23 minute read
Industry News
Environmental issues took top priority for outgoing TIA president
John Evankovich, outgoing president of the Tire Industry Association (TIA), has worked nearly 30 years at Sam’s Club Inc. in Bentonville, Ark. He started out as a tire technician, was promoted to management positions over the years, and 15 years ago was named director of the company’s tire and battery centers. There are currently 581 Sam’s Club outlets that sell tires. That number will grow as “there will be a tire and battery center in every new Sam’s Club built,” he told us. The outlets sell Michelin, BFGoodrich, Goodyear and Pirelli brand tires.
He became involved in TIA years ago when he had a question about tire pressure monitoring systems. He turned to Kevin Rohlwing, TIA’s senior vice president of training, for an answer. Rohlwing’s knowledge so impressed him that he recognized the value in becoming a TIA member. “We joined TIA, and after working with them over the years, I considered running for the board,” he said. Freda Pratt-Boyer, TIA’s president in 2014, urged him on and “it’s been a wonderful experience. I will continue to be involved in many ways because it’s the right thing to do. I can’t imagine not being involved.”
MTD asked him about his year as president and what the future will hold for him.
MTD: What assistance and advice did outgoing president David Martin give you once he handed over the gavel last year?
Evankovich: Dave and I have become good friends over the years. He and I have been each other’s sounding boards, while he was president and while I was moving up through the chairs. His advice was to be patient, stay the course. Also, ask a lot of questions, especially on areas I’m not familiar with. And take the time to listen to what others say.
We’re elected by our peers, and they have spoken on what they want to see from the president, from the executive board. It’s a pretty big responsibility. It makes us put aside our personal business thoughts and really look at the collective good. I feel we’ve done a really good job with that and
Outgoing Tire Industry Association President John Evankovich is director of Sam’s Clubs’ tire and battery centers.
we’ve laid the foundation for many years to come. I’m very confident with Brian Rigney coming up and Dan Nothdurft behind him, we’ll not only stay the course, but we’ll accelerate our growth.
MTD: As incoming president, you told us you wanted to continue to strengthen the collaboration between the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and TIA, and attract new members to TIA. Please give us an update on these initiatives.
Evankovich: We continue to strengthen the collaboration between USTMA and TIA. That’s something I’ve been involved with since I joined TIA. On critical industry issues, we have to work together. When that happens we all win, and that benefits the consumer, the retailer and the manufacturer. The level of communication now is as good as it’s ever been in my time with TIA. We don’t always agree on everything, but what we do agree on is to work together to move forward.
Currently, TIA has nearly 13,500 members, and that’s a growth of about 14% over last year. TIA continues to drive value to our membership, and I think more and more are seeing that and are joining.
MTD: What advances in TIA’s government affairs are you most proud of now that your term is ending?
Evankovich: I felt it was important for TIA to take a leadership role in regard to environmental concerns, to bring together the legislators, the regulator s of the industry, in areas of political activism.
For instance, there are a lot of scrap tires out there and we need to work hard to make sure we’re getting the best use out of them and make sure the tires are disposed of properly.
One of my primary goals as TIA president was to reenergize TIA’s environment advisory council — to expand its educational programs, its leadership role in issues of environmental sustainability. I was aware of the environmental council that was formed in 2010, but it sort of faded away. What we did was reinstate it primarily to develop an educational resource that can serve as a sort of clearing house for environmental issues that affect the tire industry. We continue to work on that by driving awareness and working with legislators, industry key leaders. The council’s mission is to identify recycled manufactured products and promote environmentally sustainable practices through education.
We want to develop methods to use raw materials so that scrap is 100% recyclable. We want to “close the loop.” That’s been my goal for the last 20 years.
As an example, in Cotton Plant, Ark., population 649, there’s a scrap tire pile with 440,000 tires. We need to get it cleaned up — take that town out of jeopardy. No one wanted to do anything about it. We’re working with people in Arkansas. Right now, there’s no progress because of some litigation going on. But we’re lining up resources so that once that’s settled we can get it cleaned up quickly. In three to four months, it could be cleaned up.
