32 minute read
SEMA Show 2014
from Modern Tire Dealer - December 2014
by EndeavorBusinessMedia-VehicleRepairGroup
More than 145,000 people gathered in Las Vegas to see the latest and the greatest
By the Modern Tire Dealer staff
Cab drivers in Las Vegas were told to be ready for 140,000 visitors during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week. Tat estimate proved to be too low.
More than 145,000 people atended the recent SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show and AAPEX (Automotive Afermarket Products Expo), a 5% increase over 2013.
The number of buyers increased 4%, to 61,510. International buyers represented a quarter of that.
Te total number of exhibiting companies at the SEMA Show, which includes 263 exhibitors at the Global Tire Expo (GTE) — Powered by TIA, the Tire Industry Association, was 2,379.
“While we are pleased to see a growth in participation at the show, we are even more pleased with the feedback that we are geting from both exhibitors and atendees,” reported Della Domingo, SEMA’s public relations director.
“Our goal is and has always been to provide the industry and participants with the best place to do business. In other words, we strive to provide the best quality trade show, rather than the largest.
“Based on the feedback we received, we believe that we have accomplished this goal and will continue to focus on this efort.” Live from the show
Live from the 2014 SEMA Show, it’s — Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc.! Once again, Nito featured its “Live from
SEMA” wall-to-wall coverage of the event that ties marketing and social media together. Te “Live from SEMA” service is an innova
tive channel to deliver news to the audience
outside the convention center walls, according to SEMA CEO and President Chris Kersting.
Users at the SEMA Show were able to access the enhanced “Live from SEMA” website (www.livefromSEMA.com) to search using hashtags for uploaded photos and video by social media type, product or brand. Tat includes Nito’s Facebook page, which has more than 11.6 million “likes.”
In addition, content uploaded to the website each show day was organized into the site’s “Articles” section, thus enabling easy browsing by users based on time sequence.
Te Nito booth also was flled with new Nito tires, including the Exo Grappler AWT, an all-weather pickup truck and SUV tire; and the Terra Grappler G2, the next-generation Terra Grappler all-terrain tire.
Te Nito Grappler series features highly aesthetic tire treads and dual sidewall designs. Alliance in the U.S.
In his frst SEMA Show as Alliance Tire Americas Inc. president, Jim Clark outlined the company’s plans for 2015. Perhaps the most aggressive move is the opening of a 70,000-square-foot warehouse in Southern California by the end of the frst quarter of 2015.
Te warehouse, the company’s fourth, will service customers from Denver to the West Coast. Alliance has warehouses in Houston (130,000 square feet), Memphis (a litle over 200,000 square feet) and Parkesburg, Pa. (70,000 square feet).
At the Alliance Tire Group booth, the new Alliance 396 high-speed fotation tire was on display.
The application-specific flotation tire is built for high speed (up to 62 mph). It features all-steel construction and an aggressive tread patern; its sharp highly curved lugs and central blocks are designed to provide
Alliance Tire Americas promoted its 396 fotation tire as “exceptionally smooth running” with long wear on the road.
the traction and self-cleaning characteristics of an of-road lug tire.
Te 396 is available in two sizes: 445/65R22.5 and 600/50R22.5.
Alliance also introduced the Galaxy Beefy Baby SDA, the frst solid tire in the Beefy Baby skid steer line. It is available in two sizes: 31x10-20 and 33x12-20.
“We’re developing new SKUs at a fast clip,” added Barry Cliford, marketing programs and communication manager.
New tires from Sentury
Sentury Tire Americas’ new Delinte DX10 A/T on – and of-road tire is available in 10 LT sizes. Tey range from 15 inches to 18 inches as follows:
15-inch: 31x10.5R15LT 109S. 16-inch: LT235/85R16 120/116Q, LT225/75R16 115/112Q, LT265/75R16 123/120Q, LT285/75R16 126/123Q, LT235/70R16 110/107Q and LT265/70R16 121/118Q. 17-inch: LT265/70R17 121/118Q and LT285/70R17 121/118Q. 18-inch: LT275/65R18 123/120R or S.
