Issuu

Issue 2603

The Voice of the Ontario Tire Dealer Since 1955

Inside this Issue 2026 OTDA Golf Classic Coverage 2027 OTDA Winter Conference New OTDA Vendor Program – Park’ N Fly

Editor: Adam Moffatt President: Charley Kriksic

emterra.ca

GET A GRIP ON YOUR SCRAP TIRES CONTACT US: info@emterra.ca | 1-866-498-0339

Offering hauling, tracking, processing & compliance services Leading supplier of crumb rubber Zero waste approach to resource recovery

President’s Message

" # $ " %& ' " %& ( " ) ( ( " %& $ ! ! " ) ! ! ) ) " %& * " + , - ) ) ( ) ) ) ./ & " %& 0 1 # & 2 0 1 1 ) # " # 3.4 555 # $ )6 7 8 ) 0 1 ) ) # 7 ' .5./ " %& 1 ) 7 9:; .5./ < = * " 7 ' ! # 1 ) ) ' ' ' ! ) ) " " %& < % ) >

Charley Kriksic

In this Issue

Please take note to use the correct address as listed below

OTDA Main and Billing Office P.O. Box 1178 Port Dover, On N0A 1N0 P: 289-887-4046 E: amoffatt@otda.com (General) E: accounting@otda.com (Accounting) W: www.otda.com

Printer Barney Printing 1001 Dundas St. Woodstock, ON N4S 1H5 P: 519-537-5596 1-866-534-0004 F: 519-537-8209 E: info@barneyprinting.com W: www.barneyprinting.com

President: Charle ey Krriksic

3 5 6 9 12 14 18 22 26 29 30

T H A Y N O K U

President’s Message OTDA Members and Directors OTDA 2026 Golf Classic OTDA 2026 Scholarship Awards OTDA 2027 Winter Conference Treadlines Built to Last: A Legacy in Motion with Randy M. O’Connor Thank You! OTDA Golf Classic Sponsors Safety Corner TRIB: The Retread Moment Why the Industry’s Time Has Come Preferred Vendor Programs

OUR ADVERTISERS 2

Emterra Tire Recycling

Qué-Mont Equipment

eTracks

Stox Distribution

Import/Export Probec International

Hunter Engineering Company

West Lake Tires

Goodride Tires

Auto Parts Centres

OTDA: Tire Recylclling in Ontario

R&E Tire

Atturo Tires

Dealer to Dealer Development Group

Federated Insurance

Prema Canada

“YOUR STRENGTH IS IN OUR NUMBERS” The OTDA is recognized by industry and government as the representative body of the Tire Dealers of Ontario.

New Member ................................................................................................................................................. City Fastco......................................................................................................................................... Vaudreuil-Dorion Mobile-Tire Inc....................................................................................................................................... Etobicoke MyKandel .................................................................................................................................................. Ottawa OMNI Safety Solutions Inc .................................................................................................................. Cambridge Pliteq Inc............................................................................................................................................... North York Speedy Auto Service ............................................................................................................................. Brampton Tire Discounter Group(DC Toronto)............................................................................................................Whitby

Charley Kriksic, President Charmaine Carvalho, Vice President Logan Shearer, Secretary Ryan Burke, Treasurer Adam Kraemer Dan Bender Dave Byma Eric Gilbert Erik Fielding Jeremy Hanford Todd Richardson Adam Moffatt, Executive Director

Consumers Tire Chloride Canada Tirecraft Ontario The Tire Terminal OK Tire Kincardine Tire Discounter Group Byma's Tire & Auto Servce Ericway Tire Fielding Tire & Auto Hanford's Tire & Service Tirecraft Ontario OTDA

! !" # $

% & ' ~ ()* *

+ ,

)- . / 0 1 . .

If receivyou're not ing reg ular em we haails, make su OTDA ve you re email a r curren t ddres s!

