com

VDO TPMS Replacement Parts, 6755 Snowdrift Rd., Allentown, PA 18106. (610) 289-0488 or (800) 564-5066. FAX: (610) 289-1766. Products: tire pressure monitoring system equipment. www.vdo.com/usa Vee Rubber America Inc., 15338 Central Ave., Suite 112, Chino, CA 91710. (909) 287-3424. FAX: (909) 503-0399. Products: light truck tires, motorcycle tires, passenger tires. www.veerubber.co.th VMI - AZ Extrusion, 4670 Allen Rd., Stow, OH 44224. (330) 929-0815. FAX: (330) 929-3073. Products: retreading equipment. www.vmi-az.com

Vogue Tyre & Rubber Co., 1101 Feehanville Dr., Mount Prospect, IL 60056. (800) 323-1466. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, wheels and accessories, wheel repair and chrome plating. www.voguetyre.com Vredestein Tyres North America Inc., 13 Bridge St., Metuchen, NJ 08840-2274.

(732) 549-2440 or (800) 221-3422. FAX: (732) 549-2450. Products: ag/farm tires, antique/classic tires, passenger tires. www.vredestein.com

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Wagner ThermoQuiet®, a FederalMogul brand, World Headquarters: 26555 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, MI 48033.

(248) 354-7700. Products: Award-winning Wagner ThermoQuiet® brakes feature highly advanced, exclusive friction formulations and Federal-Mogul’s Integrally Molded Insulator (IMI™) one-piece pad design and unique Wagner EDGE® LaserShaped Friction™ technology for quieter performance, superior stopping power and long pad life. Wagner “TQ” pads, shoes and related products are available for virtually any popular foreign-nameplate or domestic application. www.TQBrakePads.com Walker Exhaust, One International Dr., Monroe, MI 48161. (734) 243-8000. FAX: (734) 384-7572. Products: exhaust system components. www.walkerexhaust.com

sulting, Web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.wecnology.com Wheel Consultants Inc., 2537-D Pacific Coast Hwy., #330, Torrance, CA 90505.

(310) 357-7293. FAX: (310) 427-7199.

Products: Publishers of “The Ultimate Wheel and Tire Plus-Sizing Guide”: tire & wheel application solutions for OE & plus sizes, print & digital formats, current & vintage vehicles, fitment & measuring tools. www.plussizingguide.com Wheel Products by McCourt, 1314 Centerview Cir., Akron, OH 44321. (330) 666-0149 or (800) 232-2190. FAX: (330) 666-3432. Products: air compressors, battery charging and testing equipment, diagnostic equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment. www.wheelproductsbymccourt.com Wheel Workz Wholesale, 4765 American Way, Memphis, TN 38118. (901) 363-3639 or (800) 779-3639. FAX: (901) 869-1715.

Products: wheels and accessories, wheel repair equipment, wheel repair and chrome plating. www.wheelworkz.com

components, suspension components. www.xrfchassis.com

Y Yokohama Tire Corp., P.O. Box 4550, Fullerton, CA 92834. (714) 870-3800 or (800) 423-4544. FAX: (714) 870-3838. Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.yokohamatire.com

Z ZTI Tires Inc., 8107 NW 33rd St., Doral, FL 33122. (305) 406-3811. FAX: (305) 4069811. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, tire tubes, truck tires, tire exporter/importer, trade show representation. www.zafco.com Zurich, 7045 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS 66211. (877) 624-7518. Products: consulting. www.zurichna.com/zdu

X XRF (USA), 4950 Wills Dr., Kimball, MI 48040. (810) 388-1410 or (877) 674-4030.

FAX: (810) 388-1430. Products: steering

Wallace W. Wade - Specialty Tires & Marketing Solutions, 530 Regal Row, Dallas, TX 75247. (214) 688-0091 or (800) 666-TYRE (8973). FAX: (214) 634-8465. Products: agricultural/farm tires, antique and classic tires, specialty tires, tire flaps, tire tubes, tire gauges, tire identification, tire repair materials, tire valves, tire display racks, tire exporter and importer, tire retailer support programs. www.wallacewade.com WECnology LLC, 4 Chandler Ln., Amherst, NH 03031. (603) 249-5530. Products: con-

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National associations AERA-Engine Rebuilders Association, 500 Coventry Ln., Suite 180, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. (815) 526-7600 or (888) 3262372. FAX: (815) 526-7601 Officers: John Goodman, Pres.