Other new Delinte brand tires displayed on the trade show floor were the DH7, an all-season highway crossover and SUV; the DV2, a commercial van tire; and the D9 Mud Terrain radial light truck tire.
A new size in the D7 all-season performance tire line, 305/25R22, was displayed on the rear of a concept 2015 Jaguar F-Type.
Two Landsail brand tires, the LSV88 commercial van tire and CLV2 all-season highway crossover and SUV tire, also were introduced.
Maxwell Wee, director of sales, said the company is ofering products in more segments than ever before.
Run-fat versions of the Landsail LS388 and LS588 are good examples of this. “Te Run Flat Tire Series ofers an extra element of driver safety and convenience, with added technology like reinforced sidewalls, a heat-resistant tire bead compound, and a wider tire bead,” said Wee. “As more vehicles are equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems, we felt it was important to add run-fat tires for a full range of tire types, including passenger touring tires, performance tires, and ultra-high performance tires.”
Te tires will be rolled out in 16- and 17-inch sizes before the end of the year.
A new rally racing tire will be introduced in the frst quarter of 2015, added Wee. It will be available in size 245/80R16.
Lanny Lin, president of Qingdao Sentury Tire Co. Ltd., says construction on phase one of the company’s tire plant in Tailand should be completed by the second quarter of next year. Located 100 miles outside of Bangkok, the plant is expected to have a capacity of 5 million tires annually.
TIA inducts 3 into Hall of Fame
Industry mourns the loss of Harold Coker
The Tire Industry Association inducted Harold Coker, Charles Cornell and Juanita Purcell to the TIA Hall of Fame at TIA’s Tire Industry Honors event on Nov. 3, 2014, one day prior to the start of the Global Tire Expo.
Sadly, Harold Coker, founder of Coker Tire Co., died Nov. 16 after falling at his farm the previous day. He was 84.
He began his career in the tire industry with BFGoodrich and then started Coker Tire Co. in 1958 in Athens, Tenn., and moved to Chattanooga in 1961. The company is the largest supplier for collector car tires in the world.
In 1985, he served as president of the former National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association (NTDRA), where he spearheaded the effort to get NTDRA into the government affairs arena.
TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefeld said Harold’s passing is a tremendous loss to his family, his friends, the association and the industry. “It pains me because Harold was a mentor and a friend. He took me under his wing early in my career. He taught me a lot about the industry, politics and interpersonal relationships.”
Cornell, who died in 1952, founded Tech International in 1939. He was working in the rubber industry when he developed a self-vulcanizing process that repaired tire and tubes in hot or cold applications. The innovation led to a line of tire and tube repair products and set the stage for product breakthroughs at Tech International that included self-vulcanizing inserts, centering radial repairs and Uni-Seal repair units.
TIA recognized three inductees to the Hall of Fame on Nov. 3. From left are the late Harold Coker, who died less than two weeks after the event; Cheryl Poulton, who accepted the award on behalf of her late grandfather Charles Cornell; and Juanita Purcell.
Cheryl Poulton, chairman of the board of Tech International, accepted the award on behalf of her grandfather.
Purcell serves as executive vice president of Purcell Tire, which was founded by her father-in-law, Robert M. Purcell, in 1935. In 1964, the elder Purcell invited his son, Bob, and Bob’s wife, Juanita, to help him run the three locations of Purcell Tire. Juanita continues to head up the company’s operations, which consists of three corporate offce locations, four retread plants, two wholesale centers, 21 commercial centers, 25 retail locations and nine mine locations. In 2004, Juanita and Bob were named Tire Dealer of the Year by Modern Tire Dealer.
TIA also honored three recipients of the Ed Wagner Industry Leadership Award. On hand to receive their awards were Jim Smith, editor of Tire Review; Mary Sikora, publisher/editor of Scrap Tire News; and Tom Wright Sr., owner of Wright Tire Service in Anoka, Minn.
When the second phase is completed, the Tailand facility will be able to produce 10 million tires annually.
Qingdao Sentury also has a factory in China that can produce 15 million tires a year. Part of the plant is highly automated, according to Lin.
