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EDITOR’S LETTER - With parking space availability in Canada’s major cities at an all-time low, it’s time we started considering models from other countries.
THE ATLANTIC ROAD REPORT - PEI officially declares July Automotive Heritage Month • More!
TALK OF THE TOWN - One man’s garbage is another’s treasure,or at least that part of their latest art project. On the road with Sean Maddox.
NEWS OF THE WEIRD - Wouldja believe Toyota’s latest innovation is a…..pizza oven? • More!
ELECTRIC AVENUE - Like it or not, the future’s electric, writes contributor Kirk Mathieson. Here with some distinctly Canadian concerns about our electric future.
FEATURES:
THE REAL CANADIAN TIRE - With economic growth projected to top out at $9.6 billion by 2030, can Canada retain its competitive edge in the tire industry. Sebastien Dorelas reports.
VROOM CANADA! Understanding Canada’s Tire Manufacturing Industry - Canada’s tire industry is worth a mint but the processes involved remain largely unknown says contributor Zachary Perlmutter
COMMERCIAL TRUCK TIRES - Knowing which tires are best for your truck and maintaining them properly can make all the difference to your truck’s performance writes Dana Smith.
TIRE TECHNOLOGY: 2024 AND BEYOND - Kirk Mathieson offers a sneak peek at some of the tire innovations that are literally coming down the road.
EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN - Ever wonder what happens to old tires once they’re no longer needed? Several African nations have not only come up with some surprising innovations, they happen to generate income too, says Carter Hammett.
ETC:
SELF CARE - For truckers it’s important to maintain a healthy self both physically and mentally in order to avoid anxiety and depression says Jean Mason.
WE TAKE THE HIGH ROAD - NAPA store owner Cheryl Richard’s influence is rather far-reaching...and that’s a good thing says our Kristen Lipscombe.
QUALITY COMES FIRST - From humble beginnings almost five decades ago, The Gear Centre Group have grown to locations nationwide writes Kristen Lipscombe.
THE CARE AND FEEDING OF PARKING CULTURE IN JAPAN
By Carter Hammett
IT’S INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT AT ONE POINT THE LIBERALS WERE CONSIDERING BRINGING IN ONE MILLION IMMIGRANTS TO OUR FAIR AND NATIVE LAND.
Ultimately that idea was rejected and the Libs opted for immigration levels capped at about one percent of the population: around 400,000.
Last year the Canadian population hit 40 million: a significant milestone. While this is indeed a big deal for Canadians, I often wonder about the impact on our health care system, available housing and yes, infrastructure.
Among these distinctly urban concerns is the fact that in cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal parking availability is at the absolute minimum. Automotive density in Montreal alone has shot up recently by a whopping 29 per cent. How then to solve this problem?
One possible model to emulate might be that of Japan. Indeed, With a fraction
of Canada’s space and a population topping 122 million, the Japanese have had a lot of practice mastering the fine art of parking.
One of the more interesting aspects of Japanese parking is that street parking is virtually unheard of, and usually forbidden, especially overnight. In city centers where density is at its highest, street parking is only permitted where there is a parking sign with a specific time limit stated on it. Outside most city centres, where there’s dozens of supermarkets, parking is usually both free and abundant.
An important aspect of the Japanese law requires everyone to prove that they have legal off-street parking, either purchased or leased, before they can actually purchase a vehicle. The car will not be registered without this proof.
Furthermore, in heavily populated areas like Osaka and Tokyo, the urban planners and architects have had to resort to creative parking solutions that rival those of anywhere in the world.
One of these, Shinjuku Gardens, located in Tokyo, is considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing in the country.
This is because the walls are composed of plants that not only look great but also purify oxygen by absorbing gas exhaust. There is even a roof where people can take a break surrounded by an abundance of greenery.
Another solution that’s become globally famous is the concept of automated car parks.
Most cities in Japan have narrow towers containing automated parking spaces and these usually feature a chain of baskets or trays that circle the building carrying vehicles or an elevator that both parks and returns the car to you.
Once a driver has left the vehicle, the system identifies a vacant parking spot and moves the car into position for you.
The downside to this kind of ingenuity however, is that the system relies on a disproportionately high level of energy. The popularity of automated parking systems is gradually declining as electricity costs soar and and the use of cars in urban centers decreases.
No less innovative, in fact, commonplace in major urban centers is vertical parking. A large circular platform is place on a lower level in a cabin that rises to the top and then descends. When the vehicle needs to be pulled out the wheel stops. The car gets stored and occupies minimal space and can be retrieved quite easily and usually run entirely by computers.
Many of these systems have been designed to be earthquake resistant and much of the similar design has started being applied to bicycles as well.
As Canada’s major urban centers continue to welcome new arrivals from elsewhere, the pressure will be felt on everything from long term care to energy to urban planning. Parking will continue to be an issue.
We’d be wise to emulate the Japanese model and take a proactive stance when thinking about future urban requirements that will require creative solutions as our cities grow larger, denser and ultimately more dynamic.
THE 'REAL' CANADIAN THE STATE OF THE TIRE
CANADIAN TIRE:
INDUSTRY IN CANADA
By Sebastien Dorelas
TIRES
CANADA IS WORLD LEADER IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION OF
WITH
AN ECONOMIC GROWTH PROJECTED TO TOP OUT AT 9.6 BILLION BY 2030. WHAT ARE THE FUTURE DEMANDS OF THE INDUSTRY AND CAN
CANADA CONTINUE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THIS SECTOR?
Today’s modern vehicles are composed of many parts. Each of these parts are essential to the overall performance of the vehicle. Without some of these parts most cars couldn’t operate efficiently. The average driver often focuses on what’s under the hood such as battery, alternators and transmission to measure the shape of a vehicle. However, they neglect one of the
most essential components of the vehicle: the tires. A proper set of tires will increase your fuel economy; how you handle the road and your overall safety.
Here are a few things to know about tires in Canada. The tire industry is a very important one in our economy. A study from 2022 indicates a strong projected growth from $6.5 billion in 2023 to $9.6 billion in 20301. This growth is attributable to several factors including the diversity of our climate, the sustainability efforts from industry and the increase of vehicle ownership across the country.
CANADIANS DRIVE AND DRIVING IS CANADIAN
According to Statistics Canada, there were 26.3 million motor vehicles registered in our country in 20222. This number was up from the previous year. Vehicle sales increased during COVID-19 as our lifestyle and habits shifted during the pandemic. At the same time, the interest was lower than today. The average driver holds on to their vehicles for an estimated period of 4 or 5 years. However, with current interest rates and the economy, people tend to hold on to their vehicles a little bit longer; up to 11 years. This also means that Canadians spent more money on repairs and service businesses.
As you may have noticed, there are a lot of second-hand cars on the road. This contributes to a strong demand for tires during the last few years. More and more Canadians rely on a vehicle to get to work or school.
As people retain their cars longer, they are sometimes delaying the crucial maintenance their tires desperately need.
These older cars aren’t always in the best shape, and it is difficult for a driver to gauge how long the previous owner had the tires on.
WHY ARE TIRES SO IMPORTANT?
Tires are essential as they link the vehi-
cle and the road. They also ensure your safety as they have an impact on your vehicle’s braking distance and influence the way the steering responds. Having the proper air pressure will extend your tread life. A performing vehicle can become dangerous if its set of tires aren’t the correct ones.
The lifespan of any tire will depend on several key conditions including climate, maintenance and how the driver handles the road. Car specialists recommend changing your tires every three-tofour years if they are brand new.
THERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU CAN USE TO VERIFY THE STATE OF YOUR TIRES:
• Check your tire thread
• Look out for bulges and bumps in the tire
• Check the air pressure with a gauge
• Keep in mind that tires should never be used longer than 10 years.
EV TIRES
Because of their lower engine noise,
emissions and overall operating costs, electric vehicles ( EVs) tend to look advantageous when it comes to their tires. However, they weigh more than the average vehicle because of their heavier batteries. EVs require a different set of tires to offset the extra load when it comes to acceleration and braking.
Keep in mind that EV tires are more expensive than the regular ones on the market because manufacturers require special materials due to the vehicle’s noise reduction capacities. The cost for a tire is, of course, affected by the vehicle model itself. For example, tires for the Nissan Leaf will be more affordable than an Audi RS E-Tron GT.
CLIMATE AND TIRES
Our weather is unique and our four seasons heavily influence consumer purchasing patterns. From winter to fall, the temperature directly impacts our road conditions. Some provinces have strict regulations regarding winter tires. For instance, Quebec was the first province to mandate the use of winter tires on passenger vehicles.
annually.4 This, of course, contributes to increasing our carbon footprint. In recent decades, Canada adopted stricter environmental laws regarding tires. Consequently, it pushed the industry into a whole new direction when it comes to recycling and sustainability. Drivers can help with sustainable efforts by recycling their old tires.