Members: 2,100 www.aera.org American Trucking Associations Inc. (ATA), 950 N Glebe Rd., Suite 210, Arlington, VA 22203-4181. (703) 838-1700 FAX: (703) 838-7988 Officers: Bill Graves, CEO & Pres.

Members: 2,000 www.truckline.com Association of Equipment Manufacturers, 6737 W Washington St., Suite 2400, Milwaukee, WI 53214. (414) 272-0943 FAX: (414) 272-1170 Officers: Dennis Slater, Pres.

Members: 700-plus www.aem.org Auto International Association, 7101 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814. (301) 654-6664 FAX: (301) 654-3299 www.aiaglobal.org Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), 7101 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814.

(301) 654-6664. FAX: (301) 654-3299 Officers: Kathleen Schmatz, CEO & Pres.

Members: 23,000-plus www.aftermarket.org Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association, 1000 Westgate Dr., Suite 252, St. Paul, MN 55114. (651) 203-7247 FAX: (651) 290-2266 Officers: Lori Rasmussen, Pres.; Tom Callahan, VP; Theresa Belding, Exec. VP; Paul Hanscom, Exec. Dir. Members: 300-plus www.aflaonline.com Automotive Lift Institute Inc., P.O. Box 85, Cortland, NY 13045. (607) 756-7775 FAX: (607) 756-0888 Officers: R.W. (Bob) O’Gorman, CEO & Pres.

Members: 16 www.autolift.org Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, 10 Four Seasons Pl., Suite 801, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9B 6H7.

(416) 620-4220. FAX: (416) 620-9730 Officers: Steve Rodgers, Pres.

Members: 400-plus www.apma.ca Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association, 4215 Lafayette Center Dr.,

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Suite 3, Chantilly, VA 20151-1243.

(703) 968-2772. FAX: (703) 968-2878 Officers: William Gager, Pres.

Members: 1,200 www.apra.org Automotive Recyclers Association, 9113 Church St., Manassas, VA 20110-5456.

(571) 208-0428 or (888) 385-1005 FAX: (571) 208-0430 Officers: Michael Wilson, CEO www.a-r-a.org Automotive Service Association, P.O. Box 929, Bedford, TX 76095-0929.

(817) 283-6205 or (800) 272-7467 FAX: (817) 685-0225 Officers: Ron Pyle, Pres. www.asashop.org Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association, 7101 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814.

(301) 654-6664. FAX: (301) 654-3299 Officers: Kathleen Schmatz, CEO & Pres.

Members: 600-plus www.awda.org Battery Council International, 401 N. Michigan Ave., 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611. (312) 644-6610 FAX: (312) 527-6640.

Officers: Mark Thorsby, Exec. VP Members: 250 www.batterycouncil.org Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, 170 Attwell Dr., Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9W 5Z5.

(416) 364-9333 or (800) 758-7122 FAX: (416) 367-3221 Officers: Mark A. Nantais, Pres.

Members: 4 www.cvma.ca Canadian Tire Dealers Association, 171 Ambassador Dr., Unit 5, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5T 2J1. (905) 795-3329 FAX: (905) 795-3330 Officers: Terry Connoy, Exec. Dir. Members: 420 www.ctda.ca Car Care Council, 7101 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814.

(240) 333-1088. FAX: (301) 654-3299 Officers: Richard White, Exec. Dir. www.carcare.org Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network, 3943-2 Baymeadows Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32217. (904) 737-2900.

FAX: (904) 636-9881 Officers: Tom Stewart, Pres.; Marc Karon, VP.; Harry Amoroso, Treas.; Angelo Volpe, Exec. VP.

Dealer members: 75 Supplier members: 70 www.cvsn.org Equipment and Tool Institute Inc., 134 W. University Dr., Suite 205, Rochester, MI 48307. (248) 656-5080 FAX: (603) 971-2375 Officers: Jessie Korosec, Mktg. Mgr.; Charlie Gorman, Exec. Mgr. Members: 80 member companies, 400 members www.etools.org Global Automakers, 1050 K St., Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001. (202) 650-5555 Officers: Michael Stanton, CEO & Pres.

