Editor: Adam Moffatt
President: Charley Kriksic
President’s Message
Charley Kriksic
(General)
F: 519-537-8209
E: info@barneyprinting.com
www.barneyprinting.com
“YOUR STRENGTH IS IN OUR NUMBERS”
The OTDA is recognized by industry and government as the representative body of the Independent Tire Dealers of Ontario.
New Member.................................................................................................................................................City
Auto Garage AI..........................................................................................................................................Toronto
Fountain Tire Ltd..........................................................................................................................................Lively
Magnus Auto Garage & Logistics.............................................................................................................Nepean
Payless Automotive Maintenance And Repairs................................................................................Thunder Bay
Peterborough Used Tires................................................................................................................Peterborough
SadSac's Shop..........................................................................................................................................London
Sparky X Mobile Tire Shop.............................................................................................................................Ajax
The Classic Group.................................................................................................................................North
The Shop In The Mag.......................................................................................................................Magnetawan Toronto Truck Tire Centre......................................................................................................................Etobicoke Windmill Truck Caps.....................................................................................................................................Elora
Charley Kriksic, President Consumers Tire
Charmaine Carvalho, Vice President Chloride Canada
Logan Shearer, Secretary Tirecraft Ontario
Ryan Burke, Treasurer The Tire Terminal
Adam Kraemer OK Tire Kincardine
Alexa Labrecque Provincial Tire Distributors
Dan Bender Tire Discounter Group
Dave Byma Byma's Tire & Auto Servce
Eric Gilbert Ericway Tire
Erik Fielding Fielding Tire and Auto
Jeremy Hanford Hanford's Tire & Service
Adam Moffatt, Executive Director OTDA
Ifyou're not receiving regular OTDA emails , make sure we have your current email address!
Kraemer
Interested in Shaping the Future of Ontario’s Tire Industry?
Adam
Tire Storage
Goldmine or Headache?
Tire storage is one of those services that seems simple, until it
Many shops offer it, but too often it becomes a headache: tires get miscounted, mislabeled, or even lost. However, done right, tire storage is a reliable revenue stream and a loyalty driver.
Upsell and Customer Retention
Tire storage is more than just a place to keep tires. Done properly, it encourages customers to return regularly, creating multiple opportunities to upsell services such as wheel balancing, alignments, or seasonal inspections. Seasonal tire storage also provides the opportunity to “check in” with customers as the seasons change, and it's time to pull tires out of storage.
Customers who trust you with storage are more likely to book additional work and stay loyal year after year. Treat storage as a mini loyalty program; consistent communication keeps your shop top of mind.
Pricing Strategically
Too many dealers set storage fees by guesswork or “what we charged last year.” This rarely covers labour, space, and tracking overhead, let alone profit.
Start by calculating true costs: handling time, storage space, labelling, and retrieval. Then add a reasonable margin.
Tracking and Inventory Management
A lost tire isn’t just an operational problem; it’s a reputation problem.
Barcodes, QR codes, or even simple numbered tags combined with an easy-to-use database keep inventory accurate and accessible. Don’t rely on painter's tape with a name and phone number written on it, and wrapped around the tires. Track each tire digitally to its owner and, if possible, its storage location for easy retrieval. A well-organized system saves time and reinforces your professionalism in the eyes of customers.
Staff Training & Process
Even the best system fails without clear processes. Assign accountability, document procedures, and train staff thoroughly. From intake to retrieval, every step should be standardized to prevent mistakes that turn goldmines into headaches.
Package Deals
Consider including tire storage as part of a new tire sale. Bundling storage adds value to the sale, helps with customer retention, and encourages return visits for future work. It’s a subtle but powerful way to increase both revenue and loyalty.
When done properly, tire storage is a win-win: convenience and peace of mind for your customers, predictable revenue, upsell opportunities, and stronger relationships for your shop. Don’t let this potential goldmine turn into a headache; a little planning and strategy will go a long way.
Blue Mountain Resort Collingwood, Ontario
OTDA Winter Conference Overview
OTDA Winter Overview
Feb 5 - Feb 7, 2026
Insights Worth Hearing Connections Worth Making
Thursday, February 5
Open Members Forum ~ 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Welcome Dinner & Reception ~ 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Friday, February 6 ~ 8:30am – 5:00pm
Learning from Experience: Turning Lessons into Growth
Retail Dealer Panel
Consumer Trends in Winter Tire Use
Payment Processing & Best Practices for Tire Dealers
Market Perspectives Panel
Tire Dealer Insurance
Tire Recycling in Ontario: Regulations & Landscape
Saturday, February 7 ~ 9:00am – 11:00am
Parting Breakfast & Social
Experience
Explore
Used tire collection sites that operate throughout Ontario play a vital role in the recycling system. This includes tire shops, repair shops, tire and automobile dealers; any business, or organization that handles used tires.
To strengthen that system, we’ve launched an exciting new Re-Use Program for enrolled collection sites. Through this initiative, participants can earn $200 per tonne (based on estimated weight) after completing the sale of re-use tires.