Red Kap clothing
Atendees who walked anywhere on the 1,127,999 net square feet of SEMA Show foor space on the last day of the show may have seen more than one person wearing a SEMA collector’s edition Red Kap work shirt. Tey were handed out free to the frst 500 people in line at the Red Kap booth.
Red Kap, a company Red Kap’s Performance Soft focused on developing Shell Jacket features a Napoperformance apparel for leon Pocket designed for the the automotive industry, technician’s cell phone. was a SEMA Show exhibitor for the ffh consecutive year.
“Our diferentiator is we work with technicians to have the apparel designed properly,” said Leslie Hunt, marketing manager. For example, the Red Kap crew shirt features a fap that covers the butons so they don’t scratch the paint when a technician is working on a vehicle. Te crew shirt is constructed with an industrial laundry-friendly “Ripstop” fabric.
Red Kap, a division of VF Imagewear Inc., also promoted its Botom Line Benefts Program, which ties a professional image and employee engagement to increased profts.
POS materials from Falken
Falken Tire Corp. executives shared details of the company’s new marketing strategy with dealers at the company’s new showroom-style exhibit.
“Falken has successfully made a name for itself with enthusiasts, and now is focusing on bringing its race-proven technology and quality tire messages to a wider market,” said
Falken’s new POS approach includes high-profle brand and product displays, including tire mobiles.
Rick Brennan, executive director of marketing. “Our goal is to be the go-to brand for value-focused tire buyers who don’t want to sacrifce performance for price.”
Te frst step in Falken’s new strategy will focus on raising awareness of the Falken brand among tire shoppers visiting one of the company’s more than 5,500 North American dealers. New retail tools include point-of-sale (POS) materials that call out Falken’s brand strengths, including its performance heritage.
“For 2015, our main focus is going to be improving our support for the dealer programs,” said Brennan.
Falken recently opened a new distribution center (DC) in Joliet, Ill., that will service tire dealers in the Chicago area, across the Midwest and into central Canada. It is the second DC Falken has opened since August; the other opened in Robbinsville, N.J.
Vee Vitron ZR
Vee Rubber America Inc. displayed the new Vitron ZR ultra-high performance tire at its GTE booth. It also teased atendees with a crossover tire still in development.
Te Vitron ZR UHP tire is an extension of the T-, H- and V-rated Vitron all-season high performance tire, with larger, wider blocks for better dry handling. It is engineered with the company’s Dual-Nature Technology.
The outside of the tire is designed for optimum cornering performance under dry conditions. Te inside of the tire is optimized for wet climate performance.
Patrick Hyland, sales and marketing manager, said the goal of the Thailand-based parent company, Vee Rubber Corp. Ltd., was to design a UHP tire that also gave the driver a comfortable, quiet ride. The Virton ZR, like the Vitron all-season high per
“The UHP development formance tire, features an is a focus of ours right now,” asymmetric tread pattern. he added.
Vee Rubber also displayed the Vitron Cross, a crossover tire that also fts SUVs. It has fve circumferential grooves for maximum water evacuation and wet traction, and a ribbed center groove for added traction in dirt, mud and snow.
Although the size complement has yet to be completed, Hyland said 255/65R18, a popular size on vehicles like the Chevy Traverse and Saturn Outlook, is one of them.
Nexen and Next Level
Nexen Tire America Inc. chose the frst day of the SEMA Show to launch its associate dealer program: Next Level.
Te program was designed to create loyalty between dealers and distributors, according to Kyle Roberts, director of marketing. Approved Nexen tire retailers who purchase tires through an authorized program distributor will be eligible to join the program beginning Jan. 1, 2015.
Dealers must purchase a minimum of 400 Nexen tires in a calendar year to qualify for cash-back rewards and volume bonuses. Reward payouts are contingent on maintaining a minimum 100 units purchased per-quarter average, although there is a catch-up policy.
Up to 20% of a dealer’s Nexen program purchases can be made by a secondary authorized Next Level distributor.
Dealers with multiple locations can combine purchases to reach higher tiers. Roberts said a dealer who earns all the rewards ofered under Next Level can, with the program’s cash payouts, save up to $10 per high performance tire purchased, and up to $8 on every other tire purchased.