For the eco-friendly consumer, there are a few alternatives available on the market. Goodyear, for example, created a tire that is 90% sustainable.
They are also committed to developing a tire entirely made from sustainable materials by 2030.5 Provinces like Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario offer incentives and programs where motorists can return their old tires. Retailers like Canadian Tire have charged a recycling fee on all new tires in Ontario since 2019.
Together, we can all contribute to the proper recycling of old tires by making all our efforts count for a sustainable future.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The strong Canadian tire market is doing great while also reaching outside of our border for more opportunities.
This law is enforced from December 1 to March 15 every year. All passenger registered vehicles must comply otherwise they will be fined.3 Other provinces are more lenient. Nonetheless, the tire market is expanding because of the diversity from coast-tocoast-to coast. Drivers in some regions will consider installing all season tires, but this is seldom recommended.
SUSTAINABILITY AND TIRES
Tire manufacturers produce an estimated amount of 16 million tires
There are export opportunities across the North American market for our merchants because of our strict environmental national standards, how they position themselves with technological innovations and their goals toward a sustainable future. These innovations include the airless tires and completely new rubber tires made from Guayule and TKS (rubber root). These options are viable as they will considerably reduce the greenhouse gas emissions required to produce brand new tires.
Sebastien Dorelas is a communication and media specialist with over 12 years of experience creating, curating and managing digital content and stories to build relationships between organizations and individuals. Sebastien graduated from Communication Studies at Concordia University (BA 09) and has two graduate certificates from Humber College (2018). He wrote for several public publications in English and French.
He is passionate about current affairs, media and travel. You can follow his travel adventures via his social accounts.
VROOM CANADA! UNDERSTANDING CANADA’S TIRE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
UNDERSTANDING THE NOT-SO-HUMBLE TIRE’S ROLE IN YOUR VEHICLE’S PERFORMANCE IS KEY TO UNDERSTANDING JUST WHERE THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE IS HEADED.
By Zachary Perlmutter
SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN THE LATE-19TH CENTURY, THE CAR, OR HORSELESS CARRIAGE, HAS BENEFITED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM ITS WHEELS BEING USED TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE FROM PLACE-TO-PLACE. In particular, the most-essential part of the wheel has always been the tire. Using its ability to grip the ground in order to gain traction, tires contain many critical elements of production and innovation that make them an essential part of the vehiclemaking process. Specifically, its manufacturing process has allowed for great progress on that front. And nowhere is this more apparent than, surprisingly, the Canadian tire industry. In fact, the Canadian tire industry is the unsung hero of this picture, and it’s
impressive what the industry does despite not being well-known to most people.
It’s worth noting how valuable the tire industry really is in Canada. In 2023, it was pegged at roughly $6.5 billion, and it’s projected to grow to $9.6 billion by 2030 at a rate of 5.8% annually. If that’s not impressive enough on its own, the industry also produces roughly 26 million tires a year. The latter isn’t an exact figure, as it’s hard to extract an accurate estimate, but considering the wide ranges and sizes of these tires, especially given the demand for larger ones in recent years, that alone makes the Canadian tire industry the unsung hero of the road! This is despite most Canadians not even being aware of its impact outside of purchasing cars to drive on the road.
The uniqueness of the tire industry can be seen directly from the creation of the tires themselves. Using a combination of synthetic and organic rubber saps and oils, the tires are carefully and precisely molded over a span of hours before being shaped, welded and stamped for branding and traction. Considering that different tires are used for different terrains and seasons, each tire must be finely tuned to meet the needs of the consumer at a given time. For Winter tires specifically, additional traction is required to prevent the car from slipping and veering out of control on snow and ice. To that end, Toyo Tires has promoted using cured walnut shells in their Winter tires for traction, a feature that they’ve even demonstrated repeatedly in their TV commercials.
Another feature of the tire industry that makes it so fascinating involves the way in which old tires are recycled when they’re no longer useful. Since rubber doesn’t decompose so quickly, it can become an environmental hazard if left in a conventional landfill. To that end, there have been methods used to make disposing of and even reusing tires more ecologically-efficient. These
include using leftover tire pieces to pave playgrounds and parks, or even, in a radically new option, using parts of tires to pave over highways in some parts of the world. Because tires are as flexible as they are durable, they can expand and contract to the weight of oncoming cars without cracking, which is often a problem with concrete-paved roads. It keeps the cost of road maintenance down significantly, and it’s something that more developers, even in Canada, could benefit from adopting as standard.
Car tires can come in a variety of different types. The most obvious are AllSeason and Summer tires, with Winter tires being more well-known in colder, harsher climates. However, there are also Touring tires, Performance tires and Highway tires, the latter of which are usually reserved for trucks and SUVs because of their weight and constant traversing of highways. While the types of tires vary and are case-specific, it’s good to know which brands are reliable for which types of tires. In Canada, reliable companies like Michelin and Goodyear are a safe bet, though there are other brands that
are equally as effective should you prefer them. Many of these tires can even be found at places like Canadian Tire outlets across the country. And hey, you can even do some shopping at these stores for household essentials while you’re at it!
But arguably the biggest challenge behind tires in Canada, aside from obvious one of maintenance, is that of climate change. As the global atmospheric temperature increases each year, and Winter/ Summer conditions change rapidly, car tires will have to adapt. On one hand, the decrease in snow and Winter-like conditions across the country will cause Winter tires to become obsolete, which will take a financial drain on that subset of the tire industry despite people believing the opposite.
On the other hand, the hotter Summers and rising sea temperatures will force summer tires to have to adapt to hotter and more humid roads and terrains. Even those tires meant for mountainous terrains will have to adapt to wetter conditions, posing a real challenge for the industry not seen before. And let’s not forget the billions of dollars that’ll have
to go into adjusting tire treads and features for the uncertain future, including the massive amounts of CO2 emissions (approximately 3300 tonnes annually) that the industry regularly produces, even as it’s promised to reduce it roughly 40% by the year 2030.
While the changes of the industry remain uncertain, especially given the globally evolving economy, the need for the manufacturing of tires for cars will remain constant. Even with the possibility of flying cars existing in the future, which shouldn’t ever be ruled out, the tire will most likely still be needed but will be adjusted to meet newer conditions. Like the wheel itself, from which it gets both its shape and inspiration, the car tire doesn’t appear to be vanishing anytime soon. It’s simply adapting and evolving to meet our ever-changing needs, and that’s reflected in the way in which the manufacturing of tires, particularly those tires made in Canadian plants, will continue to operate going forward. It’s inevitable.
Zachary Perlmutter is a Torontobased writer and blogger.
COMMERCIAL TRUCK TIRES
WHEN YOU’RE DRIVING LONG DISTANCE, KNOWING WHICH TIRES ARE BEST FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND MANAGING THEM PROPERLY CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE TO YOUR TRUCK’S PERFORMANCE.
By Dana Smith
WE SEE COMMERCIAL BIG RIGS MOVING UP AND DOWN OUR HIGHWAYS EVERYDAY BRINGING US THE GOODS THAT WE NEED AND WANT TO MAKE OUR LIVES COMFORTABLE.
But have you ever wondered about those tires on the trucks? Each truck has numerous tires, sometimes 18 and some-
times many more. Those tires are what keep those big rigs rolling up and down our highways smoothly. Tires are like anything else on a vehicle, they are tried and tested to see which ones last the longest and which ones work the best. They are tested to determine what works best on ice and snow, in extreme heat, what you’re hauling, and where you go. Then there is the cost. These are all factors when choosing the right tire. Truck tires are the second largest expense on the balance sheet for companies.The one- sizefits all approach isn’t a good choice when trying to get the maximum life out of your tires.
Steer tires for example wear a lot faster,
mostly being replaced around the 150,000 mile mark, while drive tires can last up to 350,000 - 500,000 miles. There are a lot of factors that come into play on how long tires should last on a commercial truck. There is tire inflation, alignment, the weight you are carrying, rotation intervals, tire positioning, regular inspections, and the application you are using them for. All these things are considered when choosing the right tires for a cost effective, fuelefficient, long tread life.
Let’s look at different tire applications: The first one is the steer axle. The steer tire must be able to handle traction, back and forth movement, twisting and turning with precise movements to direct
trailers where you need them to go, and curb rubbing. Therefore, the rubber compound and sidewalls need to be strong enough to handle those conditions. These movements will wear the tire down much faster, depending on if you’re running a highway application, or city pickup and delivery.