By keeping tires in circulation longer, we help reduce waste, delay them from entering the recycling system or landfill, and contribute to 100% resource recovery under Ontario Environmental Law.
Getting started is simple: sell qualifying tires for re-use, provide an invoice for the sale (additional documentation required for exported tires), and receive your bonus payment. Email info@etracks.ca with your company name, contact person, email, and phone number to begin.
Together we can make the tire recycling system better by improving environmental outcomes and supporting Ontario businesses.
(radial available in raised white letter and redline)
Narrow whitewall radials
BFGoodrich RadialT/A’s • We dismount and mount split rims
Tires,Tubes, Flaps and more
TRAINING PROGRAMS
Drive Your Business Forward.
EMPOWER YOUR TEAM, ELEVATE YOUR SHOP:
OTDA LEAD AUTOMOTIVE TIRE SERVICE TRAINING
The tire industry is evolving, and so should your team. As the demand for high-quality service continues to rise, so does the need for well-trained, knowledgeable technicians. That’s why the Ontario Tire Dealers Association (OTDA) offers TIA’s Automotive Tire Service Training Programs, designed to enhance the skill set of your technicians and empower them to perform at their best.
Why Invest in Training?
Tire and wheel technology has become more advanced, and it’s more important than ever for technicians to stay up to date. This isn’t just about keeping pace with changes; it’s about ensuring your shop maintains the highest standards of quality and safety in an ever-evolving industry.
ATS Training Programs provide your team with a deeper understanding of tire mounting, balancing, inflation, TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems), and safety protocols that will prevent costly mistakes and improve overall efficiency.
The Benefits for Your Shop and Staff
Training your team not only benefits them personally but has a significant positive impact on your entire shop’s operation. Here are just a few of the advantages:
• Improved Productivity: Technicians who understand best practices perform faster and more efficiently, reducing downtime and improving the speed at which work is completed.
• Fewer Mistakes and Customer Complaints: Properly trained techs reduce the likelihood of errors and comebacks, ensuring a higher level of service and customer satisfaction.
• Enhanced Safety: Proper tire service requires the use of specific tools and safety techniques. Training reduces the risk of injury to both your staff and customers, protecting your reputation and keeping insurance costs down.
• Stronger Employee Retention: Investing in your team’s education shows them that you’re invested in their success. This boosts morale and often leads to better retention, reducing turnover costs.
Training is about giving your staff the knowledge and confidence to do their job right the first time. For shop owners, this is an investment that pays off long term. You’re not only ensuring your team’s growth but also helping your shop grow by delivering the best possible service.
Don’t wait until your shop faces avoidable mistakes , invest in your team and their education today.
SAFETY SAFETY CORNER
Surviving a Near-fatal Tire
Explosion:
6 safety lessons you need to know
The injuries 35-year-old Ryan Freeman suffered after being hit by an exploding tractor tire at work were so extensive and devastating, “I’m not supposed to be alive to tell you about it,” he says.
Ryan is the co-owner of OK Tire in Elmira, Ontario, where the incident occurred four years ago. Today, he leads what he calls a ‘new normal’ life. Pain is a constant companion, and he can no longer do some of his favourite activities. But the husband and father of three is grateful to ‘still be here.’
The explosion came as a profound shock to Ryan and co-owners Eric Brubacher and Robert Bowman. The business had prided itself on its health and safety practices, including training, procedures, and good housekeeping. “We thought we had everything in place,” says Ryan, “and it still happened.” So, what went wrong?
Ryan shares his story and what OK Tire learned in the aftermath of the incident. The biggest lesson? “Health and safety doesn’t fall somewhere in the middle of a business’ priorities. It is the most important thing.”
WSPS Consultant Troy Nel shares that belief and has valuable tips for OK Tire and other companies in the Vehicle Service and Repair Sector on how to identify hidden risks.
The Incident and Aftermath
An OK Tire employee was putting air into a new tractor tire that was clamped into a tire changer. The tire exploded just as Ryan left his office and walked onto the shop floor.
The rim of the tire shot towards Ryan, striking his entire left side. “My back, ribs, and leg were broken, and my arm was completely dismantled.” Surgeons removed his spleen and put numerous plates and screws into his back, arm and ribs.
Ryan’s recovery was long and difficult. Remarkably, he returned to work full-time after seven months. “It was quite the journey, and I’m glad I’m on the other side of it now.”
After Ryan’s injury, co-owner Eric contacted the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLISTD), secured the scene, and blocked off the area. He was also able to provide a video of the actual incident. These actions were praised by the MLITSD inspectors when they arrived.
Eric explained the procedure for airing up tires, and the conclusions he’d reached about the immediate cause of the explosion. The shop had two types of gauges: new auto inflation gauges, which shut off air when the appropriate air pressure is reached; and older gauges, which do not shut off automatically. The employee who inflated the tire had used one of the old gauges.