We are watching other legislation in states concerning use of crumb rubber. A bill in Maryland would classify crumb rubber as a hazardous waste. If that happens, it will have a huge impact on the scrap tire industry. Continued on page 8 MTD November 2019
Bites
Audi picks Hankook
Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. will be the original equipment tire supplier for the new Audi Q8 SUV. In the U.S., Hankook will supply the Dynapro HP 2 Plus in three sizes for the four-door vehicle: P275/50R20 113H X, P285/45R21 113H XL and 285/40R22 110H XL.
Poddar is honored
Arvind Poddar, chairman and managing director of Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT), has been named Best Transformational Leader by the Asian Center for Corporate Governance & Sustainability, which “aims at bringing about qualitative improvement in the corporate governance and sustainability practices of Asian companies,” say BKT officials.
Nokian is resorts’ official tire
Nokian will continue as the official tire of adventure lifestyle company POWDR. The three-year contract extension will provide new opportunities for resort guests to learn about Nokian tires. The company operates winter resorts in Colorado, Oregon, Utah and Vermont.
Women in Auto Care honors 3
Jennifer Maher, dual-CEO of TechForce Foundation and America’s Automotive Trust, has been named Auto Care Woman of the Year by Women in Auto Care, a community of the Auto Care Association. Cindy Frasca, chief operating officer of Kukui Corp., received Woman of Excellence honors. Jamie Carlson, owner of Ervine’s Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid in Grand Rapids, Mich., received the Female Shop Owner of the Year Award.
DOL issues overtime rule
More than one million workers will be eligible for overtime pay thanks to a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rule that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020. The rule updates the earnings thresholds necessary to exempt executive, administrative and professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum wage and overtime pay requirements.
Monro names Rajkowski COO
Monro Inc. has hired Robert Rajkowski to serve as its chief operating officer. Rajkowski will oversee store operations for the chain. He most recently served as COO of AAMCO Transmission and Total Car Care. Continued from page 6
MTD: What was the most challenging aspect of being TIA president?
Evankovich: Keeping up with change — the industry is changing, the scope of retailing is changing, distribution is changing — and keeping up with that takes work. The industry is more digital, it is a more connected world with more information out there to sort through. We have to stay in front of that to serve the needs of our members. Now that he might have more spare time,
We know most consumers John Evankovich hopes to spend it with his wife, look online before they go to a brick and mortar location. It’s Angela, and their sons, Ryan Boyer, 28, and Lucas Evankovich, 22, riding motorcycles through the Ozark Mountains or cruising on their boat on going to continue to change at an Beaver Lake in Rogers, Ark. even faster pace as time goes on. material and make something useful. I’ve MTD: Now that your year is over, what made great friends who have guided me do you hope your legacy will be? and helped me develop skills that have
Evankovich: The most worthwhile helped me to continue the course for project has been working on scrap tire TIA as president. I want that legacy to initiatives. It will have the most long-lasting carry on. Brian and those after him will effects. It’s not just about the industry, but continue to drive value to TIA members it’s about environment — quality of life. It to meet the needs in this fast-changing just makes sense to me to reuse that raw industry. — Lori L. Mavrigian
VIP Tires completes expansion in Maine
VIP Tires & Service has added four service bays, new shop equipment, and inside storage for up to 2,000 tires to its Brunswick, Maine, location as part of a recently completed, 5,000-square-foot expansion. VIP also expanded the store’s customer waiting area by 500%, while adding laptop bars, a new coffee station and other amenities.
“We value our customers and believe in giving them an outstanding in-store experience,” says Tim Winkeler, president and CEO and VIP Tires & Service. “In order to deliver on that, it’s important that we not only provide our customers with exceptional auto car service by highly VIP Tires & Service CEO and President Tim Winkeler (in trained technicians, but the center) cuts the ribbon at the reopening of the dealeralso with friendly and ship’s recently expanded Brunswick, Maine, store. knowledgeable store staff, and a place where they can work or relax while they wait.”
