Modern Tire Dealer - July 2014

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THE INDUSTRY’S LEADING PUBLICATION

THE FINE ART OF PRICING Master it with dollars and ‘sense’ GLOBAL CONNECTIONS Where specialty tires come from A TIRE STORE GROWS IN BROOKLYN How Emil’s All Tire Co. flourishes 7 STEPS TO HANDLING BAD REVIEWS

THE INDUSTRY’S LEADING PUBLICATION

The

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Modern Tire Dealer

‘Internet pricing leveled the playing feld,’ says No. 60

2014 MTD BUYERS’ GUIDE July 2014 | Vol. 95, No. 7 | $10 | A Bobit Publication | www.moderntiredealer.com

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Features

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24 Global connections Factories, tarifs and China afect how overseas suppliers meet the demand for specialty tires

July 2014, Volume 95, Number 7

Departments 30 100 years and counting While Cooper Tire celebrates the century mark, the author puts the last 29 years in perspective

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The

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Modern Tire Dealer

36 ‘Internet pricing leveled the playing feld’

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MTD 100 dealers combat tighter margins with customer service and social media to boost sales

40 2014 MTD 100 Top independent tire dealers in the U.S.

47 A tire store grows in Brooklyn

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Te Industry’s Leading Publication

Emil’s All Tire Co. fourishes thanks to forwardthinking business practices, a large inventory and close atention to details

2014 Buyers’ Guide 68 Manufacturers/marketers Serving the North American tire market

88 National associations

4 Editorial Ed Bobit: end of an era. Why his legacy touches us all

6 Online

News and navigation tools for MTD’s website

8 News/views Chinese imports: under fre again — USW claims China is dumping and subsidizing tires to our detriment

22 Your marketplace Robust sales should lead to a solid summer replacement season

52 Focus on industry Giti Tire will make 5 million tires a year in South Carolina: Tire maker to spend $560 million on its frst U.S. plant

53 Business insight The do’s and don’ts of handling bad online reviews: Sooner or later, all businesses receive negative publicity

56 Counter intelligence Mastering the fne art of pricing: Look at it from the dynamic of dollars and ‘sense’

58 European notebook Wacky wheels are the future: Various effects let motorists create personalized tire/wheel styles

60 TPMS TPMS setups on Dodge Chargers: Premium system shows how many tires are low, where they are located; base system does not

97 Your turn ‘Another tariff will yield no apparent beneft to the U.S. tire industry’

Industry-related associations including TIA, SEMA and more

66 Products

90 State/provincial associations

92 Quik-Link

Tire dealer organizations in the U.S. and Canada 93 Classifed Modern Tire Dealer is a proud member of: TRIB

TIRE RETREAD & REPAIR INFORMATION BUREAU

Member An Industry Association

www.moderntiredealer.com

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Editorial

Ed Bobit: end of an era Why his legacy touches us all

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liked Ed Bobit because he was always trying to raise the bar of his company, Bobit Business Media Inc., and its 21 magazine titles, including Modern Tire Dealer.

He died last month at age 86 afer a good, long life I’m prety sure he wanted to last a litle longer. Have you ever heard anyone described as “larger than life”? Tat was Ed. Even his obituary described him as a man “of outsize pleasures.”

As publisher of the company’s fagship magazine, Automotive Fleet, Ed liked to quote luminaries in his editorials.

“You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails.” — Albert Einstein

Te quotes were more than teachable moments. Tey ofen gave us a peek into the man who was Ed Bobit. He didn’t just go with the fow. He didn’t let the wind control him. He used the wind to help push his company in the proper direction.

By Bob Ulrich Tat included giving up his CEO title to the company’s president (and his son), Ty Bobit, in 2007. A family man, Ed also leaves behind four daughters, 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

My frst meeting with Ed goes back 14 years.

In 2000, his company bought Modern Tire Dealer. At the annual sales and editorial meeting in Torrance, Calif., the MTD staf met Ed for the frst time.

We weren’t eligible for any of the company-wide “Eddy” editorial and graphics awards yet, and Ed made a point of telling me that if we worked hard, MTD could improve and win some of them down the road.

I remember thinking we were prety good then, and that perhaps Ed hadn’t read our magazine closely. Ah, the arrogance of youth (I was 29 years younger than Ed).

Fourteen years later, MTD is superior to the magazine Ed bought, thanks directly and indirectly to his leadership and demanding nature. I’m sure you think so, too.

“Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fts them all well.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

I liked that quote, which he wrote in his last editorial in the April issue of Automotive Fleet. He knew the importance of being straight with people, me included.

MTD is located in a satellite ofce in Uniontown, Ohio, more than 2,000 miles away from Bobit headquarters in Torrance. As in many long distance relationships, Ed and I didn’t see each other very ofen. Tat made it hard to get to know him on a more personal basis. But thanks to his vision and hard work and perseverance, and the highly successful company he leaves behind, I know him well enough. And I know what he would want from me tomorrow.

Ed Bobit launched the company’s fagship publication, Automotive Fleet, in 1961. Fifty-three years later, his media conglomerate oversees 21 magazine titles, 42 websites, 24 e-newsletters and 13 in-person events.

“Come out into the world about you, be it either wide or limited. Sympathize, not in thought only, but in action, with all about you. Make yourself known and felt for something that would be loved and missed, in twenty thousand litle ways, if you were to die; then your life will be a happy one, believe me.” — Charles Dickens If you have any questions or comments, please email me at bob.ulrich@bobit.com.

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MTD July 2014

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Online Website: www.moderntiredealer.com

MODERN TIRE DEALER

Publisher

You can take it with you The percentage of Modern Tire Dealer readers who choose to get their information from mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets has grown substantially over the last year.

Recently, the most-read MTD news items accessed via mobile devices were: 1. There will be consequences to tire tariffs 2. ATD proposes initial public offering 3. USW asks government to resume tariffs 4. Monro or Pep Boys: Who wins the battle of the Titans?

You don’t need to buy an app to get MTD’s news and information. Simply call up www.moderntiredealer.com on your smart phone or tablet and you can get all the latest industry coverage, articles, enews links, and much more.

Top 10 most-read news items for all devices: 1. Big Brother is investigating tire aging and voluntary tire registration 2. There will be consequences to tire tariffs 3. ATD posts loss despite a 28% sales increase 4. USW asks government to resume tariffs 5. Nexen’s new warranty covers life of tires 6. ITC will see if Chinese imports pose a problem 7. ATD proposes initial public stock offering 8. $500 million Goodyear plant is coming to the Americas 9. Michelin has ambitious objectives, says Senard 10. Are Chinese tires becoming the new normal?

NAVIGATE Be sure to check out the Channels button on our home page menu bar.

There news items and articles are conveniently split into areas of interest – retailing, wholesale/distributing, performance, commercial, suppliers, technology and auto service. We’ve made it easy for you to quickly fnd only the news that interests you and affects your business.

Greg Smith Greg.Smith@bobit.com (330) 899-2200 ext. 12, fax (330) 899-2209

Editorial (330) 899-2200, fax (330) 899-2209 Editor: Robert J. Ulrich, ext. 11 Bob.Ulrich@bobit.com Managing Editor: Lori L. Mavrigian, ext. 16 Lori.Mavrigian@bobit.com Senior Editor: Bob Bissler, ext. 15 Bob.Bissler@bobit.com Associate Editor: Ann Neal, ext. 18 Ann.Neal@bobit.com

Production (330) 899-2200, fax (330) 899-2209 Art Director: Neal Weingart, ext. 14 Neal.Weingart@bobit.com Production Manager: Karen Runion, ext. 10 Karen.Runion@bobit.com

Sales South and Texas: Greg Smith Greg.Smith@bobit.com (330) 899-2200 ext. 12, fax (330) 899-2209 Midwest: Michele Vargo Michele.Vargo@bobit.com (330) 899-2200 ext.17, fax (330) 899-2209 West Coast: John Dyal /Te Dyal Company John.Dyal@bobit.com (760) 451-5026 West Coast: Marianne Dyal /Te Dyal Company Marianne.Dyal@bobit.com (760) 451-9216 Automotive Aftermarket: Dan Tornton djtinc@gmail.com (734) 676-9135, mobile (313) 410-0945 Classifed Sales: Donna Stewart Donna_Stewart@cox.net (405) 260-1678, fax (405) 260-1684 Reprint Sales: Karen Runion Karen.Runion@bobit.com (330) 899-2200 ext. 10, fax (330) 899-2209

Customer/Subscription Service

Web exclusive It’s easy to sign up for our Kovach Tire Report, which consolidates the top news into one concise report each month that is emailed to your inbox.

Go to www.moderntiredealer.com, click on Industry Resources and scroll down to Kovach Tire Report. Tere you can sign up for a new subscription or renew.

Total access — totally free www.moderntiredealer.com

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Home offce 3515 Massillon Rd., Suite 350 Uniontown, OH 44685

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Chairman: Edward J. Bobit CEO & President: Ty F. Bobit Chief Financial Offcer: Richard E. Johnson VP & COO: Cyndy Drummey

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 offces. 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 frst 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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News/views

Chinese imports: under fre again USW claims China is dumping and subsidizing tires to our detriment On June 3, 2014, the United Steelworkers (USW) union fled an unfair trade practices petition against China. The union claims Chinese consumer tire imports are either being sold at less than fair value (being “dumped”) or beneft from government subsidies or both.

The petition is asking the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) to investigate.

It is the second time in the last fve years the USW, which is offcially known as the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, has complained about Chinese imports. In 2009, it fled a safeguard action against Chinese passenger and light truck tire imports.

According to the Federal Register (Vol. 79, No. 110), the ITC commenced a preliminary investigation on June 9 “to determine whether there is a reasonable indication” that the tire industry in the U.S. “is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports from China of certain passenger vehicle and light truck tires.”

Imports from China have increased dramatically since the expiration of Tariff 421 in September 2012. In addition, the USW says domestic manufacturers have suffered a corresponding loss in market share.

“We’re very confdent that the DOC polling process will confrm the correctness of our position,” says Wayne Ranick, the USW’s director of communications.

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) released a statement on June 25 opposing another duty on Chinese-made tires. TIA says it feels strongly that this measure, despite being well-intentioned, would not help in the preservation of manufacturing jobs, and would be harmful to consumers.

“I think it hurts the consumer because you’re tak-

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ing away a low-price option,” says Roy Littlefeld, TIA executive vice president. “If you look at the number of tires coming in from China, it’s making a huge difference when the tariff is on and when the tariff is off. It has an impact on tire makers because you’re talking about tens of millions of tires coming or not coming.”

Littlefeld says that as a result of the last tariff from 2009 to 2012, production of low-cost tires simply shifted from China to other countries where lowcost tires are produced. TIA says the same thing will happen again with a new duty.

“That’s always been one of our arguments. This is a global industry and the big companies are making tires in numerous places, so when you do something like this it doesn’t really change the numbers, it changes the numbers of what’s coming in from one country but all they have to do is reroute their exports and get around it.”

TIA says one of the unintended results of the last tariff was an increase in tire prices for the consumer. The numbers back TIA’s stand. According to MTD research, in 2008, the average cost of a passenger tire in the U.S. was $99.48. The average light truck tire cost $143.33. At the time, there was a 4% duty on all consumer tires coming out of China.

Then the tariffs, implemented by President Obama, went into effect. From Sept. 26, 2009, to Sept. 25, 2010, the tariff was raised to 39%. The next year, it was reduced to 34%. In the third year, it was 29%.

When the additional tariffs ended on Sept. 26, 2012, the duty returned to 4%. By the end of 2012, the average cost of a replacement passenger tire had increased 29.3% to $128.64; the average cost of a light truck tire was $180.21, an increase of 25.7% over 2008.

In the frst full year after the tariffs ended, the average prices for passenger and light truck tires dropped.

Continued on page 10

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News/views

bites

Leadership changes at Cooper Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced a transition in executive leadership of the company’s International business segment.

Cooper Chief Financial Officer Brad Hughes has been appointed president-international operations.

Hal Miller, who previously served as president-international tire division, moves into a new role as executive advisor to the CEO. Apollo approves expansions Apollo Tyres Ltd. announced its board of directors approved an expansion of truck-bus radial capacity at the company’s Chennai plant in India from 6,000 tires per day to 8,900 tires per day.

Executive moves at DENSO DENSO Corp. announced that in support of the expansion and growth in the North American region, the company has made changes to its executive management team. Hikaru “Howard” Sugi will retire as CEO of DENSO International America Inc. and chairman of DENSO’s North American board of directors.

Champion brand is well ‘liked’ Federal-Mogul Corp. announced that its Champion brand recently surpassed 200,000 “likes” on its Facebook page and is connecting with thousands of additional consumers each day through an expanded digital marketing presence.

Eagle to be OE on Challenger The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. announced that its Eagle RS-A2 will be the OE fitment on the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392.

The standard fitment will be in a 245/45ZR20 size, with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires as an option for “serious grip and handling,” according to Dodge and SRT engineers.

Allen retires from Bridgestone Ken Allen will retire as president of Bridgestone Ag at the end of June.

Allen led the realignment of Bridgestone Agricultural Tire, U.S. & Canada Commercial Tire Sales over the last few years.

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Continued fom page 8 Safeguard case vs. dumping “The case fled previously was a China safeguard case. It was not a dumping case, which the current case is,” says Peg O’Laughlin, public affairs offcer with the ITC. “The China safeguard provision was limited and came into being when China became part of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It was a 10-year provision that expired at the end of 2013. Under that provision, if a case was brought, the ITC would determine whether the imports in question from China were coming in such quantities that it was causing market disruption to domestic producers.”

In that case, ITC investigation No. TA-421-7, the ITC defned market disruption to be “whenever imports of an article like or directly competitive with an article produced by a domestic industry are increasing rapidly, either absolutely or relatively, so as to be a signifcant cause of material injury, or threat of material injury, to the domestic industry.”

“The allegation in the current case is that there is dumping, which is sales at less than fair value in the United States, or subsidization by the Chinese government,” says O’Laughlin.

“Both of those are considered unfair trade practices. If affrmative determinations happen, then by law, the duty orders will be issued.”

The ITC is investigating whether the U.S. tire industry is injured or threatened with injury by reason of the imports. The DOC is investigating whether or not there is dumping or subsidization. Both the ITC and DOC are doing preliminary phase and fnal phase investigations, although not on the same time line.

“Overall, the cases can be extended by the DOC, so the time frames aren’t written in stone,” O’Laughlin says. “Sometime in late July, the ITC will hold a public vote and then within 10 days after that the statutory deadlines arrive.

“By Aug. 5, the ITC has to submit its (preliminary) determination and views to the DOC.” If the ITC makes a negative determination in its preliminary phase, then the investigation would end for both agencies. If the ITC reaches an affrmative determination, that clears the way for the DOC to make preliminary and fnal determinations on its question of whether dumping is happening, and if so, at what level.

If the DOC makes a negative preliminary determination, it will complete its fnal determination. If that is negative, the investigation is over for both agencies. If it is affrmative, the ITC will complete its fnal phase injury investigation, which will have been ongoing.

“We’re both working at the same time, but our decision points come at different times,” says O’Laughlin. “If the ITC then makes an affrmative fnal injury determination that would clear the way for the orders to be issued under the law. The DOC will determine the margin of dumping and the level of subsidy and the duty orders they issue will refect what those numbers are.” — Bob Bissler

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bites

Alliance supports farmers Alliance Tire Americas presented a check for $500 to the Tomah High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) in Tomah, Wis., in conjunction with the company’s three-year sponsorship of the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA).

Gallagher Tire holds golf outing Gallagher Tire Inc. recently held the seventh annual Jack Gallagher ‘63 Memorial Outing at Scotland Run Golf Club in Williamstown, N.J. The event is named for Jack Gallagher, founder and former president of Gallagher Tire.

New name for RAC The Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) has changed its name to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada. The new name more accurately reflects what the group is and what it does. For more information, see RAC’s website at http://www.rubberassociation.ca/.

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Fountain Tire ‘fips’ for new HQ Athletes and a “bald guy” helped Fountain Tire Ltd. celebrate the opening of its new corporate offce in Edmonton, Alberta.

Members of the local Crossft Lazarus Gym put on a show of Edmonton grit in three grueling 40-meter earthmover tire “fipping” races.

On hand to provide a light-hearted color commentary was actor/comedian Thom Sharp, who is well known to Canadians as Fountain Tire’s “bald guy” spokesperson. Following the races, the company presented a check for $10,000 to the Edmonton branch of the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS).

Modern Tire Dealer wins fve medals Modern Tire Dealer received fve medals, including one gold, for editorial excellence from the 23rd International Automotive Media Awards (IAMA).

Entered in the Magazine and Internet Writing divisions, MTD took home the following Foundation Award medallions: Gold, Editorial category, “Word of Mouth,” Bob Ulrich; Silver, Feature category, “Tall, thin tires,” Bob Bissler; Silver, Feature category, “Tire Dealer of the Year,” Ulrich; Silver, Internet blog category, Ulrich; and Bronze, Best Single Issue, Performance Handbook, Lori Mavrigian, Ann Neal and Ulrich.

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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bites

Myers Industries realigns Myers Industries Inc. announced that it has completed the sale of WEK Industries Inc. to Industrial Opportunity Partners for approximately $19.5 million. The sale of WEK Industries includes manufacturing facilities and offices located in Jefferson, Ohio, and Reidsville, N.C. Plaza Tire aids St. Jude Plaza Tire Service announced that the company and its customers raised $11,712 during the fourth annual St. Jude “Give thanks. Give hope.” campaign to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Plaza Tire joined 2,600 restaurants, grocery stores and other retail locations nationwide that encouraged consumers to “give hope” to kids fighting cancer.

AMI celebrates anniversary This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Automotive Management Institute (AMI), a provider of management education for the automotive service and collision repair industries. AMI offers 1,300 approved courses, a faculty of 300 approved instructors and the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. To date, its programs have attracted 230,000 enrollments throughout North America, notes AMI. Bridgestone is official tire Bridgestone Corp. has entered into an agreement with the International Olympic Committee to be a worldwide Olympic partner through the 2024 Olympic Games.

Pugh’s Tire opens retail store Pugh’s Tire & Service Centers in Greenville, N.C., celebrated the grand opening of its sixth retail store on in Williamston., N.C. Cooper dedicates tech center Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has dedicated its new Asia Technical Center (ATC) in Kunshan, China.

The facility is also the site of the company’s Cooper Kunshan Tire (CKT) manufacturing plant, about 30 miles from Shanghai. It performs Cooper’s R&D activities with 65 scientists and tire engineers.

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Cooper to build Global Technical Center Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced it will build a $35.5 million Global Technical Center (GTC). The GTC will be located in Cooper’s headquarters community of Findlay, Ohio, at the site of its existing North America Technical Center (NATC). It is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year and ultimately employ 40 scientists and engineers, many of whom will be in highly specialized technical roles.

Cooper Chairman, Chief Executive Offcer and President Roy Armes and Vice President, Global Research and Development Chuck Yurkovich explained that the GTC will have a dedicated R&D team focused on exploring areas such as nanotechnology and new polymers and compounds.

Cooper’s new Global Technical Center will be located The GTC, which is at the company’s headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, at under the direct leader- the site of its existing North America Technical Center. ship of Cooper’s Global Technical Center Director Curt Selhorst, will support Cooper’s NATC as well as the regional technical centers of its subsidiaries including Cooper Tire Asia’s Technical Center (ATC) in Kunshan, China and Cooper Tire Europe’s Technical Center (ETC) in Melksham, England.

The GTC will help Cooper and its subsidiaries around the world stay ahead of the curve in a very competitive tire industry.”

The State of Ohio has committed to supporting the project with a $2.8 million Third Frontier Industrial Research and Development Center Program (IRDCP) grant to be paid over the next several years as Cooper fulflls its GTC equipment, development and hiring goals.

ATD proposes initial public offering ATD Corp., the parent company of American Tire Distributors Inc., fled a registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock on June 16, 2014.

The number of shares to be offered by ATD and its shareholders, as well as other considerations such as the price range, stock ticker symbol and listing exchange, have not yet been determined. ATD expects to use the net proceeds it receives from the offering primarily to repay a portion of its existing long-term debt.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch (Bank of America Corp.), Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. are acting as joint book-running managers and as representatives of the underwriters for the offering. In addition, Barclays Plc, JP Morgan Chase & Co. and UBS Investment Bank are joint book-running managers for the offering.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been fled with the SEC, but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.

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Monro buys stores in Michigan Monro Muffler Brake Inc. purchased 17 stores in Michigan. Nine Lentz USA Automotive Service Centers and eight Ken Rock Tire stores are now owned by Monro.

RMA hires Sheerin as director The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has hired John Sheerin as director, end of life tires, to fill the role served by Michael Blumenthal, who will retire this summer. Sheerin will be responsible for representing RMA on matters regarding scrap tire generation, processing and end uses in the U.S. Discount Tire expands Discount Tire has opened stores in Tucson, Ariz., and Charlotte, N.C. The company now operates 70 stores in Arizona and 31 stores in North Carolina. The Tucson store is the company’s 11th in that city. The Charlotte store is the company’s seventh in that city.

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Yokohama, USW enter four-year deal Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia LLC, a Yokohama Tire Corp. subsidiary, has signed a new four-year contract with United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1023, according to Tetsuro “Tex” Murakami, the subsidiary’s president.

The deal covers workers at Yokohama’s Salem, Va., consumer tire plant. According to the 2014 Modern Tire Dealer Facts Issue, the facility has the capacity to produce nearly 27,000 passenger and light truck tires per day. Local 1023 represents approximately 750 employees at the Salem plant. The last contract was signed in 2010 and was also a four-year deal.

Jack Williams climbs to Mountain Top Jack Williams Tire Co. Inc. has opened its 29th location in Mountain Top, Pa. “We’ve had Mountain Top in our plans for several years now, so we’re happy the day has fnally arrived,” says Jack Williams Tire Chairman and CEO Bill Williams.

The Mountain Top store features a modern look with a kid-friendly spacious waiting area, free Wi-Fi, an Internet bar and free shuttle service, says the company.

To mark the offcial grand opening, Jack Williams Tire made a $500 donation to the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors fund.

With this store addition, the company ranks 39th on the Modern Tire Dealer 100 Top Independent Tire Dealers in the U.S. Bill Williams was Modern Tire Dealer’s Tire Dealer of the Year in 2006.

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Greenball launches website Greenball Corp. has launched a redesigned Kanati tires website complete with new features including a dealer locator. Kanati is the company’s premier off-road division that offers mud terrain and all terrain off-road tires. See the site at www.KanatiTires.com.

Hall added for CITEXPO 2014 Approximately 75% of the exhibit booths have been booked for the 12th annual China International Tire Expo (CITEXPO 2014) to be held in Shanghai, China, on Sept.

10-12. A new hall was added to expand floor space for 2014.

Net Driven is honored in PA Net Driven, a provider of websites and Internet marketing solutions to the automotive industry, was one of 50 Pennsylvania companies to receive a 2014 Governor’s Impact Award. The company received the Entrepreneur Impact Award.

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Flynn’s Tire partners with U.S. Army Flynn’s Tire Group announced that it was recognized by the Cleveland The ceremony honored Flynn’s com- Recruiting Battalion & New Castle Recruiting Co. in a ceremonial Partmitment to reconnecting veterans with their communities as the U.S ner for Youth Success (PaYS) signing Army’s Newest PaYS Partner. on July 1, 2014, at Flynn’s corporate headquarters in West Middlesex, Pa. “This is truly an honor for us to partner with the U.S. Army in such a way that mutually benefts our men and women in uniform and also Flynn’s Tire,” said Joe Flynn III, president Flynn’s Tire Group.

Tire industry exec David Conley dies David Conley, a recognized name in the tire industry since he was a teenager, died on June 16, 2014. He was 62.

Conley, who lived in Blue Springs, Mo., started his career in the tire industry working with his uncle, Woodford (Wood) Conley. Tire Consultants Group LLC recently hired Conley to oversee the company’s commercial medium truck, agriculture, off-the-road and industrial tire segments.

He had more than 43 years of experience in the tire industry in regional and national management positions. He worked with Dunlap & Kyle Co. Inc., and with global and U.S. tire manufacturers on brands such as Hankook, Cooper, Sumitomo, General and Kumho.

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dates

July 23-25 Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo, ATLAPA Convention Center, Panama City, Republic of Panama +1 786-293-5186 www.latintyreexpo.com September 7-10 Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association Annual Conference, M Resort, Las Vegas, Nev. (414) 386-0366 www.afaonline.com September 10-12 12th China International Tire Expo, Shanghai Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center, Shanghai, China +86-10-85898181 www.citexpo.com.cn September 16-20 Automechanika Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany +49 69 75 75-0

Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. held a ground breaking ceremony for its new R&D center, the Hankook Technodome, in Daejeon, Korea.

A new high-tech R&D infrastructure will be established in Korea with two main bodies, the Hankook Technodome in Daejeon, and the Hankook Test Engineering Center in Sangju.

Hankook says the Technodome, with a total investment of $262 million (KRW 266 billion), is projected to be completed by 2016 when the high-tech facility will become an incubator for innovative new technologies with future-oriented features.

The Hankook Test Engineering Center is expected to be completed by 2018 and will The Hankook Technodome will have 90 separate laboratoserve as a hub ries to enable a wide range of R&D activities to be carried for tire evaluaout simultaneously. tion technologies. It will also be equipped with state-of-the-art tire testing facilities.

The total of 700 researchers at Hankook Tire’s current R&D center in Korea will grow to 1,000 researchers at the Hankook Technodome.

www.automechanikafrankfurt.com

Yokohama, Kumho sign agreements

September 18-20 Tire Dealers Association of Canada National Trade Show & Conference, Scotiabank Convention Centre, Niagara Falls, Ontario (888) 207-9059 www.otda.com

Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. announced it has signed a cooperative research and development agreement as well as a license and technology exchange agreement with Kumho Tire Co. Inc. The agreements are based on the master technological alliance agreement signed by the two companies earlier this year on February 15.