Next we have the drive tires on the truck. Drive tires direct the power from the truck to the road. They must have strong tread grip in all weather conditions to maximize the power transfer. These also must have strong sidewalls and deep treads to carry the loads.
Trailer tires, like the others, carry the weight of the loads you carry. These tires take a lot of road abuse. Not only are the tires taking the down force of the load they carry, but also taking the abuse of curb rubbing, making turns too tightly, and running over obstacles. Driver skill plays a big part in this. This will significantly reduce the tread life over time.
Another factor involving truck tires is how and where you use them. There are typically three types of applications: Line Haul, Regional, and P&D. There are also off road applications too, such as logging or construction. These again will take a very different application than say a long haul highway operation would.
Line Haul applications are usually run with a lot of constant highway miles over long distances and rolling through all weather conditions, hot and cold temperatures at constant highway speeds. Regional applications are used for trucks running moderate distances both on highway and secondary roads, variable speeds, and possibly doing pick up and
deliveries. P&D applications are designed for short trips at lower speeds, with a lot of stopping and starting, twisting and turning, doing pickup and deliveries in tighter areas.
Axle positioning is a key factor as well when choosing the right tire. Why? Remember that the road we drive on isn’t perfectly flat. The road has a center crown on it. Higher in the center and lower on the shoulder. Because of this, we have to adjust due to higher and lower tire/road touch points. Depending on which axle, inside or outside tires will wear faster or slower than others. This is why tire rotation is so important.
The type of trailer you haul can have a huge affect on your tire wear. For example, a tandem axle compared to a trailer train, or a ti-axle. The more axles, the more twisting action happens when turning, therefore wearing down the tires faster.
Some of the important things you can do to extend the tire tread life of your fleet operation include:
Regular tire inspections: By doing regular tire inspections, you may prevent excessive tire wear and fix the issues sooner, saving you time and money moving forward. It might possibly save you a breakdown on the road as well.
Fix mechanical issues: There are a lot of mechanical issues that can cause premature tire wear such as loose bolts, joints, and bearings. Checking these regularly can save a lot of headaches, time and money as well.
Keep tires balanced: Tires that are out of balance wear unevenly. This will be noticed very quickly through the tire
wear.
Check for alignment issues: If a tire, or tires have uneven tread wear the cause could be an out of aligned truck or trailer. In a trailer application, you may notice what they call dog tracking. This is where you can see the trailer in your mirrors not running straight. This will significantly reduce tire wear quite quickly if you don’t catch it.
Match and rotate tires: Matching tires such as steer tires is a good practice to get maximum efficiency. By putting two different tires on the steers, you run the risk of each tire not wearing the same, as they may not have been manufactured with the same materials, or methods. This will, and can cause premature tire wear. Tire rotation can extend the life of each tire, getting the most wear you can out of it.
Check tire inflation regularly: This should be a given on any vehicle. The driver can be a great help with this as they are required by law to do a pre-trip inspection everyday. It only takes a minute to check the tire inflation level, and can save money and time for every company. If a tire is under inflated, the tire runs more on the outside and inside of the tread. If it’s over inflated, the tire will only run more on the center of the tread. Both these situations will cause premature tire wear.
If you put some or all of these practices in place for your fleet, you can significantly reduce your tire program costs, and make your company more efficient. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about: running leaner and more cost efficient.
Dana Smith is co-founder of the Mindful Trucker Institute.
FEELING ‘TIRE’D?
HOLDING SPACE FOR CONNECTION AND JOY ARE IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS FOR COMBATTING ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.
By Jean Mason
THE
LONG
OPEN ROAD
CAN REPRESENT SO MANY THINGS; WORK, FREEDOM, EXPLORATION. HOWEVER, THE LENGTHY TRAVEL AND MONOTONOUS WORK CAN LEAVE ONE FEELING BURNT OUT OR EVEN HOLLOW UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES.
While travelling, moving, or working is mostly fulfilling it is also important to make sure you are taking care of yourself both mentally and physically. Without maintaining healthy balance and routines, it is easy for us to fall into feelings of depression and anxiety. These feelings can have long reaches and impact every aspect of our lives.
Depression and anxiety are words we hear all the time, but what do they really mean? Depression can be the loss of interest or joy in your everyday activities and events that you used to find joy in. Depression can impact our sleep, eating habits, and cognitive functioning.
Similarly, anxiety can cause us to miss out on events that we wanted to attend because there is an overwhelming feeling of fear or worry. Anxiety can cause us to isolate and make it hard to connect with people we want to connect with.
Both depression and anxiety can work together to make every day life more difficult to get through. Fortunately though, there are simple adjustments we can make to help support ourselves when we start experiencing these feelings.
Long hours on the road can leave us feeling disconnected and isolated. These feelings compound with the nomadic nature of moving from place- to- place, and one can start to feel the impact of depression and anxiety.
This can be a slow and gradual descent into a mental space that we
don’t like, but it does not have to always be that way. While driving for a living is by its nature a solo job, there are still ways to engage with the community and our friends in order to feel connection and care.
As with anything, a good work- life balance is important. How many hours a day are you giving yourself to engage in the hobbies and activities that bring you joy? A short walk if weather permits, or a puzzle can be an enjoyable way to spend your down time.
Technology makes it easy to connect with friends and loved ones, so perhaps a scheduled phone call with your family or friend may help ease feelings of isolation. While these suggestions may seem simple in nature, they all center around a foundational tennant. People need connection and joy in their lives, we cannot just work and sleep.
A healthy sleep and eating schedule can help combat feelings of depression and anxiety as well. Make sure you have a comfortable blanket and pillow to lay down with, and that you are getting a consistent and full night’s rest.
It is easy to fall into a sleep debt, which can drastically impact your ability to not only focus but maintain emotional regulation.
Eating well balanced
meals while you’re on the road is not an easy task, but there are lots of opportunities to swap for something nutritious that can provide your brain and body with the energy it needs to maintain a healthy and regulated mood.
Perhaps you don’t drive for a living, but end up spending many hours on the road for travel purposes. It is still important and helpful to take frequent breaks and enjoy the sites around you.
A short picnic where you can enjoy the view and a side visit to something exciting can keep you engaged and present. When we make time for connection and joy, we can help prevent anxiety and depression from settling in.
THE ATLANTIC ROAD REPORT
BITS AND PIECES OF NEWS YOU CAN USE COLLECTED FROM AROUND THE ATLANTIC REGION. YER WELCOME!
NEW BRUNSWICK
Federal government invests in flood mitigation project in Sussex, New Brunswick
Sussex is building two flood diversion channels and overpasses after an investment of $25.6 million from the federal and municipal governments. This was announced June 24 by Member of Parliament Wayne Long and Mayor Marc Thorne.
The first channel will extend from Trout Creek to the Kennebecasis River flood plain, crossing Route 1, while the second channel will link Parson Brook to Trout Creek. Two overpasses will also be constructed on Highway 1 where it intersects the proposed channels.
This project will help keep residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure in the Town and Village of Sussex safe from flooding.
Making adaptation investments now will have major economy-wide benefits later. Every dollar that is invested in adapting and preparing for natural disasters can return as much as $13 to $15 in benefits.
“We are proud to support the con-
struction of these flood diversion channels in Sussex. This initiative is vital for protecting the health and safety of our residents, preserving critical infrastructure, and ensuring the continuity of essential services. This project exemplifies our commitment to making our community stronger and mitigating the severe impacts of flooding for the people of Sussex,” said Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John - Rothesay on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minster of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
NEWFOUNDLAND
Funding Will Facilitate Drinking Water and Roads Upgrades in the Town of Upper Island Cove
A joint investment of approximately $465,000 by the Provincial Government and the Town of Upper Island Cove will support both drinking water and storm system upgrades under the Municipal Capital Works Program.
The project involves the replacement of the old infrastructure with new, modern materials, design and construction
standards. Upgrades will be made to the drinking water system in the town and road improvements will facilitate better stormwater collection, minimizing the amount of sediment runoff.
The Municipal Capital Works program fosters the development of cost-shared projects for many types of municipal infrastructure. Typical projects include water and wastewater treatment, seawalls, roads, recreational facilities, town halls and fire halls. Funding is cost-shared between provincial and municipal governments and is available to municipalities, local service districts and Inuit Community Governments.
More information on initiatives to facilitate and build on municipal capital works throughout the province can be found here.
Budget 2024 includes more than $172 million for community infrastructure projects being completed under the Municipal Capital Works Program and the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program
“Municipal infrastructure improvements are important factors in the over-
all well-being of residents throughout our province. These infrastructure projects also lead to employment for tradespeople and economic benefits across Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
NOVA SCOTIA
Robust Active Transportation Network for Wolfville
The Province is helping build more than 10 kilometres of multi-use trails in Wolfville.