Also as part of the program, random prize drawings will be held at the end of every quarter. Te Grand Prize winner will win a trip and a minimum of $75,000 — with the chance to win $1 million. First prize is the choice between a new truck, valued at close to $45,000, or $30,000.
Nexen will randomly select an additional 750 winners per quarter (3,000 for the year) to receive prizes between $250 and $500. To sign up for the program, Nexen dealers must frst contact their primary distributors. Ten they must fll out a form to see if they are eligible.
Timberland tires
Te partnership between Omni United (S) Pte. Ltd. and Timberland LLC was a hot topic at the show. One of the top tire dealers in the country personally commended Omni CEO G.S. Sareen on the idea and its marketing potential.
In Sareen’s own words, the co-branded Timberland line of tires is “the frst tire brand developed in partnership with a leading global lifestyle brand, positioned at the premium end of the market.”
Crumb rubber from recycled Timberland tires will be used in the manufacture of Timberland footwear. Engineers from both companies developed the outsoles; there were restrictions on the materials that could be used, according to Stewart Whitney, president of Timberland.
He said Timberland had three objectives that needed to be met before the partnership with Omni United could move forward.
1. Te Timberland footwear with recycled rubber needed to deliver the same level of performance as in the past. 2. Te co-branding had to be delivered in a stylish manner
“because we’re in a fashion industry.” 3. Te results had to be eco-friendly. “We’re an outdoor brand.
Our logo is a tree. Without the outdoors, there’s no need for a brand like Timberland.”
Whitney said the company is always looking for sustainable sources of supply for its materials, and has used recycled rubber from tires for its outsoles in the past.
Te tires, manufactured by Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., will be stamped Timberland by Radar (Omni United does the same at Sears Auto Centers with the Guardsman by Radar).
Te frst Timberland tire will be the Timberland Cross, a premium broad market tire designed for crossover utility vehicles such as the Acura MDX, Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape, GM Envoy, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue and Toyota RV4.
“Our shared values have given birth to tires that express a lifestyle, deliver performance and safety, and prove that sustainability can be so much more than a theory,” said Timberland CEO Stewart Whitney (left, pictured with Omni United CEO G.S. Sareen).
It will be available in April 2015 in 21 outline white leter (OWL) and blackwall sizes.
Another 14 sizes will be available in September 2015. Sareen says the complete size complement will provide 82% coverage of the P-metric CUV tire market.
Omni United’s suggested retail pricing will range from $145 on size 215/70R16 100T to $257 on the 255/50R19 XL 107H.
On the heels of the Timberland Cross, Omni United will introduce the Timberland A/T. The tire is designed “to provide pickup, Jeep and SUV owners of-road capabilities with a rugged look — without sacrifcing on-road manners.” Vehicle ftments include the Chevy Silverado and Suburban; Ford Explorer and F-series; Jeep Wrangler; Dodge Ram 1500; and Toyota Tundra.
Te company will launch the Timberland A/T in 14 P-metric and LT sizes in July 2015. (Te Omni booth showcased size 275/55R20 Timberland A/T tires on a customized 2015 Jeep Wrangler JK Sport.) Four of the fve LT sizes will be Load Range E sizes; the other will be a Load Range C size (31x10.50R15LT 109R).
Another 16 Timberland A/T sizes will be available in March 2016, including eight more Load Range E sizes. Omni United says its suggested retail pricing on the A/T will range from $125 on the 235/75R15 105T OWL size to $299 on the LT275/65R20126/123S blackwall size.
A third line, the Timberland Tour, will be launched in 2016 in at least 25 sizes. (For an in-depth look at the launch of Timberland tires, including interviews with Omni United’s Sareen and John Soule, vice president of global marketing and licensed brands, check out “Tires as a lifestyle choice” in MTD’s November issue.)
True Tire Value from Aeolus
Aeolus Tyre Co. Ltd. not only introduced a tool that correlates quality and price to quantify value, but also ofered demonstrations.