Under the new agreements, Yokohama Rubber and Kumho Tire will begin joint research and development on the tire-related technologies of the future, including ultra lightweight tires and other environmentally friendly tire technologies as well as new concept tires.

October 7-9 Brityrex International 2014, EventCity, Manchester, UK +44 (0) 1892 863888 www.eci-international.com November 4-7 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show and the Global Tire Expo – Powered

by TIA (Tire Industry Association), part of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. (800) 876-8372 www.tireindustry.org

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Hankook opens Technodome R&D center

TIA adds inspection to safety series The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has released another consumer education video in the Tire Safety Starts with... series. Tire Safety Starts with Inspection covers the regular inspection procedures that motorists should follow to check their tires for suffcient tread depth and irregular wear. The video also includes animation that explains pinch shock, which causes a bulge to appear on the sidewall of the tire after striking a pothole, curb or road hazard.

Clarifcation In the article “ITDG celebrates 20 years of growth” in our June 2014 issue, several dealers were listed as founding members. Bob Lee, owner of Bob Lee Tires in Lomita, Calif., also was a founding member. Lee is now deceased, and the company is run by his son, Steve Lee. ■

MTD July 2014

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Your marketplace

Robust sales should lead to a solid summer replacement season

A

ccording to the results of our survey, dealers in our survey reported that they sold demand for replacement tires remained 1.3% more tires last month on a year-over-year strong in May. From a volume standbasis, following the 1.3% increase reported in point, the dealers reported that they sold 1.3% April and a 0.1% increase in March. We were more tires in May on a year-over-year basis. We pleased to see that volumes remained robust were pleased to see that volume trends remained in May and we believe that the abundance of strong at the end of the spring season, as dealers pent-up demand should lead to a solid summer indicated that consumers appear to be allocatreplacement season. Trends remained strong ing a greater portion of their income to tire and in the truck category as dealers reported that automotive repairs this spring/summer selling By Nick Mitchell volumes increased 2.2% afer increasing 8.0% season in an atempt to catch up on work that in April. Meanwhile, volumes rose 3.0% in the was deferred in prior months. In fact, it appears that sales retread business afer increasing 9.3% in April. trends remained strong across most of the country. In our view, the data support our belief that the underlying Dealer costs continued to moderate; retail prices fundamentals remain healthy and that consumer demand were roughly fat in May should remain solid in the coming months.

Te tire dealers in our survey noted that manufacturer pricing remained aggressive in May, although slightly Monthly survey less so than in April. Specifcally, 67% of the respondents A number of independent tire dealers were surveyed characterized manufacturer pricing as aggressive during concerning current business trends. Except for tire prices May, which was down from 73% in April. Additionally, it and costs, results of the May 2014 survey are compared is worth noting that the sequential declines we are seeing with those of May 2013. in dealer costs are moderating.

Looking at prices from the eyes of the consumer, we would note that prices on premium brands and value brands were roughly fat in May.

How dealers view near-term business Dealers

JAN

FEB

Passenger tire Will improve Will worsen Will stay level

38% 0% 62%

57% 14% 29%

42% 0% 58%

64% 0% 36%

46% 0% 54%

47% 12% 41%

Truck tire Will improve Will worsen Will stay level

51% 0% 49%

59% 0% 41%

62% 0% 38%

75% 0% 25%

52% 0% 48%

47% 20% 33%

R-Revised

MAR APR(R)

MAY(P) MAY(13)

P-Preliminary

Dealers remain confdent about sales trends heading into summer According to our dealer survey, 46% of passenger tire dealers believe business will improve over the next six months, while the rest believe it will remain the same.

Meanwhile, 52% of the truck tire dealers we spoke with see business improving, while the balance see business trends staying about the same. Te table highlights the outlook that the respondents have conveyed to us in recent months.

Surveyed dealers report replacement tire sales volume trends remained strong in May According to dealer reports, consumer demand for replacement tires remained strong in May. As stated, the

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Inventory levels for truck tire dealers looked optimal Of the dealers that we spoke with in May, approximately 72% indicated that they had the appropriate amount of inventory in stock for demand (vs. 25% in April), while the remainder were split evenly with approximately 14% indicating that inventory levels were too high and about 14% indicating levels were too low.

Te inventory levels among truck tire dealers looked encouraging as 67% of the truck tire dealers we surveyed indicated that their inventory was optimal (vs. 100% in April and 67% in March).

Spring repair season lives up to the hype As expected, a minority of consumers returned to the service bays during May to repair remaining damage caused by the harsh winter weather, while the majority of customers opted to prepare their vehicles for summer-time travel.

Te dealers we spoke with indicated that sales in the service category, which accounted for 43% of the study participants’ total revenues, were up roughly 4% on a year-over-year basis in May following a strong performance in April. ■Nick Mitchell is a research analyst with Northcoast Research Holdings LLC based in Cleveland, Ohio. Mitchell covers a variety of subsectors of the automotive industry.

MTD July 2014

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feature

Global connections Factories, tarifs and China afect how overseas suppliers meet the demand for specialty tires By the Modern Tire Dealer staff

S

pecialty tires add a signifcant global dimension to a dealers’ inventory. Although there are some domestic producers of specialty tires, namely Specialty Tire of America Inc., which produces bias-ply tires in Pennsylvania and Tennessee, and Maine Industrial Tire LLC, which has manufacturing in Pennsylvania as well as China, much of the product available in the marketplace is made overseas. Te factories of many specialty tire manufacturers are in Asia, but tires from Europe make their way to U.S. dealerships, too.

MTD asked several specialty tire manufacturers and importers to provide a snapshot of their operations. Seven executives responded to our questions. Tey are:

• Hank Chang, industrial manager, American Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd., which does business as Kenda USA; • Chris Brackin, vice president of sales, American Omni Trading Co.; • Carl Casalbore, president, BKT Tires USA Inc.; • Federico Jimenez, sales and marketing manager, Continental Commercial Specialty Tires, Continental Tires the Americas LLC; • Adam Brown, product marketing manager, AG/construction, CTP Transportation Products LLC; • Tom Van Ormer, director of purchasing, East Bay Tire Co.; and • Randy Tsai, director of marketing and GBC Motorsports, Greenball Corp.

MTD: Where are your plants or the plants you purchase tires from located?

Chang, American Kenda: We have seven plants in Taiwan, China and Vietnam.

Brackin, American Omni: We handle Deestone out of Tailand as our core factory for these types of tires.

Casalbore, BKT: Currently, we have four tire factories and

one mold shop that repairs, designs and creates our molds. All fve plants are in India in the cities of Aurangabad, Bhiwadi, Chopanki, Bhuj and Dombivali.

Jimenez, Continenental: Te commercial specialty tires business unit has six plants — Korbach, Germany; Port Elizabeth, Republic of South Africa; Puchov, Slovakia; Otrokovice, Czech Republic; Colombo, Sri Lanka; and Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Brown, CTP Transportation: Carlisle has seven factories globally — Aiken, S.C.; Clinton, Tenn.; Fort Scot, Kan.; Jackson, Tenn.; Ontario, Calif.; Springfeld, Mo.; and Meizhou, China.

Van Ormer, East Bay: Presently, we are purchasing specialty tires from fve plants for lawn and garden tires and two plants for industrial and skid steer. Te plants are located in China, Sri Lanka, Tailand, India and the U.S. Tsai, Greenball: We currently have four plants that we get industrial, lawn and garden tires from. Tey are in Indonesia, Tailand, China and India.

MTD: Are there any tarifs on specialty tires exported from any of your overseas plants to the U.S.?

Chang, American Kenda: No tarifs.

Brackin, American Omni: No tarifs.

Casalbore, BKT: Currently all of our products have a 3.7%-4.0% duty imported into the USA.

Jimenez, Continental: No, we have local entities which represent our business unit all over the world, and they commercialized our tires at a competitive price.

Brown, CTP Transportation: Tere are currently antidumping and countervailing duties imposed by the U.S. Department of Commerce on certain pneumatic of-the-road tires imported into the United States from China.

Van Ormer, East Bay: Right now, we have no tarifs that afect these particular tires.

Tsai, Greenball: China, Tailand, Indonesia and India all have basic duties of 3.4%-4% depending on the category. China has additional antidumping duties on OTR and industrial tire.

MTD: How long does it take you to send container loads of specialty tires from an overseas plant to the U.S.?

Chang, American Kenda: Roughly a month.

Brackin, American Omni: Right now, we are running an average of 82 days; we track this in our system. Keep in mind this can vary depending upon the fnal destination.

Casalbore, BKT: Tis is a very broad question; on average, 60-90 days from order date to receiving date at the dealer’s place of business.

Jimenez, Continental:

Global connections The majority of our tires come from Sri-Lanka, and the average lead time is a litle over a month.

Brown, CTP Transportation: Te amount of time to ship container loads to the U.S. varies.

Van Ormer, East Bay: Most times 60 to 90 days from date of order.

Tsai, Greenball: Two to fve weeks depending on the factory.

MTD: Are you considering building a plant in North America?

Chang, American Kenda: No.

Casalbore, BKT: We have just constructed our newest factory in Bhuj, India. Going forward, we are leaving all options open for production facilities.

Jimenez, Continental: We are considering many locations for our new plants for industrial tires. North America is always a candidate when we look into new plant locations.

Brown, CTP Transportation: Our current plans are to invest in our existing factories rather than building new ones.

Tsai, Greenball: No, not at this time.

MTD: How important is China to your strategy in the U.S.? How about Canada and Mexico?

Chang, American Kenda: China is very important as China still has cheaper labor and workers to hire. Canada and Mexico are not important to our strategy at this moment, especially Canada. We don’t rule out seting up a facility in Mexico, though.

Plan ahead Doing business with overseas suppliers means planning for deliveries that are weeks away.

MTD asked several manufacturers and importers* just how far ahead dealers ordering through them need to request tires.

100

ORDER PROJECTIONS (Average days) 80

60

40

Greenball: 24 days

East Bay Tire: 75 days

Continental: 30 days

BKT: 75 days

American Omni: 82 days

0

American Kenda: 30 days

20

*CTP Transportation’s projections vary too much to be included in the chart.

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MTD July 2014

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

Global connections Brackin, American Omni: In this segment, we are mainly outside of China. We have been supplying Deestone and Crop Max for many years, and they continue to support our dealers in the U.S. so we aren’t currently exploring the options from China.

Casalbore, BKT: China is an important market. Relating to the U.S., they are independent from a replacement market.

Regarding OE, China is important to all markets with its large manufacturing base and export volume. Regarding Canada and Mexico, replacement is separate with separate

replacement divisions. OE Canada and Mexico fall under the U.S., and products move freely between the NAFTA countries.

Jimenez, Continental: China is not managed from the U.S., it is managed from our regional ofce in Malaysia. We have dedicated resources there. Canada and Mexico are important countries for us. We have dedicated people, warehouses and ofces in the feld.

Brown, CTP Transportation: We are a global company headquartered in the United States, and we value the potential of each region.

Van Ormer, East Bay: It is only important in the lawn and garden section because Carlisle is producing quite a few of those tires in their China operation. It is not important in the industrial/skid steer portion of our business. All Dawg Pound industrial/skid steer products are built in Sri Lanka, India or the U.S. Tsai, Greenball: In the past 15 years, China has played very little in our strategy when it came to the specialty tire market. Less than 15% of our supply on specialty and industrial tires has come from China. This is due to mainly two reasons: 1) lack of dependable suppliers in China on lawn and garden products; and 2) antidumping duties on Chinese industrial tires brought to the U.S. In fact, almost all industrial product we source in China is sold in Mexico due to antidumping duties. ■

Standard versus metric system The manufacturers and importers told MTD the use of the U.S. measurement system rather than the metric system has no impact on specialty tire production, labeling and sales.

“Press-on industrials are often dual marked, but it has not been a problem in any facet of the business to this time,” says Tom Van Ormer, director of purchasing for East Bay Tire Co. “Sizing between manufacturers varies a great deal more in this market than, say, truck tires or ag tires, so some hard lessons have been learned from assuming, for example, every manufacturer’s 10-16.5 will be the same height or width.”

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feature

100 years and counting

While Cooper Tire celebrates the century mark, the author puts the last 29 years in perspective

By Bob Ulrich

N

ot a single person who helped bring the Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. to life in 1914 is still alive. Tere are no eyewitnesses to the events leading up to its creation, or with whom to share insightful stories about its formative years.

All 100-year-old companies have that problem, Cooper included. If it weren’t for yellowed newspaper accounts and a company’s own record keeping, the early years might more appropriately be labeled the forgoten years.

An examination of recent history, however, allows extra room for perspective. It is also potentially more relevant and illuminating because it is more current.

I have written about Cooper Tire since joining Modern Tire Dealer in 1985.

My experience with the company only represents 29% of its past, but that time period was not without signifcance.

Three major events, which Cooper Tire’s total advertising spend in I experienced 1997, including its association with Arnold firsthand, were Palmer and the Bay Hill Invitational Golf impactful not Tournament, was a company record. only for their time, but also on the way the company does business today.

Tey each represent a direction that has evolved into something nobler and far-reaching.

1. Cooper Tire hired hall of fame golfer Arnold Palmer as its spokesman in 1997.

2. Te Cooper Advanced Management Program, or CAMP, armed independent Cooper tire dealers with business knowledge and best practices beginning in 2002.

3. Cooper signed its frst “original equipment” radial tire contract in 2008.

30

Te ultimate goal of all three initiatives was to help Cooper’s network of independent tire dealers sell more tires. And in each case, history has since repeated itself.

Arnie’s Army “Nice shot.” Tose two words were spoken to me 17 years ago by one of the greatest golfers ever, Arnold Palmer, on the 18th tee at the Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Fla. Cooper announced its partnership with Palmer to the media on a fight from Akron, Ohio, to Orlando in February 1997.

“Arnold’s reputation and status will provide an invaluable ‘stamp of approval’ on the Cooper brand,” said tire division President John Fahl at the time. “Our intention is to create an emotional bond with customers through Palmer’s endorsement.”

Promotional materials such as 60-second radio spots recorded

by Palmer were designed to help Cooper tire dealers create brand awareness in their local markets. Te company also served as an associate sponsor for the Bay Hill Invitational Golf Tournament, a nationally televised Professional Golfers Association Tour event hosted by Palmer.

Members of the media played the course, which Palmer designed, then joined the golfng legend and his wife, Winnie, in the clubhouse aferward.

But we met Palmer on the 17th green. He watched us tee of on the par 4 18th hole, and I was fortunate enough to hit a drive straight down the middle, earning Palmer’s praise.

Cooper’s association with Palmer ended quietly in 2004, about the time the company began sponsoring its own racing series.

Te goal was to promote the new Zeon ultra-high performance

Cooper supplies racing tires to IndyCar’s three Mazdasponsored “minor league” series, including, for the frst time, Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires.

MTD July 2014

tire line. Tis year, Cooper sponsors three IndyCar-sanctioned series: the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered

by Mazda, Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires and the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires. It also sponsors the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship Powered by Mazda.

For the last seven years, it has been the exclusive sponsor of the ABC College Football Halfime Show. And it remains the ofcial tire of the Professional Bull Riders Inc. tour.

Overseas, Cooper will partner with the Arsenal Football Club in the English Premier soccer league for the 2014-2015 season.

A celebrity spokesperson tends to be focused on a specifc demographic, and that’s not what Cooper is trying to accomplish with its current sports marketing strategy, says Chris Ostrander, president of Cooper’s Americas Operations. “We really want to get a much broader geographical reach for our marketing dollars by supporting sports that span a more comprehensive, wide-ranging assortment of consumers.”

Sports marketing and motorsports play key roles in Cooper’s marketing plans, according to Ostrander.

“Tere’s defnitely an emotional connection to our brand, which, ultimately, is going to translate to increased levels of awareness and familiarity.”

He says there is also an added beneft from Cooper’s motorsports involvement.

“Motorsports... not only enables us to connect with diverse consumer groups, it also gives us an opportunity to transfer the technology from these extreme performance products to our core set of products.”

Going to CAMP Te inaugural CAMP, a three-session program held between May 2002 and March 2003, was atended by 20 tire dealers, myself and Greg Ring, then Cooper Tire’s sales and marketing training manager.

Ring told us the primary objective of the program was to provide business skills training, educational opportunities and succession planning assistance to Cooper dealers.

“It was a popular program at its time,” says R ing , now senior account executive. “So were the mini-CAMPs, which focused on specifc subject areas, such Scott Creighton, a fellow CAMP atas efective fnancial tendee representing Colony Tire, told management (which me it was important to keep in mind the nature of tire retailing when hiring. was covered in the “Your business is not the same every first session) and day. It’s not like a restaurant, where sales and marketing they know when the busiest times are.

It changes in our business. I don’t think skill training.”

The dealers our business is absolutely predictable.”

www.moderntiredealer.com

learned about leadership and performance management in the second session. When asked to defne leadership, they used words like “teamwork” and “vision.”

Dave Wehr, executive vice president of Tire-Rama Inc. in Billings, Mont., defned it as “surrounding yourself with a management team, empowering them and geting out of the way.”

Twelve years later, Wehr, now Tire-Rama president, still lives by that defnition.

“Probably the best thing about CAMP was meeting other dealers and making good friends in the industry,” he says.

“I constantly see many of them at diferent manufacturer functions and the SEMA Show. We talk about the business climate, vendor programs and business philosophies, which helps me in my business today.”

In the third session, the dealers were put into groups as part of a business simulation exercise designed to “cultivate market niches” in the retail afermarket. Te rest was up to the dealers, who were penalized for not having bay space or employees when a customer came calling.

Scot Creighton, then executive vice president and chief operating ofcer of Colony Tire Corp. in Edenton, N.C., was not penalized.

“You can’t lay of your employees when it is slow,” says Scot Creighton, now president of the 24-store retail and commercial chain. “You always have to be a litle undermanned to be proftable.

“If a customer comes in and can’t be serviced right away, we’ll ofer him a ride to work or home. We’ll get it done. And you’ll keep the customer.”

Te CAMP no longer exists. In its place is a unique online

The new eCooper University training program is designed to “provide enhanced value to our customers and help them build their businesses,” says Chris Ostrander.

training program for dealers that is being introduced this month: eCooper University Training Rewards.

Te program “goes beyond the foundation of comprehensive product training to provide customers with instruction and insight on a wider array of topics,” says Ostrander.

“Tere are several courses on operating a successful business, including Financial Basics, Human Resources, Business Operations, Advanced Finances, Marketing and E-Marketing.

Several of the business-based learning modules are built on topics addressed in Cooper’s former and very successful CAMP program, and have been brought up-to-date for today’s elearning environment. Of course, the extensive product training regarding Cooper tires and the tire industry remain in place.

“In addition to expanded and enhanced training, the new eCooper University Training Rewards program offers a structured rewards program based on progressive learning,” he

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100 years and counting

The frst-generation Cooper Zeon RS3 was original equipment on four modifed Mustangs: the 2009 Roush Stage 1, 2 and 3 and the 427R.

says. “As they complete courses, customers earn points that translate to various levels of certifcation from Cooper as well as rewards to incentivize their teams to learn more as they build their business with Cooper.”

OE has to start somewhere Cooper dipped its toe in OE waters for the frst time in 2008. Roush Performance Products Inc. needed a tire for its 2009 modifed Mustangs, and the collaboration resulted in the Cooper Zeon RS3.

Cooper referred to the RS3 as a type of OE tire, although the company had no OE market share. Te “Ofcial Tire of Roush Performance” was available in one W-rated blackwall size: 275/40R18.

In February 2013, the Cooper Zeon RS3-A, in size 215/50R17, was selected

by Ford Motor Co. as a standard ftment for the 2013 Ford Focus SE and Titanium models. Te ftment gives Cooper a 1% share of Ford’s OE business in the United States.

“It’s been a very highly successful program for us,” says Ostrander.

“In the short amount of time we’ve been working with Ford, it’s certainly been the right journey for Cooper to undertake, and one that we’re going to

32

continue to expand on. One of the things we’ve communicated externally is that we don’t plan on expending more than 10% of our North American production on the OEM segment by 2020. But that said, 10% isn’t insignifcant.”

Ostrander says there are a lot of benefts to being in the OE business, above and beyond increased brand awareness.

“Since we launched with Ford, I’ve been very consistent in saying OE must make us a beter company and be proftable. It’s driving operational improvements within our plant, and we also see the beneft of improved brand awareness aligned with our brand strategy.”

It also opens up the auto dealership replacement channel for Cooper. According to the 2014 MTD Facts Issue, auto dealerships account for 7.5% of the replacement consumer tire sales in the U.S. Ostrander describes Cooper’s participation in this channel as “very litle today.”

“As we expand into more OE programs, this channel will become an atractive growth opportunity for Cooper,” he adds.

In late 2013, Cooper signed a leter of intent to supply low rolling resistant tires to Elio Motors Inc. Te Michigan-based startup company wants to produce a three-

MTD July 2014

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18119

100 years and counting wheeled, two-passenger vehicle that will achieve up to 84 miles per gallon.

Next stop: 200 years No company can survive for 100 years without being successful. Despite the inevitable ups and downs, members of the century club have stood the test of time.

Cooper joined its ranks this year.

Over the last 29 years, it has been particularly successful; since 1985, its annual sales have grown almost sevenfold, from $522.6 million to $3.4 billion. It is the 11th largest tire manufacturer in the world.

Cooper has a 1% share of Ford Motor Co.’s OE tire business in the United States with its According to the U.S. Small ftment on the 2013 Ford Focus SE and Titanium models.

Business Administration, about one-third of all new establishments survive at least 10 Philosopher George Santayana is perhaps best known for this years, and up to 12% of all businesses close each year. More famous quote about history: “Tose who cannot remember than 33,000 businesses declared bankruptcy in 2013. the past are condemned to repeat it.” Cooper, which began Less than one in 10 publicly traded companies in the U.S. is with the acquisition of a tire repair manufacturing company, 100 years old, based on data from Standard & Poor’s Capital has a track record of proftability. Its leaders are counting on IQ, a division of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC. remembering the past and repeating that success.

Cooper already has beaten the odds of survival. Will it still If that happens, I won’t be there to celebrate. It will be be around 100 years from today in 2114? Tat is the goal. another would-be historian’s turn to reminisce. ■

Congratulations to a great organization.

Congratulations on your frst 100 years from...

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Bob Priebe CBI Tires Inc. bobpriebe58@gmail.com 843-422-0930

MTD July 2014

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feature

‘Internet pricing leveled the playing feld’ MTD 100 dealers combat tighter margins with customer service and social media to boost sales

By Ann Neal

T

he max im “ business as usual” has become “business unusual” for the dealers on this year’s MTD 100. Tey emerged from a global recession to fnd an increasing threat to their margins: tire pricing on the Web. Teir willingness to adapt to change has given them the competitive edge to grow their businesses.

Much of the action on the 2014 MTD 100 took place in California, where two dealerships added 57 outlets. Overall, 34 dealers added stores, and 31 plan to expand. Most are adding one to three stores.

Cincinnati, Ohio-based Tire Discounters Inc. plans to open 12 to 15 stores in the next 12 months.

Among the top 10 ranked dealers, Reinalt-Tomas Corp., which operates Discount Tire/America’s Tire stores, added seven outlets to keep its No. 1 spot with 877 stores. TBC Corp. holds onto second place with 823 stores, down from last year’s due to the conversion of 22 company-owned stores to Midas franchises.

In third place is Monro Mufer Brake Inc. with 427 stores, up 24 over the previous year. Te company’s acquisitions over the last year include 10 Curry’s Auto Service stores. Monro also purchased nine Lentz USA Automotive Service Centers and eight Ken Rock Tire stores to enter the Michigan market.

In fourth place is Les Schwab Tire Centers with 382 stores.

Te company also has 64 member dealers.

Somerset Tire Service Inc. is No. 5 with 150 stores, fve more than 2013. Belle Tire Distributors, Tire Discounters Inc. and Town Fair Tire Centers Inc. opened four, three and two stores, respectively, in the last 12 months. Belle Tire is eighth with 92 stores and Tire Discounters is ninth with 89 stores.

Town Fair Tire Centers has 87 stores to round out the top 10.

Activity in California In California, AKH Co. Inc., which does business as Discount Tire Centers, sold 17 stores in the Los Angeles metro area to Pep Boys-Manny, Moe & Jack. Discount Tire Centers is tied for No. 38 on the MTD 100 with 29 outlets.

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American Tire Depot opened a new store in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., six months ago.

The company has built or acquired 19 stores in the last year and attributes the growth to its customer-centric approach.

Rent-A-Wheel/Rent-A-Tire Inc. is focusing on building business at newly acquired company stores, such as the Las Cruces, N.M., outlet, while launching a franchise model nationally this month.

Another dealer, Los Angeles-based Rent-A-Wheel/RentA-Tire, acquired the Rimco tire and leasing business from Aaron’s Inc. Te purchase added 25 company-owned stores and fve franchise-owned stores. Te company also purchased a Rent-N-Roll store in Las Vegas. Rent-A-Wheel/Rent-A-Tire now has 115 company-owned stores in 15 states and is ranked No. 7 on the MTD 100, the same as last year.

Te Rimco acquisition launched Rent-A-Wheel/Rent-ATire into franchising. President Mat Seaburn says the fve franchise stores as a group grew sales 25% in April 2014 over April 2013. Te company plans to begin selling franchises nationally this month. Todd Evans, the former vice president of franchising at Aaron’s, is leading franchising operations. Te company also is expanding company-owned stores and plans to open fve outlets by the end of 2014 and up to 20 in 2015.

MTD July 2014

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MTD 100 Seaburn says the company has had to work harder for sales over the last couple years. To capture more walk-in customers, the company added more cost-efective imports to the wheel and tire mix, more fexible payment options, and leveraged growth to lower vendor pricing.