“Investments in clean, active transportation help keep all Nova Scotians moving and healthy,” said Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr, MLA for Kings North, on behalf of Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “This project in Wolfville will advance our goal to complete core active transportation networks that are accessible for all ages and abilities in 65 per cent of the province’s communities by 2030.”
Funding from all three levels of government will be used to develop a core active transportation network throughout the town, with protected bike lanes, improved crossings and connecting sidewalk segments. This infrastructure will increase affordable transportation options and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion.
The project, which will connect to the provincial Blue Route cycling network, will give residents, students and visitors more safe, accessible and environmentally friendly ways to move around the community.
Creating more active transportation options is a commitment in Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth. The plan aims to create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for all Nova Scotians.
It includes initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, switch to clean energy and transportation, create a clean economy, make homes and buildings energy efficient and able to stand up to the impacts of climate change, and help Nova Scotians adapt to the changing climate.
“Today’s announcement is wonderful news for the community of Wolfville. Residents will benefit greatly from these multi-use pathways — suitable for all ages and abilities — that will take them to various destinations in town and give them a direct connection to the Blue Route cycling network. The expansion of active transportation networks in Canadian communities is an important way in
which we are working to support longterm, sustainable and inclusive economic growth,” said Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
Quick Facts:
the total cost of the project is more than $3.3 million
The provincial contribution is about $1.1 million, with about $1.3 million coming from the federal government and about $891,000 from the Town of Wolfville more than 50 infrastructure projects under the federal Green Infrastructure Stream have been announced in Nova Scotia, with more than $431 million in provincial funding and $327 million in federal funding creating active transportation networks advances action 43 under Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Honouring Automotive History
For fifteen years, antique vehicle owners across Prince Edward Island have been celebrating Automotive Heritage
Month every July – and this year, they are making it official.
PEI is joining the National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada (NAACC) to officially proclaim July as Automotive Heritage Month and July 12 as Collector Car Appreciation Day.
“Restoring antique and classic cars keeps history alive for future generations to enjoy. Automative technology has come a long way. PEI is a leader in adopting electric vehicles and public transit, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and becoming Canada’s first net zero energy province. Much of our success in transportation can be attributed to our proud automotive past,” said Transportiion and Infrastructure Minister Ernie Hudson.
“Automotive Heritage Month and Collector Car Appreciation Day raise awareness about the role automobiles have played in Canadian history and society,” said Wilfred Moase, NAACC PEI Director.
“For generations, automobiles have inspired music, film, photography, fashion, literature, and other artistic pursuits.
Collecting and restoring classic cars is an important part of remembering our past.”
TIRE TECHNOLOGY - 2024 & BEYOND
WITH ALL THE ADVANCES BEING MADE TO AUTOMOTIVE AND TRUCK
DESIGN,
IT’S
EASY TO FORGET ONE VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF MOTIVE DEVELOPMENT: THE TIRE. HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK INTO WHAT’S LITERALLY COMING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE NOT- TOO- DISTANT FUTURE.
By Kirk Mathieson
INNOVATION IS VITAL TO ANY INDUSTRY THAT WANTS TO THRIVE IN THE 21ST CENTURY, AND THE AUTO FIELD IS A PRIME EXAMPLE.
From electric vehicles to driver assist technology, advances in design and engineering have changed the way we travel and commute.
The trend towards better and more reliable equipment does not stop with glass and steel, however. Here are three consumer tire trends being rolled out today that are worth looking into.
AIRLESS TIRES
Imagine an extremely durable, puncture resistant tire that never goes flat and rarely needs replacing. Sound too good to be true? In some ways it is – for all their advantages, airless tires also come with their share of limitations. Because these tires don’t have inner tubes, they don’t absorb vibration as well as conventional pneumatic tires, resulting in greater stress to the vehicle’s suspension system and a less comfortable ride.
They also require more material to produce and are thus much heavier than conventional tires; this extra weight can affect fuel consumption and manoeuvrability, particularly with larger industrial
vehicles that use outsize tires and need greater shock absorption. And at high speeds, increased friction combined with tire mass can cause heat buildup and damage the tire.
On the other hand, airless tires are ideal for rough or uneven terrain such as mining and construction sites, where there is high risk of punctures or tread damage that could delfate a conventional tire. They are also commonly used on site-specific vehicles like forklifts and golf carts. As the technology evolves and becomes more practical, we may see airless tires becoming more common on the road. One area where this is already happening is cycling. Airless bicycle tires can last two to three times longer, do not need inflating and are virtually puncture-proof.
SELF-SUPPORTING RUN FLAT TIRESS
When a tire is punctured, it gets crushed into the wheel rim because a flat inner tube means there’s no structure to support the tire. Enter the run flat: Pneumatic tires with reinforced sidewalls that support the weight of the vehicle in case of a puncture, allowing the car to continue driving until the tire can be safely changed. Some models will remain intact for up to 80 kilometers before needing replacement, giving the driver a window of time to reach a service station or a safe
spot to change the tire. Run flats are already a popular option on some car models, and may become a standard item in the near future.
‘SMART’ TIRES
Even in a time of sweeping changes to the transport and automotive industries, tires may be the last thing on a car that you’d expect to be computerized. But advances like digital tire monitoring and self-inflating tires are already here, and this side of the automotive horizon will likely see even more features being added in the near future. As Karen Jacobs writes in the tires-easy.com blog, “Researchers at the Technodome, Hankook’s new advanced research center, are working on an intelligent tire that can sense road friction, conditions, vehicle overload, and other safety factors.” This information can be relayed to the driver or even to other cars on the road, making everyone’s trip home a safer one.
With advances like these, the tire industry is bracing itself for solid movement into the next generation of innovative momentum.
RECYCLING TIRES IS NOTHING NEW. BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO THEM HOWEVER, AND TURNING OLD TIRES INTO NEW PRODUCTS, NOT ONLY CREATES EMPLOYMENT BUT CONTRIBUTES TO A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION AND A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT. COMPANIES ACROSS AFRICA HAVE EMBRACED THE CONCEPT AND ARE RUNNING WITH IT.
By Carter Hammett
ONE OF THE GREAT PRIVILEGES OF TRAVELLING OCCURS WHEN YOU CAN HAVE A PEEK INTO THE INNOVATIONS MADE BY SO-CALLED DEVELOPING ECONOMIES.
Indeed, back in 2017, while visiting Cambodia, I came across a gift shop selling purses for women.
While that isn’t so unique, the fact that these products were made entirely from recycled tires was. I was able to have a few words with the store manager who said that these handbags were made from
recycled motorbike tires; that they were strong and durable, created jobs and assisted workers in Southeast Asia to generate an income.
Turns out this endeavour was a social
purpose enterprise run by Friends International. The company runs home-based production teams across the region and offer ongoing training and support.
Recycling tires is nothing new. Recy-
cling tires as a source of income in developing economies has become an increasingly popular solution within the past decade or three. In India for example, thousands of kilometers of highways contain recycled rubber mulch, which expand in the heat and breathe new life and durability into old infrastructure projects.
But that’s not all. The number of products generated is only limited by the imagination. Listen to a partial list of some products that were once tires, including: patio umbrellas, fitness flooring, bumpers, shoes, bottle openers, rubber roofs, flowerpots and even jewelry.
Perhaps no continent has taken the concept of breathing new life into old tires than Africa. Across the entire region, innovative entrepreneurs are taking their vision to new heights and turning ideas into reality.
Rwanda-based company Tsinda Business Group for example took a simple idea and turned it into affordable furniture. Indeed, founder Jean De Dieu Kamana noticed that when people came to visit him at his work, they chose to sit in the pile of tires. The company can produce about 15 chairs a week and these in turn are sold for about $50 each.
Today the company, which started in 2017 making shoes out of recycled material, employs 70 people.
A recent report by the Tire Industry Project estimates that one billion end-oflife tires are generated globally every year. An estimated four billion are currently sitting idle in landfills and stockpiles across the world.
A report by Michelin states that once tires have reached a tread depth of 1.6mm they need to be replaced to maximize safety on the road.
The tire industry is one of the most advanced sectors in end-of-life product management. Estimates state that about 88% of all end-of-life tires are recovered, compared to only 14% plastic packing converted through recycling.
Tire recycling is one way to reduce the environmental footprint of a tire’s life cycle from manufacturing to end-oflife. Michelin, for example, is aiming by 2050 to have its tires composed of 100% sustainable materials, which would also improve tire energy efficiency by 10 per cent.