With 59 locations throughout New England, VIP Tires & Service is the 20th largest independent tire store chain in the United States, according to the 2019 Modern Tire Dealer 100 list.
Bites
Goodyear expands test track
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has added a second vehicle dynamics area at its proving grounds in San Angelo, Texas, which is celebrating its 75th year in operation. Goodyear also is building an additional evaluation facility for its OTR tires at the San Angelo location.
VIP Tires donates to schools
The VIP Tires & Service store in Framingham, Maine, recently donated $4,930 to schools in the area. The money was raised through VIP’s “Oil Changes for Education” initiative, which offered consumers $10 oil changes with 100% of the proceeds going to Framingham area schools.
ATD earns HR recognition
American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) has been named a recipient of Charlotte Business Journal’s 2019 Best in Human Resources Awards.
Point S Canada turns 40
Point S Canada marked its 40th anniversary with an event for retailers and suppliers in Lisbon, Portugal. The Point S Canadian master franchisee is Unimax Tire Ltd. There are 225 Point S outlets in Canada.
Love’s adds 6 truck centers
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc. opened six Love’s Truck Tire Care Centers and Speedco locations in five states in August and September 2019. The locations are on-site additions to existing Love’s Travel Stops.
MaddenCo is honored
MaddenCo Inc. has been recognized for its “continuous technological evolution” by GeneXus S.A., a worldwide software engineering firm based in Uruguay.
PressurePro, TGI collaborate
Advantage PressurePro LLC is integrating its tire performance management technology with TGI’s global trailer tracking solution, which will give fleets immediate access to real-time tire condition reports.
Prometeon expands services
Prometeon Tyre Group is expanding its fleet management services through a partnership with GreenRoad Technologies Inc.
Michelin, Snider celebrate 1.5 millionth service call
Michelin North America Inc. recently hosted a lunch for Snider Tire Inc. employees to celebrate the completion of the 1.5 millionth Michelin OnCall emergency road service event.
The service call took place this past May, when a Snider service truck responded to a request for help that was placed by LandStar. Michelin launched the OnCall program in 2009.
Snider Tire, which does business as Snider Fleet Solutions, is a Michelin Commercial Fleet Services (MCSN) member.
It also is the third largest independent commercial tire dealership in the United States with 76 commercial locations, according to the MTD Top 25 Independent Commercial Tire Dealers list, which was published in the October 2019 edition of MTD.
Consumer tire price hikes continue
Yokohama Tire Corp. is the latest tire manufacturer to raise prices on its consumer tires. The company boosted passenger, high performance and light truck tire prices up to 5% on Nov. 1. John Healy, managing director and research analyst for Northcoast Research Holdings LLC, says Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (up to 5% effective Oct. 1) and Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. (up to 2%) recently informed channel partners of price hikes on consumer tires. Other recently enacted price increases include:
Name
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
Michelin North America Inc.
Pirelli Tire North America Inc.
% increase
Up to 5%
Up to 5%
“Will vary by line and tire size”
Lines
Select passenger and light truck replacement tires
Select passenger and light truck tires
Passenger and light truck tires
Date
Sept. 1
Sept. 1
Oct. 1
Marangoni signs Pete’s Road Service
Fullerton, Calif.-based Pete’s Road Service Inc. has joined Marangoni Tread North America Inc.’s dealer network and will offer Marangoni’s spliceless Ringtread and Unitread products. Pete’s Road Service has 10 locations throughout Southern California. Its retread plant has an annual capacity of more than 30,000 units.
“The switch to Marangoni offered us the ability to broaden our market, grow our market share and be more competitive,” says Kyle Fletcher, the dealership’s president.
“We have been independent for 50 years and by aligning ourselves with Marangoni, we will continue to enjoy our independence long into the future.”