To atract customers who do not normally walk through its doors, the company has moved to grass roots marketing eforts that reward customers and employees for bringing in new customers. Social media is used to communicate with potential customers who may not understand Jack Williams Tire Co. Inc. opened its 29th location in Mountain Top, Pa., the company’s business model. in June. The company reopened a store in Mount Pocono, Pa., in Novem“Tese changes have not resulted in big sales ber, fve months after fre destroyed the store. Founded in Kingston, Pa., gains at more mature stores, but they have helped in 1929, the family-owned company is tied for No. 38 on the MTD 100. us to continue steady growth in tough economic conditions,” says Seaburn.

Te La Mirada, Calif.-based company added a comprehensive ATV Inc., which does business as American Tire Depot, line of wheel products in the last 12 months. Kamberian says also grew signifcantly. Te company added 19 retail outlets the company is “laser-focused” on customer service. “When to grab the No. 13 spot on the MTD 100 with 68 stores, all you’re 100% concentrating on customer satisfaction, the rest of them in California. Te company is growing by purchasing falls into place. For us, customer service is paramount. Our existing locations and opening greenfeld stores, according to growth is a direct result of accommodating our customers.”

Avo Kamberian, director of marketing. “Recently, comparable Kamberian says the efect of the Internet on pricing played store sales have been growing at a double digit rate. Growth of out years ago. “Now all the players know their competitors’ the store base is also expanding at a double digit pace. price positioning. Customer support, service and satisfaction “Due to this combination of strong existing store sales and diferentiate a successful company today — and not pricing.” the opening of new units, American Tire Depot has achieved Te Internet has forced dealers to stay at the top of their signifcant growth in overall sales,” he says. game, according to Kamberian. “The entire industry has

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MTD 100 benefted tremendously. Te customer has a signifcant voice in the marketplace in terms of acknowledging and praising the companies that provide the best customer service. We view it as a scorecard. It’s our service scorecard in the marketplace, and our goal is to be beter at it every single day.”

Impact of Internet pricing

“We ofen hear back from consumers who request a quote that we are the only company to get back to them with diferent options and pricing.” Graham Tire is No. 40 on the MTD 100.

Peerless Tyre Co., which does business as Peerless Tires 4 Less, has changed some of its pricing policies and gone to zone pricing in various states, according to Sam Forbes, president.

“We follow everyone else online and make sure we’re in the marketplace. It’s part of doing business today.”

Te Denver, Colo.-based company is tied for No. 16 on the MTD 100 with 57 locations and plans to add two outlets.

Despite thinner margins, Delta World Tire Co. added one outlet in the last year. “We plan steady growth in our current markets and remodeling locations for more interaction with consumers,” says Paul Bernstein, president. “Tire pricing on the Internet continues to drive margins lower; however, it makes us more aware of our market’s conditions.” Te New Orleans, La.-based dealership is tied for No. 67 on the MTD 100 with 16 stores.

“Margins on Tier One are the only tires afected by the Internet,” says Chris Mitsos. He is vice president of Mountain View Tire & Service Inc., which also opened a new outlet. “Tese margins have seemed to stabilize, but they are much lower than fve years ago.” Te company is headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and is tied for No. 34 with 31 stores.

Overall business fnished strong in 2013 and is doing well in 2014 for Warren Tire Service Center Inc. Te Queensbury, N.Y.-based dealership added a store this year. “We have been doing more electronic marketing Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service sponsored a raffe of a 2014 Camaro and social media, and it has helped,” says Robert Kellogg, SS to beneft the Strimbu Memorial Fund, which supports local president. “Internet pricing has setled down and our charities and scholarships. Flynn’s Tire Group is based in West margins are starting to increase slightly.” Te company Middlesex, Pa. and is tied for No. 53 with 18 retail and four commercial outlets. Flynn’s is marking 50 years in business in 2014. has 17 stores to tie for No. 63 on the MTD 100.

“Internet pricing has leveled the playing feld,” says Randy Jones, president of Tireman Auto Service Centers, which 30,944 ‘likes’ and counting opened a new store in the last year. Te Toledo, Ohio-based When it comes to Internet pricing, dealers have to keep dealership is tied for No. 60 with 18 stores. “Tis factor lowered their website pages updated to show they are “right there with margins a few years ago. We and our competitors have made everyone else,” including retailers like Walmart, according to adjustments in our operating expenses in light of new margins. Rusty Coats, operations director for Bore MPC LLC, which “Te Internet factor is kind of old news now,” he says. “I does business as Big O Tires in Missouri and Arkansas. Te believe it is having a very negative impact for smaller dealers, company’s fscal year ends in August. Year 2013-14 is shaping especially dealers who haven’t embraced retail websites.” up to be a record year in terms of sales.

In Oklahoma, Robertson Tire Co. Inc. is experiencing record Te company is selling fewer tires, but auto service sales are retail sales despite the fact Discount Tire recently entered the up. Coats credits the increase to technician training and an Tulsa market, according to Shane Robertson, who manages improved product line from Big O. Te company is on pace corporate development. Increased retail sales helped ofset the to generate 57% of revenue from tire sales and 43% from auto impact on his wholesale business from a new American Tire repair in its current fscal year. Tat’s a shif from the prior fscal Distributors Inc. warehouse in Tulsa. Says Robertson, “We are year, when the mix was 63% tire sales to 37% auto service. constantly working to improve our presence online as well as Big O Tires in Missouri and Arkansas also dedicated an remodel our stores and update our equipment. Internet pricing employee to manage all advertising as well as its Facebook has lowered our tire margins substantially but has brought us presence. Although questions about tire pricing are answered more business than usual.” Robertson Tire is based in Tulsa daily, Coats says the social media site is making people feel the and is tied for No. 98 with 11 stores. stores are part of the community versus “trying to sell them Internet pricing has lowered margins at Graham Tire Co., something.” He says the Facebook page is lighthearted and according to Jen McCann, marketing coordinator for the fun, with contests that award tickets to popular concerts. As Minnesota and Iowa locations. Te company has 28 outlets of June 30, the company’s page had 30,944 “likes.” in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota.

Tied for No. 88 on the MTD 100 with 12 outlets, the company “We have tested listing pricing on our website, but overall plans to open stores in Springfeld, Mo., and Bentonville, Ark. we get a beter response having interested consumers contact “Sales have skyrocketed,” says Coats. “I have to say Facebook us for quote requests through our website,” she says. “It gives is helping that. Is it the end all? No. But when you’ve got us a chance to start a conversation and let them know the 30,000 friends on Facebook, it becomes a constant reminder service and products we can ofer them above our competitors. you’re out there.” ■

40

MTD July 2014

0

877 0

2

TBC Corp., dba Tire Kingdom, Merchant’s Tire & Auto Centers, NTB, Big O Tires Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Erik Olsen, CEO Monro Muffer Brake Inc., dba Mr. Tire, Tread Quarters, Autotire, Discount Tires, Tire Warehouse, Tire Barn, Towery’s Tire and Auto Care Rochester, N.Y. John Van Heel, CEO Les Schwab Tire Centers Bend, Ore. Dick Borgman, CEO Somerset Tire Service Inc. Bridgewater, N.J. Bill Caulin, president Mavis Discount Tire Mount Kisco, N.Y. Stephen and David Sorbaro, owners

823 0

0

823 0

427 0

0

427 0

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

0

0

382 0

Toyo, Dean, Federal, Ohtsu, Hankook, Bridgestone, www.lesschwab.com Cooper, Mastercraft, Pirelli

150 0

0

150 7

Bridgestone, Firestone, Continental, Toyo, Pirelli, www.ststire.com Michelin, Goodyear, Runway, Falken

136 0

0

136 0

Rent-A-Wheel/Rent-A-Tire Inc. Los Angeles, Calif.

John Bowlin and Don Sabino, co-CEOs Belle Tire Distributors1 Allen Park, Mich.

Steven Craig, CEO

115 0

0

115 0

www.mavistire.com Cooper, Dunlop, Firestone, Kelly, Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Falken, Yokohama, Pirelli, Hankook, Toyo, Federal, Nexen, Uniroyal, General, Kumho, Sumitomo, Nokian and 98 more www.rentawheel.com Falken, Nexen, Nitto

87 2

3

92

Tire Discounters Inc. Cincinnati, Ohio Chip Wood, chairman

89 0

0

89

10 Town Fair Tire Centers Inc. East Haven, Conn.

Neil Mellen, CEO and president 11 Sullivan Tire Co. Inc. Norwell, Mass.

Robert Sullivan, president

87 0

0

87

66 1

15 82

12 Pomp’s Tire Service Inc. Green Bay, Wis. Jim Wochinske, president 13 ATV Inc., dba American Tire Depot La Mirada, Calif.

Ara Tchaghlassian, president 14 Purcell Tire & Rubber Co. Potosi, Mo. Robert Purcell, chairman of the board 15 Southern Tire Mart LLC Columbia, Miss.

Thomas and James Duff, owners 16 Peerless Tyre Co., dba Peerless Tires 4 Less Denver, Colo.

Sam Forbes, president

6

2

75

68 0

0

68

27 33

5

65

0

48 63

3

4 5 6

7

8

9

www.moderntiredealer.com

382

67

15

57 0

0

57

1

BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Carlisle, Continental, Cooper, Dunlop, Falken, General, Goodyear, GT Radial, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, Nitto, Pirelli, Yokohama, Nokian, ProComp, Arizonian, Barum, Maxxis, Nankang, Prodigy and 18 more Michelin, Cooper, Sumitomo, Pirelli, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Falken, Firestone, Hankook, Kumho, Nexen, Nitto, Toyo, Uniroyal, Yokohama, General Tire, Big O

Bridgestone, Firestone, Continental, General, Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Toyo, Mastercraft, Sumitomo, Kumho, Hankook, Falken, Pirelli, Kenda, Nexen, Ohtsu 0 BFGoodrich, Kelly, Pirelli, Michelin, Yokohama, Goodyear, Continental, Kumho, Toyo, Uniroyal, Nexen, Dunlop, General, Nankang, Cooper, Bridgestone, Falken 0 BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly, Michelin, Pirelli, Toyo, Uniroyal, Yokohama 11 Goodyear, Dunlop, Michelin, Kelly, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Yokohama, Kumho, Continental, Double Coin, Classic All Season, Gremax, Sigma, Winter Claw, Power King, Wild Spirit, Unicorn 5 Kelly, Firestone, Bridgestone, Goodyear, BFGoodrich, Yokohama, Continental, Michelin, Hankook, Titan 0 Accelera, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Delinte, Dunlop, Falken, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly, Kumho, Mayrun, Michelin, Nexen, Nitto, Pirelli, Riken, Saffro, Toyo, Tracmax, Windforce, Winrun 2 Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Hankook, Toyo, Solideal, Titan, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Summit, Samson, Yokohama, General 0 Bridgestone, Firestone, Continental, General, Yokohama, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Double Coin, Gladiator 0 Bridgestone, Firestone, Cordovan, Hankook, Fuzion

Website

877 0

Wholesale Brands

Total Outlets

Reinalt-Thomas Corp., dba Discount Tire/America’s Tire Scottsdale, Ariz.

Bruce Halle, chairman

Retail

1

Rank

Commercial

Commercial/ Retail

Company Headquarters Chief Offcer/Title

2014 MTD 100: Te top independent tire dealers in the U.S.

www.discounttire.com

www.tbccorp.com

www.belletire.com

www.tirediscounters.com

www.townfair.com

www.sullivantire.com

www.pompstire.com

www.americantiredepot.com

www.purcelltire.com

www.stmtires.com

www.peerlesstyreco.com www.buytires4less.com

41

Commercial/ Retail

Commercial

Total Outlets

Wholesale Brands

Website

0

57

1

www.plazatireservice.com

56 0

0

56

1

55 0

0

55

14 Sumitomo, Multi-Mile, Bridgestone, Toyo, Firestone, Yokohama, Carlisle, Aplus, Maxxis, Buckshot, BKT, Wanli, Kenda, Hankook, Federal

www.dktire.com

53 0

0

53

0

www.kosttire.com

50 0

0

50

22 McCarthy Tire Service Inc. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. John McCarthy Jr., president 23 Service Tire Truck Centers Inc. Bethlehem, Pa. Ronald Bennett, CEO and president 24 Certifed Tire & Service Centers Riverside, Calif.

Jeff Darrow, president 24 Nebraskaland/Kansasland Tire Group Lexington, Neb. Gary Wright, president 26 Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers Inc. High Ridge, Mo. David Dobbs, CEO and president 26 Snider Tire Inc., dba Snider Fleet Solutions Greensboro, N.C. John Snider, president 26 Tire Guys Inc./Tire-Rama Inc. Billings, Mont.

David Wehr, CEO and president 29 Commercial Tire Inc. Meridian, Idaho Bob Schwenkfelder, president/ general manager 30 Hennelly Tire & Auto Inc., dba The Tire Choice & Total Car Care Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Daniel and Diane Hennelly, owners 30 Black’s Tire & Auto Service Whiteville, N.C. Ricky Benton, president 32 Conrad’s Tire Service Inc., dba Conrad’s Tire Express & Total Car Care, Cleveland, Ohio John Turk, CEO and president 33 Fletcher’s Tire & Auto Service Inc. Phoenix, Ariz.

Jerry Fletcher, president

4

13

28 45

www.kauffmantire.com 14 Goodyear, Michelin, Toyo, Cooper, Pirelli, Continental, BFGoodrich, Carlisle, Dunlop, Fierce, General, Gladiator, Kelly, Kumho, Mastercraft, Pegasus, Starfre, Uniroyal, Vortex www.mccarthytire.com 0 Bridgestone, Firestone, General, Yokohama, Double Coin

0

0

44 44

0

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

www.sttc.com

41 0

0

41

0

Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Falken, Black Lion

www.certifedtire.com

18 21

2

41

1

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

www.thetirestore.com

40 0

0

40

1

0

0

40 40

0

www.gotodobbs.com Goodyear, Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, Cooper, Dunlop, Cordovan, BFGoodrich, Sumitomo, Bridgestone www.snidertire.com Michelin, Continental, Yokohama, BFGoodrich, General, Kelly

0

40

0

40

2

Cooper, Yokohama, Bridgestone, Firestone, Carlisle www.tirerama.com

6

24

7

37

1

Yokohama, Bridgestone, Cooper, Firestone, Fuzion www.commercialtire.com

35 0

0

35

0

Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Fuzion, Yokohama, Pirelli

0

0

35

3

34 0

0

34

2

Goodyear, Falken, Federal, BFGoodrich, Michelin, www.blackstire.com Mastercraft, Cooper, Dunlop, Kelly, Hankook, Continental www.econrads.com Goodyear, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Mastercraft

33 0

0

33

0

34 Dunn Tire LLC Buffalo, N.Y. Randall Clark, chairman

31 0

0

31

4

Retail

57

16 Plaza Tire Service Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mark Rhodes, president 18 VIP Parts, Tires & Service Corp.

Lewiston, Maine John Quirk, CEO and president 19 Dunlap & Kyle Co. Inc., dba Gateway Tire & Service Batesville, Miss.

Robert Dunlap, chairman and CEO 20 Kost Tire and Auto Care Binghamton, N.Y. Mike Kost, president 21 Kauffman Tire Inc. Atlanta, Ga. John Kauffman, CEO

0

Rank

42

Company Headquarters Chief Offcer/Title

2014 MTD 100: Te top independent tire dealers in the U.S.

35

Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Summit, Nokian, Falken, Yokohama, Pirelli, Jetzon, Toyo, AutoGrip Multi-Mile, Goodyear, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, Bridgestone

Goodyear, Hankook, Bridgestone, Firestone, Falken, Fuzion, Continental, General

BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Capitol, Continental, Dayton, Firestone, Fuzion, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, Nexen, Nitto, Toyo, Uniroyal, Yokohama BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Dunlop, Firestone, Fuzion, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly, Kenda, Kumho, Michelin, Mickey Thompson, Nexen, Pirelli, Sailun and seven more

www.vipauto.com

www.thetirechoice.com

www.fletcherstireandauto.net

www.dunntire.com

MTD July 2014

31

34 Mountain View Tire & Service Inc. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

Nicholas Mitsos, CEO and president 37 Bauer Built Inc., dba Bauer Built Tire Durand, Wis. Tad Bauer, president 38 AKH Co. Inc., dba Discount Tire Centers Anaheim, Calif.

Andy Andonian, chairman 38 Jack Williams Tire Co. Inc. Scranton, Pa. Bill Williams, CEO

31 0

0

31

0

0

19 30

29 0

0

29 0

40 Graham Tire Co. Sioux Falls, S.D./Spencer, Iowa Bob and Tom Graham, owners 41 T.O. Haas Tire Co. Inc. Lincoln, Neb. George Hoellen, president and owner 41 Royal Tire Inc. St. Cloud, Minn.

Mick Pickens, president 43 Clark Tire & Auto Hickory, N.C. John Clark, owner and CEO 43 Ben Tire Distributors Ltd., dba Neal Tire and Auto Toledo, Ill. Terry Carlon, president 43 McGee Tire Stores Inc. Lakeland, Fla. Mike McGee, president

8

43 Valley Tire Co. Inc. Charleroi, Pa. James Stankiewicz, president 47 Ziegler Tire & Supply Co. Massillon, Ohio William Ziegler, president 47 Raben Tire Co. Inc. Evansville, Ind. Thomas Raben, president 47 Earl W Colvard Inc., dba Boulevard Tire Center Deland, Fla. Earl Colvard, president 47 Colony Tire Corp.

Edenton, N.C. Scott Creighton, president 47 S&S Firestone Inc., dba S&S Tire Inc. Lexington, Ky. Brooks Swentzel, president 52 Christensen Enterprises, dba Action Gator Tire Stores Orlando, Fla. Fred Christensen, president

www.moderntiredealer.com

0

Cooper, Continental, Yokohama, Bridgestone, Michelin, Hankook, Firestone, Goodyear, Toyo, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, GT Radial, Nexen, Radar, Pirelli, Carlisle, General Goodyear, Cooper, Dunlop, Kelly, Starfre, Nankang, Westlake

www.bsts.com

0

Michelin, BFGoodrich, Continental, General, Hercules, Bridgestone, Firestone, Kumho, Carlisle, Alliance, Solideal

www.bauerbuilt.com

29

0

Dunlop, Pirelli, General, Bridgestone, Kumho, Continental, Falken, Hankook, Cooper, Firestone, Geostar, Kelly, Minerva, Nankang, Nitto

www.discounttirecenters.com

0

29

4

28

11 Mastercraft, Continental, General, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Toyo, Yokohama, Nokian, Kumho, GT Radial, Sutong, Nexen, National 0 Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Hankook, Cooper, Titan

26 0

0

26

0

10 0

16 26

0

23 0

2

25

2

25 0

0

25

6

21 4

0

25

0

10 4

11 25

0

8

16

0

24

2

7

16

1

24

4

3

17 24

1

12

11 24

5

0

19 24

Retail

Website

Total Outlets

0

Wholesale Brands

Commercial

Commercial/ Retail

Company Headquarters Chief Offcer/Title

31 0

Rank

34 AAA/Bob Sumerel Tire & Service Cincinnati, Ohio Craig Sumerel, president

11

16

21 0

2

23

www.mountainviewtire.com

www.jackwilliams.com

www.grahamtire.com www.grahamtire.net

www.tohaastire.com Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Goodyear, Kumho, Nitto, Continental, Hankook, Mickey Thompson, Dick Cepek, Nexen, General, Pro Meter, Trazano, Durun www.royaltire.com Bridgestone, Firestone, Mastercraft, Summit, Michelin, Toyo, Roadmaster, Yokohama

Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Continental, Dunlop, Fierce, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly, Nankang, Sumic, Toyo, Vanderbilt Bridgestone, Firestone, Cooper, Carlisle, Goodyear, Kelly, Multi-Mile, ProComp, Mickey Thompson, Dayton, Kenda, Sumitomo, Alliance, Yokohama, Titan BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Dick Cepek, Double Coin, Dunlop, Falken, Federal, Firestone, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Hercules, Kumho, Michelin, Nexen, Nitto, Pirelli and 18 more Michelin, BFGoodrich, Continental, General, Yokohama, Sumitomo, Uniroyal

Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Continental, General, GT Radial, Mitas, Fuzion, Carlisle, Samsun 3 Michelin, Goodyear, BFGoodrich, Kelly, Uniroyal, Dunlop, Fierce, Pirelli, Hankook, Summit, GT Radial, Continental, General, Yokohama 0 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Riken, Cooper, Starfre, Bridgestone, Firestone, Nitto, Primewell, Kumho, Yokohama, Continental, General 4 Cooper, Falken, Mastercraft, Michelin, Yokohama, Toyo, BFGoodrich, Continental, Uniroyal, General, Cordovan, Sumic, Autogrip 10 Bridgestone, Firestone, Fuzion, Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Continental, General, Yokohama, Cooper,Mastercraft, Kumho, Sunfull, Durun, Titan, Mastertrack, Gladiator, Samson, Carlisle 0 Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Dunlop, Falken, Fierce, Firestone, Fuzion, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly, Kumho, Nitto, Omni, Westlake

www.clarktire.com

www.bentire.com

www.mcgeetire.com

www.valleytireco.com

www.zieglertire.com

www.rabentire.com

www.boulevardtire.com

www.colonytire.com

www.sstire.com

www.actiongatortire.com

43

Commercial

Total Outlets

Wholesale Brands

Website

Commercial/ Retail

22 0

0

22

0

Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, Nokian, BFGoodrich, Fuzion, Primewell

www.grismertire.com

22 0

0

22

1

Goodyear, Cooper, BFGoodrich, Cordovan, Michelin, Kelly, Dunlop, Fierce, Uniroyal, Toyo

www.jensentireandauto.com

18 0

4

22

4

3

19

0

22

5

www.fynnstire.com Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Yokohama, GT Radial, Nokian, Nexen, Hankook, Titan, Great Lakes, Roadmaster, Pirelli, Vogue, Vanderbilt, Sumitomo, Sailun www.southernindianatire.com Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Firestone, Fuzion, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Mastercraft, Primewell

0

22

0

22

0

21 0

0

21

0

19 0

0

19

18 0

0

17 0

60 Appalachian Tire Products Inc. Charleston, W. Va. Jennifer Dial, president 63 Ramona Tire Inc., dba Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers Hemet, Calif.

Don Digby, CEO 63 Evans Tire & Service Centers Inc., dba Evans Tire & Service Centers and TAG Motorsports Vista, Calif.

John Andonian, president 63 Warren Tire Service Center Inc. Queensbury, N.Y. Robert Kellogg, president 63 Bob Sumerel Tire Co. Inc. Erlanger, Ky. Bob Sumerel, CEO 67 Delta World Tire Co. New Orleans, La. Paul Bernstein, president 67 P.R. Walker Inc., dba Tire Tracks Joliet, Ill. Frank Shipla, president 67 Cassidy Tire & Service Addison, Ill. Ahern family members, owners 67 Custom Bandag Inc. Linden, N.J. Fred De Jesus Sr., CEO and president

8

Retail

53 Grismer Tire Co., dba Grismer Tire & Auto Service Dayton, Ohio John Marshall, president 53 Jensen Tire & Auto Omaha, Neb. Matthew Jensen, president 53 Flynn’s Tire Group, dba Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service West Middlesex, Pa. Joe Flynn III, president 53 Southern Indiana Tire Inc., dba Southern Indiana Tire, Best One Tire & Service and Best One Fleet Service Princeton, Ind. Paul Weaver, president 53 Pete’s Tire Barns Inc. Orange, Mass.

Peter Gerry, CEO and president 58 Express Tire Auto Service Center2 Escondido, Calif.

John Marchioni, president 59 Allen Tire Co. Lakewood, Calif.

Fred Allen, president 60 Tireman Auto Service Centers Toledo, Ohio Randy Jones, president 60 Big Brand Tire & Service Camarillo, Calif.