Members: 15 companies, 5 affiliates www.globalautomakers.org Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), 10 Laboratory Dr., PO Box 13966, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3966.(919) 549-4800 FAX: (919) 549-4824 Officers: Robert McKenna, CEO & Pres.; Wendy Earp, VP, Sec. & CFO; Ann Wilson, Sr. VP Govt. Affairs www.mema.org NARSA - The International Heat Transfer Association, 3000 Village Run Rd. Suite 103, #221, Wexford, PA 15090-6315.

(412) 847-5747 or (800) 551-3232 FAX: (724) 934-1036 Officers: Wayne Juchno, Exec. Dir.; Douglas Shymoniak, Mgr. Sls. & New Business Dev. Members: 600 www.narsa.org National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), 101 Blue Seal Dr. SE, Suite 101, Lessburg, VA 20175. (703) 669-6600 FAX: (703) 669-6124 Officers: Ron Pyle, Chair.; Allen Pennebaker, V. Chair; David Lowell, Sec./Treas. www.nastf.org National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), 101 Blue Seal Dr., SE, Suite 101, Leesburg, VA 20175.

(703) 669-6600 or (877) ASE-TECH FAX: (703) 669-6123 Officers: Tim Zilke, CEO & Pres.; Tony Molla, VP of Communications www.ase.com Performance Warehouse Association, 41-701 Corporate Way, Suite 1, Palm Desert, CA 92260. (760) 346-5647.

FAX: (760) 346-5847 Officers: Donnie Eatherly, Pres.; Trent Lowe, Treas.; John Towle, Exec. Dir. Members: 450 www.pwa-par.org

MTD July 2011 7/11/11 10:13:51 AM

Retread Tire Association, 900 Weldon Grove, Pacific Grove, CA 93950.

(831) 646-5269 or (888) 810-8861 FAX: (831) 646-2006 Officers: Harvey Brodsky, Mng. Dir. Members: 166 www.retreadtire.org Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), 1400 K St. NW, Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20005. (202) 682-4800 FAX: (202) 682-4854 Officers: Charles Cannon, CEO & Pres.; Tracey Norberg, Sr. VP Environment & Resource Recovery, Dan Zielinski, Sr. VP of Public Affairs Members: 8 www.rma.org Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., P.O. Box 4910, Diamond Bar, CA 91765-0910.

(909) 396-0289. FAX: (909) 860-0184.

Officers: Christopher Kersting, Pres. & CEO Members: 6,461 member companies www.sema.org Suppliers’ Council to the Canadian Tire Industry, 100 Sleeman Ave., Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1H 6G4. (519) 824-1030.

Officers: David Lottridge, Pres.; Ian

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Kedzierski, VP.; Peter Parik, Exec. Dir. Members: 18 www.sccti.org The Rubber Association of Canada, 2000 Argentia Rd., Plaza 4, Suite 250, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5N 1W1.

(905) 814-1714 FAX: (905) 814-1085 Officers: Glenn Maidment, Pres.; Gilles Paquette, Communications Mgr.; Ralph Warner, Dir. of Oper.

Members: 26 www.rubberassociation.ca The Tire Society Inc., P.O. Box 1502, Akron, OH 44309-1502. (330) 972-7814 FAX: (330) 972-5269 Officers: Dale Moseley, Pres.; Ric Mousseau, VP Members: 200 www.tiresociety.org Tire and Rim Association Inc., 175 Montrose West Ave., Suite 150, Copley, OH 44321. (330) 666-8121 FAX: (330) 666-8340.

Officers: B.J. Rump, Pres.; J.F. Pacuit, Exec. VP Members: 78 www.us-tra.org

Tire Industry Association (TIA), 1532 Pointer Ridge Pl., Suite G, Bowie, MD 20716-1883. (301) 430-7280 or (800) 876-8372. FAX: (301) 430-7280 Officers: Mike Berra Jr., Pres.; Larry Brandt, VP; Randall Groh, Sec.; Tom Formanek, Treas.

