What’s Treading with Tire Review

Latest Episodes:

Tire Discounters Talks Franchising & Industry Consolidation Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

As we work to cross over into a post-pandemic world, the current dynamics in today's tire retail landscape are making it ripe for consolidation as well as franchising, according to Tire Discounters.
“One of the things we hear from small business owners is that they’re worn out. They’re tired, and quite frankly, that [the pandemic] was a very difficult time in their business history,” says Jamie Ward, president and CEO of Tire Discounters, in the latest episode of What’s Treading with Tire Review. “We’re able to give some small business owners the freedom to move on....and give them a plan for their employees and customers.”
In this episode of What’s Treading with Tire Review, we speak with Ward and Dave Crawford, tire industry veteran and director of franchise development for Tire Discounters, about Tire Discounters’ franchising program. We dive into how it works, what factors have played a role in the company launching it and the overall M&A landscape in tire retail.
In this episode:
- Ward explains the market factors that influenced the launch of Tire Discounters’ franchising program.
- Crawford delves into the options Tire Discounters offers independent tire shops and entrepreneurs looking to get into the tire business, from franchising and investment to acquisition.
- Crawford talks about how the franchise model has changed over the years and how what independent tire dealerships are looking for in a franchise partner has changed. Over the past 25 years, Crawford has run marketing and franchise efforts for American Car Care Centers, American Tire Distributors’ Tire Pros and the Hybrid Shop.
- Crawford explains changes in the marketing landscape for independent tire dealers and how the horsepower behind franchising has the ability to take dealers to another level
- Ward and Crawford describe how the pandemic has fueled M&A activity in the tire industry
Watch here or subscribe to What's Treading with Tire Review on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-treading-with-tire-review/id1470309726
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GA3lp6AFo7V7EEG5awHaE
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Iv76bs6re7unom4p76myj3cakhm
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/what-s-treading-with-tire-review
More on Tire Discounters franchising: https://www.tirediscounters.com/franchise
More from Tire Review: www.tirereview.com

Skyrocketing Sales: How 2 Tire Dealer Sisters Took their RNR Tire Express Store from Unprofitable to Thriving Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

How do you take an unprofitable store and make it a revenue-generating machine?
In this episode of What’s Treading with Tire Review, we speak with a tire dealer duo who’s done just that: Cassandra White and Courtney Condor, owners of an RNR Tire Express store in Puyallup, Washington.
Just under 10 years ago, these sisters took over their parent’s store and made some major changes to yield positive – and profitable results. Casee and Courteny delve into:
- How the two started in the tire industry, took over the store and the experience they brought to the business
- Getting outside help to evaluate the business and areas they sought to improve
- Identifying the new customer base that they wanted to attract and how they were able to bring new customers into the business
- Changes to the shop’s look the sisters made and how they tweaked their customer experience
- How they fixed the way they were pricing their services and keeping track of and ordering inventory
- How they calculate car count and more than doubling their car count from eight years ago
- The importance of consistency and how Casee and Courtney believe word of mouth advertising will lead to their business’ longevity
- Advice Casee and Courtney have for other tire dealers on working on the business and how dealers should “bring it back to the simple stuff”
Listen above or subscribe to “What’s Treading with Tire Review” on the following channels:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-treading-with-tire-review/id1470309726
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GA3lp6AFo7V7EEG5awHaE
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Iv76bs6re7unom4p76myj3cakhm
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/what-s-treading-with-tire-review
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rYE1NOtnlw&list=PLVkqUUE022sdAVQ6DuHU8cxd3FS2ni9vA

Johnny g’s New Podcast & Reflections on His 50+ Year Career in the Industry Jun 22, 2021