“Tere is a misconception of the term ‘value’ in the mar-
At its booth, Aeolus Tyre offered demonstrations of its True Tire Value (TTV) tool. With a mathematical equation, the tool correlates quality and price to quantify value.
ketplace,” said Mike Leverington, general manager, United States. “Price is not the same thing as value.
With a simple mathematical equation, True Tire Value is calculated by dividing a tire’s quality score by its retail price. Te quality score is based upon Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) standards, set by the National Highway Trafc Safety Administration. Te prices are actual retail pricing from leading tire retailers.
Te True Tire Value model allows users to compare high performance, ultra-high performance and standard touring all-season tires head-to-head against one another. A TV score is assigned to each tire the user selects. Te tires are then sorted by TV score, with the highest value tire rising to the top.
M/T tires and wheels
Mickey Tompson Performance Tires & Wheels (Max-Trac Tire Co. Inc.) introduced a number of new M/T and Dick Cepek light truck tires and wheels.
Te M/T Metal series is designed for late model of-road vehicles such as the Toyota Tundra, Chevy Silverado, Ford F-series, Dodge Ram and Jeep. It consists of four alloy wheels available in fat and piano black fnishes. Te size range will be from 17x9 to 20x9, depending on the model. Te company plans to launch several new wheels next March.
Te company is also planning two new tire line launches next year. Te Dick Cepek Extreme Country mud terrain tire will debut in May in 21 diferent sizes, ranging from 15- to 20-inches.
In June, the company will launch the Mickey Tompson Baja MTZP3 The M/T Metal Series MMmud terrain tires. It will come in 22 164B (pictured) features an diferent 15- to 20-inch sizes. eight-spoke design with milled accents. The MM
164M features a diamond
Autopromotec 2015 cut face.
Five of Italy’s largest automotive equipment manufacturers joined Autopromotec 2015 and AICA (Italian Garage Equipment Manufacturers Association) at the 2014 SEMA Show. Tey had two purposes: showcase Italy’s prowess in the automotive product industry, and promote the next Autopromotec, to be held in Bologna, Italy, May 20-24, 2015.
Autopromotec 2015 promises some special side shows, including a section dedicated to commercial and industrial vehicle equipment. Details about the event are available online at www.autopromotec.com.
Autopromotec 2013 was the largest trade show in Europe, with 1,514 exhibitors from 51 countries. Atendance at the 2013 show was the largest ever.
Centennial Terra Trooper A/T
Greenball Corp. introduced an all-terrain tire, plus additional sizes for two lines. Te new Centennial Terra Trooper A/T for on- and of-road use will be available in 12 sizes in the second quarter of 2015.
Greenball added three sizes to the Kanati Trail Hog LT tire to make it available in 14 sizes. The new sizes are: LT245/70R17, LT285/60R20, and LT325/60R20. An additional six to eight sizes for 35-inch through 37-inch fitments are coming in 2015.
Greenball also had a GBC Dirt Commander utility vehicle tire in its newest size, 30x10.00- 14, on display. GreenThe new Centennial Terra Trooper ball says two more sizes A/T from Greenball is designed for will be added in January. long tread life and reliability.
Triangle in North America
Triangle Tyre Group Co. Ltd. revealed two tires for the
North American market: the Sportex for the UHP segment and the Protract for the value segment. Te tires will debut in mid-2015.
Te Sportex will be available in 33 sizes to cover the UHP range from 16- to 24-inch rims, 55 to 35 aspect ratios and W to Y speed ratings. Te Sportex will replace the TR968 tire.
Te Protract will be available in 33 sizes for 13- to 17-inch rims, 70 to 50 aspect ratios and T to V speed ratings. Te
Protract will replace the TR928 tire.
Triangle, which is based in Shanghai, China, said it will support the products with a new branding system and marketing programs. Replacing the current numbering system with product names for passenger, SUV and light truck tires will improve clarity in product line-ups, provide consistency in sub brand names and reinforce Triangle’s brand equity across all markets, according to the company. Te new tires are part of the company’s strategy to achieve worldwide brand recognition. Triangle also said its A3T technical center in Akron, Ohio, will lead product development in the North American and European markets. The company has invested $6.3 million in the center, which has a staf of 17, and plans to increase the center’s Triangle is launching the Sportex technical capabilities. UHP tire in North America in midTe company also an2015. The tire has three central grooves for wet grip performance. nounced its majority stake in Triangle Tire
North America LLC, a joint venture company established to distribute Triangle tires in North America.