Pete’s Road Service Operations Manager Noe Lara (left) and Kyle Fletcher, the dealership’s president, examine a Marangoni tread application machine.
Bites
Bridgestone retains name
Bridgestone Americas Inc. and the Nashville Predators have extended their naming rights agreement for Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., through 2030.
EPA recognizes Michelin
Michelin North America Inc. received the 2019 SmartWay Excellence Award “for outstanding environmental performance and leadership” from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
FTR says ‘fleets are nervous’
Preliminary North American Class 8 truck orders dropped 72% in September 2019 from year-ago levels, according to FTR Associates. The transportation intelligence provider says fleets “are nervous. Freight growth continues to ease back.”
New board member at AACF
The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) has appointed Interstate Batteries’ Vice President of Sales Shannon McWilliams to its board of trustees.
20 years for Big O franchise
Les and Tina Foster’s Big O Tires franchise in Gardner, Kan., has reached 20 years in business. To help celebrate, $20 for every set of Big O Tires sold on the anniversary of the opening date was donated to the local American Legion Women’s Auxiliary.
Myers has interim leader
Andrean Horton has replaced Dave Banyard as Myers Industries Inc.’s CEO and president on an interim basis. Horton also serves as the company’s executive vice president, chief legal officer and secretary.
Pirelli earns UN recognition
Pirelli & Cie SpA has been named a Global Compact LEAD (Leadership for Environment and Development) participant company by the United Nations (UN).
Meineke adds franchises
Meineke Car Care Centers LLC secured more than 25 license signings between July 1 and Sept. 25, 2019. In addition, new Meineke franchises have recently opened in the greater Charlotte, N.C., area, as well as in Virginia and Texas. Meineke is a division of Driven Brands Inc.
Uncle Cooper offers tire advice in campaign
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.’s recently launched national ad campaign is introducing drivers to a new source of tire advice, “Uncle Cooper.”
“Personifying a nononsense relative who is an expert in all things automotive, Uncle Cooper will never steer drivers wrong about the right tires,” say Cooper officials. The campaign,
which includes TV spots as well as digital and print ads, was inspired by research conducted by Cooper “which showed that customers lack confidence in their tire buying decisions.” “We are telling consumers, ‘You don’t have to be a tire expert because you now have an ‘uncle’ for that,” says Jessica Egerton, Cooper’s director of brand development.
“Uncle Cooper” will deliver tire-related advice to consumers.
New law bans unsafe used tires
Anew California law prohibits the installation of unsafe used tires in that state.
The legislation, which was signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in late September, will require auto repair facilities to visually inspect used tires to determine whether they meet the state’s criteria of an unsafe used tire. This includes tires that have been worn to 2/32-inch tread depth or less, tires with exposed plies, tires that have bead area or sidewall repairs, a tire that has any innerliner or bead damage, and more.
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, which supports the law, notes that the legislation “does not ban the installation or sale of all used tires. It targets used tires with specific, well-established, unsafe conditions.”
Leeds West moves into New Mexico
Greenwood, Colo.- “Entering into the New based Leeds West Mexico market was a noGroups (LWG) has brainer for LWG,” says Judd substantially boosted its Kyle Shader, LWG CEO. footprint with the acquisi“It allows us to build tion of six Big O stores in out the states surrounding New Mexico. Colorado, continuing to cre
LWG purchased the ate consolidation and large stores from Keith Blake, expansion opportunities for Michael Pryor, Mitch us along the Interstate 25 Beranek and Scott Koldencorridor and the midwest hoven. Terms of the deal region.” have not been disclosed. Shader adds that LWG is
The transaction boosts “committed to shifting our the firm’s Big O store holdJudd Kyle Shader, LWG acquisition focus to largerings to 23 locations and scale growth opportunities marks the 14th “new Big O Tires location and this deal aligns perfectly with our added into the LWG portfolio within the growth objectives and operational last 80 days,” according to LWG officials. strengths.”