Another company doing its share to make a dent in the pile is Nigeria’s Free Recycle. The company transmogrifies old tires into new products like paving bricks, floor tiles, flip flops and other goods which, since its founding in 2018, has recycled over 400,000 tires into new
product.
The tires are processed and ground into tiny pieces. Workers then mix these with an adhesive that enables employees to shape the waste into a plethora of products, the most profitable of which is rubber paving stone, which costs about $60 for a set of 40.
The company believes it has prevented over 8,100 tonnes of CO2 emissions since 2017.
Swinging downward, South Africa’s Mathe Group made headlines in 2023 when it obtained a new waste management license for its tire recycling facility worth over $65 million rand. The facility, which became operational last August, can produce 45 tons of rubber crumb output and 1,000 tires daily.
During the pandemic, Mathe’s sister company, Van Dyck, cleverly chose to switch to rubber-based products, quickly gaining traction as a flooring innovator. Part of the reason for this swing shift was driven by a decline in South Africa’s soft flooring market. Recycled rubber flooring offers significant value for its money while providing benefits to the environment as indicated by their global green tag certification.
Tire recycling benefits the circular economy by curbing the reliance on imported rubber, reducing waste, and maximizing resource utilization. These outputs form a continuum that helps to reduce costs associated with importing rubber from outside sources.
Keeping their product close to home is another way for companies to turn a product, formerly dismissed as garbage, into a viable and profitable enterprise.
By breathing new life into these products, developing economies are paving the way toward new horizons, creating employment for local communities while transferring knowledge and building skills in their stakeholders. It’s a win-win situation many countries can benefit from.
MAN VERSUS MACHINE
THE JOURNEY OF GETTING THERE, THE CREATION AND THE CONNECTIONS IS REALLY WHAT
IT’S ALL ABOUT.
By Sean Maddox
AT ANY TIME, MY ART CAN TAKE ME TO FAR OFF CORNERS OF THE ATLANTIC PROVINCES.
Travelling from the tip of Meat Cove on Cape Breton Island in the north, down the coast of N.B., further down to the islands of Grand Manan, Deer Island, and lots of places in between, not to mention the many islands and coves along the waters of mainland N.S. that are close at hand and to heart.
I collect ghost gear, driftwood, construction waste, house waste (people throw away hardwood chairs all the time), ideas, stories, and much, much more. I make connections and friends along the way.
The goal is always a complete, old, weathered buoy, any shape or size, or any of its parts. A significant proportion of my art is made from old buoys. The thrill of
ing to people in communities, learning from primary sources, then grabbing the phone to follow up and do more research and make more connections.
Over the last couple months, I have taken many trips. I walked over 100 kilometres last week. I was in and out of Toronto. The week prior, I drove up to Sheet Harbour, down to Lunenburg, and west to Truro to meet other artists and creatives, all while collecting art supplies: trash.
Despite new boots and the heat, Toronto was an incredible trip. Challenging at times too. I met many artists, friends, and family. I had the opportunity to attend an incredibly moving graduation, visit several galleries, restaurants, and bars, see so much public art, and watch a Blue Jays game. People
creating people, places, and things out of gifts from the sea continues to be my greatest love in art—sculpting.
Trips can be planned. They rarely are. With tides, fishing seasons, distance, black flies, and suppliers, busy schedules, research is mostly done on the spot, talk-
with stories to capture all around.
My heart and mind were full. Sketch book exploding, my mind and legs constantly on the move: my friends and family a little concerned. They rarely see me on research trips - a solo activity normally or with my dogs, Lola and Fayth.
The other trips provided at least a trunk full, if not trunk and seats full of buoys, chairs, rope, wood, railway spikes, bent nails and other beautiful and unique finds. I only take what I will be able to
use, leaving the rest for other creators.
In both cases, I learned so much. Whether pushing the pedal to reach sunset with the three Sisters of Mahone Bay or sitting among the last patrons of Toronto’s late night eatery, they were the same.
First: personal therapy
Second: the world in all its forms.
Third: the few minutes people were willing to give me and the stories they shared.
These trips, those supplies and all the people, places and things along the way are in preparation for a big folk art show on August 4th: The Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival. It was only a fantasy five years ago. Now a clock ticking. Thanks to my wheels.
FOLLOW ALONG.
Don’t forget: foot power or machine don’t matter. Nor does the destination. Just get out and share your stories with others. Make meaningful connections.
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
BITS AND PIECES OF NEWS YOU CAN’T USE COLLECTED FROM AROUND THE WEB SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO . . .
TOYOTA BUILDS EXPERIMENTAL HYDROGEN-POWERED PIZZA OVEN
Grilling season has officially started, and Toyota believes it has the answer to the decades-old “charcoal versus propane” debate: None of the above. The brand teamed up with an appliance company named Rinnai to build what it calls the world’s first hydrogen-powered stone oven. And, because not everyone has a gig as a pizzaiolo listed somewhere on their resume, it also built a small hydrogen-burning barbecue.
Even for Rinnai, a Japanese brand that celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020, making a hydrogen-powered cooker was easier said than done. There’s nothing like it on the market, so there are no safety standards to use as guidelines. That’s why Toyota enlisted a partner: it knows how to make hydrogen-powered cars that don’t explode and Rinnai knows how to make ovens and furnaces that don’t explode.
The oven features technology derived from the Mirai, including the system used
to supply and monitor hydrogen. It also relies on the same type of control system that Rinnai puts in its furnaces. Precisely how it works hasn’t been detailed, but Toyota notes that hydrogen, which has a high combustion temperature, combines with oxygen to produce steam as it burns. Visually, the stone oven looks like a regular pizza oven with a dome, a chimney, and a half-circle-shaped slot that the pizza goes into. It’s on wheels, so it can be moved around as needed.
Toyota’s employees have been testing the oven by making pizzas and croissants. The brand hasn’t published its dough recipe yet, however.
Toyota argues that cooking with hydrogen makes food taste better. “Take things like mushrooms and vegetables. While these ingredients tend to dry out on a wood or charcoal barbecue, hydrogen cooks more quickly, leaving them bursting with moisture and delicious flavors.”
Beyond better-cooked portobello mushrooms, Toyota hopes you’ll buy a
hydrogen-powered car after grilling with a hydrogen barbecue. In the Japanese company’s words, “making hydrogen feel like part of every day life is a crucial first step in creating a hydrogen society.”
There’s no word on whether Toyota and Rinnai will bring their hydrogenpowered stone oven to the market, or if it’s going to remain at the prototype stage (much to the delight of the employees assigned to the project). As for the barbecue, the company has already started using it at motorsport events like the WRC Rally Challenge, which is a program it started in 2015 to prepare young rookie drivers for rally racing.
NO, VOLODOMYR ZELENSKY’S WIFE DIDN’T BUY A BUGATTI
Russian disinformation campaigns are nothing new, but this one is particularly bizarre. A state-owned Russian news site is pushing an obvious falsehood that Olena Zelensky, wife of Ukraine president
Volodymyr, bought a Bugatti Tourbillion from dealer Bugatti Paris. The dealer denies that this is the case, and in a statement said it’s taking legal action against the parties that pushed this propaganda.
As noted by Italian journalist David Puente on X (formerly Twitter), the story emerged from a French-language website called Verite Cachee, or “Hidden Truth in France.” The site went live just last month, ahead of the French elections, and appears to be filled with low-quality, AIgenerated, pro-Russia content.
The site has what it falsely purports to be an invoice for the car, and a deepfake video on Instagram of someone claiming to be a dealership employee announcing the sale of a Tourbillon to Zelensky. The story from this site was then picked up by RIA Novosti, a Russian state-owned publication.
THE CAR PUTIN GIFTED TO KIM JONG-UN WAS BUILT WITH SOUTH KOREAN PARTS
Laughing and joking, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un cruised around Pyongyang last week in a Russian-made
Aurus limousine to showcase their strengthened anti-Western alliance.
The luxury sedan was intended to epitomize Russia’s domestic prowess and reduced dependence on imported technology and goods when unveiled in 2018.
But customs records show that the company that builds it uses millions of dollars in imported parts, many arriving in Russia from what Kim has described as his country’s “primary foe,” South Korea.
The imports point to Russia’s ongoing reliance on Western technology as it seeks to navigate Western attempts to cut it off from global supply chains as punishment for its invasion of Ukraine.
The two leaders took turns driving the armoured limousine during Putin’s pompfilled visit, his first in nearly a quarter of a century to North Korea, in a demonstration of the two nuclear powers’ increasingly close ties.
Russia imported equipment and components worth at least $34 million between 2018 and 2023 for assembling Aurus cars and motorcycles, customs records seen by Reuters showed. Reuters does not have access to more recent data.