2 0 2 6 Golf Classic ! " " " ! ## # $ " " " % " ! $&

( 6 " 2 $3 . ! $ ! " # " $ " " " ## & 5 ## # # # % % - 7- " 8 - 2 $3 9

' ( ) ! * ! % " & $ " + ! * % ! " ! " " # # ,- " . " ,/ # &

# $ " 3 ! " : " % % & 3 ! ! " " " # " + ; ## & 5 ## 3 $ " ! " # $ % &

0 " $ # 0 0 $ " % & , # # " # # % " + ## % " # % " # & $ ! # # # $ " &

1% $ ! # ! ! ## & % < % # - " # $ ! &

# # + ! " & 1 " ## # ! # # 2 $3 &

% # % # # # . $ & " " ! # $ " ## &

2 $3 ## " # # ! " 4 # " ! $ " 4 % " % # % % ! & 5 #

5 ! # ! % $ " % ! $ % ! "" ! =&

OFTEN IMITATED, NEVER EQUALLED OUR STRENGTH

IS YOU !

YOUR PERFORMANCE, powered by our expertise, vast inventory, and fast delivery!

Member

by/par QUÉ-MONT

www.quemont.com 3685, avenue des Grandes Tourelles, Boisbriand (Québec) J7H 0E2 T 514 331-0302 | 1 800 361-1932 F 514 745-3109 | 1 888 745-3109

! " # # # ! $ # % % ! # # !

Samuel John Yanchula

! " #$% && ' ( ( & )* + ' ) ' ,& ' & & - ) ( )* ( ) ( && & & ( , * , & ( . '// , ' ( ) ( - & & )* (. ( ) ' & ' & ) ( ( , ' ( +& 0 1 ) ( *

Samuel Lastiwka

2 ( 3

)

! ', ( ) & ( & ( ( , * 3 ( +& +& , ' ( , ' 1 ) #$% && &* & ( ( ( ( ( (. )* ' , ( ) & ) ' & , ' , & ' , ( ' ( 0 & * , ' ( ( ' ( , ' ( +& ) & , & & & & )*

& ' % # ! ( % # !

EVERY GREAT STORY STARTS WITH PURPOSE. THAT PURPOSE DRIVES US TO ENSURE EVERY TIRE COLLECTED IS RECYCLED RESPONSIBLY, CONTRIBUTING TO A

GREENER ONTARIO.

eTracks.ca

Is a proud tire distributor with

Over 2,400,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space and 3,000,000 tires in inventory! •

Fast delivery, simple & efficient service

•

Intuitive, easy-to-use ordering platform

•

Partnerships with a broad range of global manufacturers

hance Ge t a c

WIUN RCHASE!

EP YOUR TIR Congratulations to our lucky winner! Jonathan Marseille, Stox Account Manager, will present the award to Brandon Montreuil (center) of Timmins Tirecraft, Timmins, Ontario.

A partner who delivers!

In appreciation of our OTDAaffiliated tire retailer partners, we are giving you the chance to win your tire purchase from Distribution Stox. Until October 31st 2026, every purchase of tires from Distribution Stox by an OTDA member will be automatically entered with a chance to win their purchase. Every purchase from us is another chance to win! Prize will be awarded in the form of a prepaid gift card by your local Distribution Stox Account Manager.

distributionstox.ca | 1-855-770-5510

Blue Mountain Resort Collingwood, Ontario Collingwood

OTDA 2027 WINTER CONFERENCE REGISTER TODAY! FEBRUARY 4 - 6, 2027

Join Ontario’s Tire Industry Leaders & Decision-Makers Returning in 2027 will be our popular Tabletop Expo. We expect an even larger showcase this year, giving attendees even more opportunities to discover new products, services, and business solutions while connecting directly with industry suppliers.

The Ontario Tire Dealers Association is excited to announce the return of the OTDA Winter Conference at beautiful Blue Mountain Resort. Now entering its third year, the Winter Conference has quickly become one of the premier events for Ontario's tire industry, bringing together tire dealers, suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and industry partners for three days of learning, networking, and collaboration.