Show notes

“I want to help make the industry better before I leave this earth, whether it's doing a tire panel or doing a tire podcast, because this industry has been a big part of my life. I'm very proud of what this industry has given to me, and I want to turn around and repay it.”
That’s the life mission of John Gamauf, retired president of Bridgestone-Firestone North American consumer tire company.
But, many of you know him as Johnny g. Starting out with Firestone as a tire buster in the late 60s, Johnny g rose through the company’s ranks to become one of the most well-known individuals in the tire industry. He was responsible for creating Bridgestone's Affiliated Dealer Program and helped navigate the company through one of the largest tire recalls in history. He now continues his work in the tire industry, and we’re going to find out what he’s been up to most recently.
In this episode of What’s Treading with Tire Review, we dive into:
- Johnny g’s start in the tire industry and how his “tire buster” beginnings helped him in his career
- How Johnny g climbed his way up to the corporate ladder with Firestone and the difference between dealers across the country
- How professional baseball player Johnny Antonelli played a role in Johnny g’s interview to become head of Dayton truck brands and advance in the company
- Where Johnny g was when he found out about the Ford-Firestone recall, his emotions and how he and other company executives responded to it
- Staying in touch with friends in the tire business and why Johnny g was called on a personal level to work with market research firm GfK on point-of-sale data
- How Johnny’s g’s latest project, the Johnny g & Friends podcast, came to be, and his collaboration with Tire Review
- A sneak peek at Johnny g’s podcast guests and his mission-driven reasons for doing the podcast
- Why Johnny g’s life mission is to contribute to making the tire industry better
Listen here or subscribe to “What’s Treading with Tire Review” on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-treading-with-tire-review/id1470309726
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GA3lp6AFo7V7EEG5awHaE
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Iv76bs6re7unom4p76myj3cakhm
Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/what-s-treading-with-tire-review
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rYE1NOtnlw&list=PLVkqUUE022sdAVQ6DuHU8cxd3FS2ni9vA
Tire Review: https://www.tirereview.com/category/podcasts/

Exec. Interview: Michelin's Garcin on Today's Tire Industry & Sustainable Growth Through 2030 Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

Sustainable mobility has become a buzzword in the automotive industry, as carmakers look toward an electric—and zero-emissions—future. But how exactly will this grand idea be achieved? Michelin North America has an idea.
This year, Michelin introduced its "Michelin in Motion" plan, its “all sustainable” strategy to drive new growth in the next 10 years with a focus on people, planet and profit. It includes tackling vehicle electrification challenges as well as new business opportunities that don’t necessarily include tires.
In this episode, we speak with Alexis Garcin, chairman and president of Michelin North America, to dig deeper into Michelin's 10-year plan and what it means for North American tire dealers. We discuss:
- Vehicle electrification challenges in which Michelin can play a role in tackling in the Americas
- How the tire supply chain can become more sustainable in the next decade
- Michelin’s role in passing its ESG initiatives down to the tire supply chain to dealers and distributors
- Why Michelin is looking to venture outside the tire industry and what its focus on services and data solutions means for dealers
- How Michelin is using 3-D printing in its commercial tire technology and future uses of this new business unit for the company
- Industry growth in the 19-in and up segment and how Michelin’s “Simplexity” project aims to help dealers with SKU complexity
- Michelin’s “bold acceleration” through its Michelin in Motion sustainable mobility plan
You can listen and subscribe to What's Treading with Tire Review on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-treading-with-tire-review/id1470309726
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Iv76bs6re7unom4p76myj3cakhm
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GA3lp6AFo7V7EEG5awHaE
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rYE1NOtnlw&list=PLVkqUUE022sdAVQ6DuHU8cxd3FS2ni9vA
To check out past episodes of What's Treading with Tire Review, go to https://www.tirereview.com/category/podcasts