The imports included car body parts, sensors, programmable controllers, switches, welding equipment and other components worth almost $15.5 million imported from South Korea. Parts were also imported from China, India, Turkey, Italy and other EU countries.
Foreign supplies for Aurus kept coming after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with goods worth almost $16 million, including $5 million produced in South Korea, imported since February 2022, the records showed.
Reuters could not determine specifically which imported foreign parts ended up in the car gifted to Kim, and the imports were not in breach of sanctions — Aurus LLC was sanctioned by the United States in February 2024.
The Aurus sedan was developed by Russian state-owned research institute NAMI in partnership with Russian carmaker Sollers, which has since sold its stake.
Aurus Motors and its CEO Andrey
Pankov did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment on the use of foreign parts, including from South Korea, in its vehicles.
Who the suppliers are
The company launched official production in Russia’s Tatarstan region, around 1,000 km (620 miles) from Moscow, in 2021 - before then it was made on a small, experimental scale at NAMI. It will start additional production in St Petersburg later this year at Toyota’s former factory.
Toyota is one of many foreign carmakers to exit the Russian market since the invasion, which Russia calls a “special military operation”.
The exodus has left a gap that Chinese producers have been quick to fill, rapidly seizing more than half the market share and exposing Russia’s limited domestic production capacity.
South Korean firms were among the largest suppliers to Aurus, including industrial equipment producer Kyungki Industrial Co, car body parts manufacturer BYT CO LTD and batteries supplier Enertech International Inc.
AND IN KEEPING WITH THIS ISSUE’S THEME….NISSAN MADE A PERFUME THAT SMELLS LIKE TIRES
“Smell My Dust.”
Nissan has a new perfume that smells like tires. It also smells like cherry blossoms, because Japan is world-famous for its cherry blossoms that bloom in the spring. Yes, it’s a supremely weird combination and yes, it’s a legit perfume. The fragrance is called Smell My Dust, and we’re dying to find out how it smells.
That might be tough, though. Nissan doesn’t tell us how to get a bottle, but its announcement coincides with the upcoming Formula E race taking place this weekend in Shanghai. It’s the first time the electric series has gone to Shanghai, and Nissan hopes to grab some extra attention with its new fragrance. Apparently, weird perfumes and colognes are popular with younger generations.
Nissan worked with a perfume lab in Shanghai to bring this scent to life. The exact composition is unknown, thoughclaims actual bits of tire dust were used in its creation. Nissan has done well in Formula E this year, earning six podium finishes and one event win to currently hold third place in the overall standings. And this is how the team decided to celebrate.
THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO HAVE AND SOMETIMES NOT TO HAVE A MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION AT YOUR CARWASH.
I recently threw a question out there to the public through a Facebook group called Talk Car Wash, and I am baffled by some of the feedback I received. The question was: “Why do you choose NOT to have a membership at your carwash?” I received quite a few interesting comments that I would like to share. Some seem to think that membership will only work well at a high-volume carwash. There is certainly some debate about that.
One comment was: Small town, a small market with no competition...
In my opinion, memberships are a numbers game; high volume overcomes
and outweighs frequent washers, which makes offering unlimited work and high volume the secret sauce of unlimited.
However, if the potential for unlimited membership sales isn’t large enough to get you there, it only cannibalizes your
current pool of frequent washers; it’s a margin killer.
Rebuttal: High volume is attained by offering membership. High volume is not the secret sauce to membership. The
50,000 yearly volume sites easily have the potential for 3000+ members. Adding 3000 monthly members will add 90,000 more annual washes, making this example a high-volume wash.
I tend to agree with the rebuttal. Not every frequent washer is frequent. There are times that they can’t make it, whether it’s going on vacation, tightening their belt, or just being too busy to get their car washed. Also, not to mention the weather patterns. The frequent washer will end up being more loyal if you offer them a reasonable unlimited package. Like I always say, it’s just too cheap not to have, even if you have to miss a month. Typically, most memberships are that
ship in the winter because they say they don’t drive their car as much, which I find to be crazy because the winter should be when you get the most value out of your membership. Then, when the weather gets better, people cancel because they can wash their vehicles when it’s nice out. This would be called your churn; these members will come and go seasonally.
As far as your retention goes, this is where you will have your employees collect and act on member feedback. If a
way. The whole idea of membership is to reel you in and keep you so that you can count on that monthly revenue. Membership draws in more unexpected customers if priced right. Pricing will vary depending on where you live, but generally, it is priced at a ratio of one and a half or two carwashes.
So, if your basic wash is $10, a good monthly rate would be $15.99 or $19.99 monthly.
One thing with the carwash industry and in most areas of the country is that washing cars is seasonal. I have been selling memberships at carwashes for over five years and I see the highs and the lows throughout the seasons.
A lot of people cancel their member-
member says it’s getting too expensive, try to get them to be in a less expensive package. If they say I’m not happy with the wash quality, find out exactly what that is and make it right for them.
Personally, I have built such a rapport with our members and regular washers. At times, when a member cancels their membership, I can get some feedback from them and potentially get them back on the platform. Knowing how much money they spent without having that membership is vital information. You must be able to spit quick factual numbers out to the consumers of how much they spent without the membership. It’s really a numbers game.
One thing that’s also good from a marketing standpoint is to offer multi-vehicle discounts. Most people’s households have more than one vehicle, and putting them all into one account with a discount can be a significant draw and entice more users. Most carwashes offer a 20 per cent discount.
This leads me to the next important thing: Your attendants, who are your greeters and front person, sell memberships. This is a critical piece to membership growth at your carwash. I know some of you might be saying that you have a carwash with no attendants.
You can do a couple of things about that: Create significant signage around the wash or hire somebody on your busiest days to chat with customers and hand out information. I know this works because I’ve done it.
Also, when you find good greeters, reward them because they will be your bread and butter for your membership growth. Training your attendants properly and providing them with the perfect pitch to sell more memberships is very important. Generally, a rule of thumb is to have a daily 10 per cent capture rate.
Gaging your growth and looking at your return on the dashboard, the chart below says it all. This was a screenshot of January 1st, 2021, to January 22nd, 2023. With loyalty and dedication as your goals, your chart will look something like this.
A 239.1 per cent growth is not too shabby.
As far as usage goes, this is even more surprising. This chart shows you a 30-day cycle of membership usage.
As you can see 819 members did not get to the wash that month and very few came often. In this particular 30-day outlook, the usage is 2.5 times.
With one particular carwash I work for, in December 2022, we washed more cars and had less income than in December 2023. So, on December 23, we washed fewer cars and generated more revenue due to membership.
Lastly, another important factor when it comes to membership, is managing the memberships. Whether you do it yourself or hire a company, the best part is being able to negotiate or trying to convince the member to hang in there by offering a less expensive package.
Depending on how many members you have and if you have anything Less than 8,000, it is very manageable on your own, but, if you don’t want the extra work, there are plenty of companies out there like EverWash, Retention Express or Rinsed, to manage it for you.
For a small fee, these companies will be your best negotiators to retain members.
Charlotte O’Connor is the membership sales manager for Town Wash Holdings, LLC. She has a strong hospitality background, specializing in sales and customer service.
Charlotte grew up working in familyowned restaurants with all facets of the business and brought that energy to the carwash industry, focusing on membership sales. She worked closely with the EverWash App platform and continues working with other carwash industry membership platforms. She trains the employees to learn the perfect pitch and to enroll new memberships at the highest pace possible. She can be reached at co@townwashholdings.com.
‘WE TAKE THE HIGHER ROAD’:
MULTI-NAPA STORE OWNER CHERYL RICHARD HAS POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON FOUR MARITIME COMMUNITIES
By Kristen Lipscombe
YOU KNOW A BUSINESS IS IN GOOD HANDS WHEN IT’S RUN BY IMPRESSIVE ENTREPRENEUR CHERYL RICHARD, WHO COMBINES HER WORLD-CLASS EXPERIENCE AND HOMETOWN KNOWLEDGE TO HELP HER “DRIVE SUCCESS” AMONG HER FOUR NAPA AUTO PARTS SHOPS.
In fact, the multi-NAPA store owner was nominated for a 2023 RBC Women of Influence Award, a national program that for more than three decades “has recognized and celebrated the strides of Canada’s most accomplished, influential, and impactful women.”
Richard currently successfully manag-
es the Bouctouche NAPA Auto Parts and Richibucto NAPA Auto Parts shops in New Brunswick, along with the the Amherst NAPA Auto Parts and Parrsboro NAPA Auto Parts in Nova Scotia, with a total of 26 employees across all four locations.
The four stores fall under Cheryl’s business name, Richard’s Parts and More, Ltd., which serve primarily wholesale clients but also walk-in customers.