Greg Robinson, president

Rank

44

Company Headquarters Chief Offcer/Title

2014 MTD 100: Te top independent tire dealers in the U.S.

Michelin, Uniroyal, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Cooper, Continental, Goodyear, Firestone, Ohtsu, General, Double Coin Goodyear, Kelly, Toyo, Cooper, Michelin, BFGoodrich

www.petestire.com

0

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

www.allentireco.com

18

0

Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Multi-Mile, Hankook, Pirelli, Cooper

www.thetireman.com

1

18

1

9

1

18

1

www.bigbrandtire.com Continental, Michelin, Goodyear, Kumho, BFGoodrich, Cooper, Dunlop, Falken, General, Pirelli, Yokohama, Delta, Hankook, Nokian, Uniroyal, Delinte, Nexen, Nitto and nine more Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Cordovan, General, Toyo, www.apptire.com Super Grip, Primex, Michelin

17 0

0

17

0

Bridgestone, Firestone, Fuzion, Hankook, Pirelli, Continental, General, GT Radial, Diamondback

17 0

0

17

0

www.evanstire.com Goodyear, Kelly, Pirelli, Yokohama, Hankook, Westlake, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Kingstar www.tagmotorsports.com

14 3

0

17

0

Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Continental, General, Kumho, Aeolus

www.warrentiresvc.com

1

10 17

0

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

www.bobsumereltire.com

13 3

0

16

0

Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Cooper, Goodyear, Delta

www.deltaworldtire.com

15 1

0

16

1

www.tiretracksusa.com

0

16

0

16

2

Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Continental, Delta, General, Cooper, Fuzion, Goodyear, Nexen, Pirelli, Uniroyal, National Continental, General, Toyo, Gladiator, Kumho

0

16

0

16

0

6

www.expresstire.com

www.ramonatire.com

www.cassidytire.com

Cooper, General, Firestone, Bridgestone, Michelin, www.custombandag.com Goodyear, Continental, Yokohama

MTD July 2014

www.moderntiredealer.com

Commercial

Total Outlets

Wholesale Brands

Website

Commercial/ Retail

15 0

0

15

0

BFGoodrich, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Uniroyal

www.tiredeals.com

15 0

0

15

0

Yokohama, Pirelli, Continental, General, Toyo, Fuzion, Falken, Cooper, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Michelin, Starfre

www.tireworkstcc.com

14 0

1

15

0

Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Riken, Goodyear, www.chabillstire.com GT Radial, Westlake

1

13

1

15

2

www.strathamtire.com

7

2

5

14

0

Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Kelly, Westlake, Hankook, Toyo, Double Coin, Bridgestone, Summit, Firestone Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Cooper, Yokohama, Vogue, Starfre, BFGoodrich, Nitto, Kumho, Firestone, Bridgestone, Michelin, Continental

14 0

0

14

1

Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Fierce, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Continental, General, Firestone, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Hankook, Nitto

www.lambstire.com

14 0

0

14

0

Mastercraft, Hankook, Goodyear, Nokian, Westlake

www.bruneeltirefactory.com

13 1

0

14

1

Cooper, Dean, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Firestone, Hankook, Nexen, Toyo, Sumitomo, Continental, Yokohama

www.jackfurriers.com

11 0

3

14

1

www.tedwiens.com

0

3

14

0

Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Hankook, Fuzion, Continental, General, Cooper Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Michelin, Continental, Yokohama

14 0

0

14

1

Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Cooper, GT Radial, Toyo, www.advancedauto.com Michelin, BFGoodrich

13 0

0

13

1

Yokohama, Continental, Michelin, Kumho, General, www.steveshannon.com Bridgestone, Firestone, Uniroyal, Dayton

10 0

3

13

4

Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Hankook, Falken, www.freeservicetire.com Continental, General, Cooper, Yokohama, Pirelli, Runway, Nankang, ProComp, Nokian, Jetzon

1

2

10 13

0

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

www.callaghantire.com

0

13

0

13

0

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

www.crossmidwest.com

13 0

0

13

0

Nexen, Falken, Yokohama, Kumho

www.rnrarkansas.com

13 0

0

13

0

BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Goodyear, Kelly, Michelin, Riken, Uniroyal, Duro, Falken, Ohtsu

www.american-tire.com

12 0

0

12

0

Big O, Yokohama, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, www.mfaoil.com Nitto, Falken, Sumitomo, Goodyear, Sailun

Retail

Company Headquarters Chief Offcer/Title

Rank

71 F & F Tire & Service Co. Janesville, Wis. Jeff DeVries, president 71 Morpheus Investments, dba Tire Works Total Car Care Las Vegas, Nev. Jeff and Roshie Weightman, owners 71 Chabill’s Tire Service LLC Morgan City, La. Charles Gowland, manager 71 Stratham Tire Inc. Brentwood, N.H. Lionel Labonte, president 75 Daniels Tire Service Inc. Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

Douglas Daniels, chairman and CEO 75 Lamb Ventures LP, dba Lamb’s Tire & Automotive Austin, Texas Jim Ramsey, CEO and president 75 Bruneel Tire Inc., dba Bruneel Tire Factory Boise, Idaho Craig Bruneel, president 75 Western Tire Centers Inc., dba Jack Furrier Tire & Auto Care Tucson, Ariz.

Jack Furrier, president 75 Ted Wiens Tire & Auto Centers Las Vegas, Nev. Ted Wiens, president 75 T&W Tire Inc. Oklahoma City, Okla.

Charles Wilson, CEO 75 Advanced Auto Service & Tire Center Mesa, Ariz.

Paul Couture, owner 82 Steve Shannon Tire Co. Inc. Bloomsburg, Pa. Steve Shannon, CEO and president 82 Free Service Tire Co. Inc. Johnson City, Tenn.

Lewis Wexler Sr., chairman and CEO 82 Callaghan Tire Inc. Bradenton, Fla. Dan Callaghan, owner 82 Cross-Midwest Tire Co. Kansas City, Mo. Greg Trum, president 82 Rental Concepts LLC, dba RNR Custom Wheels & Performance Tires Fayetteville, Ark. David Harrison, president 82 American Tire Co./ Jennings Tire Co. Murfreesboro, Tenn.

H.B. Willis, CEO 88 Bore/MPC LLC, dba Big O Tires in Missouri and Arkansas Columbia, Mo. Jerome Taylor, president

11

www.danielstireservice.com

www.tandwtire.com

45

0

12

12 0

0

12

0

1

0

11 12

0

0

0

12 12

0

0

0

12 12

0

12 0

0

12

0

12 0

0

12

0

0

12

0

12

6

6

0

11 0

Website

12 0

Wholesale Brands

Total Outlets

Commercial/ Retail

Commercial

88 Mock Beroth Tire Inc. Winston-Salem, N.C. Cary Mock, president 88 Gulf Coast L&P Inc., dba RNR Custom Wheels & Tires Moss Point, Miss.

Shannon Strunk, owner 88 McGriff Tire & Service Cullman, Ala. Barry McGriff, president 88 Tredroc Tire Services Inc.1 Antioch, Ill., Stevan Weakley, CEO 88 Parkhouse Tire Inc. Bell Gardens, Calif.

Jim Parkhouse, CEO 88 Rims USA LLC, dba RNR Custom Wheels & Tires Spartanburg, S.C. Chris Raffo, owner 88 Virginia Tire & Auto Fairfax, Va. Mike Holmes, CEO 88 Whalen Tire Inc. Butte, Mont.

Tom Whalen, owner 88 St. Lucie Battery & Tire Co. Fort Pierce, Fla. Doug Miller, president 98 Robertson Tire Co. Inc. Tulsa, Okla.

Mark Robertson, president/COO 98 Sun Tire Inc. Jacksonville, Fla. Dick Erickson, CEO and president 98 Clark Tire Company Inc. Versailles, Mo. Bill Clark, president 98 Pueblo Tires & Service, McAllen, Texas Ricky Ivey, general manager 98 Martino Tire Co. Miami, Fla. Andy Martino, president 98 Northwest Tire Inc. Bismarck, N.D. Dan Pearson, president 98 City Tire Co. Inc., Springfeld, Mass., Peter Greenberg, president 98 Action Tire Co. Forest Park, Ga. Rick Stewart, president 98 Redburn Tire Co. Phoenix, Ariz.

J.D. Chastain, president 98 Jack’s Tire and Oil Management Co. Inc., dba Jack’s Tire & Oil Inc. Logan, Utah, Bob Feldbauer, CEO and president

2

Cooper, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Firestone, Fuzion, Kumho, Nexen, Capitol, Goodyear, Nitto Goodyear, Michelin, Continental, Kumho, Pirelli, Yokohama, Bridgestone, Firestone, Cooper, Dayton, Fuzion, Delta, Falken, GT Radial, Kelly, Nitto, Hankook, Nankang, Nexen, Mastercraft, Primewell Michelin, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Firestone, Dunlop, General, Uniroyal, Winston, Dayton, Regul, AutoEdge Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Continental, General, Michelin, Toyo, Yokohama, Titan, Hankook, Antyre Bridgestone, Michelin, Yokohama, Firestone, BFGoodrich, General, Continental, Cooper, Double Coin, Titan, Solideal Goodyear, Michelin, Continental, Kumho, Kelly, Pirelli, Yokohama, Bridgestone, Firestone, Cooper, Dayton, Fuzion, Delta, Falken, GT Radial, Hankook, Nankang, Nexen, Mastercraft, Nitto, Primewell Firestone, Fuzion, Goodyear, Kelly, Michelin, Towmaster, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Dunlop

www.mockberothtire.com

0

Michelin, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Firestone, Yokohama, Continental, Goodyear, Cordovan

www.whalentire.com

12

0

www.slbatterytire.com

0

11

1

11 0

0

11

0

11 0

0

11

4

11 0

0

11

0

10 0

1

11

0

BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Falken, Hercules, Maxxis, Michelin, Ohtsu, Sumitomo, Toyo, Trelleborg, Uniroyal Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Riken, Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Continental, General, Hankook, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Firestone, Cooper Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Delta, Dunlop, Falken, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Nexen, Nitto, Pirelli, Toyo, Yokohama, six more BFGoodrich, Carlisle, Cooper, Del-Nat, Doral, Falken, Federal, Firestone, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, National, Nexen, Nitto and four more Bridgestone, General, Fierce, Kumho, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Falken, Hankook, Mastercraft, Goodyear Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Zeetex, Accelera, Forceum

9

0

2

11

5

Bridgestone, Firestone, Falken, Nokian, Yokohama, National, Delta, Titan, Goodyear

www.nwtire.com

6

5

0

11

0

Bridgestone, Firestone, Toyo, Delta, Hankook, Fuzion, CMA, GTC

www.city-tire.com

1

1

9

11

0

Toyo, Cooper, Goodyear, Double Coin, Michelin, Yokohama

www.actiontireco.com

0

0

11 11

0

www.redburntireco.com

1

7

3

0

Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, Yokohama, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Continental, General, Double Coin, Titan, Cooper Hankook, Continental, Yokohama, Sumitomo, Sailun

Retail

Company Headquarters Chief Offcer/Title

Rank

2014 MTD 100: Te top independent tire dealers in the U.S.

11

www.rnrwheels.com

www.mcgrifftireservices.com

www.tredroctire.com

www,parkhousetire.com

www.rnrwheels.com

www.vatire.com

www.robertson-tire.com

www.suntire.com

www.clarktireco.com

www.pueblotires.com

www.martinotire.com

www.jackstireandoil.com

(1) Does not include Belleroc Tire Services, a joint venture between Tredroc Tire Services and Belle Tire Distributors.

(2) Express Tire Auto Service Center also operates four stores in Mexico.

46

MTD July 2014

feature

A tire store grows in Brooklyn Emil’s All Tire Co. fourishes thanks to forward-thinking business practices, a large inventory and close attention to details

By Katharine Ulrich

R

alph Czeisler, manager and owner of Emil’s All Tire Co., knows his tires.

He knows that low-profle tires — a popular choice for his many BMW-driving customers — cannot handle the potholes of Brooklyn, N.Y., very well. He knows how to make split-second assessments about tire rotation with a glance at his customers’ tire treads and a working memory of their vehicles’ histories. But more than his knowledge of tires, Czeisler understands his customers.

Emil’s All Tire, a full-service tire dealership with what Czeisler calls one of the largest Of Emil’s 17 shop employees in Brooklyn, N.Y., nine are technicians and in-store stocks of tires in all of Brooklyn, two are tire specialists. The dealership stocks close to 2,000 tires. remains a successful operation by continuously exploring unique ways to keep his business proftable and placing a premium on customer service.

“I always emphasize two things, again and again: quality and service,” says Czeisler, siting next to a wall covered in hand-written thank you notes from satisfied customers.

“People like having a relationship — they don’t want to be treated as a number.”

Geting started Czeisler grew up in Rockaway, N.Y., and lives there with his wife and three children. Emil’s All Tire is in nearby Gravesend.

Located in the southern tip of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, Gravesend has a population of around 30,000, according to the United States Census Bureau. Te area is well-known for its concentration of Eastern European Jewish residents and proximity to some of the Big Apple’s busiest thoroughfares, including Ocean and Belt parkways and the Gowanus Expressway.

In 1979, Czeisler’s Romanian-born father, Emil Czeisler, opened the original Emil’s a few blocks away from the shop’s current location on Gravesend Neck Road. Czeisler came into the business full-time 22 years ago. He says one of his goals is to “always look for new ways to elevate the business and bring new customers into the shop in order to generate more and new income.”

When the dealership’s long-time lease expired in 2005, Czeisler decided it was time for a change. A move to a new address proved a success, one of many displays of business smarts for the younger Czeisler.

According to Hoover’s, a research company dedicated to

www.moderntiredealer.com

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18124

47

Emil’s All Tire

Speedy repairs are one of the biggest goals at Emil’s. “I do what I need to do to get you back on the road as quickly as possible,” says Czeisler. He also keeps convenient hours of operation, including being open on Sundays.

aggregating information on private businesses, Emil’s All Tire sees upward of $2 million in annual sales. Te dealership has an A-plus standing with the Beter Business Bureau.

Yelp.com, a popular user-based review website, gives Emil’s All Tire four out of fve stars.

“Sales are much beter with the fresh start,” says Czeisler.

“My father saw a window of opportunity (when he opened Emil’s), and he was successful because of his warm and atentive personality. But he was not always geared as a business entrepreneur.”

Addressing community needs While Czeisler remains focused on friendly service, he also has prioritized keeping Emil’s All Tire a competitive modern business.

Recognizing the difering needs of the surrounding multiethnic community, Emil’s 17 employees can collectively speak six diferent languages, including Hebrew, Russian and Spanish.

In observance of Shabbat, the day of rest in Judaism, the

48

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

dealership is closed on Saturdays. Czeisler opens the business on Sundays at 7 a.m. for weekend service.

“We keep our hours of operation very convenient,” says Czeisler. “Sundays are actually our busiest day and the day we bring in the most new customers. Teir cars break down, their regular shops are closed, so they end up here if something goes wrong.”

In order to meet the tire needs of Brooklyn drivers, Emil’s stocks approximately 2,000 tires in its atached warehouse space. Czeisler sells Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Firestone, Bridgestone, Dunlop, Goodyear, Sumitomo, Kumho and Pirelli tires, among other brands.

According to www.tirerack.com, Emil’s is a highly recommended installer, and meets its “Price Pledge Plus” requirements for customer satisfaction.

Small things mater In order to draw customers from neighborhoods outside Gravesend, Czeisler turned to expanding his operation’s social media presence.

In addition to the company’s frequently updated Facebook page and Twitter handle, Czeisler points to a 2009 professional redesign of Emil’s All Tire’s website as one important step into the 21st century.

“My father was never big on advertisements, instead believing his work spoke for itself,” says Czeisler. “Word-of-mouth is our main form of advertising, but we do pride ourselves on our presence on the Internet, and we get a lot of new customers from it.”

Rather than ofer special deals on products — “I’m not interested in at-

MTD July 2014

tracting that type of customer” — Czeisler relies on personal touches that keep his customers coming back for more.

“We don’t do television or newspaper ads,” he says. “We make a yearly calendar, and give it out for free. We focus on the small things. Small things mater.”

Gail Weber, a neighborhood customer of three years, appreciates the atention to detail. One day in 2010, she had auto repairs done at the dealership, and she has used Emil’s All Tire for all of her car needs since.

“I’m treated nicely, they always do competent work, the staf is respectful, and I’m quickly atended to by employees,” she says.

Most of Emil’s 17 employees — nine automotive technicians and two tire specialists — are longtime workers. One of them, Jose Garcia, 65, has been with the company for more than 30 years.

“I believe that’s an important part of why customers stay,” says Czeisler. “Longtime relationships between employees and customers are what build trust.”

Weber agrees. “They also have the cleanest bathroom you’ll ever see at a mechanic’s (shop),” she says. “Tey give you refreshments, they have free Wi-Fi....

It satisfes all of my criteria.”

if consumers are smart, they buy insurance up front for their tires as well as cars.”

According to Czeisler, business “skyrocketed” afer Emil’s began ofering tire insurance.

“It’s a fnancial beneft to the business because people know that if they have tire insurance, they can come to me in this area and I’ll get them out same-day.”

About 20% of his business is selling and dealing with highend tires such as run-fat and low-profle tires, particularly because they develop problems easier. “You don’t repair them

Competitive edge Te state of New York requires safety and emissions inspections every 12 months for all privately owned cars.

Emil’s is verifed by CARCO Group Inc., a national information services company that provides consumers with locations of car inspection sites. Typical rates for both tests to be performed range from $21 to $27 in New York City. However, Emil’s ofers the service for free.

“We do about 200 inspections a month,” said Czeisler. “It’s a complimentary service because about one out of 20 customers comes back to us for something else.

“It’s a door opener. That way, they know I’m here.”

Emil’s ofers more than 20 services, including auto body repair; brake work; lube, oil and flter service; and steering and suspension work. However, tires are the main draw, both directly and indirectly.

Knowing luxury cars are ubiquitous in his service area, Czeisler determined selling tire insurance and stocking a wide variety of wheels also would benefit the shop.

“I saw a new trend in the industry with tire insurance,” he says. “High-end cars are equipped with high-end tires, and they’re typically $350 to $600 a tire. So

www.moderntiredealer.com

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

49

Emil’s All Tire if the damage is in an unsafe spot,” says Czeisler. “You replace them.” (Asked to name specifcs, he said that some run-fat tires on BMW 6 Series vehicles “pop like water balloons in Brooklyn due to the heaviness of the car, the type of rims, and New York potholes.”)

Potholes aside, Czeisler is proud to serve Gravesend because he feels he understands his neighbors. He says that once a beter-business consultant tried to give him some poor advice.

“He was trying to tell me stuf that won’t work in Brooklyn, and telling me about how to upsell maintenance work. I’m not a pushy guy. If people are trying to generate income like that because business is not like it was 20 years ago, that’s not me.

“Te key thing with any consumer is trust and a good relationship. For me, price is not the main factor. My customers just come in and ask what they need to fx their car to get them back on the road. Some don’t even ask how much, they just trust me.”

Surviving disasters Emil’s All Tire also is feeling the lingering efects of Hurricane Sandy, the Category Tree hurricane that swept through the Northeast in October 2012, devastating many communities and businesses in the tri-state area. But much like any tire dealer in America who has faced hardships, Czeisler patiently waited it out, hoping to bank on an increase of business that summer might bring.

“We were hit hard by Sandy — it was a hard time for everybody,” he says. “Business was down, customers were

50

fnancially hurt, but business picked up at the beginning of summer. People tend to go away more and take road trips, unlike when they may fy during winter.”

His advice for independent tire dealers outside New York is to keep up relationships with customers frst and foremost.

“Always get to know your customers, and business will Each year, Emil’s All Tire brings in classes of local elementary continue. I always look to students to learn about automomake the business better tive service. Czeisler shows them for myself, my family and an oil change, the under carriage my customers. I know my of a car, and gives a tour of his Pictured is a thank you customers on a frst-name shop. note from one class. basis.”

Tough Czeisler does not currently have any plans in the works for of-site expansion of Emil’s All Tire, he has thought about buying the property next door.

“We don’t want a second location,” he says. “I wouldn’t mind expanding but I want to be on site. I wouldn’t want to have another manager because customers want to be greeted by a familiar face.”

Czeisler also has considered installing fve or six car lifs

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

MTD July 2014

in the parking lot, which already has room for 30 cars to park, in order to accommodate even more customers.

With all of his forward-thinking business strategies, Czeisler still swears

by his father’s techniques and old-school mentality. “I value people’s business,” says Czeisler. “I’m very atentive. Ultimately, I’m in the people problem business, which is not always an easy business to be in. But I enjoy the challenge of fxing cars and dealing with the public.”

And most importantly for Emil’s All Tire and Brooklyn car owners alike, Czeisler is good at it. ■ Katharine Ulrich is copy editor for eMarketer Inc., a research frm based in New York, N.Y.

Czeisler stands before artwork from his three children, ages 4, 8, and 14.

Also pictured are Jewish hamsa amulets, often used for good luck.

Beating the competition Find open niches, says Czeisler A successful tire dealer needs more than friendly faces and free soda to stay afoat in the fercely competitive Brooklyn area of New York City.

Emil’s All Tire Co. is situated on the corner of Avenue W and East 15th street. Though cars were parked throughout the lot and three were being worked on the day of my interview with owner Ralph Czeisler, the busy shop shares the block with four other auto repair shops and tire dealerships. In total, there are 10 businesses offering similar services to Emil’s within a 15-minute drive or so.

The competition does not bother Czeisler, however. “If you’re good, there’s no reason you shouldn’t stay in business no matter where you’re located. There’s plenty of business around. You just have to do stuff others don’t offer.”

In other words, fnd open niches in the market. Czeisler most recently added glass repair and replacement and insurance inspections to his list of services. — Katharine Ulrich

www.moderntiredealer.com

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

51

Focus on industry

Giti Tire will make 5 million tires a year in South Carolina Tire maker to spend $560 million on its frst U.S. plant

By Bob Bissler

G

iti Tire Co. Ltd. announced June 16, 2014, that it is building a consumer tire plant in Chester County, S.C. Executives from Giti and its North American subsidiary, Giti Tire (USA) Ltd., joined South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and state and county officials in announcing the plan.

“Te frst phase of production capacity is expected to be 5 million tires annually,” said Enki Tan, executive chairman of the Giti Tire Group. “Giti Tire plans to further increase production capacity in response to future market demand and conditions.”

According to Giti, the $560 million tire manufacturing plant is necessary “to meet growing demand in the North American market.” Te facility is expected to generate 1,700 new jobs over the next 10 years.

“Tis signifcant investment represents our strong commitment to customers in North America,” said Tan. “Tis is a key milestone for Giti Tire and an important part of our growth strategy worldwide.

“Existing business and strong demand for Giti Tire’s passenger and light truck tires in North America has made this signifcant investment in South Carolina possible.”

Tis is the frst greenfeld project in North America for Giti Tire. Te plant will produce passenger and light truck tires for the replacement and original equipment markets. Te plant will be built with a focus on maintaining a healthy balance with the environment and following Giti Tire’s green initiatives.

“Chester County is an excellent location for Giti Tire, ofer-

At the announcement that Giti Tire will build a plant in Chester County, S.C., (left to right), Giti’s Enki Tan was joined by Governor Nikki Haley and County Supervisor Carlisle Roddey for the logo unveiling.

ing an extensive and efcient infrastructure network including interstate highways, rail, close proximity to airports and a major metropolitan area to support the company’s needs and growth for many years to come,” said Lei Huai Chin, managing director of the Giti Tire Group.

“Te new facility will combine a manufacturing plant and distribution center, with a total building area estimated to be 1,800,000 square feet,” said Tom McNamara, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Giti Tire (USA).

Giti Tire (USA) markets and sells high performance, passenger, SUV, light truck and medium truck tires in the United States and Canada. ■

U.S.-made Giti brands: GT Radial, Primewell and Dextero Following the announcement that Giti Tire Co. Ltd. will build a U.S. plant in Chester County, S.C., Enki Tan, executive chairman of Giti Tire Group, shared his vision of the company’s future in the U.S. market.

“The production will be mainly for the U.S. and Canadian markets. Mexico is possible if an OE company requests it, but right now the current plan is U.S. and Canada. We’ll be making the brands we sell in the U.S. right now, which are GT Radial, Primewell and Dextero.

“The Runway brand is a possibility later, but we’re just going to make three brands for now.”

Tan said initial production will be 5

52

million PCR and LT tires per year, or 30,000 per day. No dates have been set as to when production will begin, or if it will increase in time.

“We’ll see what the market is like over the next few years and we’ll decide as we go along,” said Tan. “What we look at is the whole value chain. Automation is one part of it; the manufacturing is one part of it, the logistic costs of shipping raw materials and shipping fnished goods. There is time to market; there are the value-added products that we can manufacture in this country.

“We look at a whole series of tangible and intangible aspects of manufacturing

and automation is just one part of it.”

Tan said he has three main concerns in the global tire industry. First is volatility in raw material prices, especially natural rubber, because it causes a “whiplash action” in the value chain. Second is overcapacity in some areas.

“The other one is protectionism; we see that creeping in in some areas. The tire industry creates a lot of jobs and it is a conduit to many other industries around. If the tire industry closes down in one area the impact is much larger than the number of jobs it loses. That creates protectionism.

“You need a balance of capacity creation and free trade.”

MTD July 2014

Business insight

Te do’s and don’ts of handling bad online reviews Sooner or later, all businesses receive negative publicity oes your business have bad online • 80% of consumers say negative reviews online reviews? Do you care? You probably have made them change their mind about purchasdo, and yes, you should care. Virtually ing a product or service recommended to them. every business will eventually receive some bad • Each additional Star rating on Yelp or Google can online reviews from its customers. It’s practiequate to a 5% to 9% increase in business revenue. cally impossible to satisfy all your customers all of the time.

Here are some simple guidelines to follow when Consumers are “social media” junkies. Tey a bad review is posted online about your business. thrive on posting the good, the bad, and the ugly in their lives — day-in and day-out. Do By Wayne Croswell 1. Do your best to determine if the review is you know there are over 85 social media sites legitimate. I don’t mean determining if the review consumers can pick from to tell their story? is accurate. I mean determine if it’s from a legitimate Why is a good online reputation important? customer. If you believe it’s from a non-legitimate source, such as a competitor, you should contact the • 87% of consumers say positive reviews online have review site itself and request the review to be removed reinforced their decision to purchase a product or service based on the premise it is not from a legitimate reviewer. recommended to them.

Information on how to contact them can be found • One negative online customer review can cost a company directly on their website. about 30 customers.

2. Don’t post fake reviews anywhere. Yelp has no problem

D

www.moderntiredealer.com

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

53

Business insight

Social media has had a profound affect on publicity.

punishing businesses they fnd posting fake reviews. Tey post a warning message right on your business listing informing consumers that you have been found posting fake reviews. It will have a negative impact on your reputation.

3. Don’t call out a negative reviewer publicly. Your frst inclination is to defend your reputation; resist the temptation.

Not only will you look like the bad guy, you subject your business to the many review fans piling on and defending the negative reviewer — magnifying the original negative review. In fact, the negative publicity you may receive from your response could be worse than the impact of the original negative review.

4. Do post a brief comment on the negative review that shows you are concerned with the bad experience and want to work directly with the customer to resolve it to their satisfaction.

54

Less is more. If you need help in properly wording your responses, seek advice from the experts. You don’t want to add fuel to the fre by posting the wrong message.

5. Do address the negative review personally and with care.

Te sooner you can address it, the beter. Reviews that are handled quickly and properly can cause the reviewer to modify or repost their positive experience with your business.

6. Do have a formal process in place to prevent negative reviews from occurring in the frst place. Empower your staf to handle negative situations when they occur.

7. Do treat every customer as a potential online reviewer and make sure customer satisfaction and online reputations are top priorities with every one of your staf. By asking customers for feedback from each occurrence of service, you give yourself the opportunity to be proactive in addressing negative experiences before it is too late. Take the process of-line by communicating directly and privately with the customer.