Staff: Roy Littlefield, Exec. VP; Kevin Rohlwing, Sr. VP of Training; Sandra Martinez, Dir. of Oper.; Richard Porter, Dir. of Mktg. Communications Members: 6,000 www.tireindustry.org Tire Retread and Repair Information Bureau (TRIB), 1013 Birch St., Falls Church, VA 22046. (877) 394-6811 or (703) 533-7677. FAX: (703) 533-7678 Officers: David Stevens, Mng. Dir.; Bob Majewski, Pres.; Eddie Burleson, VP; Phil Boarts, Sec.; Mike Berra, Treas.

Members: 500 www.retread.org Tread Rubber & Tire Repair Materials Manufacturers’ Group (TRMG), Officers: Phil Boarts, Sec., Michelin North America Inc. One Parkway S, Greenville, SC 29615.

(864) 458-6848. FAX: (864) 458-5425 Members: 15 company members. 30 total members ■

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State/provincial associations Alabama Tire Dealers Association, Cheryl Lentz, Sabrina Lentz Knop, Exec.

Dirs., 6096 County Rd. 434, Trinity, AL 35673. (256) 616-3587 FAX: (256) 974-1480 President: Dolan Davis, Southside Davis Tire, 2137 Greensboro Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. (205) 758-6624 Dealer members: 98 Supplier members: 42 www.alatiredealers.com Arkansas Independent Tire Dealers Association, Eddie Warrington, Exec. Dir., 2 Robinwood Dr., Searcy, AR 72143.

(501) 268-8473. FAX: (501) 268-2258 President: Mike Steele, Grimes Tire, 2429 Lamar Ave., Memphis, TN 38114.

(901) 743-5901. FAX: (901) 743-5907 Dealer members: 85 Supplier members: 45 www.aitda.net California Tire Dealers Association, Ejnar Fink-Jensen, Exec. Dir., 780 Sea Spray Ln., Suite 309, Foster City, CA 94404.

(650) 357-0600. FAX: (650) 357-0601 President: Bill Eordekian, 1-800EveryRim. com, 9935 Beverly Blvd., Pico Rivera, CA 90660. (800) 383-7974 FAX: (562) 692-3851 Members: 300 www.catiredealers.com Georgia Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association, Stacy Jarrett, Admin. Assist., P.O. Box 801378, Acworth, GA 30101.

(770) 947-2323. FAX: (770) 421-0511 President: Lowell Tench, Lowell’s Tire, 5500 Hwy. 197 S, Clarksville, GA 30523 (706) 754-3116. FAX: (706) 754-0894 Dealer members: 115 Supplier members: 30 www.georgiatiredealers.org Iowa Tire Dealers Association, a division of the Iowa Motor Truck Association.

President: Brenda Neville, 717 E Court Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309. (515) 244-5193 FAX: (515) 244-2204 Dealer members: 30 Supplier members: 20 www.iowamotortruck.com Kansas - Mid-America Tire Dealers Association (serving Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma), Shawn Herrick, Exec. Dir., 7321 NW Rochester Rd., Topeka, KS 66617.

(785) 286-1110. FAX: (785) 286-0611

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President: Kenny Rogers, T.D.W./Shamrock Tire, 3001 S Broadway, Wichita, KS 67216.

(316) 522-2297. FAX: (316) 522-7710 Members: 189 www.matda.org Louisiana Independent Tire Dealers Association, David Tatman, Exec. Dir., P.O. Box 82531, Baton Rouge, LA 70884.

(225) 767-7640 or (800) 887-9806 FAX: (225) 767-7648.

President: Kip Vincent, Colt Inc., P.O. Box 1408, Scott, LA 70583. (337) 235-0353 Dealer members: 175 Supplier members: 30 www.litda.org Maryland - Chesapeake Automotive Business Association, P.O. Box 938, Severna Park, MD 21146. (410) 647-0505 FAX: (410) 544-8130 President: Doug Meekins Dealer members: 100 Supplier members: 200 www.caba.biz Michigan Tire & Vehicle Service Association, Joe Kay, Chair, 21125 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, MI 48075.

(248) 557-7550. FAX: (248) 557-3768 President: James Hallan, 603 S Washington Ave., Lansing, MI 48933. (517) 372-5656.

FAX: (517) 372-1303 www.retailers.com Minnesota - North Central Tire Dealers & Suppliers Association, Bonnie McCleary, Exec. Dir., 13304 Stone Rd., Minnetonka, MN 55305. (952) 544-6805 President: Dan Pearson, Northwest Tire, P.O. Box 6247, Bismarck, ND 58506.