Cheryl runs her successful businesses from her home base in Moncton, N.B., where she lives with supportive husband David Richard, and is just over an hour’s drive from her hometown of Rogersville, N.B.
For those that know her, it’s no surprise that Cheryl has a natural entrepreneurial spirit, since she first learned to work hard for what she wants at age 14, when she got her first “real job” working as a cashier and occasional gas pumper at a local convenience store. At the time, she was just tall enough to see over the counter at her parents’ well-known shop.
Cheryl’s mother and father clearly set a
strong example for Cheryl when it comes to having leadership skills and values.
“They sold snowmobiles, chainsaws and a wide variety of other equipment for many years,” she said. “They worked sideby-side, so I was pretty much raised in that type of environment.”
So, when the chance came to return to her roots, the Richards jumped at the chance at buying the Bouctouche and Richibucto NAPA Auto Parts shops, which were sold to Cheryl and David in March 2020.
“When the first two stores were available to purchase, I knew they would be a great fit,” Cheryl said. “I was at a time in my life that I wanted to establish myself as a leader and create a legacy.”
The Richards were then living in nearby Saint-Charles, N.B., and were both in the midst of retiring from careers that had taken them across the country and around the globe for decades.
“This just fell right into our wheelhouse,” Cheryl said, explaining that she had recently left her fulfilling 17-year ca-
reer as a bilingual flight attendant with Air Canada, while David was ready to move on from his often-intense work in the oil and gas industry.
The Richards were ready to ground themselves back home in New Brunswick and had their hearts set on starting a new career with NAPA Auto Parts Canada.
“So, we decided to buy the first two stores,” which Cheryl also said helped keep her parents busy, as they still enjoyed working, and took on a variety of duties in the two New Brunswick shops.
Sadly, Cheryl’s mother passed away during the pandemic. Despite this personal loss, she now applies the strong business sense and entrepreneurial ethics passed down from her parents to her four current NAPA stores, with the possibility of more Maritime locations to be added to the Richard umbrella down the road. It didn’t take long for her NAPA Auto Parts store employees to quickly become more like relatives.
“I’ve gotten to know them,” she said. “A lot of them have been working here for over 30 years, so they have pretty much become my family.” Cheryl and David expanded their NAPA family when they purchased the Amherst franchise in November 2022 and Parrsboro shop in November 2023.
“I call Parrsboro my cottage because it’s so small and it’s full of stuff,” Cheryl said with a chuckle. “There was this wellrespected gentleman that had been there for over 40 years, just a one-man band, and had made a career out of it.”
“He wanted to retire, and it was either NAPA was going to have to take it over or he was going to have to close his doors,” she explained. “It’s a very small community and the people… were so grateful that the NAPA was not closing and for the strong reputation built by the previous owner.” The Parrsboro shop is genuinely like “their everything store,” Cheryl explained. “And so, for that reason, I really felt that I was rescuing the store for the community.”
Cheryl points out that “communities like Parrsboro have changed a lot over the years,” but still have so much business potential and plenty of customers to satisfy.
“It was just as important for the community as it was for us to keep that store going. We wouldn’t have wanted to take another business away from the community, either.”
Parrsboro and the other three communities that the Richards now serve are especially important to the couple, including, and most especially, the employees
that are just as committed to the NAPA shops as the owners themselves, along with the customers that keep coming back because they know they’ll be treated well.
“We created bonuses for employees, we include an RRSP or tax-free savings account after they punch in their first year, we (improved) the medical benefits,” Cheryl said, adding they also hold regular holiday and summertime events to show appreciation to their staff members.
“We really try to pay attention to our staff and make sure that they know that if it wasn’t for them, we’d have nothing.”
The Richards also had to rely on their employees at all four locations to learn the unique ins and outs of each franchise and community. You try to do anything and everything – even with the challenges that came with the pandemic.”
“We just pushed through and took one day at a time,” Cheryl said, adding it helped that NAPA was an essential service, so she herself could continue to learn the businesses, which in turn could continue to serve their small communities. “We have worked hard to navigate trying times and persevere through the challenges.”
So, what drew Cheryl and David to NAPA Canada as a worthwhile business opportunity?
The couple was convinced they’d made the right choice when they started looking into the company and learning more about its storied history, which includes its upcoming 100th anniversary of being in business.
“When you see the blue and yellow, or when you see the little delivery vehicles with a little hat on them, you know that it’s NAPA,” Cheryl said of the brand recog-
nition, which for her immediately brings to mind high-quality parts and services and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.
“We are known for our exceptional customer service, and that is a value we hold dear,” Cheryl said. “Our teams are the type of people that will go outside on a rainy day when your wipers don’t work properly and they replace them, often free of charge.”
For the Richards, compassion for customers and employees alike are what keep their four NAPA Auto Parts stores booming. Being able to adapt and adjust as both the economy and society overall seems to continue shifting is also important, Cheryl said.
Their dedication to customer satisfaction and community involvement is a testament to Cheryl’s leadership, resilience, commitment to excellence and subsequently – the positive culture she has fostered within her businesses.
It’s perhaps that forward-thinking attitude that makes Cheryl, who is also a well-respected member of Business and Professional Women of Greater Moncton, that help her lead and succeed in her entrepreneurial ventures.
“They teach me as much as I teach them,” she said of the staff members she prefers to call team members – or family members. “I don’t sell parts but I’m there to support them,” Cheryl said, adding she hopes that’s reflected in a strong reputation within her four NAPA communities, where the Richards often sponsor local sports teams or hold special events such as Acadian celebrations, as examples. “We want to be able to serve our community, but we are also big in being part of our community.” Another important business value for the Richards is to always maintain fair prices and the same consistent quality service that customers have come to expect. “We’ll always keep putting our white gloves on and keep giving the same service we’ve given you before,” Cheryl said. “We take the higher road.”
DRIVING THE FUTURE
By Kirk Mathieson
ARECENT SURVEY BY J.D.
POWER FOUND THAT 66 PERCENT OF CANADIANS IN 2023 SAID THEY WERE UNLIKELY TO CONSIDER BUYING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE FOR THEIR NEXT CAR PURCHASE – UP FROM 53 PERCENT THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
Why the dip in enthusiasm, particularly as sales in the US and other jurisdictions are trending steadily upward?
STUMBLING BLOCKS
According to BNN Bloomberg, “For Canadians, “range anxiety” – or fears about driving distance per charge – was the most-cited worry about buying an electric vehicle. The high upfront purchase price of the vehicles came in at second place, and availability of charging stations came third.”
Addressing these concerns has been a challenge for both automakers and governments. The federal government currently offers incentives of up to $5000 to help offset the cost of purchasing an EV; and the number of charging stations across the country has gone from 7,605 in 2018 to over 26,000 as of March 2023.
Perhaps more importantly, most EVs can now travel more than 300 km on a single charge, with some models exceeding 500 km.
Given these positive numbers, why is the Canadian market for EVs still relatively lukewarm?
For one thing, even the most generous government rebates don’t significantly bridge the gap between the price of a new EV versus a regular car. For example, a Hyundai Kona costs US$22,595 while the electric version comes in at $35,295. This means that a new EV is still out of reach for many Canadians, particularly in a post-Covid economy.
A HIGHLY CHARGED ENVIRONMENT
Number and availability of charging stations are another issue. This is a case where perception has not caught up to reality.
We’ve been pumping fuel into our vehicles for so long that it’s become almost a ritual. From daily commutes to Sunday
drives to road trips into the great unknown, traditional gas stations are there on every phase of the journey. The association has become so ingrained that many find it difficult to picture themselves doing anything else, even as charging stations are quickly becoming as ubiquitous as their fossil-fuel counterparts.
Switching to electric may entail a different approach to energy consumption, but it does not require changes to our lifestyles or travel plans. EVs can be charged overnight at home, which can save refuelling stops altogether, especially for shorter trips or daily commutes.
And many gas stations are now introducing charging facilities on site for EV and hybrid customers.
POWER PLAYS
Another concern – albeit a longerterm one – is that as EVs become more widespread in the coming decade, the increased hydro consumption will put an undue strain on the power grid. Could this be a problem down the road?
This is a more complex question than it may seem at first glance, because there are lots of factors involved.
First, most EV owners charge their vehicles at home overnight, during off peak hours. This reduces demand on the grid and, in many areas, saves consumers money as well. In addition, overnight charging is often a top-off rather than a full charge, which means even less energy is being consumed.
It’s estimated that by 2040, Canada will need around 16% more electricity to power our electric vehicles. This includes all the larger vehicles projected to be on the roads by then, such as buses and commercial freight trucks. How will this demand be met?