Triangle Tyre Group’s partner in the joint venture is Miamibased Oriente Triangle Latin America Inc., which distributes
Triangle tires in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Gustavo Lima, CEO of Oriente Triangle, will lead the new company.
Hennessy adds three tire changers
Hennessy Industries Inc. expanded its Coats X-Series line of tire changers, added a tilt-back tire changer and introduced an entry-level machine.
Te new 90X tire changer has a right side stationery assist device that can be retrofted to other X-Series machines already in use.
“You can turn a 70X into a 90X,” said Kevin Keefe, vice president of marketing.
Te stationery powered-assist device keeps the tire in drop center during the mount process. Te 90X will be available late in the frst quarter of 2015.
Hennessy also introduced a swing arm tire changer built of the X-Series chassis. Te GTS 70 has comparable features and capability to X-Series tire changers. Te diference is its tilt-back feature, which some customers prefer, according to Keefe.
Te GTS 70 model has a stationery bead assist that can loosen both the top bead and re-loosen a stuck botom bead.
Te disk can be adjusted to work efectively with high aspect “foppy” sidewalls. Te GTS 70 will be available late in the frst quarter of 2015.
Te Coats 5030 and 5040 models have been replaced by the RC 55, an entry-level rim clamping tire changer. Hennessy says its new Coats “Te RC 55 is a rugged, dubrand RC 55 is an entry-level rable and capable changer tire changer ideal for use as a for a general repair shop or second-bay machine. a second-bay machine in a tire store,” said Keefe.
Available in the frst quarter of 2015, the RC 55 tire changer has an optional power articulating bead assist for servicing run-fats and low profle tires that are now commonplace in OE applications.
Ravaglioli’s redesigned G7 series balancers automatically store distance and diameter measurements and are equipped with an automatic width gauge.
Zero-gravity pneumatics!
Rav America, the U.S. division of Ravaglioli SpA of Italy, displayed its redesigned G7 series balancers. New features include a zero-gravity pneumatic wheel lift that enables technicians to control the tire with one hand, according to Chad Triptow, account manager.
In addition, the tire is positioned on a pneumatic shaf which can be operated by a foot pedal or by a touch-screen monitor. Triptow said tires can be match mounted to reduce ride vibration. Another new feature is laser-guided wheel weight positioning, which pinpoints the exact placement of wheel weights.
Two new Cemb tire changers Te new SM955 from Cemb USA/BL-Systems Inc. is a tilt-back tire changer with a two-speed motor. A leverless tool enables the machine to service standard as well as low profle and UHP tires, says Bob Gibson, special projects manager. Adjusting the tool to leverless mode allows the machine to operate on UHP super-low profle and run-fat tires. In stanThe 750 model tire changer dard mode, the machine from Cemb USA has a double operates by a traditional arm/disk air-operated bead mounting head on soft breaker system that breaks shoulder high profle tires
both beads at the same time.
and light truck tires. Te company calls the feature the “Dual Fit” system.
Te 955 model also has a “smart” bead breaker, which gives more control when breaking the bead, according to Gibson. Te tire changer requires a 220-volt power supply.
Te Matic750 leverless tire changer is a center post dual bead breaker that can accommodate up to 34-inch size tires.
Te 750 model also features the company’s Dual Fit system for servicing UHP, run-fat and standard tires on a single machine.
Cemb USA/BL, based in Gainesville, Ga., is the U.S. division of Cemb SpA of Italy.
Te tire, not the super hero
Hercules Tire’s Ironman All Country M/T was designed to deliver outstanding of-road traction in the most adverse conditions and excellent durability in extended of-road use, according to the company.
“We’ve been building the Ironman brand line-up over the past few years,” said Joshua Simpson, vice president of marketing. “Our customers were very adamant about adding a true of-road product line.