Take your online reputation seriously and do what you can to promote positive online reviews from your customers. It’s not a mater of if; it’s a mater of when you get bad online reviews.

Most importantly, it’s a mater of how you handle them. ■

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

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

MTD July 2014

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

Counter intelligence

Mastering the fne art of pricing Look at it from the dynamic of dollars and ‘sense’

P

rice, price, price, price, price, price, price...

Over the next several months, I’m going to share everybody is talking about tire prices. Insome research I’ve done, solutions from other dependent tire dealers have a lot to say dealers, and some of my personal experience. about this subject, and rightly so. Tire dealers My perspective in this series of pricing articles is are talking about all phases of tire pricing, what that tire pricing is a multi-dimensional discipline they pay for tires and what they charge (or can and is considerably more complex than simply charge) for tires. the diference between what you pay versus what Several days ago I was talking with a successful you charge (gross proft). independent dealer about pricing. He and I agreed I hope to reduce pain points in the tire pricing that what we used to call “cheap customers” have By Wayne Williams channel. Topics to be covered include: now been divided into three new categories: “cheap, cheaper and more cheaper.”

• Bundling products and services.

He also made an observation that some customers aren’t • Diferentiation/limiting choices. cheap, they are just broke. He reiterated something I keep • More is more, and less is more. hearing from dealers, “You have to read the customers.” I • If you don’t know, don’t wing it. think what this “counter intelligent tire expert” is saying • Don’t let anchor pricing be an anchor. is, to close each sale it’s more important than ever to read • Pricing variables afect price perception. the customer. If each customer is “custom,” then who • Avoiding unintended consequences. needs an overall “pricing strategy.” Te answer is, everyone.

• We’re pricing customers as well as tires.

Pricing is so much more then selling price minus cost of good sold. Let’s look at pricing from a diferent dynamic, Pricing is more than a gross proft exercise, it’s a strategic let’s look at “dollars” and “sense,” let’s look at the “math” exercise, a psychological exercise, a competitive exercise, and the “psychology” and how a sound strategy, pricing and it can be a painful exercise. Pricing is everything, but perceptions and individual consumer needs work together. pricing alone is nothing. We spend entirely too much time talking about pricing and complaining about pricing, Keep it balanced and not enough time developing a real pricing strategy, During difcult economic times, it’s more important a strategy that matches the overall business strategy and than ever to have a strategy that balances tire units and current market dynamics. All pricing must be measured proft margins. Tis is an age-old debate, and against a variety of variables in the marketplace.

I’ve seen many store locations get out-of-balance Pain points must be considered and reduced. Physione way or another. ological studies over the late 1990s and early 2000s in Too much focus on gross proft dollars or neuro-economics indicate, among other things, that percentages, and the units diminish; too much consumers will shop ‘til it hurts. Brain chemicals send focus on moving units and margins diminish. My signals back and forth in the brain that have a defnite history tells me that margin follows the units. If impact on a customer’s buying decisions. your location is a tire and service outlet, then In one case, customers don’t like add-ons. Literally, it every tire unit is important. When the mind can be painful for customers to listen to sales staf ratle of set becomes it’s OK to let tire unit sales drop in a bunch of add-ons to a tire sale versus a simple bundled order to save gross proft, it is a slippery slope. ofering. Tis is about the process and how it afects price.

So let’s begin with this: Every tire deal is difStudies indicate that the ultimate price may be less ferent, every tire customer deserves your full important than the process to get there. A semi-inclusive or atention, and almost every tire deal is fnancially all-inclusive pricing structure is easier on your customer’s important. Current economic conditions, the brain. In other words, a $100 tire +$5 +$5 + $5 + $5 + $5 Internet and competition are puting real pressure totaling $125 is more painful than a $100 tire + $30, totalon each potential tire sale. ing $130. In this case, more money is actually perceived In my recent conversations with tire dealers, as less painful. Reducing pain increases sales.

I’ve not heard anyone tell me they have a lock on a soluI’m looking forward to our painstaking journey into the tion for pricing tires either from a procurement strategy tire pricing process in the months ahead. ■ or a pricing strategy. Dealers are commenting they are spending more time buying tires than ever before. Having Wayne Williams is president of ExSell Marketing Inc., a the right price point tire in stock or having access is more “counter intelligence” frm based in La Habra, Calif. He can critical than ever. be reached at exsellmkting@gmail.com.

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MTD July 2014

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18132

European notebook

Wacky wheels are the future Various efects let motorists create personalized tire/wheel styles

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s the tire market throughout Europe Shadow chrome gives the efect of an atractive appears to get even busier and defnitely metal fnish, but at the moment the very latest more competitive, it is easy to somefashion choice by far for style-conscious drivers times forget that without one other vital product is the hydro graphic look! there would be no tires... at all! Of course, I am Also known as water transferable printing, referring to wheels, or rims as they are somethis extremely clever option allows any graphical times called, which continue to be big business designs and pictures to be specially applied to a in Europe. rim. Te chosen design is initially printed onto a Having recently atended the Reifen Show 2014 unique flm and laid on the surface of water and in Essen, Germany, I was amazed by the grow- By John Stone activated. It then dissolves leaving the design ing number of companies promoting the latest foating on the top and then the wheel is slowly designs of alloy and steel wheels. Amazed, but not really dipped through the flm of water until fully submerged. surprised. One word, in my opinion, has helped to drive Te design will then follow the fow of the water over the the design of wheels to even higher levels of style and sales shape and stick to the rim. impact over the past few years. Tat word is style — and Te wheel specialists I have spoken with state that there an ongoing quest to ofer the most famboyant, visually are no limits to the type of design or photo that can be atractive wheel designs on the market. used for the hydro graphic efect, giving those eccentric motorists licence to create their own individual mark on Choices, choices, choices their cars.

In Europe we now have a number of diferent options Another growing development is the inclusion of rim to consider when buying a set of alloy wheels — apart bands which not only add another unique touch but also from deciding on help protect alloys from curb damage. alloy or steel. For Manufactured from stretchy, high-strength silicone example, drivers can rubber, the red rim bands ofer a striking contrast to the now choose from an standard grey painted fnish applied to wheels and are ever-growing selec- tear resistant, with fve gripping ribs to stop slippage and tion of personalized ft perfectly around rims. fnishes including color coded, gliter Personalized packages effect, two-tone, With so much interest in new and unusual wheel fnishes shadow chrome constantly emerging, it is hardly surprising to learn that and hydro graphics. throughout Europe a growing number of tire manufacturers At the same time, and wholesalers/distributors are recognizing the immense virtually any chosen proft potential of today’s alloy wheel market.

A selection of rim bands that add a color can be catered On investigating I have discovered that alloy wheels unique touch and protect the wheels. to, even the most as a complementary package for tires is now a standard unusual and bizarre! It’s also worth noting this unique facility in product portfolios for many enterprising companies, is particularly popular in the wheel refurbishment market. including the leading brands.

Color coding is where the new color of an alloy wheel is Tires have come a long way over the years with new exactly matched to a vehicle’s ofcial color, which is con- tread designs and added features being introduced all the sidered a simple procedure that produces a stunning efect. time, but I believe that the future could well be “wacky” Te gliter efect involves adding a specially processed tire and wheel combinations, which with the beneft of gliter haze to the wheels giving an extra dimension as today’s consistently innovative design technology could the gliter catches the light for a truly dazzling and totally get even more personalized. ■ unique look.

Yet another classy and refned look is the increasingly John Stone has been working within the global tire industry popular two-tone efect, which can involve any desired for the past 20 years. In 2004 he launched his own company, color combination. Within the wheel market, I have been Sapphire Media Services, as a business media consultant advised that probably the most efective combination of with clients around the globe. Stone also writes for tire and metal and anthracite with a color matching the vehicle automotive-related publications in Europe, South Afica gives the most stunning fnish. and Asia.

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MTD July 2014

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18133

TPMS

TPMS setups on Dodge Chargers Premium system shows how many tires are low, where they are located; base system does not SUBJECT VEHICLE: 2009-13 Dodge Charger.

RELEARN PROCEDURE? Yes. SPECIAL TOOLS NEEDED? A new sensor ID can be programmed directly into the WIN or TPMS module by using a RKE-TPM Analyzer in conjunction with a scan tool.

Te tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) on the 2009-13 Dodge Charger monitors air pressure in the four road tires; pressure in the spare tire is not monitored. Tere are two tire pressure monitoring systems available, a base system and a premium system. Te base system does not specify how many tires are low or where they are located. Te premium system does so.

NOTE: If a tire pressure sensor has been replaced, the tire pressure sensors must be retrained. See reset procedures.

Te base TPMS consists of tire pressure monitoring sensors atached to each road wheel through the valve stem mounting hole, a central receiver module Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) and an indicator lamp.

Te premium TPMS consists of tire pressure monitoring sensors atached to each road wheel through the valve stem mounting hole, a WIN, three wheel sensor transponders located in three of the four wheel wells, an electronic display and an indicator lamp.

Te TPMS module decodes the radio frequency (RF) signals transmited by each of the vehicle’s tire pressure sensors. Te decoded information is used to determine if “warning” or “fault” conditions exist within the TPMS.

Warning or fault condition Upon detection of a warning or fault condition, the WIN will send a request to the module that controls the indicator lamp (and the text display if equipped with the premium system) via the vehicle bus system to illuminate or fash the indicator lamp. Also, upon the detection of a warning or fault condition, the electronic display will automatically send a request to sound the chime.

Te WIN will store all warning and fault conditions, placard pressure values and low-pressure threshold values (lamp ON and OFF) in the system’s memory that can be accessed through diagnostic communication. If new sensors are introduced to the vehicle, the data stored for the sensor being replaced will be deleted.

Te WIN will store all wheel sensor IDs and locations and faults in memory that can be accessed through diagnostic communication. All other data values transmited from each active wheel sensor (not the spare tire) shall be stored in the WIN memory. Afer a sensor has been replaced, the WIN automatically learns and stores the sensor IDs while driving continuously above 15 mph for 10 minutes. Te learning

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sequence will initiate when the vehicle has been stopped for more than 20 minutes. Under the following conditions, the system may not function properly: • the areas, facilities or devices that use similar radio wave frequencies are located in the vicinity of the vehicle; • a radio device of similar frequency is used near the vehicle; • installing some form of afermarket window tinting that afects radio wave signals; • a lot of snow or ice is stuck to the vehicle, especially around the wheels or wheel housings; • using tire chains on the vehicle; • the batery of the sensor has been depleted (approximate 10-year life span); • a spare tire is installed; • a tire without tire pressure sensor is used; • wheels other than manufacturer factory wheels are used.

TPMS warning indicators If warning indicators are on continuously due to low pressure in one or more tires, adjust tire infation to specifcation. Te light will remain on until tire pressure is properly set. Afer adjusting air pressure in a tire on the vehicle, the vehicle needs to be driven for approximately two minutes above 15 mph for the message or indicator lamp to go out.

If a system fault is detected, a chime will sound, the TPMS indicator (telltale) lamp will fash for 75 seconds and then remain on solid. For vehicles equipped with the premium TPMS, a message that says “CHECK TPM SYSTEM” will appear in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), followed by a graphic display. See appropriate manufacturer service information.

Reset procedures NOTE: If a tire pressure sensor has been replaced, the tire pressure sensors must be retrained. If warning indicators are on continuously due to low pressure in one or more tires, adjust tire infation to specifcation. Te light will remain on

Figure 1: Identifying the tire pressure sensor components (1 of 2 illustrations. See also Figure 2 on page 62).

MTD July 2014

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18134

TPMS until tire pressure is properly set. Afer adjusting air pressure in a tire on the vehicle, the vehicle needs to be driven for approximately two minutes above 15 mph for the message or indicator lamp to go out.

Using an RF signal, each sensor transmits tire pressure data approximately once every minute. Each sensor’s (transmiter) broadcast is uniquely coded so that the system can monitor the state of each of the sensors on the four rotating road wheels. Te TPMS automatically learns and stores the sensor’s ID while driving afer a sensor has been replaced. Tere is no formal retraining procedure necessary.

Afer the vehicle has remained stationary for 20 minutes, drive the vehicle for a minimum of 20 minutes while maintaining a continuous speed above 15 mph. During this time, the system will learn the new sensor ID code and will clear any DTCs automatically. If a sensor cannot be trained, see appropriate manufacturer service information.

NOTE: A new sensor ID can also be programmed directly into the WIN or TPMS module by using a RKE-TPM

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Analyzer in conjunction with a scan tool. Once the new sensor ID has been programmed, the vehicle will need to be driven above 15 mph until the fault is no longer active (lamp extinguishes) and display is updated (for up to 20 minutes).

Using a TPM-RKE Analyzer can take up to a minute to force a transmission from a sensor.

Demounting/mounting procedures CAUTION: Te tire should be demounted from the wheel using the tire changer manufacturer’s instructions.

Use the following information to avoid damage during the demounting/mounting procedures.

CAUTION: The TPMS has been optimized for the original equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures have been established for the tire size equipped on the vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor damage may result when using replacement equipment that is not of the same size, type or style. Afermarket wheels can cause sensor damage. Do not use afermarket tire sealants or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18135

Figure 2: Identifying tire pressure sensor components (2 of 2).

TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.

NOTE: If a tire pressure sensor has been replaced, the tire pressure sensors must be retrained.

NOTE: Wheels and tires are matchmounted at the factory. Before demounting a tire from its wheel, a reference mark should be placed on the tire at the valve stem location to ensure that it is remounted in the original position on the wheel. For match-mounting procedures, refer to appropriate manufacturer service information.

NOTE: Tire pressure will vary with

MTD July 2014

CAUTION: Te cap used on this valve stem contains an O-ring seal to prevent contamination and moisture from entering the valve stem. Retain this valve stem cap for reuse. Do not substitute a regular valve stem cap in its place.

CAUTION: Do not Figure 3: Demounting tire with tool. atempt to install a tire pressure sensor in an afermarket wheel. Use tire pressure sensors in original style factory wheels only. If afermarket wheels are installed, and therefore do not contain tire pressure sensors, the system will not function properly and the driver will be continuously notifed of a system Figure 4: Removing and installing tire pressure sensor. malfunction.

CAUTION: Afer intemperature by about 1 psi (6.9 kPa) specting or adjusting the tire pressure, for every 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Tis always reinstall the valve stem cap. Tis condition means that when the outside will prevent moisture and dirt from temperature decreases, the tire pressure entering the valve stem, which could will decrease. Tire pressure should always damage the tire pressure sensor. be set based on cold infation tire presCAUTION: Te valve stem used on sure (placard pressure). Tis is defned this vehicle is made of aluminum and the as the tire pressure afer a vehicle has not core is nickel-plated brass. Te original been driven for more than three hours valve stem core must be reinstalled and not (and in outside ambient temperature). substituted with a valve stem core made Te tire pressure will also increase as of a diferent material. Tis is required the vehicle is driven; this is normal and to prevent corrosion in the valve stem there should be no adjustment for this caused by the diferent metals. increased pressure.

CAUTION: Any time a sensor is to NOTE: If tires require leak-testing, a be installed in a wheel, it is necessary to water test may be used to check for a leak install a new sensor-to-wheel seal, metal around the sensor, as long as any water washer and valve stem nut, to ensure at the valve core is removed when the airtight sealing (see Figure 1). procedure is completed. Water can be CAUTION: DO NOT reuse the expelled from the core area by pushing in sensor-to-wheel grommet. Always use on the core for several seconds, allowing a new grommet when installing a pressure escaping air to drive out any moisture. sensor and properly torque the sensor nut.

Reinfate tire as necessary. Install the original valve stem cap.

Removal 1. Remove the tire and wheel assembly Tire pressure sensor from the vehicle.

CAUTION: Although additional 2. Demount the tire from wheel following sensors operating at 433 MHz sensors the tire changer manufacturer’s instrucare available and are used in other ap- tions while paying special atention to plications, they are not interchangeable. the following to avoid damaging the Always make sure the correct sensor is pressure sensor: being used and be sure to replace the sensor with the correct part number. • When breaking the tire bead loose from

www.moderntiredealer.com

the wheel rim, avoid using the bead breaker in the area of the sensor. Tat includes both front and rear beads of the tire (see Figure 3). • When preparing to demount the tire from the wheel, carefully insert the mounting/demounting tool 280 degrees plus or minus 10 degrees from the valve stem, and then proceed to demount the tire from the wheel. Use this process on both the upper and lower tire beads.

3. Using a thin-walled socket, remove the special nut retaining the sensor to the wheel. While removing the nut, hold pressure against the rear of the metal valve stem to keep the valve stem from pushing rearward, which could damage the antenna strap (see Figure 2).

4. Remove the sensor from the wheel (see Figure 4).

Installation NOTE: Before reinstalling an existing tire pressure sensor, replace the seal and metal washer at the base of the valve stem

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18136

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TPMS to ensure proper sealing (see Figure 1 found on page 60).

1. Wipe the area clean around the sensor/valve stem mounting hole in the wheel. Make sure the surface of the wheel is not damaged. CAUTION: To avoid damaging the sensor antenna strap, hold pressure against the rear of the metal valve stem while the sensor is inserted through the wheel mounting hole and the nut is installed (see Figures 2 and 4).

2. Insert the sensor through the wheel keeping pressure against the rear of the metal valve stem. Te poted side of the sensor is to be positioned toward the wheel. Do not atempt to mount the sensor otherwise, or damage may occur. Install the sensor nut (with pressed-in washer) by hand (see Figure 4).

NOTE: Before tightening the sensor nut, push downward on the sensor housing in an atempt to make it fush with the interior contour of the wheel.

3. Using a thin-walled socket, install the sensor nut. While holding the sensor in position, tighten the sensor nut to 71 in.-lbs. (8 N.m). CAUTION: Over-torqueing the sensor nut by as litle as 106 in.-lbs. (12 N.m) may result in sensor separation from the valve stem. Under this condition, the sensor may still function; however, the condition should be corrected immediately.

4. Mount the tire on the wheel following the tire changer manufacturer’s instructions, paying special atention to the following to avoid damaging the tire pressure sensor: • Rotating wheel tire changers: Once the wheel is mounted to the changer, position the sensor valve stem approximately

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280 degrees from the head of the changer in a clockwise direction before rotating the wheel (also in a clockwise direction) to mount the tire. Use this procedure on both the upper and lower tire beads.

• Rotating tool tire changers: Position the wheel on the changer so that the sensor valve stem is approximately 210 degrees from the head of the changer in a clockwise direction from the mounting end of the tool. Make sure the sensor is clear of the lower bead breaker area to avoid damaging the sensor when the breaker rises. Rotate the tool in a counterclockwise direction to mount the tire. Use this procedure on both the upper and lower tire beads.

5. Adjust air pressure to manufacturer’s specifcation. Make sure the original style valve stem cap is securely installed to keep moisture out of the sensor. Install the wheel and tire assembly on the vehicle.

6. Drive the vehicle for a minimum of fve minutes while maintaining a continuous speed above 15 mph. During this time, the system will learn the new sensor ID code and will clear any DTCs automatically. If a sensor cannot be trained, see appropriate manufacturer service information. ■ Information for this column comes fom Mitchell 1’s “Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Guide” for domestic and import vehicles through 2013. 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. 18137

MTD July 2014

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18138

Products Bridgestone DriveGuard run-fat tire

Ironman RB-SUV, RB-LT from Hercules

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations says DriveGuard tires are the frst full line of mass-market replacement tires available for coupes, sedans and wagons not originally equipped with run-fat tires. Featuring specially designed runfat technology, DriveGuard tires give drivers the ability to continue driving up to 50 miles at maximum speeds of 50 mph. DriveGuard tires are available in the United States and Canada for coupes, sedans and wagons with TPMS, and come with a 50,000- to 60,000-mile tread wear warranty. DriveGuard tires are available in 32 sizes, 15- to 19-inch rim diameters and 35 to 65 series.

BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC Quik-Link: (800) 687-1557, ext. 18170 www.mtdquiklink.com/18170

Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. offers the Ironman brand RB-SUV (pictured) and RB-LT SUV/light truck touring tires which have a highway touring design that delivers extended mileage and a comfortable ride to drivers of CUVs, SUVs and pickups. Tread design and placement of tread elements reduce noise and enhance overall ride comfort, notes Hercules, and wide circumferential grooves ensure excellent water evacuation and lateral grooves to optimize braking performance. The shoulder design enhances cornering performance and stability at higher speeds, and a solid center rib promotes straight-line stability.

HERCULES TIRE & RUBBER CO. Quik-Link: (800) 687-1557, ext. 18173 www.mtdquiklink.com/18173

Continental all-season TrueContact Continental Tire the Americas LLC says the TrueContact, a touring performance, all-season tire, can save the consumer up to $550 over the life of the tire due to its EcoPlus Technology.

Wet braking features provide stopping up to 30 feet shorter than a leading competitor, notes Continental, and the Alignment Verifcation System alerts drivers when it’s time to align their vehicle. The tire also features Tuned Performance Indicators in which the letters D, W and S (Dry, Wet and Snow) in the tread indicate the tire’s optimal performance levels. The TrueContact comes in a wide range of sizes from 15-inch to 19-inch wheel diameters with a UTQG rating of 800 AB for T, and AA for H and V speed.

CONTINENTAL TIRE THE AMERICAS LLC Quik-Link: (800) 687-1557, ext. 18171 www.mtdquiklink.com/18171

Cooper CS5 Touring premium A/S tire Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. says the CS5 Touring, a premium touring tire, is available in 78 sizes in Grand Touring (T-rated) and Ultra Touring (H-, V- and W-rated) tread options. The CS5 Grand Touring T-rated tire has an 80,000mile tread wear warranty and is available in 30 sizes. The company says a new silica tread compound signifcantly improves the wet handling performance of the CS5 versus the tire it replaces, the CS4. The CS5 has four times more silica than the CS4, enabling improvements in wet traction without giving up tread wear. The company also optimized the overall profle and tread contact patch of the tire to improve ride quality and wear evenly and quietly.

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO. Quik-Link: (800) 687-1557, ext. 18172 www.mtdquiklink.com/18172

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Replacement Philips LED headlamps Philips Automotive North America has released its new line of Philips LED Headlamps for direct replacement applications on a wide range of vehicles with traditional 5- by 7-inch rectangular and 7-inch round sealed beam headlamps. These DOT-compliant LED headlamps feature the Philips Luxeon Altilon LED technology used in the latest luxury vehicles to deliver high-powered lighting performance, exceptional styling and long-lasting durability, the company notes. Philips’ new LED Headlamps deliver powerful, precise illumination and a bright white 5,600 K light output that is closer to the color “temperature” of daylight, while improving overall night drive visibility.

PHILIPS AUTOMOTIVE NORTH AMERICA Quik-Link: (800) 687-1557, ext. 18174 www.mtdquiklink.com/18174

Pirelli Cinturato P1 Plus Pirelli Tire LLC says the latest generation Cinturato P1 Plus ultra-high performance summer tire is designed for luxury, mid-size, full-size and sport cars, including the Acura TSX, Buick Regal and Chevrolet Cruze and Volt. The replacement-only Cinturato P1 Plus tire is available in 24 sizes ranging from 215/55R17 94V to 275/30R20 97Y. The tire offers high mileage and is backed by a 35,000-mile limited tread wear warranty. It features low rolling resistance that reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions thanks to a tread compound with innovative materials that also balance performance and safety in wet and dry conditions, the company notes.

PIRELLI TIRE LLC Quik-Link: (800) 687-1557, ext. 18175 www.mtdquiklink.com/18175

MTD July 2014

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18139

MTD Buyers’ Guide

2014 MTD Buyers’ Guide A directory for equipment and services for your sales counter, ofce and service bays — plus associations!

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ooking for a new tire supplier? Want to contact an automotive parts manufacturer? Interested in a new computer system or mounting/balancing equipment? It’s easy to fnd contact information using Modern Tire Dealer’s updated Buyers’ Guide!

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

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

A 1-800EveryRim.com – OEM Wheels, 9935 Beverly Blvd., Pico Rivera, CA 90660. (562) 692-0109 or (800) 383-7974. Products: OEM wheels and accessories, wheel repair and chrome plating.

RimPix: 951-RimText www.1-800everyrim.com

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 ADVICS North America Inc., 1650 Kingsview Dr., Lebanon, OH 45036. (800) 225-4081. FAX: (513) 563-5169. Products: brake products. www.advics-na.com

3M Automotive, 3M Center, Bldg. 223-1S02, St. Paul, MN 55144. (800) 328-1684.

Products: wheel weights. www.3M.com/moderntiredealer

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 marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire valves, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.31inc.com 50 Below, an ARI Co., 5 W 1st St., Suite 302, Duluth, MN 55802. (888) 529-4775.

FAX: (888) 408-5656. Products: see ARI Network Services. www.50below.com

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Aeolus Tyre Co. Ltd., No. 48 South Rd., Jiaodong-Jiaozuo Henan Province P, China 454003 (443) 326-8240. Products: OTR tires, ultra-high performance tires, high performance tires, touring tires, light truck tires, CUV/SUV tires, medium truck tires. www.globalvalueleader.com Aircat Pneumatic Tools, 230 N. Division St., Spokane, WA 99202. (509) 838-4447 or (888) 424-7228. FAX: (509) 838-9086.

Products: tools and tool accessories. www.aircat.com

Akebono Brake Corp., 310 Ring Rd., Elizabethtown, KY 42701. (866) 2532666. FAX: (270) 234-5504. Products: brake products. www.akebonobrakes.com

ALLDATA, 9650 W. Taron Dr., Suite 100, Elk Grove, CA 95757. (800) 697-2533.