For one thing, renewable energy is catching up to EV technology. As solar, wind and other “clean” energy sources become more widespread and convenient –and less expensive – much of our energy use will shift away from fossil fuels, so there will be less demand on the power grid overall.
BATTERIES INCLUDED
The most important factor by far, however, is battery technology. Recent advances in energy storage allow vehicles to go more than 500 km on a single charge, which means less charging time and re-
duced energy draw. According to Greencars.com, “New technology such as solidstate batteries are just a few years away from being used in EVs and will change the way people think about electric cars.”
Another feature available with these more advanced batteries is bi-directional charging. This means that a charged battery can actually offload power back into the grid or the household for future use. This could be useful in situations where an EV is sitting with a full charge that is not needed in the immediate future – for instance, when no long trips are planned. In other words, the surplus charge from a powerful EV battery not only powers the car but can be stored in reserve to run household appliances as well!
CONCLUSION
With new federal regulations requiring that by 2030 at least 60% of new vehicles sold in Canada must be zero emission, the era of electric transportation is quickly arriving. With the convergence of EVs and the rise of clean energy technologies plus growing awareness of the need to reduce our impact on the environment, the future looks bright indeed.
In the words of Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, “Zero-emission vehicles are where the rubber hits the road for cost-conscious Canadians who want to help the environment while getting off the roller-coaster of high gasoline prices...with ZEVs, we can cut pollution, create jobs and make life more affordable for families across the country.”
THE GEAR CENTRE AND PAT’S DRIVELINE, INCLUDING MONCTON SHOP, OFFER BEST OF BEST IN PARTS AND SERVICES
By Kristen Lipscombe
FROM ITS HUMBLE BEGINNING AS A SMALL EDMONTON, ALTA., SERVICE SHOP THAT FIRST OPENED ITS DOORS IN 1975 TO NOW RUNNING 12 RETAIL FACILITIES AND THREE MAJOR PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY – INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN THE MARITIMES – PAT’S DRIVELINE AND THE GEAR CENTRE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY BUILT AND CERTAINLY EARNED THEIR REPUTATION FOR BEING THE BEST OF THE BEST IN CANADIAN POWER TRAIN, HEAVY TRUCK AND AUTOMOTIVE PARTS AND SERVICE BUSINESS.
The company’s 12th location officially opened to the public in six years ago, right in the heart of Moncton, N.B., on Henri Dunant Street.
“As our growing company expanded to new locations in Mississauga and Moncton, the The Gear Centre and Pat’s Driveline entered into exciting new markets and started servicing new clientele,” Gear Centre Group Marketing Lead Steven Kneller explained.
Currently the only location in Atlantic Canada, Pat’s Driveline in Moncton is a full-service shop with a vehicle hoist and is authorized to sell and service Dana Incorporated’s top quality parts and is recognized as a Meritor authorized distributor and remanufacturing centre.
“We specialize in remanufacturing
transmissions, differentials, and transfer cases, as well as repair drive shafts and power steering units for heavy truck, automotive, agricultural and industrial equipment,” Kneller said.
“They can bring in their vehicle, or even their transmission, differential, transfer case, clutch, steering unit, and driveshaft, and have an exchange unit installed and ready to go typically in the next day.”
Pat’s Driveline is a member of umbrella company The Gear Centre Group, which was started and is still owned by Bob Gibson of Edmonton. These companies offer full drivetrain, power steering, along with driveline parts and service for both automotive and heavy truck customers across the Maritimes, explained Gear Centre Group Marketing Lead Steven Kneller.
“It’s one of the branches that has a Gear Centre and Pat’s Drive Line together in the same facility,” he said of the Moncton franchise, adding The Gear Centre has actually had a Moncton parts shop for
about two decades but that it quickly expanded into a full-service, one-stop shop as the company’s customer base continued to grow across the Maritime region due to the company’s top-notch reputation.
“Expansion focused first on Alberta through the 80s and 90s,” Kneller said, which was followed by opening locations in British Columbia, and over time in both Ontario and New Brunswick.
“As we moved further east, the company was able to dabble in doing some more market research,” he said, and based on the success of their locations out west, moving the company east just made sense. Now, the company has locations pretty much from coast-to-coast, with further expansion always possible.
“Our mission was to establish product lines and technical capabilities to service various types of customers, whether it’s four-by-four clientele, business owners, and fleet owner-operators,” Kneller said.
“Pat’s Driveline is able to offer our
customers individual components and custom or OEM (original equipment manufacturer) driveshafts,” The Gear Centre website says. “We have the experience to engineer, design and manufacture power transmission systems for any size application.” “At Pat’s Driveline, we believe quality is our most valuable asset,” the website continues. “Quality parts and components, quality manufacturing standards and of course, qualified and experienced staff are the ingredients needed to ensure that Pat’s Driveline continues to grow.”
Kneller, who has been with the company for a decade, re-emphasizes that quality has always been the Canadian company’s key to success. He also said that The Gear Centre and Pat’s Driveline try to provide as many high-quality services and parts as possible to a large variety of clients.
“We wanted to establish product lines and technical capabilities to service several different types of companies, whether it’s four-by-four clientele, or even just business owners, so basically fleet owners owner-operators of the trucks,” Kneller explained.
“They can bring in their vehicle, or even their transmission, differential, transfer case, clutch, steering unit, and driveshaft, and have an exchange unit installed and ready to go typically in the next day,” he added.
“We’re trying to provide them all with quality parts and service,” Kneller said, emphasizing it’s also important to specialize, which is why the company focuses on “the drive train side,” as one example.
“In the trucking industry, downtime is very costly for businesses,” Kneller said. “So, they can bring in their medium-duty truck or heavy-duty truck, or even their fleet of four-by-four pickups… and within 24 hours they are ready to go.”
“In addition to clients bringing in their units or driveshafts in for repairs,” he added. “we will dynotest all units, and
balance all shafts, so they meet optimum operation standards. Furthermore, we provide custom design work to meet the customers’ specific drivetrain and truck hydraulic needs.”
The Gear Centre and Pat’s Driveline send their mechanics for heavy duty training and certification so they can bring that expertise back to their branches across the country. In fact, the company has more than 150 skilled parts specialists and service technicians hard at work across the country.
“And we’re able to ensure that service is done at a top-notch rate to meet original equipment manufacturing standards,” Kneller said, so customers know for sure “they’re getting quality service and quality remanufacturing capability.”
For example, if a client “has a unit that’s brought in or a drive shaft that, they have it repaired, and can also even have custom design work done,” he said. “We can kind of run the whole gamut as far as providing that service for them.”
“That means if you have older trucks or hot-rods that are past their drivetrain warranties, Pat’s Driveline and The Gear Centre can help you find what you’re looking for to get your vehicle running smoothly again,” Kneller explained.
Their clientele also include hot rod, four-by-four and sports vehicle enthusiasts, Kneller said. “They want to have their equipment, or their vehicle checked as far drive chain maintenance, or preventative maintenance, for instance, and we have that full-service capability.”
Kneller said customers come don’t just come from across the country, either, with some clients calling up for parts from as a far away from Australia, Brazil and South Africa even. “So, we do have a global network.”
That means if you have older vehicles, with perhaps out-of-date drive chain warranties, Pat’s Driveline and The Gear Centre can likely help you find what you’re
looking for to make your baby both beautiful and functional once again.
You can visit The Gear Centre and Pat’s Driveline at 191 Henri Dunant Drive in Moncton.
“We have good relationships and competitive pricing with our vendors and our suppliers,” Kneller said. “So, we’re able to transfer those savings onto the customers.”
More importantly, he said customers know that their vehicles will be repaired at OEM standards.
So, whether it’s your fun ride on the automotive side, or your heavy truck business, Pat’s Driveline and The Gear Centre can guarantee the high-quality service and parts you’d expect from the best of the best.
“The Gear Centre has evolved over the years to become Canada’s leading drivetrain parts and service provider for the automotive and heavy truck industries,” the company’s website continues.
“We will help you get the components you need with minimal downtime. All of our locations have service shops that can repair your heavy truck or automotive vehicle.”
“Pat’s Driveline has the largest inventory of its kind in North America,” its website says.
“Having the right part at the right time and the right price has helped us evolve into the industry leader we are today. Consolidated buying power, inhouse engineering expertise and innovation make Pat’s Driveline the company of choice for all of your driveline requirements.”
Whether you’ve got a heavy-duty truck, agricultural equipment, a sports car or old hot-rod, the Pat’s Driveline and The Gear Centre in Moncton likely has something for any and all automotive enthusiasts in the Maritimes. So, check them out now at www.gearcentre.com and www. patsdriveline.com.