“We expect this line to do well with both the serious of-road enthusiast and the casual enthusiast, The Ironman All Country M/T is a true off-road product, acwho are looking for great cording to Suzanne Mitchell, performance and cosmetic manager of brand development.
appeal at an afordable position.” Te Ironman All Country M/T features a number of performance atributes.
A groove design enhances durability by protecting against stone drilling and punctures. Shoulder blocks easily shovel away mud, silt and sand and provide side-biting traction on of-road surfaces. Te staggered butress design increases of-road capability and guards against high sidewall cuts and abrasions. Te void ratio efectively promotes self-cleaning capability in muddy conditions.
Te tire is available in 16 sizes with 15- to 20-inch rim diameters. In addition, a studdable tread delivers extra “bite” in severe weather applications, and select sizes have a threeply sidewall to protect against cuting and tearing in of-road situations.
Bosch adds two tire changers
Robert Bosch LLC has added tilt-back and swing-arm styles to its tire changer line. The company introduced the TCE 4275 swing arm and TCE 4475 tilt back models.
Te new machines accommodate larger tires than earlier models. Both tire changers have 28- inch external clamping capacity and 30-inch internal clamping capacity.
Te new tire changers Bosch’s new TCE 4275 swing-arm run on 110-volt power, style tire changer (pictured) reproviding the same tails below $7,200. The new 4475 features as competing machines requiring a model with the same functionality in a tilt-back design costs less than $9,000, according to 220-volt electrical supScott Farr, business development ply, according to the manager for wheel service. company. A standard “moto-inverter” and two-speed (7 and 15 rpm) turntable improves productivity when servicing the toughest wheel and tire combinations at the most competitive price point in the market.
“Tere’s a huge gap in the market for a 110-volt tire changer that does everything the 220-volt machines do, but at a much beter price,” said Debo Sadare, Bosch Automotive Service Solutions product manager.
In addition to increased rigidity and a larger turntable, the TCE 4275 and TCE 4475 tire changers each have 28-inch external and 30-inch internal clamping capacity with a locking jaw cross system and perfectly balanced, opposed cylinder system; a four-position bead breaker that is 40% faster than previous versions; and a helper arm that is standard on the TCE 4475 and available on the TCE 4275 depending on confguration.
For easier operation, a technician can engage and disengage the bead breaker by tilting a hand lever instead of pressing a foot pedal. Te company says both machines will change nearly any car, light commercial vehicle and motorcycle (with special accessory kit) tire.
Hunter’s ‘drive-over’ system
Hunter Equipment Co. displayed the fush-mount confguration of its Quick Tread drive-over tread depth measuring system for the first time ever at the SEMA Show. Te system also is available in a surface-mounted unit, which Hunter previewed at the National Automotive Dealer Association show in February 2014. Both confgurations will A fush mount confguration of Hunter’s Quick Tread drive-over tread be available early in depth system will be available in 2015. 2015. The system measures tread
Te Quick Tread depth in seconds and does not resystem can stand quire an internet connection. alone or be integrated with a new or existing Hunter Quick Check system, which performs a vehicle inspection in less than three minutes. Te company said the Quick Tread system uses “point cloud technology” to measure 280,000 data points on a tire. Te system prints three-dimensional models of the tread depth for dealers to share with their customers.
Hunter’s exhibit included a wheel lif operated by a foot pedal for wheel balancers. Te foot pedal feature is new to the wheel lif, which is optional for all Hunter wheel balancers. Te lif has a low-profle, scissor design to increase ease-of-use and reduce technician wear and tear, said Hunter. Te wheel lif drops out of the operator’s way as balancing begins.
Hunter also displayed its QuickComp on-car brake lathe, which is now made in the U.S. Te lathe features a two-way adjustable compensation adaptor that works with Hunter’s ProComp computerized compensation to adjust for lateral runout of the hub in seconds. Tis feature allows rotors to be refnished to OEM specifcations in minutes.
Tire Profle’s handheld laser scanner fnished frst in its category in the SEMA Show’s New Product Showcase.
Tire Profle’s mobile option
Tire Profiles Inc.’s Groove Glove, a handheld laser measurement system for determining tread depth, allows technicians to quickly scan a vehicle’s tires anywhere in a service facility. The product’s lasers measure hundreds of points across the
2.