The conference officially begins on Thursday, February 4, with OTDA updates, opportunities to meet your Board of Directors, and our Welcome Reception, an excellent way to reconnect with industry friends and make new connections.

Building on the success of last year's conference, attendees can once again expect an engaging program designed specifically for today's tire industry. From insightful keynote presentations and interactive panel discussions to valuable business updates and industry-focused educational sessions, the conference will provide practical information and meaningful conversations that matter to your business.

Friday features a full day of educational sessions, industry presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, along with the expanded Tabletop Expo. Throughout the day, attendees will hear from industry leaders, participate in discussions on the issues shaping Ontario's tire industry, and gain valuable insights to help strengthen their businesses.

The conference also offers opportunities to connect with fellow tire dealers, meet the OTDA Board of Directors, engage directly with suppliers and manufacturers, and build relationships with industry colleagues from across Ontario. Whether you're looking to exchange ideas, discuss current industry challenges, or explore new products and services, the OTDA Winter Conference provides the perfect environment to do so.

The conference wraps up on Saturday morning with a networking breakfast, providing one final opportunity to connect with fellow attendees before heading home. Whether you attended last year or are considering joining us for the first time, the 2027 OTDA Winter Conference promises to deliver valuable information, meaningful conversations, and outstanding networking opportunities, all in one of Ontario's premier resort destinations.

More than 150 industry professionals joined us in 2026, and we’re preparing to welcome more than 200 in 2027! 12

Space is limited S l t ~ secure your spott today t !

info@otda.com or call 289-887-4046

" #$ % & " # $ '

( ' & & & ( ? & *

8 ( 9 ) ) ' ( & & ( ( *

) ) & 8 ) = "@ @ &* * ( ' < ( ' ) 5@ 4 A * ' ' < *

:; ) ( & & < ' ( ' 1 & ) ' ( * 9 ) 8 4 *:

55 ' ( ' & ( 6% ( & ( *

( = ) $ "%"5 9 ) 8 4 ' & & )*

! & ( ( , & ' , = * ) ' = "% "$ , ! ( = 9 , * ( ' 7#. ' ( ) ' * ) ' 1 ' * >7 %%%* & ' & ,*

1 # " ' 2 % % 1 A ( & ( & 8 ( 4 C8 4 D ,* & & ) ( ) & & * ( & ( & & * A ( ' , .& ) & ( & ) * ' ; ( ( ( & ( & (* ( ,& A ( 8 4 *

# ( ( !) * # + , & ( -,&(. # 9 B ( ) A CBA D E 9 ' , , ( 9 1 - ;* * ' , & ) ()* & & & ( ) & & < ) ' ) ' ) +& ( ' , ( *

MULTITASK LIKE A MAESTRO Reduce door-to-door four-tire changeover times by by to 44% when pairing the new Hunter Road Force® WalkAway™ wheel balancer with Hunter’s Revolution™ tire changer. Reduce cycle times Repeatable processes Wheel and tire protection Quick learning curve

Scan or visit

hunter.com/walkaway

$ / ' 0 ' " " ( " # " # A & ( & F 8 ( 8 & ' , ( & ) 9 .G & ) & * 8 ( & ( ' ' ' & & & ( ( & ' & ( F ( ) (* & ) ( ' & 9 .G ' & ( ( &. F & *

By: Randy M. O'Connor Dealer to Dealer Development Group randy@d2ddevelopmentgroup.com

That starts with leadership depth and develops over time into business maturity. Who can make decisions when you are not in the room? Who understands the culture well enough to protect it? Who has earned the trust of the team? Who could grow into more responsibility? Too often, owners look around and say, “I don’t have anyone.” Sometimes that’s true. But sometimes it means no one has been given the time, coaching, accountability, or opportunity to become someone. People rarely become ready by accident. They become ready because someone sees their potential early enough to help develop it.