(701) 221-9600. FAX: (701) 221-2553 Dealer members: 100 Supplier members: 50 www.northcentraltiredealers.com Missouri Tire Industry Association, Ron Reiling, Exec.Dir., P.O. Box 609, St. Charles, MO 63302. (636) 949-5929 FAX: (636) 949-5998 President: Kent Peterson, Terry’s Tire Town, 19221 W 98th St., Lenexa, KS 66220.

(913) 322-8760 Members: 125 www.mtia4u.org Montana Tire Dealers Association, Bradley Griffin, Exec. VP, 1645 Parkhill, Suite 6, Billings, MT 59102. (406) 256-

1005. FAX: (406) 256-0785 President: John Salo, Six Robblee’s Inc., 2437 Enterprise Ave., Billings, MT 59102.

(406) 248-1658. FAX: (406) 248-1720 Dealer members: 101 Supplier members: 20 www.mttiredealers.com Nebraska - Mid-America Tire Dealers Association (serving Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma), Shawn Herrick, Exec. Dir., 7321 NW Rochester Rd., Topeka, KS 66617.

(785) 286-1110. FAX: (785) 286-0611 President: Kenny Rogers, T.D.W./Shamrock Tire, 3001 S Broadway, Wichita, KS 67216.

(316) 522-2297. FAX: (316) 522-7710 Members: 189 www.matda.org New England Tire & Service Association, Dick Cole, Exec. Dir., P.O. Box 1012, Yarmouth, ME 04096. (207) 846-0986.

FAX: (207) 846-0987.

President: Steve Dupoise, County Tire Center Inc., 33 Seymore St., Middlebury, VT 05753. (802) 388-7620 Dealer/Supplier members: 471 www.netsa.org New Jersey State Tire Dealers Association, Al Breese, Exec. Dir. & Pres., Jack Williams Tire Co., 1302 Pheasant Run, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852.

(732) 887-7281 Treasurer: Bud Mullaney, Mullaney Tire & Car Care Center, Matawan, NJ 07747.

(732) 566-9580 Members: 75 www.njstda.com New York Tire Dealers Association Inc., Bernadette Martens, Exec. Dir., (516) 650-6714 President: Ernie Caramanico, Amityville Firestone, 258 N. Broadway, Amityville, NY 11701. (631) 789-3373 Members: 120 www.nytda.com North Carolina Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association, Reece Hester, Exec. Dir., P.O. Box 17046, Raleigh, NC 27619. (877) 7840111. FAX: (919) 784-0144 President: Larry Griffin Jr., Griffin Brothers Tire Sales, 19141 W Catawba St. Cornelius, NC 28031. (704) 896-2484 Dealer members: 450 Supplier members 100 www.nctdra.com

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Ohio - Greater Cleveland Tire Dealers Association, Ray Adamowicz, Exec. Dir., 21651 S. Lakeshore Blvd., Euclid, OH 44123. (216) 261-0268 President: Ray Adamic, Wickliffe Tire & Brake, 30251 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, OH 44092. (440) 946-1575 Members: 14 Ohio Tire & Automotive Association Inc., Gordon M. Gough, Exec. Dir., 50 W Broad St., Suite 2020, Columbus, OH 43215.

(614) 221-7950. FAX: (614) 221-7020 President: Tom White, Tire Source, 3631 Brookwall Dr., Fairlawn, OH 44333.

(330) 670-8000 Members: 250 www.ohiotaa.com Oklahoma - Mid-America Tire Dealers Association (serving Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma), Shawn Herrick, Exec. Dir., 7321 NW Rochester Rd., Topeka, KS 66617.

(785) 286-1110. FAX: (785) 286-0611 President: Max Kuhlmann, Central Plains Co-op Association, PO Box 217, Athol, KS 66932. (785) 695-2216 FAX: (785) 695-2299 Members: 189 www.matda.org Oregon - Northwest Tire Dealers Association (serving Oregon and Washington), Dick Nordness, Exec. Dir., 93705 E. Grenada Court, Kennewick, WA 99338. (509) 948-2433 FAX: (509) 627-3975 President: Dan Kennedy, TDW Tire Dealers, 7515 N. Leadbetter, Portland, OR 97203.