Products: computers and software. www.alldata.com Alliance Tire Americas Inc. (brands: Alliance, Galaxy and Primex), 201 Edgewater Dr., Suite 285, Wakefeld, MA 01880. (781) 321-3910 or (800) 343-3276. FAX: (781) 322-2147. Products: ag/farm tires, OTR tires, truck tires. www.atgtire.com Altura Tyres, 4637 Allen Rd., Stow, OH 44224. (330) 374-1000 or (800) 3210941. FAX: (330) 374-0038. Products: ag/ farm tires, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes, truck tires. www.tyresinternational.com AME Intl., 2324 Circuit Way, Brooksville, FL 34604. (352) 799-1111 or (877) 7554263. FAX: (352) 799-1112. Products: tire repair materials, lifts and jacks, service trucks and associated equipment, shop maintenance equipment, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.ameintl.net 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, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes, truck tires, tire exporter/importer. www.american-omni.com American Pacifc Industries, Inc., 27413 Tourney Rd., Suite 200, Valencia, CA

MTD July 2014

91355. (661) 702-0988 or (800) 9448414. FAX: (661) 702-0292. Products: ag/ farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck tires, wheels and accessories, tire exporter/ importer. www.apitire.com

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, tire flls and sealants, tire gauges, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, insurance programs, roadside assistance programs, tire retailer support programs, Web and other online assistance. www.atd-us.com

ANCO®, a Federal-Mogul Motorparts brand, World Headquarters: 26555 Northwestern Hwy., Southfeld, MI 48033. (248) 354-7700. Products: ANCO® has for nearly a century been the leader in premium replacement wiper blades, reflls, washer pumps and wiper arms, keeping your family safe with a clearer view of the road ahead. Our full-line of wiper blades utilize exclusive designs and materials, and are engineered with the latest technology to ensure a clear streak-free wipe in any driving environment. From passenger cars to commercial vehicles, conventional or profle-style wiper blades, ANCO has the most comprehensive coverage for all types of vehicles for the best and safest visibility. That’s why ANCO® is the Clearest Choice in Wiper Blades™. www.ANCOwipers.com

Andreoli & Associates Inc., 13801 Reese Blvd. W, Suite 150, Huntersville, NC 28078. (704) 895-2780 ext. 32 or (800) 438-4487 ext. 32. FAX: (704) 8952985. Products: consulting, Web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.aasys.com Email: sales@aasys.com APEX Supply Chain Technologies, 7300 Central Parke Blvd, Mason, OH 45040.

(513) 204-2100 or (800) 229-7912.

Products: computers and software. www.apexsupplychain.com

ARI Network Services Inc., 10850 W Park Place, Suite 1200, Milwaukee, WI 53224. (414) 973-4300 or (800) 755-6040. FAX: (414) 973-4618.

Products: Web and other online assistance. www.arinet.com Arnott Inc. Air Suspension Products, 100 Sea Ray Dr., Merritt Island, FL 32953.

(321) 868-3016 or (800) 251-8993. FAX: (321) 868-3703. Products: suspension components. www.arnottindustries.com

ASA Automotive Systems, 25 Manchester St., Suite 100, Merrimack, NH 03054.

(603) 889-8700 or (866) 210-6717.

FAX: (603) 880-3438. Products: consulting, Web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.asaautomotive.com Apollo Vredestein Tires Inc., 13 Bridge St., Metuchen, NJ 08840. (732) 549-2440 or (800) 221-3422. FAX: (732) 549-2450.

Emil Herbak, Country Mgr; Bill Haney, AG and Industrial Tire Specialist. Products: ag/farm tires, high performance tires, lawn and garden tires, industrial and passenger tires. www.vredestein.com

Arctic Claw, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 822-4968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. Products: studdable passenger, SUV/LT winter tires. www.tbcbrands.com

ASA Wheels, 7101 Vorden Pkwy., South Bend, IN 46628. (574) 287-2316 or (800) 445-0179. FAX: (574) 236-7700. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, truck tires, wheels and accessories. www.tirerackwholesale.com 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., 3901 Grove Ave., Gurnee, IL 60031. (224) 631-1110 or (855) 632-8031. FAX: (847) 589-8446.

Products: passenger tires. www.atturo.com

See our classifed ads on www.moderntiredealer.com! www.moderntiredealer.com

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Manufacturers/marketers B

BendPak Inc./Ranger Products, 1645 Lemonwood Dr., Santa Paula, CA 93060.

(805) 933-9970 or (800) 253-2363. FAX: (805) 933-9160. Products: air compressors, alignment equipment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, tire repair equipment, work benches, wheel weights. www.bendpak.com www.bendpak.com

B&J Rocket America Inc., 325 N Main St., Middlebury, IN 46540. (574) 8255802. FAX: (574) 825-7972. Products: ag/farm tires, casings, light truck tires, OTR tires, truck tires, used tires, retreading materials, tire repair materials, retreading equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.bj-rocket.com

BADA Wheel Weights, 759 Hennessy Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101.

(888) 694-0759. Products: wheel weights. www.ammcoats.com Bar’s Products, 10386 N Holly Rd., Holly, MI 48442. (810) 603-1321 or (800) 521-7475. FAX: (810) 603-1335. Products: chemicals, fuel system products, oil products and lubricants. www.barsproducts.com

Big O Tires LLC, 4280 Professional Center Dr., Unit 400, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (561) 383-3000 or (800) 321-2446. FAX: (561) 383-3040.

Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, batteries, chemicals, fuel system products, oil products and lubricants, tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, 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 infation equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, suspension equipment, tire display racks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, fnancing and credit programs, tire retailer support programs, Web and other online assistance. www.bigotires.com

BKT Tires USA Inc., 2660 W Market St., Suite 100, Fairlawn, OH 44333. (330) 8361090 or (888) 660-0662. FAX: (330) 8361091. Products: ag/farm tires, OTR tires. www.bkt-tires.com Bartec USA, 44231 Phoenix Dr., Sterling Heights, MI 48314. (586) 6861300. FAX: (586) 323-3801. Products: tire pressure monitoring systems and equipment. www.bartecusa.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

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Blackburn’s Hubcap & Wheel Solutions, 8190 Roll & Hold Pkwy., Macedonia, OH 44056. (330) 467-0236 or (800) 9818321. FAX: (330) 467-0443. Products: wheels and accessories, wheel repair and chrome plating. www.blackburnwheels.com

Borbet Wheels, 7101 Vorden Pkwy., South Bend, IN 46628. (574) 287-2316 or (800) 445-0179. FAX: (574) 236-7700. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, truck tires, wheels and accessories. www.tirerackwholesale.com Branick Industries Inc., 4245 Main Ave., Fargo, ND 58103. (701) 281-8888 or (800) 437-4394. FAX: (701) 281-5900. Products: brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, material handling equipment, nitrogen infation equipment, retreading equipment, tire handling equipment, tire repair equipment. www.branick.com Breyton Wheels, 7101 Vorden Pkwy., South Bend, IN 46628. (574) 287-2316 or (800) 445-0179. FAX: (574) 236-7700.

Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, truck tires, 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 Bridgestone Affliated Retailer Nationwide Network, 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) 937-3385, (615) 9371429 or (800) 543-7522. FAX: (615) 4930781. Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, antifreeze, batteries, bearings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire flls and sealants, tire gauges, 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, fnancing and credit programs, roadside assistance programs, tire disposal/recycling/shredding, tire retailer support programs, Web and other online

MTD July 2014

assistance, computers and software. www.affliatedretailer.net 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. Products: ag/ farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, truck tires, retreading materials, tire repair materials, retreading equipment, roadside assistance programs, tire retailer support programs, trade show representation. www.bridgestonetire.com Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations – Ag division (Firestone brand), 4600 NW 2nd Ave., Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50313.

(515) 283-1440. FAX: (515) 283-1610.

Products: ag/farm tires. www.frestoneag.com Bridgestone Canada Inc. TireStarz Associate Program, 5770 Hurontario St., Suite 400, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5R 3G5. (416) 996-6237 or (800) 267-1318.

FAX: (330) 572-7043. Products: light truck tires, passenger 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, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire flls 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, nitrogen infation equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, shop heating/cooling 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, welding equipment, wheel

www.moderntiredealer.com

repair equipment, work benches, consulting, tire disposal/recycling/shredding, tire retailer support programs, Web and other line assistance. www.tirestarz.ca Bridgestone Commercial Solutions, 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. (615) 937-1000. Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, truck tires, retreading materials, tire repair materials, retreading equipment, tire repair equipment, roadside assistance programs, trade shop representation, computers and software. www.trucktires.com

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Centric Parts, 14528 Bonelli St., City of Industry, CA 91746. (626) 961-5877 or (800) 758-3004. FAX: (626) 961-5877. Products: brake parts, steering components, suspension components. www.centricparts.com

Century Wheels, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 8224968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. Products: steel truck and trailer wheels. www.powerkingtires.com /tires/specialty/wheels

Capital OEM Wheels, 15326 S Figueroa St., Gardena, CA 90248. (323) 321-1234 or (800) 463-RIMS. FAX: (323) 321-9192.

Products: used tires, wheels and accessories, wheel repair and chrome plating. www.capitalwheels.com

CarCareONE by GE Capital, 950 Forrer Blvd., Kettering, OH 45420. (866) 2094457. FAX: (866) 947-3063. Products: CarCareONE, a GE Capital auto industry consumer fnance program, provides easy and convenient fnancing for your customers that in turn, enables you to perform the services and repairs they want and need. Offering your customers CarCareONE instant credit is proven to help you drive repeat business and create customer loyalty. Sign-up today!

Call toll free: (866) 209-4457 www.gogecapital.com/automotive Cardone Industries, 5501 Whitaker Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124. (215) 912-3000 or (800) 777-4780. Products: brake products, electrical/ignition products, fuel system products, steering components, transmission/drive line products. www.cardone.com

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The CTD Online e-newsletter is sent directly to your in-box every other Wednesday.

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Champion®, a Federal-Mogul Motorparts brand, 26555 Northwestern Hwy., Southfeld, MI 48033. (248) 354-7700.

Products: The globally recognized Champion brand brings its latest “Performance Driven™” technologies to the ignition market to help service professionals and consumers maximize performance and reliability. Champion spark plugs have been part of breakthrough product development in every type of engine from small engine and marine to automotive and motorsports dominance. www.alwaysachampion.com Chicago Pneumatic, 1800 Overview Dr., Rock Hill, SC 29730. (803) 817-7349 or (800) 624-4735. FAX: (800) 228-9096.

Products: automotive service 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: motorcycle tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires, retreading materials, tire flls and sealants, tire gauges, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire valves, tire display racks, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, wheel repair equipment, tire exporter/importer, trade show representation. www.citexpo.com.cn

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Manufacturers/marketers China Manufacturers Alliance LLC, 406 E Huntington Dr., Suite 200, Monrovia, CA 91016. (626) 301-9575 or (888) 2265250. FAX: (626) 301-9579. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires. www.doublecointires.com

CIMS Tire Registration, P.O. Box 1610, Akron, OH 44309-1610. (330) 794-9190 or (855) 444-5120. FAX: (330) 784-6900.

Products: consulting, tire retailer support programs, Web and other online assistance. 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: antifreeze, battery charging and testing equipment, transmission/drive line products. 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 faps, tire tubes, truck tires, cleaners and polishes, tire gauges, tire valves, wheels and accessories, 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, passenger tires, truck tires.

Website: www.continentaltire.com www.facebook.com/continentaltire Twitter: @continentaltire Instagram: @continental_tire 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: casings, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes, truck tires, retreading materials, tire pressure monitoring systems, retreading equipment, roadside assistance programs. www.continental-truck.com www.continental-specialty-tires.us www.generaltire.com/tires/commercial

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D Cooper Tire, P.O. Box 550, Findlay, OH 45839-0550. (419) 423-1321. FAX: (419) 424-4108. Products: light truck tires, off-the-road tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.coopertire.com

Cordovan Tires, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 8224968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. Products: advertising/marketing programs, ag/ farm tires, all-terrain vehicle tires, high performance tires, industrial tires, lawn and garden tires, SUV/light truck tires, medium/heavy truck tires, off-the-road tires, passenger tires, recreational vehicle 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

Counteract Balancing Beads Inc., 70 Watson Pkwy. South Unit #8, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1L 0C3. (519) 8373331 or (800) 572-8952. FAX: (519) 8373088. Products: cleaners and polishes, wheel weights. www.counteractbalancing.com CTEK Power Inc., 9347 Ravenna Rd., Unit A, Twinsburg, OH 44087. (330) 963-0981 or (800) 941-7611. FAX: (330) 963-0982.

Products: battery equipment. www.smartercharger.com CustomerLink Systems, 1376 Lead Hill Blvd., Suite 150, Roseville, CA 95661.

(916) 781-4344 or (866) 699-5413. FAX: (866) 230-1503. Products: consulting, Web and other online assistance. www.customerlink.com

Dawg Pound Tires, 2200 Huntington Dr., Unit C, Fairfeld, CA 94533. (707) 4374700 or (800) 831-8473. FAX: (707) 4374800. Products: ag/farm tires, OTR tires, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes. www.dawgpoundtires.com Del-Nat Tire Corp., 2365 Texas Dr., Memphis, TN 38106. (901) 775-5002.

FAX: (901) 942-9094. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes, truck tires, batteries, tire marking products, wheel weights, tire display racks, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tools and tool accessories, fnancing and credit programs, roadside assistance programs, tire exporter/importer, online assistance. www.delnat.com Delphi Product & Service Solutions, 5820 Delphi Dr., Troy, MI 48098. (877) GODELPHI. Products: cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, fuel system products, diagnostic equipment. www.delphi.com/am

DENSO Products and Services Americas, Inc., 3900 Via Oro Ave., Long Beach, CA 90810. (310) 834-6352 or (888) 96-DENSO. FAX: (310) 952-7526. Products: cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, flters/ fltration systems, fuel system products, spark plugs, tire pressure monitoring systems, wiper blades. www.densoautoparts.com

Diamondback, 754 N U.S. Hwy. 1, Tequesta, FL 33469. (561) 630-8737. FAX: (561) 630-8657. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires. www.diamondback-tire.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

MTD July 2014

Dill Air Controls, 1500 Williamsboro St., Oxford, NC 27565. (800) 815-3455. FAX: (919) 692-2304. Products: tire gauges, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire valves, tire pressure monitoring system equipment. www.dillaircontrols.com Doublestar Tire Corp., 9621 Lucas Ranch Rd., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. (909) 987-0022. FAX: (909) 987-0032. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.doublestartyre.com Dunlop Tires, 200 Innovation Way, Akron, OH 44316. (330) 796-2121. FAX: (330) 796-0528. 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 tires, motorcycle tires, passenger tires, specialty tires. www.durotire.com

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East Bay Tire Co., 2200 Huntington Dr., Unit C, Fairfeld, CA 94533. (707) 437-4700 or (800) 831-8473. FAX: (707) 437-4800. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes, truck tires. www.eastbaytire.com Eibach Springs Inc., 264 Mariah Cir., Corona, CA 92879. (951) 256-8300 or (800) 222-8811. FAX: (951) 256-8333. Products: suspension components. www.eibach.com

Tire Dealer of the Year for 2014 Who is Modern Tire Dealer’s Tire Dealer of the Year for 2014?

Find out in our September 2014 issue.

Our cover feature article will offer you a behind-the-scenes look at this accomplished business person.

www.moderntiredealer.com

Eldorado Tire, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 8224968 FAX: (800) 467-4638. 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 systems equipment, Web and other online assistance, tire retailer support programs, roadside assistance programs. www.eldoradotire.com Emanuel Tire, LLC, 1300 Moreland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21216. (410) 947-0660 or (800) 445-1887. FAX: (410) 947-3708.

Products: casings, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, passenger tires, tire tubes, tire disposal/recycling/shredding, tire exporter/ importer. www.emanueltire.com Equus Products Inc., 17352 Von Karman, Irvine, CA 92614. (714) 432-7511 or (888) 466-6821. FAX: (714) 432-7910. Products: diagnostic equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.equus.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 tubes, wheels and accessories. www.exceltireandwheel.com

F Falken Tire, 8656 Haven Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. (909) 466-1116 or (800) 723-2553. FAX: (800) 950-2561.

Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.falkentire.com

See our directory online at www.moderntiredealerdirectory.com!

Federal-Mogul Motorparts, 26555 Northwestern Hwy., Southfeld, MI 48033. (248) 354-7700. Products: gaskets and seals, brake products, chemicals, flters/fltration systems, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, wiper blades. www.federalmogul.com Federal Tire Corp., No. 14, Yunong Rd., Shilin Dist., Taipei City 111, Taiwan. 8862-2831-2688. FAX: 886-2-2831-4198.

Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires. www.federaltire.com Federated Auto Parts, 508 Greenville Ave., Staunton, VA 24401. (540) 8858460. 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, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire flls and sealants, tire gauges, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire valves, transmission/drive line products, truck and 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 and other online assistance. www.federatedautoparts.com

Check out our CTD Online for commercial tire dealer news Want news specifcally targeted toward commercial tire dealers?

The CTD Online e-newsletter is sent directly to your in-box every other Wednesday.

To sign up, go to our home page on www.moderntiredealer.com.

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Manufacturers/marketers G Fel-Pro®, a Federal-Mogul Motorparts brand, 26555 Northwestern Hwy., Southfeld, MI 48033. (248) 354-7700.

Products: As “The Gaskets Professionals Trust™,” Fel-Pro products maintain a reputation for engineering excellence through the highly innovative use of advanced materials, designs and production processes. In fact, Fel-Pro gaskets are the #1 choice of today’s professional technicians, engine rebuilders and stock car teams as well as NHRA and semi-pro race teams. www.felpro-only.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.frestonetire.com Fitment Group, 294 S Lake Ave., Suite 610, Duluth, MN 55802. (218) 722-3419.

Products: Web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.ftmentgroup.com Fleet Equipment Corp., 567 Commerce St., Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417. (201) 337-7332 or (800) 631-0873. FAX: (201) 337-3294. Products: air compressors, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, material handling and nitrogen infation equipment, service trucks and associated equipment, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tools, truck and SUV accessories. www.fectrucks.com Fuzion, 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, passenger tires. www.thefuzionzone.com Gabriel Ride Control, 950 Maplelawn, Troy, MI 48084. (615) 221-7433 or (800) 251-5932. FAX: (615) 221-7190. Products: suspension components. www.gabriel.com

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

Products: professional lift equipment, tire repair materials, tire handling equipment, tire repair equipment, tire tools and accessories. www.gaithertool.com; www.winntec.net

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, truck tires.

Website: www.generaltire.com www.facebook.com/generaltire Twitter: @generaltire Instagram: @general_tire Goodride Tires, distributed exclusively

by Omni-United USA in the United States, 5350 Birch Pointe Dr., Interlochen, MI 49643. (855) 906-6646. FAX: (888) 8524152. Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires.

For more information, please email info@omni-united.com or visit us online at www.omni-united.com Goodyear North American Tire, 200 Innovation Way, 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 Greenball Corp., 222 S Harbor Blvd., Suite 700, Anaheim, CA 92805. (714) 782-3060 or (800) 946-9412. FAX: (866) 878-3802.

Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire exporter/importer. www.greenball.com GT Radial, a brand of Giti Tire (USA) Ltd., 10404 Sixth St., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. (909) 980-0968 or (866) GT-TIRES (488-4737). FAX: (909) 476-4028. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, truck tires, roadside assistance program, tire retailer support programs, trade show representation, Web and other online assistance. www.gtradial.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 and OTR tires, specialty tires, truck tires.

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, truck tires. www.hankooktireusa.com

Harvest King, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 8224968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. Products: ag/farm tires. www.harvestkingtires.com

Haweka USA/Allpart Supply, 3508 Ave. F East, Arlington, TX 76011. (866) 442-9352 or (800) 381-1330. FAX: (866) 770-3239. Products: lifts and jacks, tire mounting and balancing equipment. www.haweka-usa.com

Hennessy Industries Inc. (Coats® and AMMCO® Brands), 1601 J.P. Hennessy Dr., La Vergne, TN 37086. (615) 641-7533 or (800) 688-6359. FAX: (615) 641-6069. Products: brake service equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment. www.ammcoats.com

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Get faster delivery than print, search our current issue and archived issues and use the direct links to our advertisers’ websites. To start your subscription to Modern Tire Dealer in digital format, simply visit us at: www.moderntiredealer.com/digital

MTD July 2014

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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) 6779535. FAX: (419) 425-6404. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires. www.herculestire.com Heritage 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, off-the-road tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes, truck tires. www.suretire.com

Hofmann, 309 Exchange Ave., Conway, AR 72032. (501) 450-1500 or (800) 2514500. FAX: (501) 450-2085. Hofmann has been a partner to automotive garages and tire shops for decades. For more than 80 years our name has been synonymous for delivering precision, quality and innovative garage equipment at affordable prices. Founded in 1931, Hofmann has been manufacturing and supplying garage equipment all over the world for the automotive aftermarket. It is our goal to provide the latest technology and user-friendly features in our garage equipment to meet the customer’s ever changing needs.

Products: alignment equipment, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, welding equipment. www.hofmann-usa.com

Tire Dealer of the Year for 2014 Who is Modern Tire Dealer’s Tire Dealer of the Year for 2014? Find out in our September 2014 issue.

Our cover feature article will offer you a behind-the-scenes look at this accomplished business person.

www.moderntiredealer.com

Hofmann Power Weight, 1715 Joe B. Jackson Pkwy., Murfreesboro, TN 37127. (615) 893-0643. Founded in 1931, the Hofmann Power Weight wheel balance weight brand is known for the highest quality product available in the market. Hofmann Power Weight is the OEM brand of choice for all European made vehicles and is used at the highest levels of European motorsports.

Track proven and Autobahn approved, Hofmann Power Weight delivers the highest level of performance available today. Hofmann Power Weight is a brand of WEGMANN automotive, the world’s number one manufacturer of wheel balance weights. Through our global network of manufacturing and distribution centers, WEGMANN automotive is able to deliver over one billion parts annually to customers around the globe. Founded on impeccable service and innovation, WEGMANN automotive is your “one-source” supplier. www.hofmann-powerweight.com Contact: Gregory Parker info@hofmann-powerweight.com

Horizon Tire, 8999 Market Street Rd., Houston, TX 77029. (713) 673-5588.

FAX: (713) 673-5578. Products: light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires, tire exporter/ importer. www.horizontire.com Hunter Engineering Co., 11250 Hunter Dr., Bridgeton, MO 63044. (314) 731-3020 or (800) 448-6848. FAX: (314) 731-1776.

Products: alignment equipment, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, automotive lifts and jacks, tire mounting and balancing equipment. www.hunter.com Hydra-Lift Industries Ltd., #132-15028 32nd Ave., Surrey, British Columbia, Canada V4P 1A3. (604) 560-2235 or (800) 387-5718. Products: lifts and jacks. www.hydra-lift.com

IMI, 25 Penncraft Ave., Suite C, Chambersburg, PA 17201. (800) 233-7086.

FAX: (717) 264-5483. Products: oil products and lubricants, tire flls and sealants, tire gauges, wheel weights, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tools and tool accessories, wheel repair equipment. www.imiproducts.com

Independent Tire Dealers Group LLC (ITDG), 754 N U.S. Hwy. 1, Tequesta, FL 33469. (561) 630-8737. FAX: (561) 630-8657. Products: tires — ag/farm, antique/classic, LT, OTR, passenger, truck and specialty, tire faps, tire tubes, 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, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, spark plugs, steering and suspension components, tire flls and sealants, tire gauges, tire identifcation, 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 infation equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, shop maintenance 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, work benches, consulting, fnancing 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, tire exporter/importer.

Innovative Products of AmericaÂŽ Inc. (IPA), 234 Tinker St., Woodstock, NY 12498. (845) 679-4500 or (888) 7867899. FAX: (845) 679-4600. Products: fuel system products, tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, alignment equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, service trucks and associated equipment, shop maintenance equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.ipatools.com Iowa Mold Tooling Co. Inc. (IMT), 500 Highway 18 W, Garner, IA 50438. (641) 923-3711 or (800) 247-5958. FAX: 641923-6063. Products: air compressors, service trucks and associated equipment, tire handling equipment. www.imt.com ITA Tires, 21800 Oxnard St., Suite 420, Woodland Hills, CA 91367. (800) 7524741. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires. www.itatire.com Italian Trade Commission, 401 N Michigan Ave., Suite 3030, Chicago, IL 60611. (312) 670-4360. FAX: (312) 6705147. 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 maintenance 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

See our directory online at www.moderntiredealerdirectory.com!

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Jetzon Tire, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 822-4968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. 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. FAX: (815) 3018327. Products: computer and software. www.jmktdis.com

John Bean, 309 Exchange Ave., Conway, AR 72032. (501) 450-1500 or (877) 4824866. FAX: (501) 450-2085. John Bean is the world leader in automotive wheel service equipment technology. We combine quality with affordability in all of our products to help you meet your demands. Feel free to browse our site and learn more about how John Bean products can boost your businesses proftability. Products: alignment equipment, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire mounting and balancing equipment, welding equipment. www.johnbean.com JohnDow Ind., 151 Snyder Ave., Barberton, OH 44203. (800) 433-0708.

FAX: (330) 753-6419. Products: cleaners and polishes, personnel protection and safety products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire valves, hoses, reels, material handling equipment, shop maintenance equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment. www.johndow.com

K K&M Tire, 965 Spencerville Rd., Delphos, OH 45833. (419) 695-1061 or (800) 686-1734. FAX (419) 695-9519. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes, truck tires. www.kmtire.com Kelly Brands/Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 200 Innovation Way, Akron, OH 44316.

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

Products: LT, passenger and 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, tire tubes. www.kelseytire.com

Kenda USA, 7095 Americana Pkwy., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. (614) 8669803 or (866) 536-3287. FAX: (614) 866-9805. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes. www.kendatire.com Ken-Tool, 768 E North St., Akron, OH 44305. (330) 535-7177 or (888) 5368665. FAX: (330) 535-1345. Products: personnel protection and safety products, brake service equipment, service trucks and associated equipment, shop maintenance equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.kentool.com King Tony America (KTA), 2432 Peck Rd., City of Industry, CA 90601. (562) 699-3190 or (877) 708-6657. Fax: (562) 699-3195.