In the first article of this series, we talked about a hard truth in our industry: closing the doors isn’t a plan. It’s what happens when there is no plan. But seeing the need for succession is only the start. The next question is just as important: what are you actually getting ready to pass on? That question can be uncomfortable, because the answer is not always as simple as sales, equipment, inventory, location, or profit. Those things matter and they help tell the story of the business. But they are not the whole business, certainly not the whole story. A tire and service business is also made up of people, habits, relationships, standards, discipline, expectations, and the reputation earned over years in the community. These parts are where stewardship comes into play. Not as a soft idea. Not as a retirement conversation. Not as something you think about only when you are ready to step away. Stewardship is strategy, today.

Give them a pathway. Let them understand the numbers. Let them lead a meeting. Let them solve a problem. Let them own a project. Let them learn how decisions affect customers, employees, gross profit, payroll, cash flow, and net profit. If the first time someone feels the full weight of leadership is when the owner is walking out the door, that is not succession. That’s pressure.

It’s the work of making the business stronger, clearer, and easier to carry forward before a transition is forced by time, health, burnout, or circumstance. Too often, owners think about succession as something that happens at the end. They picture a buyer, a number, a closing date, and a handshake. But the best transitions aren’t transactional. They start years earlier; in the way the business is run every day. In other words, a business is not ready to transition just because the owner is ready to leave.

Stewardship also requires financial clarity. A business that can’t be clearly understood is difficult to value, finance, and transition. Clean financials matter. Consistent reporting matters. Knowing what drives performance matters. For tire and service dealers, that means understanding more than total sales. It means knowing car count, gross profit per invoice, tire units, labor productivity, parts margins, payroll, expenses, net profit and the behaviors that drive the business towards or away from financial success.

The owner may have earned the right to slow down, or circumstances have presented themselves that require it. But if the business still depends on that owner for every major decision, customer relationship, vendor conversation, pricing exception, and tough employee conversation, the business may be successful, but it is not ready. Stewardship asks a different question: can this business keep going because of you, not with you?

Then there are operating standards. Not generic standards. Not borrowed standards. Not a checklist someone else says you should use. I’m talking about your standards. The unique standards built from your complete understanding of what makes your business works at its best. How should customers be greeted? How should inspections be

Locally owned tire and service businesses are employers, training grounds, community relationships, and part of the local economy.

performed? How should estimates be built? How should quality be checked? How should the team communicate when the shop is full and the day starts to bend? Those standards should not exist because they sound good in a binder. They should exist because they separate you from the rest. They should reflect what you believe creates the best outcome for your customers, your employees, and your business.

But protecting that does not mean holding on forever. Sometimes the best way to honor what you built is to prepare it for someone else to carry forward. Stewardship is not sentimental. Stewardship is strategy. It is the difference between owning a business that depends on you and building a business that can continue because of you. Every owner eventually hands something off. The question is whether they hand off confusion or clarity. Pressure or possibility. A job for someone to survive, or an enterprise someone can lead.

If those standards only live in the owner’s head, they are hard to teach and easy to lose. But when they are clearly written, intentional, and lived every day, they become part of the business identity and part of what can be passed on. Culture works the same way. A strong culture is not protected by keeping everything exactly the same forever. It is protected by making the important things clear enough that the next leader knows what should not be lost. What do we stand for? What do we tolerate? What do we reward? What kind of reputation are we unwilling to compromise?

The first article was about starting the succession conversation; this one is about doing the work that makes succession possible. Passing on a business is not just about finding the next owner. It is about preparing something worth owning. In the final article of this series, we’ll look at what comes next: the handoff itself. Because once the business is worth carrying forward, the next responsibility is making sure it lands in the right hands, with the right support, and with enough intention to protect what made it worth building in the first place.

Those answers matter because every transition creates change. New leaders bring new ideas. New owners make new decisions. A healthy business should keep evolving. But evolution without identity can become drift. Stewardship gives the business an anchor. For Ontario dealers, and for independent operators everywhere, this matters deeply.

OVER 60 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU!