(866) 977-8473 Dealer members: 400 Supplier members: 52 www.nwtiredealers.org Pennsylvania - Tire Dealers Association of Western Pennsylvania Inc., Jack Greiner, Exec. Sec., P.O. Box 1524, Greensburg, PA 15601. (724) 836-0309 FAX: (724) 836-0309 President: Ron Brutt, 1792 Pine Hallow Rd., McKees Rocks, PA 15136. (412) 771-0124 FAX: (412) 771-9190 Members: 80 www.tdaofwpa.org

President: James Roberts, Pope Davis Tire, 631 S Assembly St., Columbia, SC 29201.

(803) 771-4637 Dealer members: 170 Supplier members: 80 www.sctdra.com Tennessee Tire Dealers Association, David Tatman, Exec. Dir., P.O. Box 82531, Baton Rouge, LA 70884. (888) 858-3721 President: Barry Reese, TCS-Tire Power Software, 500 S Walnut, Cookeville, TN 38501. (888) 449-8473 Dealer members: 300 Supplier members: 77 www.tntda.org Texas Tire Dealers Association, Charles C. Space, Exec. Dir., 4600 Spicewood Springs Rd., Suite 103, Austin, TX 78759.

(512) 343-8604 or (800) 844-8748 FAX: (512) 343-1530 President: Alex Wellborn, Wellborn Tire Group/O’Mally Tire, 204 N White Rd., San Antonio, TX 78214. (800) 397-7309 Dealer members: 450 Supplier members: 75. www.texastiredealers.org Virginia Automotive Association, Steve Akridge, Exec. Dir., 6126 Fox Haven Pl., Midlothian, VA 23112. (804) 739-1400 or (800) 488-2732. FAX: (804) 739-4700 President: Larry Williams, University Tire & Auto Center Inc., Charlottesville, VA 22901.

(434) 975-2500. (434) 975-0249 Dealer members: 275 Supplier members: 48 www.vaautomotive.org Washington - Northwest Tire Dealers Association (serving Oregon and Washington), Dick Nordness, Exec. Dir., 93705 E. Grenada Court, Kennewick, WA 99338. (509) 948-2433. FAX: (509) 6273975.

President: Dan Kennedy, TDW Tire Dealers, 7515 N. Leadbetter, Portland, OR 97203.

(866) 977-8473 Dealer members: 400 Supplier members: 52 www.nwtiredealers.org

Wisconsin Automotive Aftermarket Association, Gary Manke, Exec. Dir., 5330 South Carolina Tire Dealers & Retreaders Wall St., Suite 100, Madison, WI 53718.

(608) 240-2065. FAX: (608) 240-2069 Association, Katie Koon, Exec. Dir., P.O. President: Paul Marquardt, Northwest Auto Box 11635, Columbia, SC 29211.

Techs LLC, 5 E Monico St., Rhinelander, WI (803) 748-9700. FAX: (803) 252-7799

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53501 (715) 365-2972 Dealer members: 134 www.waaa.info

Canada Atlantic Tire Dealers Association, Frank Connor, Exec. Dir., 93 Henderson St., Riverview, New Brunswick E1B 4B6.

(506) 386-4306. FAX: (506) 387-3987 President: Stephen Quigley, Valley Tire Ltd., 139 Logan Rd., Bridgewater, Nova Scotia B4V 3T3. (902) 543-1666 FAX: (902) 543-1926 Dealer members: 125 Ontario Tire Dealers Association, Bob Bignell, Exec. Dir., 22 John St., Box 516, Drayton, Ontario N0G 1P0. (888) 207-9059 FAX: (866) 375-6832 President: Mike McClory, Remco Tire Distributors, 412 Newbold St., London, Ontario N6E 1K1. (800) 265-6034 Members: 750 www.otda.com Quebec Tire Specialists Association, Ginette St. Jean, Exec. Sec., 587 Chemin Rheaume, St. Michel, Quebec J0L 2J0.