1.
1. The Specialty Equipment Market Association bills the SEMA Show New Product Showcase as “the world’s largest collection of automotive innovation.” SEMA hands out awards in 16 categories. In the “Tire and Related Product” category, the winner was the Continental True Contact. 2. B.J. Kang, right, chairman of Nexen Tire Corp., and James Kwon, CEO and president of Nexen Tire America, helped Nexen launch its associate dealer program, Next Level. Approved Nexen tire retailers who purchase tires through an authorized program distributor will be eligible to join the program beginning Jan. 1, 2015. 3. Erik Croswell, regional sales manager for Net Driven, helped a visitor to the TIA booth with directions.
tire, according to the company. Te system requires a wireless signal. Tire Profles’ cloud-based sofware computes the tread wear, calculates the tread depth and determines if the wear indicates an alignment is needed.
Te company said within seconds of scanning, the system creates a report to discuss with customers.
Te Groove Glove features an integrated touch screen display, a bar code scanner for vehicle ID, and a camera for license plate recognition. It also uses an onboard gyroscope and accelerometer for accurate measurement.
Mighty has a branded app
MDSA LLC, which does business as Mighty Auto Parts, unveiled a customizable smart phone app for tire retailers. Te new app enables retailers to ofer their own branded app to their customers through the Apple Apps Store or Google Play Store, said Gary Vann, senior vice president of sales and marketing (pictured).
Te app tracks vehicle maintenance for the consumer and gener
Mighty introduced a customizable smart phone app for tire retailers.
ates a report of all repairs. In addition to keeping service history by service type, the app allows dealers to send service reminders, coupons and maintenance tips to customers.
Te dealer’s customers also can use the app to schedule service appointments.
“Te app is branded with the retailer’s logo and identifcation so it is truly the retailer’s app,” said Vann.
Car lif accessory boosts productivity
Te new Rotary Lif Wheel Wing tire hanger is a car lif accessory designed to improve ergonomics and boost shop productivity by making it easier to remove wheels for tire rotations and brake and suspension work. Te accessory ataches to a two-post or in-ground lif’s swing arm, providing a convenient resting place for wheels. “With the Wheel Wing tire hanger, technicians no longer have to bend down to place a wheel on the foor or lif it back up to a raised vehicle’s height,” said Ron Lainhart, parts and service manager for Rotary Lif.
Each Wheel Wing tire hanger kit (P/N FA5974) comes with two tire hangers. For easy installation, the kits include hex keys and mounting shims. Te shims can be used to adjust the tire hangers’ mounts to ft nearly any swing-arm style lif, including Rotary Lif’s SPOA10 two-post and SmartLif in-ground lifs.
The company also displayed 14,000-lb. capacity ARO14
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4. Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT), the offcial tire sponsor of the American Monster Jam series, displayed its new 66x43x25 BKT Race Tire on the Grave Digger. 5. The Farm Dawg USA R-1 is manufactured in Jackson, Tenn. 6. Outgoing TIA President Ken Brown handed the gavel to incoming President Freda Pratt-Boyer. 7. Toyo’s action-flled outdoor videos captivated attendees.
alignment lif, which has been updated to ofer greater precision, faster performance and new user-friendly features. Te updates are also available on the AR14 closed-front alignment lif and as part of a bolt-on retroft kit that can equip Rotary Lif’s new SM series four-post lifs to perform alignments. Plus sizing guide update
Wheel Consultants Inc. will release the latest updates to the print version of Te Ultimate Wheel & Tire Plus Sizing Guide, also known as “Te Red Book,” in March 2015. Te tire and wheel ftment reference covers current and vintage vehicles and provides data for OE and plus sizes.
Joe Findeis, founder and owner of Wheel Consultants, encouraged SEMA atendees to sign up for the digital version. He said the online format’s key advantages are continual updates and reverse Joe Findeis stepped booth visitors through the online version of The lookup tools by bolt patern Ultimate Wheel & Tire Plus Sizing and tire size. ■ Guide at the SEMA Show.
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