Products: service trucks and associated equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.kingtonyamerica.com 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, tire retailer support programs, trade show representation, Web and other online assistance. www.kumhotireusa.com KYB Americas Corp., 140 N Mitchell Ct., Addison, IL 60101. (630) 620-5555. FAX:

MTD July 2014

(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: passenger tires. www.lakintire.com Liqui Moly USA, 400 Oser Ave., Suite 1650, Hauppauge, NY 11788. (631) 501-1053.

FAX: (631) 501-1060. Products: chemicals, fuel system products, oils and lubricants. www.liquimoly.us

M 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 MAHLE Aftermarket Inc., 23030 Mahle Dr., Farmington Hills, MI 48335. (248) 347-9700 or (800) 338-8786. FAX: (248) 596-8899. Products: bearings, gaskets and seals, flters/fltration systems, diagnostic and nitrogen infation equipment, tools. www.mahle-aftermarket.com MAHLE Service Solutions, 10 Innovation Dr., York, PA 17402. (717) 840-0678 or (800) 468-2321. FAX: (717) 755-8304.

Products: cooling/air conditioning products, nitrogen infation equipment. www.rtitech.com

MAM Software Inc., 3435 Winchester Rd., Suite 100, Allentown, PA 18104.

(610) 336-9045 or (800) 803-9762. FAX: (610)-336-9055. Products: computers and software. www.mamsoftware.com

Marangoni Tread N.A., 708 Myatt Dr., Madison, TN 37115. (615) 868-4050.

FAX: (615) 868-0402. MTNA is a full service retread products and support provider to independent retreaders throughout North America. Products: All retread materials, equipment, and supplies. Services: technical service, commercial support. Proudly manufactured in the USA. www.marangoni-na.com Martins Industries, 1200 Industrial Blvd., Farnham, Quebec, Canada J2N 3B5, (450) 293-9000 or (866) 409-7225. FAX: (450) 293-9004. Products: material handling equipment, tire display racks, tire handling equipment. www.martinsindustries.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) 962-5932 or (800) 4-MAXXIS. FAX: (770) 962-7705. Products: light truck tires, motorcycle tires, off-the-road tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, truck 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: truck and SUV accessories, truck bed products, wheels and accessories, wheel and tire security. shop.mcgard.com

It’s classifed!

Looking for a new job in the tire industry? Have a position to fll in your organization?

Check out the Tire Dealer Job Finder on www.moderntiredealer.com.

There job seekers will be able to do a job search, post resumes and set up job alerts to be notifed by email of new jobs

www.moderntiredealer.com

posted that match their search preferences and job criteria. The site also offers career resources to prepare job seekers for their next interview.

Employers also can use the site to post jobs when they become available.

Search jobs, seach resumes at: www.moderntiredealer.com

Merchant’s Tire & Auto Service Centers, 4280 Professional Center Dr., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (561) 3833000 or (800) 926-8473. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, 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, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, oil products and lubricants, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, transmission/drive line products, wheels and accessories, wiper blades, fnancing and credit programs, tire disposal/recycling/shredding, Web and other online assistance. www.merchantstire.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) 2229092. FAX: (330) 928-0503. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire tubes, custom wheels and wheel accessories. www.mickeythompsontires.com

Midas, 4280 Professional Center Dr., Unit 400, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (561) 383-3000. Products: passenger tires, batteries, belts and hoses, brake products, spark plugs, steering and suspension components, wiper blades, oil/lubrication equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment. www.midas.com

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Manufacturers/marketers Mighty Auto Parts, 650 Engineering Dr., Norcross, GA 30092. (770) 448-3900 or (800) 829-3900. FAX: (770) 446-8627.

Products: antifreeze, batteries, bearings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, spark plugs, steering components, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire valves, wheel weights, wiper blades, 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, alignment equipment, battery charging and testing equipment, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, nitrogen infation equipment, oil/ lubrication equipment, service trucks and associated equipment, shop maintenance equipment, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.mile-x.com Mitas Tires North America Inc., 7400 Carmel Executive Park, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28226. (704) 542-3422. FAX: (704) 542-3474. Products: ag/farm tires, OTR tires. www.mitasag.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 Mohawk Lifts, 65 Vrooman Ave., P.O. Box 110, Amsterdam, NY 12010. (518) 842-1431 or (800) 833-2006. FAX: (518) 842-1289. Products: lifts and jacks. www.mohawklifts.com

Tire Dealer of the Year for 2014 Who is Modern Tire Dealer’s Tire Dealer of the Year for 2014? Find out in our September 2014 issue.

Our cover feature article will offer you a behind-the-scenes look at this accomplished business person.

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MOOG® Steering and Suspension, a Federal-Mogul Motorparts brand, 26555 Northwestern Hwy., Southfeld, 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, 13455 Noel Rd., Dallas, TX 75240. (972) 931-7993.

Products: consulting. www.morganmarketingsolutions.com MRF Ltd., 4637 Allen Rd., Stow, OH 44224.

(330) 374-1000 or (800) 321-0941. FAX: (330) 374-0038. Products: OTR tires, specialty tires, truck tires. www.tyresinternational.com

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, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, retreading materials, tire flls and sealants, tire gauges, tire identifcation, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, wheel weights, 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 infation equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, retreading 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. www.myerstiresupply.com

N Multi-Mile Tires, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 8224968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. 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

NAPA, 2999 Circle 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, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, spark plugs, steering and suspension components, tire flls and sealants, tire gauges, tire identifcation, 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, oil/lubrication equipment, shop heating/cooling equipment, shop maintenance equipment, suspension equipment, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and

MTD July 2014

balancing equipment, TPMS equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, welding equipment, wheel repair equipment, work benches. www.napaonline.com Net Driven, 201 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. (570) 207-2005 or (877) 860-2005. FAX: (570) 300-1879.

Products: consulting, Web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.netdriven.com Nexen Tire America Inc., 21073 Pathfnder Rd., Suite 100, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. (909) 923-4011 or (800) 576-3936 (NEXEN). FAX: (909) 923-3991. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires. www.nexentireusa.com NitroFill Inc., 3750 Park Central Blvd. N, Pompano Beach, FL 33064. (954) 9701691 or (877) 2GO-FILL. FAX: (954) 9701695. Products: cleaners and polishes, tire gauges, nitrogen infation equipment, insurance programs, roadside assistance programs, tire retailer support programs, wheel repair and chrome plating. www.nitrofllnow.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

NTB Tire & Service Centers, 4280 Professional Center Dr., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (561) 383-3000 or (800) 926-8473. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, 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, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, oil products and lubricants, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, transmission/drive line products, wheels and accessories, wiper blades, fnancing and credit programs, tire disposal/recycling/shredding, Web and other online assistance. www.ntb.com Nupla Corp., 11912 Sheldon St., Sun Valley, CA 91352. (818) 768-6800 or (800) 872-7661. FAX: (800) 546-8752. Products: tools and tool accessories. www.nuplacorp.com

O 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

Nokian Tyres Inc., P.O. Box 623, Essex Junction, VT 05453-0623. (800) 5652525. FAX: (802) 662-8297. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires. www.nokiantires.com

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The CTD Online e-newsletter is sent directly to your in-box every other Wednesday.

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Ohtsu Tire, 8656 Haven Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. (909) 466-1116 or (800) 723-2553. FAX: (800) 950-2561.

Products: light truck tires, passenger tires.

Omni-United USA, 5350 Birch Pointe Dr., Interlochen, MI 49643. (855) 906-6646.

FAX: (888) 852-4152. Omni United is a tire marketer and manufacturer offering passenger car, SUV, truck, off the road, bus and farm tires; marketed under its own four brand names: Radar, Goodride, RoadLux and Corsa.

For more information please email info@omni-united.com or visit us online at www.omni-united.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, wheels and accessories. www.otrwheel.com Otto’s Tire Supply, 487 Highland Rd., Macedonia, OH 44056. (888) 978-7431.

FAX: (330) 319-7416. Products: chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, exhaust system components, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, retreading and repair materials, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire flls and sealants, tire gauges, tire identifcation, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire studs, tire valves, transmission/drive line products, truck and SUV accessories, 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 infation equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, scrap tire disposal/recycling equipment, shop equipment, work benches, computers and software. www.toolsbyotto.com

P Pace Tire Supply, P.O. Box 1103, Hudson, OH 44236. (330) 653-5695 or (877) 540-7223. FAX: (330) 653-5693. Products: bearings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, exhaust system components, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, retreading and repair materials, spark plugs, auto service components, tire flls and sealants, tire gauges, tire identifcation, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire studs, tire valves, truck and SUV accessories, truck bed products, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, wiper blades, diagnostic equipment, hoses, reels, lifts and jacks, nitrogen infation equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, shop heating/cooling equipment, shop maintenance equipment, tire display racks, tire handling equipment, TPMS equipment, tools, welding equipment, wheel repair equipment, work benches, computers and software. www.pacetiresupply.com

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Manufacturers/marketers Pirelli Tire North America, 100 Pirelli Dr., Rome, GA 30161. (800) PIRELLI. FAX: (706) 368-5832. Products: light truck tires, motorcycle tires, passenger tires. www.us.pirelli.com

Pulstar, 2451 Alamo Ave., SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106. (505) 842-5201 or (888) 800-6700. Products: spark plugs. www.pulstar.com

R Patch Rubber Co., 100 Patch Rubber Rd., Weldon, NC 27890. (252) 536-2574.

FAX: (252) 536-4940. Products: retreading materials, tire repair materials, tire repair equipment. www.patchrubber.com

Perfect Equipment, 1715 Joe B. Jackson Pkwy., Murfreesboro, TN 37127. (615) 893-0643. Products: Founded in 1939, the Perfect Equipment wheel balance weight brand stands for quality and reliability. Known as the OEM brand of choice in North America, Perfect Equipment delivers valuable insight into the latest design changes on domestic new vehicles. As a leader in the North American aftermarket, Perfect Equipment provides the market with options when it comes to materials, including zinc, steel and lead. Regardless of your preference, we have a solution that is right for you. Perfect Equipment is a brand of WEGMANN automotive, the world’s number one manufacturer of wheel balance weights. Through our global network of manufacturing and distribution centers, WEGMANN automotive is able to deliver over 1-billion parts annually to customers around the globe. Founded on impeccable service and innovation, WEGMANN automotive is your “one-source” supplier. www.perfectequipment.com Contact: Gregory Parker info@perfectequipment.com Phillips 66 Lubricants, Houston, TX 77042. (832) 765-2149. Products: oil products and lubricants. www.phillips66lubricants.com Phoenix Systems LLC, 4012 S. River Rd., 4B, St. George, UT 84790. (435) 673-0777 or (888) 749-7977. FAX: (435) 673-0222.

Products: brake products, chemicals, brake service equipment, diagnostic equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.brakebleeder.com

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Plasteel®, 66 Edmond, Valleyfeld, Quebec, Canada J6S 3E8. (888) 558-7854.

Products: premium wheel weights. www.plasteelwheelweights.com Plombco Inc., 66 Edmond, Valleyfeld, Quebec, Canada J6S 3E8. (800) 6117074. FAX: (450) 371-0812. Plombco is a wheel weights manufacturer that has developed the most innovative and comprehensive product lines in the industry. Its products are sold to both OEM and aftermarket customers across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Plombco is also the maker of Plasteel® premium wheel weights. www.plombco.com

Plus Sizing Guide, 2537-D Pacifc Coast Hwy., Suite 330, Torrance, CA 90505.

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

Products: The Ultimate Wheel and Tire Plus-Sizing Guide: tire and wheel application solutions for OE and plus sizes, print and digital formats, current and vintage vehicles, ftment/measuring tools. www.plussizingguide.com

Power King, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 822-4968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. Products: industrial tires, specialty tires, OTR tires, truck tires, light truck tires. www.powerkingtires.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

Radar Tires, an Omni United brand, 5350 Birch Pointe Dr., Interlochen, MI 49643.

(855) 906-6646. FAX: (888) 852-4152.

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

For more information please email info@omni-united.com or visit us online at www.radartires.com.

Raybestos Brakes, 4400 Prime Pkwy., McHenry, IL 60050. (800) 323-0354.

Products: brake products. www.raybestosbrakes.com Reifen 2016-Essen Trade Shows, 1500 Front St., Suite B2, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598. (914) 962-1310. FAX: (914) 9621320. Products: trade show representation. www.essentradeshows.com Revolution Supply/Oro-Tek TPMS, 14382 Hoover St., Suite A16, Westminster, CA 92683. (714) 891-0100 or (877) 7389990. FAX: (714) 891-0068. Products: tire repair materials, tire valves, wheel weights, wheels and accessories. www.revolutionsupply.com; www.orotekusa.com RoadLux Tires, distributed exclusively

by Omni-United USA in the United States, 5350 Birch Pointe Dr., Interlochen, MI 49643. (855) 906-6646. FAX: (888) 8524152. Products: OTR tires, truck tires.

For more information please email info@omni-united.com or visit us online at www.omni-united.com.

Ross-Tech LLC, 881 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale, PA 19446. (267) 638-2300.

Quik-Link For exclusive product informaiton and services for independent tire dealers, check out MTD’s Quik-Link service.

Quik-Link offers direct links to information about the best industry products that are sure to make a positive impact on your business.

The site is updated monthly to give you access to the latest products as well as those from past issues.

MTD July 2014

FAX: (215) 893-3816. Products: diagnostic equipment. www.ross-tech.com Rotary Lift, 2700 Lanier Dr., Madison, IN 47250. (812) 273-1622 or (800) 6405438. Products: lifts and jacks, tools. www.rotarylift.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 Saffro Tires, 16201 Commerce Way, Cerritos, CA 90703. (562) 207-0077. FAX: (562) 677-3907. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires. www.saffrotires.com

Sailun Tires, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 822-4968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. Products: passenger tires, SUV/light truck tires, medium/ heavy truck tires. www.gosailun.com Schrader International, 205 Frazier Rd., Altavista, VA 24517. (434) 369-4741 or (800) 345-0578. FAX: (434) 369-6592.

Products: tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire valves, air compressors, diagnostic equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.schraderinternational.com Sentury Tire Americas, 16000 NW 59th Ave., Miami, FL 33014. (305) 621-5101.

FAX: (305) 624-7881. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires. www.senturytiresusa.com Shamrock Marketing Inc., 11206 Bluegrass Pkwy., Louisville, KY 40299. (502) 266-7403 or (800) 354-4495. FAX: (502) 266-7405. Products: retreading and tire repair materials, retreading equipment, tire handling equipment, tire repair equipment, tools and tool accessories, consulting. www.shamrockmarketinginc.com Shandong Linglong Tire Co., Ltd., No. 777 Jinlong Road, Zhaoyuan City, Shandong Province, China 265406. +86-535-8246819 or +86-535-8242610.

FAX:+86-535-8229244. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger

www.moderntiredealer.com

tires, specialty tires, truck tires. www.en.linglong.cn

Sigma Tires, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 822-4968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. 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) 742-7840 or (800) 8820008. FAX: (224) 535-4891. Products: bearings, gaskets and seals. www.vsm.skf.com

Snap-on Equipment, 309 Exchange Ave., Conway, AR 72032. (501) 450-1500 or (877) 482-4866. FAX: (501) 450-2085.

Snap-on Equipment is your complete source for Automotive Wheel Service and Collision Repair Equipment. We offer a wide range of products that will help your shop become more productive and boost profts. Products: wheel aligners, wheel balancers, tire changers, alignment lifts, automotive/general purpose lifts, specialty lifts, brake lathes, collision repair equipment. www.snaponequipment.com

See MTD’s classifed ads online at www.moderntiredealer.com!

Sonil Ventilfabrik, B-48, GIDC Industrial Estate, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India 361004. +91 288-2560107. FAX: +91 2882562891. Products: tire tubes, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire valves, tire pressure monitoring system equipment. www.sonil.co.in

SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service, 4280 Professional Center Dr., Suite 400, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (561) 383-3000 or (800) 621-8545. Products: light truck tires, antifreeze, batteries, belts and hoses, brake products, exhaust system components, spark plugs, tire gauges, wiper blades. www.speedeeoil.com Standard Motor Products Inc. (SMP), 37-18 Northern Bldg., Long Island City, NY 11101. (718) 392-0200. Products: cooling/ air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, fuel system products, tire pressure monitoring systems. www.smpcorp.com Stellar Industries Inc., 190 State St., Garner, IA 50438. (641) 923-3741 or (800) 321-3741. FAX: (641) 923-2812. Products: air compressors, material handling equipment, service trucks and associated equipment, tire handling equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.stellarindustries.com

Sumitomo Tire, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 8224968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, truck tires. www.sumitomotire.com Summit 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 faps, tire tubes, truck tires. www.summittire.us Superior Tire & Rubber, 40 Scientifc Rd., Warren, PA 16365. (800) 289-1456. FAX: (814) 726-0740. Products: specialty tires. www.superiortire.com

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Manufacturers/marketers SuperSprings International Inc., 5055 Sixth St., Carpinteria, CA 93013. (805) 745-5553 or (800) 898-0705. FAX: (805) 745-5501. Products: suspension components, truck and SUV accessories. 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 faps, tire tubes, truck tires. www.suretire.com 20 Group – Dealer Strategic Planning, 2932 Enchanting Cir., Virginia Beach, VA 23456. (757) 301-9897. Fax: (757) 6893610. Products: consulting. www.dsp-20group.com

T TAF Management Inc., 8007 Captains Ct., Frederick, MD 21701. (301) 662-7223.

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

TBC International, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 8224968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, ultra-high performance tires, 4X4 and medium truck tires. www.tbc-international.com

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To receive your subscription to Modern Tire Dealer in digital format, simply visit us at: www.moderntiredealer.com Signing up for the digital version is fast and easy!

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TBC Wholesale, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 8224968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. Products: ag/farm tires, SUV/light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes, truck tires, wheel weights, brake service equipment, lifts and jacks, tire handling equipment, tire mounting and balancing equipment. www.tbcwholesale.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: fnancing and credit programs, retreading equipment, service trucks and associated equipment. www.tcfbank.com TCS Technologies, 3313 Williams Enterprise Dr., Cookeville, TN 38506. (888) 449-8473. FAX: (888) 338-8473. Products: consulting, tire retailer support programs, Web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.tcstire.com

Tech International, 200 E Coshocton St., Johnstown, OH 43031. (740) 967-9015 or (800) 433-TECH. FAX: (740) 967-3583.

Products: RFID, tools, tire repair materials, chemicals, tire flls and sealants, tire gauges, tire marking products, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire valves, wheel weights. www.techtirerepairs.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 The Timken Co., 4500 Mt. Pleasant St. NW, North Canton, OH 44721. (866) 984-6536. Products: bearings, gaskets and seals, oil products and lubricants. www.timken.com/aftermarket Tire Centers LLC (TCi), 310 Inglesby Pkwy., Duncan, SC 29334. (877) 5645562. Products: ag/farm tires, casings,

light truck tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, tire faps, truck tires, retreading services, alignment services, tire mounting and balancing, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, wheel repair services, consulting, roadside assistance programs, tire retailer support programs, online assistance. www.tirecenters.com

Tire Group International LLC, 7500 NW 35th Terrace, Miami, FL 33122. (305) 696-0096 or (855) TGI-TIRE. FAX: (305) 696-5926. Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, off-theroad tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes, truck tires, wheel weights, wheels and accessories, consulting, fnancing 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

Tire Kingdom Service Centers, 4280 Professional Center Dr., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (561) 383-3000 or (800) 926-8473. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, 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, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, oil products and lubricants, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, tire repair materials, tire studs, tire valves, transmission/drive line products, wheels and accessories, wiper blades, fnancing and credit programs, tire disposal/recycling/shredding, Web and other online assistance. www.tirekingdom.com

See our directory online at www.moderntiredealerdirectory.com!

MTD July 2014

U Tire Rack Wholesale, 7101 Vorden Pkwy., South Bend, IN 46628. (574) 287-2316 or (800) 445-0179. FAX: (574) 236-7700. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, truck tires, brake products, tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, wheels and accessories, wiper blades. www.tirerackwholesale.com Tire Service Equipment Mfg. Co., Inc./ Saf-Tee Siping & Grooving, 3451 S 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85040. (602) 437-5020 or (800) 223-4540. FAX: (602) 437-5025.

Products: lifts and jacks, nitrogen infation equipment, scrap tire disposal/recycling equipment, shop maintenance equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.tsissg.com Tire Systems Engineering Inc., 16825 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe, MI 48230.

(313) 886-6860. FAX: (313) 882-3173.

Products: consulting.

TIRECO Inc., 500 W 190th St., Suite 600, Gardena, CA 90248. (310) 767-7990 or (800) 227-8925. FAX: (310) 217-9267.

Products: ag/farm tires, light truck tires, motorcycle tires, OTR tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes, truck tires, wheels and accessories. 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 Titan Tire Corp.; 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, OTR tires. www.titan-intl.com

www.moderntiredealer.com

Towmax, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 822-4968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. Products: specialty tires, ST radial tires. www.towmaxtires.com Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., 5665 Plaza Dr., Suite 300, Cypress, CA 90630. (714) 236-2080 or (800) 678-3250. FAX: (714) 229-6199. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, specialty tires, truck tires. www.toyotires.com Tracer Products, 956 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury, NY 11590. (516) 333-1254 or (800) 641-1133. FAX: (516) 876-8411.

Products: diagnostic equipment. www.tracerline.com

Trailer King, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 822-4968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. Products: specialty tires, ST radial tires. www.trailerkingtires.com TreadSpec, 225 N Arlington Heights Rd., Suite 101, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007.

(847) 979-8043. Products: alignment equipment, diagnostic equipment, tire retailer support programs. www.treadspec.com

Trelleborg Wheel Systems Americas, Inc., 1501 Exeter Rd., Akron, OH 44306.

(330) 396-7141 or (866) 633-8473. FAX: (330) 396-7141. Products: ag/farm tires, industrial tires, off-the-road tires. www.trelleborg.com/wheelsystems.us.

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, specialty tires, tire faps, tire tubes, truck tires, tire exporter/importer. www.tyresinternational.com

United Software & Design Inc., Augusta, ME 04330. (207) 512-4748 or (888) 8259639. Products: consulting, computers and software. www.tire-dealer-software.com

V Valvoline, 3499 Blazer Pkwy., Lexington, KY 40509. (859) 357-7302. FAX: (859) 357-7733. Products: antifreeze, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, oil products and lubricants, transmission/drive line products, wiper blades, oil/lubrication equipment, tire retailer support programs. www.valvoline.com

Vanderbilt Tires, 4300 TBC Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. (866) 8224968. FAX: (800) 467-4638. 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.vanderbilttires.com

Become a member of MTD’s National Advisory Council Modern Tire Dealer ’s National Advisory Council brings an invaluable perspective to our monthly “Your marketplace” column each month.

We also highlight the members’ opinions in our “Your turn” column, via comments and our “Question of the month.”

To join this prestigious group, send an email to Editor Bob Ulrich at bob.ulrich@bobit.com.

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Manufacturers/marketers 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.redi-sensor.com Vee Rubber America Inc., 15338 Central Ave., Suite 112, Chino, CA 91710. (909) 287-3424. FAX: (909) 503-0399. Products: LT tires, motorcycle tires, passenger tires. www.veerubberusa.com

WECnology LLC, 4 Chandler Ln., Amherst, NH 03031. (603) 249-5530. Products: consulting, Web and other online assistance, computers and software. www.wecnology.com Wheel Consultants Inc., 2537-D Pacifc Coast Hwy., Suite 330, Torrance, CA 90505.

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

Products: The Ultimate Wheel and Tire Plus-Sizing Guide: tire and wheel application solutions for OE and plus sizes, print and digital formats, current and vintage vehicles, ftment and measuring tools. www.plussizingguide.com Wheel Specialists Inc., 701 S Perry Lane, Tempe, AZ 85281. (480) 968-1314. FAX: (480) 968-1396. Products: light truck tires, passenger tires, tire pressure monitoring systems, wheels and accessories, wheel repair and chrome plating. www.wsiaz.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 Voxx Wheels, 320 Maple Ave., Torrance, CA 90503. (310) 783-1613. FAX: (310) 783-1623. Products: wheels and accessories. www.voxxwheel.com

W

Wagner ThermoQuiet®, a FederalMogul Motorparts brand, 26555 Northwestern Hwy., Southfeld, MI 48033. (248) 354-7700. Products: Wagner ThermoQuiet CeramicNXT brake pads feature exclusive OE21 low copper formulations that set new benchmarks for our ceramic pad performance: 15% more stopping power, 35% quieter and up to 40% better fade performance. In fact, they’re the best-performing pads we’ve ever made. www.wagnerbrake.com

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Worldpac, 37137 Hickory St., Newark, CA 94560. (800) 888-9982 ext.5470.

Products: antifreeze, batteries, bearings, gaskets and seals, belts and hoses, brake products, chemicals, cleaners and polishes, cooling/air conditioning products, electrical/ignition products, exhaust systems components, flters/fltration systems, fuel system products, gloves, oil products and lubricants, personnel protection and safety products, spark plugs, steering components, suspension components, tire flls and sealants, tire gauges, tire pressure monitoring systems, transmission/drive line products, 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 infation equipment, oil/lubrication equipment, shop heating/ cooling equipment, shop maintenance equipment, suspension equipment, tire pressure monitoring system equipment, tools and tool accessories. www.worldpac.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 ZCRA/Arisun (Z C Rubber America Inc.), 13463 Pumice St., Norwalk, CA 90650.

(562) 404-8383 or (855) 924-5678.

Products: truck/bus premium radial tires, ST trailer tires, rubber tracks.

ZF Services LLC, 777 Hickory Hill Dr., Vernon Hills, IL 60061. (847) 478-6868 or (800) 321-0784. FAX: (847) 478-6843.