Inspectors noticed that the shop had inflation cages for smaller tires, but not for the big agricultural (tractor) tires. “We didn’t know that the bigger cages existed,” says Ryan.
Following the ministry’s visit, the shop made two ‘impactful’ changes. “We purchased a safety inflation cage for ag tires and the old gauges are gone,” says Ryan. “We only use auto inflation gauges to air up tires now.”
Everyone at OK Tire also has a new level of safety consciousness. “Now, I tell my team, ‘Don’t rush and don’t skip steps. If you are not sure about something, ask someone. Don’t do it until you are confident.”
How to Prevent Incidents Like This One
Tire explosions can occur in tire repair shops and organizations that have in-house vehicle maintenance. Ryan’s story illustrates the terrible impact they can have, and the importance of proactive prevention.
So, how do you identify the right controls before an incident occurs? “By carrying out a job hazard analysis, especially on high-risk work,” says Troy.
Job Hazard Analysis: Identifying Risks and Implementing Controls
A job hazard analysis (JHA) is a systematic process used to identify, evaluate, and control potential hazards associated with specific job tasks. “Observe the work as it’s carried out and consult with workers performing the task as you go through this process,” notes Troy.
Here are the steps involved:
1. Select and prioritize jobs to analyze. “Start with those that you know have the highest risk,” says Troy.
2. Break down each job into a series of specific, sequential tasks. For example, if the job is to fill a tire with air, the tasks might be:
1. Take the tire off the vehicle
2. Move the wheel to the tire changer machine and connect it
3. Inflate the tire
4. Put the tire back on the vehicle
3. Identify potential hazards and controls associated with each step. If we look at step 1 in the example above, we could ask questions such as: “What could happen if the car is not jacked up and secured properly? It could fall. What impact is there from lifting a heavy tire? The worker could develop a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). What can happen when a worker removes a lug nut with a power tool? It could produce flying debris that could injure workers or bystanders.”
Then, consider how the hazard could be prevented or controlled. “For example, to ensure the vehicle is secured properly, first identify vehicle lift points and check for structural integrity. When lifting a vehicle, only raise it a few inches, then perform a test to ensure it is secured before fully raising the vehicle,” says Troy.
4. Consider factors involving people, the equipment, materials, environment, and process (PEMEP) that could increase risks. For example:
• People: “Are they trained? Are they following procedures? Are they wearing protective equipment, if required? Are they rushing?”
• Equipment: “Do employees have access to the proper equipment? Are you maintaining the equipment?”
• Materials: “Can materials inflict injuries because they are sharp or hot, or have the potential to explode?”
• Environment: “Are hazardous activities occurring in an area that bystanders can access?”
• Process: “Is there an established process that encompasses the training, the equipment, the materials, the layout, etc.”
5. Describe each hazard. List the causes, the affected individuals, the potential consequences, and the contributing factors.
6. Select, install, maintain, and review control measures using the hierarchy of controls.
Mark Aspinwall (center), Stox Account Manager presenting the award to Phil & Max Hayman of Automotive Import Market, Markham, Ontario.
PREFERRED VENDOR PROGRAMS
Knowing your business matters.
Federated Insurance offers tailored coverage designed specifically for tire dealers and automotive businesses. Members benefit from industry-specific protection, personalized risk management support, and expert guidance to ensure your business, employees, and customers are protected every step of the way.
OTDA members can save on fuel costs with the Esso and Mobil Fleet Program. Enjoy exclusive per-litre discounts at over 2,300 participating stations across Canada, along with convenient account management and detailed reporting tools that make tracking fuel expenses easy.
Get the best prices on business essentials through the OTDA–Staples Advantage Program. From office supplies and technology to shop equipment and breakroom items, members benefit from exclusive discounts and online ordering tools designed for small business efficiency.
Deluxe/Nebs Canada provides members with savings on payroll services, custom printing, promotional products, and business forms. Simplify your day-to-day operations and strengthen your brand with professional tools tailored to the needs of independent tire businesses.
Through our partnership with Elavon, OTDA members gain access to flexible and affordable credit and debit payment processing. Enjoy competitive rates, no long-term contracts, and reliable customer support, helping your business manage transactions efficiently while saving money.
Members receive special pricing at Mark’s on durable workwear, footwear, and in-store essentials. Whether outfitting your staff or updating your shop apparel, the Mark’s Commercial program helps you save while maintaining comfort, safety, and professionalism.
NetDriven helps OTDA members strengthen their online presence with custom websites, social media management, and digital advertising solutions designed to drive traffic and grow business.
Take advantage of special pricing and incentives on new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles through the FCA Canada Preferred Partner Program. OTDA members can enjoy exclusive savings on eligible models, ideal for upgrading or expanding their business fleet.
Save on both car and truck rentals through the OTDA partnership with Hertz. Members enjoy discounted rates, convenient locations, and a wide selection of vehicles, making it easier and more affordable to manage travel or short-term transportation needs.
TPMS
Tire
Automotive
Service
Wheel
Air/Cordless
Wheel Weights & Balancing Beads
Shop