(450) 454-0477 or (866) 454-0477 FAX: (450) 454-1166 President: Wendy Ellein, (514) 461-1035 www.affaires.com/aspq Tire Dealers Association of Canada, Bob Bignell, Exec. Dir. 34 Edward St., Box 516, Drayton, Ontario N0G 1P0. (888) 207-9059 FAX: (866) 375-6832 President: Eric Gilbert, Ericway Tire Inc., 5249 Regional Rd. 81, Beamsville, Ontario L0R 1B3. (905) 563-6505 Members: 2,300 www.otda.com Tire Industry Association Executives, Bob Bignell, Chariman, 22 John St., Box 516, Drayton, Ontario N0G 1P0. (888) 2079059. FAX: (866) 375-6832 Western Canada Tire Dealers Association, Andy Nagy, Exec. Dir., P.O. Box 58047, Calgary, AB T2X 3V2. (403) 264-3179. FAX: (403) 264-3176 President: Ken Essex, Sturgeon Tire (1993 Ltd.), 2901 Sturgeon Rd., Winnipeg, MB R2Y 2L9. (204) 987-9559 Dealer members: 900-plus Supplier members: 80-plus www.wctd.ca

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Your turn

New life for old tires

I

recently clicked on the Modern Tire Dealer Hotwire that came by e-mail, and read about the unique products Gravity Group is making out of recycled tires (see “Scrap tires find new life in Flat Tire Décor” from May 6, 2011, on www.moderntiredealer.com.)

Many years ago when I attended one of the tire industry trade shows in Las Vegas, I visited a booth that had samples of truck bed mats made from old tires.

One of the tire dealers I was walking around with provided some of the rubber to this company from their retreading operation in Northern California.

I’ve also seen ties made from tires, and there is a non-profit organization based here in Florida that has established an operation in Haiti using local people to make sandals out of old tires.

Such innovation! My father would have been proud, he always believed there was life for tires that came off vehicles — and spent more than 50 years of his life in the tire business here in Kissimmee.

It’s nice to see someone making such good use of old tires for flower pots and containers. I imagine they would hold up well in the Florida heat.

It’s too bad they’re way up in Wisconsin, we have a lot of scrap

tires we’d be willing to give them at our family tire dealership location.

“Business is better than it was one year ago, and I think that will continue. We still struggle to get all the inventory we need.”

Dan Pearson, President Nortwest Tire Inc. Bismarck, N.D.

“2011 will be a complete bust for small business because of the greed of the tire manufacturers and their continual price raising. Every other phone call we receive is a customer looking for used tires. The tire business is beyond soft, it is dead ! And we have the tire manufacturers to thank for this. Maybe they can find new reasons for the price increases — they used the raw material costs long enough. Hey, how about this one: Transportation costs have just soared out of sight.”

Thomas Cullinane, Owner Southwest Tire Co. Omaha, Neb.

Sherry Clay Marcoe, former Tire Industry Association board member and former secretary/treasurer of the Florida Independent Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association Jeff Clay & Sons Kissimmee, Fla.

Consumers don’t want to understand the complexity of re-fitting tires Dear Editor: Wow! Now that I’ve dried my eyes and caught my breath — what a GREAT editorial in the 2011 Performance Handbook! (“On the edge with the lunatic fringe” concerned some automotive enthusiasts’ lack of knowledge about tires.-Ed.) But those comments are what any independent or corporate chain store sales associate hears on a daily basis. The majority of consumers see tire prices and do not want to understand the complexity of re-fitting the proper tire; this is even true of some enthusiasts.

We have a class this year directed to our Bridgestone Americas dealers to help them better qualify any retail customer for the proper tire on their vehicle. With OE driving so much of our business (a V-rated tire on a Camry — really?...), price is easily understood and remains the path of least resistance.

Bob Riegel, Manager, Retail Education Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC Nashville, Tenn.

“The OTR and commercial truck tire business will continue to increase. (The future off-the-road and commercial tire demand in Texas may be different than the rest of the country due to the new oil and gas field activities.)”

Marty Gilkes, General Manager Jee Wholesale Tire LLC Houston, Texas

Join Modern Tire Dealer’s National Advisory Council

Each month, Modern Tire Dealer is guided and influenced by a select group of readers — members of our National Advisory Council. These members’ opinions are the heart of the monthly Ludwig Report, compiled by well-known industry analyst Saul Ludwig. If you’d like to join this prestigious group, please let us know. We’d love to hear from you. Contact Editor Bob Ulrich at Bob.Ulrich@bobit.com or call (330) 899-2200, ext. 11.

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