ESG in the Tire Industry & How Tire Dealers Can Play a Role May 18, 2021

Show notes

When you think of sustainability, what comes to mind? Perhaps, it’s the folded arrows of the triangular-shaped recycling sign. Or, maybe a pocket park in your neighborhood. Well, it’s those things and so much more.
Nowadays, sustainability has made its way into corporate culture in the form of ESG, which stands for environmental, social and governance. You’ve probably heard it from tire manufacturers, who have started charting out ESG goals. One example? Creating tires made fully out of recycled materials by 2050.
While it’s cool to hear about these things, you must wonder...is ESG just a buzzword? A fleeting trend? And how does ESG in the tire industry affect tire dealers and distributors?
To delve into these questions, we speak with Anne Evans, a former tire dealer who is a leader and innovator in the global tire and waste industry. Today, Anne consults with companies on the topic of ESG, and we dive into it with a tire industry lens. We discuss:
- What ESG means for tire manufacturers and how it encompasses all they do [3:56]
- The origins of ESG and how politics can move the needle on sustainability initiatives [5:00]
- How ESG trickles down the supply chain in other industries [6:34]
- How ESG could be implemented across the tire supply chain, including with dealers and distributors [7:50]
- How tire dealers can incorporate ESG into their business – and how they are already doing it and may not know it [8:50]
- Ways for tire dealers to manage their ESG initiatives [9:30]
- The future of ESG in the tire industry [12:25]

Manufacturer's POV: Managing Today's Tire Supply Chain 'Growing Pains' & How Dealers Can Work Through Them May 04, 2021

Show notes

It's no secret that the tire supply chain has been jolted by the coronavirus pandemic. Things are sort of a hot mess and there are so many factors playing a role – the price and availability of raw materials, shipping, and freight, changes in manufacturing, fluctuating supply and demand...the list goes on. Dealers are most likely seeing these supply chain challenges in the form of low fill rates and higher prices across the board.
But how did we get here? And when will the supply chain get back to “normal?” To help us make sense of it all, we asked Sumitomo Rubber North America (SRNA) for help. In this episode, we speak with Ron Papcun, senior vice president of operations for SRNA, who is a supply chain veteran. We delve into:
- Reasons for delays in shipping of imported goods, including tires, from Asia [2:01]
- Conditions that are creating domestic shipping and freight challenges and how it’s impacted the tire industry [3:40]]
- Why today's supply chain issues are “growing pains” to make way for the supply chain of the future [7:05]
- How the growth of the U.S. supply chain is impacting the tire industry as well as other sectors in creating record sales growth [7:57]
- The effect of tariffs and high demand on the tire supply chain for SRNA [10:05]
- How COVID-19 created a gap in the tire supply chain and altered supply and demand trends [10:56]
- The reasons for rising tire costs in the last year [13:41]
- Actions SRNA has taken for the Falken Tire brand to address supply chain challenges [14:34]
- Advice for dealers on ordering tires so that they can get the product when they need it [17:59]
- When and how the tire supply chain will work itself out and return to a “new normal” [20:54]
Listen to What's Treading here or subscribe to the podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-treading-with-tire-review/id1470309726
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Iv76bs6re7unom4p76myj3cakhm
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GA3lp6AFo7V7EEG5awHaE

Q&A with Coats: Tire Changers & Wheel Balancers Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

How do you know if you need a new tire changer? And what do you need to do to keep your wheel balancer in mint condition and working order?
The industry has lots of questions about changing and balancing tires, and many of those revolve around tire service equipment. In this episode of What’s Treading with Tire Review, we talk with the experts from Hennessy Industries, manufacturers of Coats tire changers, wheel balancers and tire inspection equipment, as well as BADA wheel weights and Baseline products, and answer some of the industry's most asked questions.
Hennessy Industries' Kyle Harris and Ryan Rouser, key account managers, dive into some topics around tire changers and wheel balancers most on tire dealers' minds. We discuss:
- The wear and tear tire service equipment endures [1:25]
- When to repair your tire equipment [2:12]
- When to replace your tire equipment [3:23]
- Changes in technology and tire service equipment [4:36]
- Preventative maintenance to do on your tire service equipment [6:38]
- What to do with old tire changers and wheel balancers [8:20]
Listen here or subscribe to What's Treading with Tire Review on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-treading-with-tire-review/id1470309726
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Iv76bs6re7unom4p76myj3cakhm
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GA3lp6AFo7V7EEG5awHaE