AutoPartsCentres

APCAutoParts

APC_Autopartscentres

BE READY FOR TIRE SEASON STOCK UP TODAY!

When tire season hits, count on APC for: Same-Day & Next-Day Delivery *on in-stock products

Fast Access to Thibert Steel Wheels Comprehensive APC Tire & Wheel Catalogue Online vehicle application lookup available

SHOP APC CONNECTION ONLINE AT

WWW.AUTOPARTSCENTRES.COM

Think APC First. Get the Job Done Faster.

& ( A ' 1 & ) ' & ) & ) & ) ( & ( ! 1 * & ? ) & ( & 1 ( & ) ) & , &* ) 1 & ' ( & ) (* A & +& ) & ) & & ( & * !

& $$ # # 3435 * " # "%"5 E ) ! & ' ( H & ' ( ( ! ) ( ! * ' # I B ! ( B J & I * 9 3 ( I , ( ) A A ) ( & ' I . K J 3 I G , G I ) 2 , )

1 ( " ' " 6 ( & .' ) 2 , 9 ) & ) & &. F 8 ( * ) ' ) & ( + )* E F . *

) ,&

! " #$% %&' ()$ * +,-. #$% ' % #

0 (- $1) 2 34 " 4 / 4 #$% '&' '( % 21

Thank You! DIAMOND

SPONSOR

Knowing your business matters.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Golf classic sponsors GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

Golf classic sponsors REGISTRATION TABLE SPONSOR LUNCH SPONSOR

GOLF CART SPONSOR

PUTTING COMPETITION SPONSOR SNACK PACK SPONSOR BUSINESS BEFORE GOLF SPONSORS

special thanks. thanks. . . ) ) * + , - - ) ) ) . ) - ) - ) ) ) " + ) " + ) " ) % ) / - ) / ) + ) 0 0 + ) 0 % % - ) 0 " 24

) ' ) ' ) 1 ( ) 1 ) ) - ) 2 ) ) - ' ) 3 "4 ) 3 ) 3 ) 3 ( ) ) + ) ) ) ( -

SAFETY

CORNER

Do Noise Cancelling Earbuds Work as Hearing Protection? Look around, earbuds and headphones seem to be a permanent fixture on the younger generation. But can they double as hearing protection in Ontario workplaces? The simple answer is no. “

Consumer-grade active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones and earbuds are not designed to protect against noise-induced hearing loss and do not meet the requirements of Ontario Noise Regulation 381/15,” notes Scott McLachlin, WSPS Specialist Consultant, Industrial Hygiene. “Understanding their limitations helps employers explain why these devices are not a safe choice for industrial environments.”

Where Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones Fall Short Unlike certified hearing protection, consumer electronic headphones lack the design, testing, and safety features required in a noisy industrial environment. 1. No certified Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). Consumer ANC headphones do not carry an NRR. Without it, employers cannot verify if noise will be reduced to regulatory limits (below 85 dBA). 2. Masks safety signals. By reducing background noise, ANC headphones can also make alarms, warnings, sirens, and other critical safety cues harder to hear. Certified and properly assessed hearing protection lowers hazardous noise while preserving essential communication. 3. Inability to block impact noise. While effective against steady hums (e.g., generators, HVAC systems), ANC headphones cannot block impact noise (e.g., punch presses, stamping machines or sledgehammers) due to a processing lag in the electronics. “Impact noise hits the ear before the head phones can react, resulting in increased risk of noise-induced hearing loss,” warns Scott. 4. Excessive volume. Consumer ANC headphones can connect to audio sources such as music and podcasts. As workplace noise increases, workers may turn up the volume to hear their audio over the background noise. This creates a double hazard: exposure to industrial noise plus damaging sound levels delivered directly into the ear canal.