ALL-WEATHER TIRES HAVE A NEW NAME.
IT’S VREDESTEIN.
Dates
December 4-5
Scrap Tire Conference, Scrap Tire Research and Education Foundation (STREF), co-sponsored by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), Greenville, S.C.
www.stref.org.
2020 January 10-12
Mid-America Tire Dealers Association Convention, Sporting K, Kansas City, Kan. (785) 286-1110
www.matda.org
January 18-25
Ontario Tire Dealers Association Winter Conference, Royalton Luxury Resort, Antigua, West Indies (289) 887-4046
www.otda.com
January 27-30
Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week, Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas (904) 937-2900
www.hdaw.org
January 30-31
North Central Tire Dealers & Suppliers Association Mid-Winter Conference & Trade Show, (location TBA) (952) 544-6805
www.northcentraltiredealers.com
February 19-21
Tire Industry Association’s Off-the-Road Tire Conference, Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa, Palm Springs, Calif. (800) 876-8372
www.tireindustry.org
February 19-22
Mobile Air Conditioning Society Training Event & Trade Show, Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville, Tenn. (215) 631-7020
www.macsw.org
February 24-26
Automechanika Riyadh, Al Faisaliah Hotel, Prince Sultan Grand Hall, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia +971 4 389 4500
www.automechanikariyadh.com
OK Tire Stores teams with Hockey Canada
OK Tire Stores Inc. will be the exclusive auto service and tire retailer of Hockey Canada over the next four years.
Hockey Canada is the not-for-profit governing body for amateur hockey in Canada and supports more than 750,000 players, coaches and officials throughout the country. The group also develops programs that make hockey accessible and affordable for local communities.
OK Tire will work with Hockey Canada “on various grassroots programs in communities from coast to coast,” say OK Tire officials. The programs will be supported by the Hockey Canada Foundation, as well as OK Tire supplier Bridgestone Americas Inc.
There are more than 300 independently owned OK Tire franchises in Canada.
“Partnering with Hockey Canada makes perfect sense as the organization shares the same values of community, family and being proudly Canadian as OK Tyre,” says OK Tire CEO and President Jim Caldwell.
Magna Tyres Group ramps up capacity
Magna Tyres Group has exTires Direct, with whom it has formed a panded its production castrategic alliance. “We see that distribupacity in Thailand and The tion and partnerships have played an Netherlands due to “growing demand important role in our brand growth story for non-Chinese tires,” according to so far and believe that Tires Direct can Magna officials. spread it even more with its warehouses,”
The manufacturing ramp-up will enable say Magna officials. Magna to supply customers more effecMagna supplies mining, port and tively, including through companies like material handling tires.
TireHub adds warehouses
TireHub LLC plans to open two new distribution centers — one in Lakeville, Minn., and another in Columbia, S.C. — during the fourth quarter. The Lakeville facility will serve the greater Minneapolis market, while the Columbia center will help TireHub serve existing customers in that area.
TireHub, which is a joint venture between Bridgestone Americas Inc. and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., also has relocated centers in Austin, Texas; Knoxville, Tenn.; Mobile, Ala.; Oakland, Calif.; and Las Vegas, Nev. The company operates 69 distribution centers throughout the United States. ■
YOU AND ALLIANCE TIRE AMERICAS.
There’s more to working with Alliance Tire Americas than just great margins. Every Alliance, Galaxy and Primex tire is backed up by a global network: R&D, manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and a nationwide team of field engineers, sales reps and customer service specialists committed to your success. It’s our fast, convenient Warranty Wizard app, and our ATG Online software that makes building and tracking orders a snap. It’s more than 2,000 SKUs to give your customers—and you—more choices than ever. And if we don’t already make the tire your customers need for a specific application, let us know. We could team up with you to bring something new and innovative to market.
Contact your Alliance Tire Americas rep today or call us at (800) 343-3276 to see how Alliance, Galaxy and Primex tires can help you build your business.