Products: oil products and lubricants, steering components, suspension components, transmission/drive line products. www.zf.com/us

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Simply go to our site at moderntiredealer.com and you will be able to access the latest news and features in a format optimized for your mobile device. Check out our supplier directory, our industry calendar of events, Web poll questions, classifed ads, job listings and much more! Now you can stay up-to-date on the go.

You also can access our digital version to read the entire current issue of Modern Tire Dealer as well as archived past issues.

MTD July 2014

Quik-Link: 800-687-1557 ext. 18140

National associations AERA Engine Rebuilders Association, 500 Coventry Ln., Suite 180, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. (815) 526-7600 or (888) 326-2372 Offcers: Jim Rickoff, Pres.

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

Email: media@trucking.org Members: 2,200 www.truckline.com Association of Equipment Manufacturers, 6737 W Washington St., Suite 2400, Milwaukee, WI 53214. (414) 272-0943 Offcers: Dennis Slater, Pres.

Email: aem@aem.org Members: 900-plus. www.aem.org Auto Care Association, 7101 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 654-6664 Offcers: Kathleen Schmatz, CEO & Pres.

Email: info@autocare.org Members: 2,000-plus member companies representing more than 150,000 businesses www.autocare.org Auto International Association (AIA), 7101 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814. (301) 654-6664 Offcers: Andres Castrillon, AIA Liaison Email: aia@autocare.org www.aiaglobal.org Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association, N83 W13410 Leon Rd., Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. (414) 386-0366 Offcers: Brian Barber, Pres.; Bill Elliott, Exec. Dir. Members: 375-plus.

Email: info@afa.org www.afa.org Automotive Lift Institute Inc., P.O. Box 85, Cortland, NY 13045. (607) 756-7775 Offcers: R.W. (Bob) O’Gorman, CEO & Pres.

Members: 21 Associate members: 87 Email: info@autolift.org www.autolift.org Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, 10 Four Seasons Pl., Suite 801, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9B 6H7 (416) 620-4220 Offcers: Steve Rodgers, Pres.

Email: info@apma.ca

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Members: 400-plus www.apma.ca Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association, 4660 Brookfeld Corporate Dr., Suite H, Chantilly, VA 20151-1671 (703) 968-2772 Offcers: Joe Kripli, Pres.

Email: kripli@apra.org Members: 1,000 www.apra.org; www.hdrg.org; www.BIGRShow.com Automotive Recyclers Association, 9113 Church St., Manassas, VA 201105456. (571) 208-0428 or (888) 385-1005 Offcers: Michael Wilson, CEO Email: michael@a-r-a.org Members: 4,500 www.a-r-a.org Automotive Service Association, 8190 Precinct Line Rd., Suite 100, Colleyville, TX 76034-7675 (817) 514-2900 or (800) 272-7467 Offcers: Dan Risley, Pres. & Exec. Dir.; Angie Wilson, VP of Mktg. & Communications Email: asainfo@ASAshop.org www.asashop.org Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association, 7101 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814 (240) 333-1023 Offcers: Larry Northup, Exec. Dir. Email: larry.northup@autocare.org Members: 600-plus www.awda.org Battery Council International, 330 N Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 644-6610 Offcers: Mark O. Thorsby, CAE Email: info@batterycouncil.org Members: 245 www.batterycouncil.org Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, 170 Attwell Dr., Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9W 5Z5 (416) 364-9333 Offcers: Mark A. Nantais, Pres.

Email: mnantais@cvma.ca Members: 3 www.cvma.ca Canadian Tire Dealers Association, 171 Ambassador Dr., Unit 5, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5T 2J1. (905) 795-3329 Offcers: Neil Maizen, Exec. VP & CIO; Ron Baugh, Exec. Dir. Email: ctdaoffce@ctdealers.com Members: 489 www.ctda.ca

Car Care Council, 7101 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814 (240) 333-1045 Offcers: Administrator, Car Care Council Email: rachel.weymouth@autocare.org www.carcare.org Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network, 3943-2 Baymeadows Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32217 (904) 737-2900 Offcers: Dave Willis, Pres.; Edward Neeley, VP; Andy Robblee, Treas.; Angelo Volpe, Exec. VP Email: info@cvsn.org Dealer members: 75 Supplier members: 70 www.cvsn.org Equipment and Tool Institute Inc., P.O. Box 82146, Rochester, MI 48308 (248) 656-5085 Offcers: Jessie Korosec, Mktg. Mgr.; Charlie Gorman, Exec. Mgr. Email: jessiek@etools.org Members: 80 member companies, 400 members www.etools.org Global Automakers, 1050 K St., Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 (202) 650-5555 Offcers: John Bozzella, CEO & Pres.

Email: info@globalautomakers.org Members: 12 companies, 5 affliates www.globalautomakers.org Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), 10 Laboratory Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3966 (919) 549-4800 Offcers: Steve Handschuh, Pres. & CEO; Paul McCarthy, Sr. VP, Strategy, Planning and Information Services Email: info@mema.org Members: 1,000-plus companies www.mema.org NARSA - The International Heat Transfer Association, 3000 Village Run Rd. Suite 103, #221, Wexford, PA 15090-6315 (724) 799-8415 or (800) 551-3232 Offcers: Wayne Juchno, Exec. Dir.; Douglas Shymoniak, Mgr. Sls. & New Business Dev. Email: info@narsa.org Members: 500-plus www.narsa.org National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), 2220 CR 210 West, Suite 108-435, St. John’s, FL 32259 (855) 636-2783 Offcers: Allen Pennebaker, Chair.; Skip Potter, Exec. Dir. Members: 3,351

MTD July 2014

Email: admin@nastf.org www.nastf.org National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), 101 Blue Seal Dr., SE, Suite 101, Leesburg, VA 20175 (703) 669-6600 Offcers: Tony Molla, VP of Communications Email: tmolla@ase.com www.ase.com Performance Warehouse Association, 74866 Lennon Place, Suite C, Palm Desert, CA 92260. (760) 346-5647 Offcers: Ken Woomer, Chmn.; Tracie Nunez, Pres.

Email: info@pwa-par.org Members: 395 www.pwa-par.org Retread Tire Association (RTA), 900 Weldon Grove, Pacifc Grove, CA 93950 (831) 646-5269 or mobile (831) 917-6449 Offcers: Harvey Brodsky, Mng. Dir. Members: 325 Email: info@retreadtire.org www.retreadtire.org Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), 1400 K St. NW, Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 682-4800 Offcers: Charles Cannon, CEO & Pres.; Tracey Norberg, Sr. VP Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel, Dan Zielinski, Sr. VP of Public Affairs Email: info@rma.org 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 Offcers: Christopher Kersting, Pres.

Members: 6,000-plus Email: info@sema.org www.sema.org Suppliers’ Council to the Canadian Tire Industry, 100 Sleeman Ave., Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1H 6G4. (416) 271-2140 Offcers: Ian Kedzierski, Pres.; Mauro DiTullio, VP; Peter Parik, Exec. Dir. Email: info@sccti.org Members: 18 www.sccti.org The Tire Society Inc., 2851 S Parker Rd., Suite 560, Aurora, CO 80014 (720) 248-2776 or (866) 963-1627 Offcers: Saied Taheri, Pres.; Randy Jenniges, VP; Nicole Singleton, Exec. Dir. Email: offce@tiresociety.org Members: 200-plus www.tiresociety.org Tire and Rim Association Inc., 175 Montrose West Ave., Suite 150, Copley, OH 44321. (330) 666-8121 Offcers: D.G. Freygang, Pres.; R.E. Consolacion, Exec. VP Email: tra@us-tra.org Tire company members: 21 Rim/wheel/allied part members: 18 Total members: 68 www.us-tra.org Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, 2000 Argentia Rd., Plaza 4, Suite 100,

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5N 1W1 (905) 814-1714 Offcers: Glenn Maidment, Pres.

Email: info@rubberassociation.ca Members: 25 www.rubberassociation.ca Tire Industry Association (TIA), 1532 Pointer Ridge Pl., Suite G, Bowie, MD 20716-1883 (301) 430-7280 or (800) 876-8372 Offcers: Ken Brown, Pres.; Freda Pratt-Boyer, VP; Glen Nicholson, Sec.; Tom Formanek, Treas.

Staff: Roy Littlefeld, Exec. VP; Kevin Rohlwing, Sr. VP of Training; Sandra Martinez, VP of Oper.; Donna Sage, Dir. of Communications Email: info@tireindustry.org Members: Over 6,600 www.tireindustry.org Tire Retread and Repair Information Bureau (TRIB), 1013 Birch St., Falls Church, VA 22046. (703) 533-7677 Offcers: David Stevens, Mng. Dir.; Brian Hayes, Pres.; Eddie Burleson, VP; Phil Boarts, Sec.; Mike Berra, Treas.

Email: info@retread.org Members: 500 www.retread.org Tread Rubber & Tire Repair Materials Manufacturers’ Group (TRMG), Offcers: Phil Boarts, Chmn., Michelin North America Inc., One Parkway S., Greenville, SC 29615 (864) 458-6848 Email: Philip.Boarts@us.michelin.com Members: 15 company; 30 total

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State associations Alabama Tire Dealers Association, Cheryl Lentz, Sabrina Lentz Knop, Exec. Dirs., 6096 County Rd. 434, Trinity, AL 35673 (256) 616-3587 Email: alatiredealers@cs.com President: Steve Westmoreland, Westmoreland Tire Co., 1920 Industrial Blvd. SW, Ft. Payne, AL 35968 (256) 845-5656 Dealer members: 119 Supplier members: 56 www.alatiredealers.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 Email: herrick.shawn@gmail.com President: Scott Woellhof, Champlin Tire Recycling, P.O. Box 455, Concordia, KS 66901 (785) 243-3345 Members: 180 www.matda.org

Arkansas Independent Tire Dealers Association, Eddie Warrington, Exec.

Dir., 2 Robinwood Dr., Searcy, AR 72143 (501) 268-8473 Email: eddiewarrington@att.net President: Andy Bartlett, Bartlett Tire Center, 66 Batesville Blvd., Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 569-3620 Dealer members: 85 Supplier members: 45 www.aitda.net

Louisiana Independent Tire Dealers Association, P.O. Box 82531, Baton Rouge, LA 70884 (225) 767-7640 or (800) 887-9806 Email: info@litda.org President: Roger Spears, Twin City Supply LLC, P.O. Box 3023, West Monroe, LA 71294 (318) 325-9864 Email: rogerdspears@msn.com Dealer members: 85 Supplier members: 40 www.litda.org

California Tire Dealers Association, Ejnar Fink-Jensen, Exec. Dir., 780 Sea Spray Ln., Suite 309, Foster City, CA 94404-2424 (650) 357-0600 Email: ejnar@catiredealers.com President: George Pehanick, 1-800-EveryRim-OEM Wheels, 9935 Beverly Blvd., Pico Rivera, CA 90660 (800) 383-7974 or (707) 437-4700 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 Email: ga_tiredealers@bellsouth.net President: David Polhill, Duncan Tire Co., 1112 Hillcrest Pkwy., Dublin, GA 31021 (478) 272-9595 FAX: (478) 272-9575 Dealer members: 115 Supplier members: 30 www.gtdra.com Iowa Tire Dealers Association, a division of the Iowa Motor Truck Association, President and CEO: Brenda Neville, 717 E Court Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 244-5193 Email: Brenda@iowamotortruck.com Dealer members: 30 Supplier members: 20 www.iowamotortruck.com

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Maryland - Chesapeake Automotive Business Association, Jim Donohue, Exec. Dir., 75 Ritchie Hwy., Pasadena, MD 21122 (410) 647-0505 FAX: (410) 544-8130 Email: jim@caba.biz Dealer members: 100 Supplier members: 150 www.caba.biz Michigan Tire & Vehicle Service Association, Pres.: James Hallan, 603 S Washington Ave., Lansing, MI 48933 (517) 372-5656 Email: jhallan@retailers.com www.retailers.com Minnesota - North Central Tire Dealers & Suppliers Association, Bonnie McCleary, Exec. Dir., 13304 Stone Rd., Minnetonka, MN 55305 (952) 544-6805 / Email: bonniemccleary@northcentraltiredealers.com President: Tom Warrant, Venburg Tire, 3001 Hwy. 61 N, St. Paul, MN 55109 (651) 483-2601 Dealersupplier members: 150 www.northcentraltiredealers.com Missouri Tire Industry Association, Ron Reiling, Exec.Dir., P.O. Box 609, St. Charles, MO 63302 (636) 949-5929 Email: mtia1@aol.com President: Ryan Anderson, Montana Tire

Distributors Inc., P.O. Box 3531, Billings, MT 59103 (406) 259-9877 Members: 125 www.mtia4u.org Montana Tire Dealers Association, Bradley Griffn, Exec. VP, 1645 Parkhill, Suite 6, Billings, MT 59102 (406) 256-1005 or (800) 388-0236 Email: brad.griffn@mtretail.com President: Ryan Anderson, Montana Tire Distributors Inc., 421 North 13th, P.O. Box 3531, Billings, MT 59103 (406) 259-9877 Dealer members: 101 Supplier members: 17 www.mtretail.com Nebraska - Mid-America Tire Dealers Association, Shawn Herrick, Exec. Dir., 7321 NW Rochester Rd., Topeka, KS 66617 (785) 286-1110 Email: herrick.shawn@gmail.com President: Scott Woellhof, Champlin Tire Recycling, P.O. Box 455, Concordia, KS 66901 (785) 243-3345 Members: 180 www.matda.org New England Tire & Service Association, Dick Cole, Exec. Dir., P.O. Box 1012, Yarmouth, ME 04096 (207) 846-0986 Email: netsapros@aol.com President: Steve McGrath, Tire Warehouse, 492 Main St., Keene, NH 03431 (603) 352-2586 Dealer/supplier members: 509 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 Email: abreese@jwtire.com Treas.: Bud Mullaney, Mullaney’s Tire & Car Care Center, 310 Broad St., Matawan, NJ 07747 (732) 566-9580 Members: 75 www.njstda.org New York Tire Dealers Association Inc., 258 Broadway, Amityville, NY 11701 (631) 789-9505 President: Ernie Caramanico, Amityville Firestone, 258 Broadway, Amityville, NY 11701 (631) 789-3373 Members: 120 www.nytda.com

MTD July 2014

North Carolina Tire Dealers Association, Reece Hester, Exec. Dir., P.O. Box 17046, Raleigh, NC 27619. (877) 784-0111 Email: reece.hester@nctda.com President: Richard Leicht, Atlantic Avenue Tire & Service, 2131 Harrod St., Raleigh, NC 27604 (919) 872-0786 Dealer members: 375 Supplier members: 40 www.nctda.com Ohio Tire & Automotive Association, Edward Cain, Exec. Dir., 50 W Broad St., Suite 2020, Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 221-7950 Email: otdra@ohioretailmerchants.com President: David Frame, City Tire Service Inc., 1800 E Pike, Zanesville, OH 43701 (740) 452-7512 Members: 190 www.otdra.com Oklahoma - Mid-America Tire Dealers Association, Shawn Herrick, Exec. Dir., 7321 NW Rochester Rd., Topeka, KS 66617. (785) 286-1110 Email: herrick.shawn@gmail.com President: Scott Woellhof, Champlin Tire Recycling, P.O. Box 455, Concordia, KS 66901 (785) 243-3345 Members: 180 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 Email: nordness@hotmail.com President: Bob Thomas, Six Robblees Inc., 3677 SE Edison, Portland, OR 97222 (503) 652-9971 Dealer members: 400 Supplier members: 52 www.nwtiredealers.org

Email: katie@associationsplus.com 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, 4002 Memorial Blvd., Springfeld, TN 37172 (615) 669-0098 Email: chad@porterstire.com President: Chad Porter, Porter’s Tire, 1735 Buffalo Trail, Morristown, TN 37814 (423) 289-1968 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 Email: space@ecpi.com President: Jim Ramsey, Lamb’s Tire & Auto Centers, 2100 Kramer Lane, Suite 150, Austin, TX 78758 (512) 257-2350 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 Email: sakridge@vaautomotive.org President: Bobby Cutchins, Bobby’s Tire & Auto Care, 1381 Armory Dr., Franklin, VA 23851 (757) 569-9662 Dealer members: 230 Supplier members: 40 www.vaautomotive.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 Email: tiredealers@hotmail.com Members: 80 www.tdaofwpa.org

Washington - Northwest Tire Dealers Association, Dick Nordness, Exec. Dir., 93705 E Grenada Court, Kennewick, WA 99338 (509) 948-2433 Email: nordness@hotmail.com President: Bob Thomas, Six Robblees Inc., 3677 SE Edison, Portland, OR 97222 (503) 652-9971 Dealer members: 400 Supplier members: 52 www.nwtiredealers.org

South Carolina Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association, Katie Koon, Exec. Dir., P.O. Box 11635, Columbia, SC 29211 (803) 223-5218

Wisconsin Automotive Aftermarket Association, Gary Manke, Exec. Dir., 5330 Wall St., Suite 100, Madison, WI 53718 (608) 240-2065

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Email: midwestequ@aol.com President: Brett Matschke, Richlonn’s Tire & Service Center, 531 S 76th St., Greendale, WI 54302 (414) 421-5350 Dealer members: 138 www.waaa.info

Canada Atlantic Tire Dealers Association, Frank Connor, Exec. Dir., 93 Henderson St., Riverview, New Brunswick E1B 4B6 (506) 386-4306 Email: fconnor@nbnet.nb.ca President: Shane Sutherland, S+S Tire + Auto Service Ltd., 315 Brunswick St., Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 1H2 (506) 458-8262 Dealer members: 125 www.atda.ca Ontario Tire Dealers Association, Bob Bignell, exec. dir., 34 Edward St., Box 516, Drayton, Ontario N0G 1P0 (888) 207-9059.

Email: bbignell@otda.com President: Glenn Warnica, 34 Edward St., Box 516, Drayton, Ontario N0G 1P0 (888) 207-9059 Members: 800-plus www.otda.com L’Association des spécialistes Pneu et Mécanique du Québec (ASPMQ), CP 51017 - CP Cléroux, Laval, Quebec H7T 2Z3 (514) 461-1035 or (866) 454-0477 Email: info@aspmq.ca www.aspmq.ca Tire Dealers Association of Canada, Bob Bignell, exec. dir. 34 Edward St., Box 516, Drayton, Ontario N0G 1P0 (888) 207-9059 Email: bbignell@otda.com President: Eric Gilbert, 34 Edward St., Box 516, Drayton, Ontario N0G 1P0 (888) 207-9059 Members: 2,300 www.otda.com Western Canada Tire Dealers Association, Andy Nagy, Exec. Dir., P.O. Box 58047, Calgary, AB T2X 3V2 (403) 264-3179 Email: andy@wctda.ca President: Clement Collet, West End Tire, Winnipeg, Manitoba (204) 663-9037 Dealer members: 900-plus Supplier members: 80-plus www.wctda.ca

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Your turn

‘Another tarif will yield no apparent beneft to the U.S. tire industry’ Dear Editor: Te United Steelworkers union has petitioned the International Trade Commission (ITC) for relief against passenger and light truck tire imports from China, requesting antidumping and countervailing duty relief under Sections 701 and 731 of the Trade Act of 1930.

If passed, the big loser is the consumer, who least can aford it. It appears that the few people who are behind this, at least publicly, are the union and some politicians, which represent the minority of all concerned.

How tariffs relate to the consumer will most likely be historic in nature. Many of us remember the tarifs that were imposed on Japanese auto makers in previous years, which resulted in higher prices of autos from Japan. U.S. auto makers did not receive a competitive advantage with them because of commensurate price increases taken by them as soon as those tarifs took hold. More recently (2009-2012), the Obama administration imposed tarifs against China manufacturers of passenger, SUV and light truck tires. Te non-Chinese producers reacted by raising prices at very high rates, just like the domestic auto makers did in the past.

Here is how I think this new tarif will play out for the consumer. Te U.S. tire industry presently has an annual replacement consumption that exceeds 230 million consumer tires. With the non-Chinese producer patern established and the U.S. government clearly having no desire for regulation of the non-Chinese producers, the consumer could wind up paying approximately $40 post tarif (conservative) per tire more than pre-tarif if passed. In a single year, that is over $9 billion! We believe that consumers will not want to pay this extra amount for the sake of an organized union’s head count.

Yes, let’s put tarifs on all products coming in from the Pacifc Rim. (Why stop at China?) And, let’s all start paying $1,000 for a cell phone, $5,000 for a wide screen TV, $6,000 for a laptop, etc. Tat would be great on the expendable income for all U.S. citizens! And, then we would have more jobs — but we would not be able to aford anything! Or worse, all the products wind up being made in the Pacifc Rim anyway, because that’s where the emerging markets are. And, why would consumers in those emerging markets pay for high-priced U.S.-made products with overseas freight tacked on them as well?

My overall reaction is that the subject petition is purely politically driven. I believe that it’s bad for the consumer’s dispensable income and will prove to be a de-facto tax to them via them funding the tarifs fees going to our government. And it will once again not help protect U.S. jobs — other countries’ factories simply will pick up the slack (e.g., via factories in Tailand, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan, Korea, etc.), thus raising the average selling price to the consumer. Once the post tarif pricing is raised, most of the non-Chinese product pricing will be raised above the Chinese end, resulting in slot-

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ting the Chinese product pricing back to its pre-tarif price positioning. In addition, if the Chinese government retaliates via products our corporations are puting into China, our economy will be hurt further.

Will it afect our Horizon Tire business? Yes, to some degree.

We have supply sourcing based on the Pacifc Rim, but some of it is via factories outside of China, so we are fortunate that we are not locked into one country. In addition, it will afect non-Chinese based companies with factories and/or factory production based in China in that they will have to shift production around. Many believe that domestic producers will not volunteer to close overseas facilities to capitalize new facilities here because that would result in wasting cash because of politics.

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Your turn Te FTC has an obligation to examine and explore all subject conditions, situations and realities. Our government has the right to protect industries and jobs in the United States, thus allowing its citizens the availability of jobs that contribute to their well-being.

But, this is not about jobs or the consumer! Mostly, it’s about politics (the union vote and head count preservation of the union) and resulting de-facto taxes.

I am not pro-union or anti-union. But I believe there are other avenues and activities that the USW can pursue to beter serve the interest of its members and the American public.

Another tarif yields no apparent beneft to the U.S. tire industry, its staf workers and tire product consumers!

J. Dale Guerrieri, Vice President of Marketing Horizon Tire Corp.

Houston, Texas

Note: Guerrieri’s leter was edited due to space restrictions.-Ed.

Question of the month Each month we ask members of our National Advisory Council (NAC) a question on a current hot topic.

Tis month, we noted that the United Steelworkers (USW) union has once again accused China of dumping passenger and light truck tires into the U.S. market and has asked the government to resume tarifs to help save U.S. tire manufacturing jobs and level the playing feld.

We asked our NAC members how they felt about that. Here are some of their responses.

1. Te tarif didn’t help the U.S. labor force the last time around, and it won’t help it this time. U.S. tire manufacturers seem to be able to make a proft building premium and Tier Two products, but don’t seem to believe that a proft can be made building entry level tires. Te last tarif, and this one if it’s approved, will simply make entry level tires more expensive for the consumer, and the tires, instead of coming from China, will be produced in other foreign countries. Te marketplace and pricing from manufacturers through the supply chain will simply get screwed up again. If the government really wants to help U.S. workers, it should fgure out a way to create meaningful incentives that give tire manufacturers an opportunity to be proftable on these entry level tires. Remember though, the proper political move for these Democrats in ofce is to protect their base, take the easy way out, and enact another tarif.

I hope I’m wrong.

2. It is clear between the past market conditions and the expiration of the tariffs, the market is inundated with opening price point (import) product. Couple that with market price and older inventory (higher cost) and it is tough to make money on tires currently. I am opposed to tarifs in general.

3. Te federal government is continuing to raise minimum wage requirements which makes the goods made in the U.S. cost more to produce. Also, raw materials are going up, but that is a worldwide efect. I think a tarif on new imported tires is not out of line. I am not educated enough to suggest a tarif, nor am I educated enough to imagine the impact to the U.S. tire business and profts. Te tire business, not unlike most all manufacturing, is a worldwide industry that is a worldwide concern, not just a USW concern.

4. All that the last tarif on Chinese tires did was increase the selling prices of all tire lines. Te middle class saw increases in their tire purchases of 35%. No new jobs were created.

Unions need to be illegal these days. We need to abolish corruption.

5. I feel there is indeed dumping, and to the extent items are being sold below the U.S. material cost, something should be done. My understanding is that this is happening in Mexico on truck tires, and if that is true I am sure it will start happening in the U.S. 6. Tarifs against Chinese tire imports will hurt the American consumer (who will pay higher prices for tires) and independent tire dealers (who contend with the doublewhammy of sticker shock at the counter and no help from the government). Chinese imports and their pricing level are necessary for me to compete daily on a level playing feld.

Increasing costs on these tires will only hurt independent tire dealers while the manufacturers will still beneft and union workers will remain secure in their salary levels.

7. Te Chinese tire manufacturers are fooding the market which is leading to a bigger trade defcit. We need to cut it back and not raise the price of a domestic tire, which was the result of the last round of tarifs.

What’s on your mind?

We also asked our NAC what was on their mind. Tey responded with:

Let’s hope there are not any market disruptions this summer. It seems as though the last couple of years we have had disruptions going into the summer months.

Jon Shields, Branch Manager Carroll Tire North Atlanta – C33 Marieta, Ga.

Do I roll the dice and order extra containers of Chinese tires this month?

Charley Gowland, Manager/Owner Chabill’s Tire Service LLC Morgan City, La. ■

Join Modern Tire Dealer’s National Advisory Council Each month, Modern Tire Dealer is guided and infuenced by a select group of readers — members of our National Advisory Council. Tese members’ opinions are the heart of the monthly Your Marketplace column, compiled by industry analyst Nick Mitchell. 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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MTD July 2014

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