A Safer Option: Active Noise Reduction While consumer ANC headphones are unsuitable for industrial use, certified Active Noise Reduction (ANR) hearing protection offers a compliant electronic alternative for employers. “A few specially designed active noise reduction (ANR) ear plugs and earmuffs (e.g. 3M PIC-100) carry a valid NRR and meet the legal requirements of a hearing protection device,” notes Scott. “Critically, the rated protection comes solely from the passive noise reduction (the physical seal), not the electronics. This allows employers to use the NRR to verify compliance with regulatory limits.” While ANR devices offer benefits like improved communication, low frequency reduction, and noise limiters, their high cost is hard to justify unless specific communication features are essential, notes Scott. He also points out that, “even with advanced safety features, employers must recognize the residual risk to situational awareness before using ANR devices.” These risks include distraction while listening to audio and a reduced ability to hear warning indicators or alarms. Employers should conduct a thorough risk assessment for tasks and workers using ANR to identify and mitigate all potential risks.

Beyond Electronics: The Hierarchy of Controls “The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) 2026–2027 campaign focuses on using the Hierarchy of Controls to reduce noise exposure, ” says Scott. “You must show you are prioritizing engineering and administrative controls before considering personal protective equipment (PPE).” • Engineering Controls: Reduce noise at the source by isolating equipment, installing acoustic dampeners, or purchasing quieter machinery. • Administrative Controls: Limit exposure by rotating workers, scheduling loud tasks during low-occupancy times, and increasing distance from noise sources. • PPE: Use only when other controls fail. Employers must ensure compliance by selecting devices with an adequate NRR, confirming a proper fit or conducting fit testing (as a best practice), and training workers on proper use.

29 27

Curious About Twenty Groups?

Be Our Guest! Join other Canadian owners at upcoming peer-to-peer business strategy meetings Southbend, Indiana October 4th-6th, 2026

Vancouver, BC February 4th-7th, 2027

Kitchener, Ontario June 20th-22nd, 2027

Belleville, Illinois September 19th-21st, 2027

”You are not alone. It’s like having 19 other owners looking out for your best interest.” -Jeremy Hanford, Hanford Tire & Service, London, ON

”From a Net of 1% to double digits has been empowering, I haven’t looked back.” - Matt Townsend, MGM Townsend Tire, Londesboro, ON.

APPLY TO BE OUR GUEST NOW!

www.d2ddevelopmentgroup.com 8

www.retread.org David Stevens, Managing Director

! "

- 0 # - - #

) ) 1 $ $ 1 ? * < ( 1

' ? ) @ ) 1 ?

3 '

* 1 ) ' * '

" * < B 3C5 C5D ! ' ? A

* < ) ) 1 * 1

1 8' A * ) ) " " %& * E 8 ) E & 8A*

. 5 6 - 3 A 1 ? ! ! & = ( 1 )

3 ) 1 ) ! ) @ ) ) * < )

7 7 ! ) ! 1 1

! 2

The Ontario Tire Dealers Association is pleased to welcome Park’N Fly as an OTDA Preferred Vendor Program partner. Through this partnership, OTDA members have access to exclusive preferred rates and discounts on airport parking, helping reduce travel costs for both business and personal travel. • Preferred OTDA Member Rates on short- and long-term airport parking • Convenient Locations Across Canada, from Halifax to Vancouver • Valet to Self-Park Options available at participating locations • Parking Shuttle Service to and from the airport • Luggage Assistance available at participating locations • Access to the Park’N Fly Rewards Program, allowing members to earn rewards • Use of the Park’N Fly Mobile App to make reservations, manage payments, and track rewards Take advantage of the OTDA Park’N Fly Preferred Vendor Program by using the OTDA Association Discount Code 1172001 when making your reservation. Bookings are conveniently made through the Park’N Fly mobile app or online at www.parknfly.ca. To receive the discounted rate, reservations must be made in advance using the discount code.

for more information 30

Patches & Repairs TPMS Tools & Sensors Tire Valves & Air Gauges Automotive Parts & Supplies Service Chemicals & Lubricants Wheel Service Tools & Fasteners Air/Cordless Tools & Accessories Wheel Weights & Balancing Beads Shop Supplies, Equipment & more! 800-268-6311