Tire Industry Association: Transitioning to Virtual Training & Upcoming Program Updates Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

What do you do when the pandemic forces you to lose one of your primary sources of revenue?
Well, that’s the predicament the Tire Industry Association found itself in around mid-March last year. When states started to go into lockdown, the association had to cancel its in-person, hands-on training sessions, which made up a majority of its training and a large chunk of its revenue.
In this episode, we speak with Kevin Rohlwing, senior vice president of training for the Tire Industry Association. We delve into:
- Why TIA added retails sales management training [1:54 audio]
- How COVID-19 affected TIA training and improved its training staff’s skills [4:44 audio]
- How TIA transitioned into a virtual learning environment [5:21 audio]
- Feedback and the origins behind adding Commercial Tire Service training in Spanish [9:09 audio]
Updates to TIA training programs, including what to expect in the latest Automotive Tire Service program update [1:50 audio]
Listen here or subscribe to What's Treading with Tire Review on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-treading-with-tire-review/id1470309726
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GA3lp6AFo7V7EEG5awHaE
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Iv76bs6re7unom4p76myj3cakhm
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rYE1NOtnlw&list=PLVkqUUE022sdAVQ6DuHU8cxd3FS2ni9vA
For information about Tire Industry Association training programs, go to tireindustry.org.

Private Equity and Your Business: What to Know if You Want to Sell Mar 17, 2021

Show notes

People have different opinions about private equity in the tire industry. Some detest PE firms, hearing stories about how they come in and strip down a business. Others reluctantly accept it, and some embrace it, knowing that outside capital is coming in hot, thanks to the resilience of our industry.
Regardless of how you feel, private equity has offered a way for many shop owners to transition their business or expand with the backing of outside capital. In this episode of What's Treading with Tire Review, we dig into the process of how private equity firms work with shops and what they look for in an acquisition. In this episode:
- We hear from a former independent tire dealer about his experience selling his business to private equity firm GB Auto Service (1:06)
- Vic Tarasik, founder of Shop Owner Coach, and Frank Kneller, president of GB Auto, discuss what private equity firms look for when they acquire new stores. (4:13)
- Tarasik advises what dealers should do to get their shops attractive and ready for sale. (6:32)
Listen to this episode here or subscribe to What's Treading with Tire Review on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-treading-with-tire-review/id1470309726
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Iv76bs6re7unom4p76myj3cakhm
Spotfiy: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GA3lp6AFo7V7EEG5awHaE

K&M Tire: Capitalizing on Virtual Communication Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

We’re almost a year into the pandemic, and as a result, industry events like trade shows have been forced to go virtual. For many, there’s also been a change in the way they’re communicating with vendors and customers and serving their needs. One company in the industry that has experienced this is K&M Tire.
As a tire distributor, K&M works with both tire manufacturers and dealers with a mission to serve dealers’ needs. In this episode, we talk with Dave Miller, Director of Marketing for K&M Tire, about the company’s adaptability during the pandemic and how it executed its first-ever virtual trade show. Dave speaks about:
- Changes in communication K&M experienced as a result of the pandemic [2:20]
- Planning K&M’s first-ever virtual trade show [4:31]
- How K&M rose to the occasion in a changing pandemic environment [10:38]
- How the pandemic has affected the tire industry [13:24]
- K&M’s dealer-first approach to doing business [15:20]
- Ways K&M stuck to its motto of continuous improvement in a difficult year [16:30]
Listen here or subscribe to “What’s Treading with Tire Review” on:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-treading-with-tire-review/id1470309726
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GA3lp6AFo7V7EEG5awHaE
-Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Iv76bs6re7unom4p76myj3cakhm

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