What’s Treading with Tire Review

Latest Episodes:

John Dow Industries: Adapting to Technology Trends in Tires & Service Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

It’s no secret that vehicle technology is changing at a rapid pace. Tire dealers see it in their bays every day when performing both tire and service work. One company that is on the front lines of adapting to new vehicle technology – and understanding the needs of the technician- is JohnDow Industries.
“New products and improving existing products... staying relevant and understanding what professional technicians need, that’s the lifeblood of our company,” says JohnDow President Robert Christy. “We spend a lot of time in the bays, understanding their needs and understanding how our products are performing and how they can be improved.”
In this episode of What’s Treading with Tire Review, we talk with Christy and members of his team to understand how the company is adapting to technicians’ fluid and fuel extraction and TPMS needs. We delve into:
-Market trends JohnDow saw in 2020 [2:14]
-Product categories, both new and improved, for the company in 2021 [3:17]
-The company’s focus on the heavy-duty market for its EuroVent exhaust extraction line [4:33]
-Trends that could change the TPMS landscape that are on JohnDow’s radar [6:15]
-Changes in oil and fluid handling in domestic and import vehicles at the shop level [8:46]
-How JohnDow plans to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to new vehicle technology to serve customers [11:00]
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

Kenda Tire: Growth Amid a Pandemic & Navigating Trade in 2021 Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

It's hard to grow amid a pandemic, but Kenda Tire was the outlier. Its message of “premium performance at a value price” found consumers at the right time, and Kenda officials say it’s proven fruitful for the tiremaker.
However, just days deep into 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce threw a wrench into the works. Kenda and its fellow Taiwanese tiremakers are now working to escape unscathed from the department’s anti-dumping investigation into PLT tires imported from Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea.
Despite this current challenge, Kenda Tire remains optimistic in 2021 with new products and enhancements to its dealer program on the horizon.
In this episode of What’s Treading with Tire Review, we speak with Brandon Stotsenburg, vice president of automotive for American Kenda Rubber, and Ryan Lewis, the company’s marketing manager, on the following topics:
- Challenges for Kenda and the tire supply chain in 2020 [2:10]
- Market response to the Klever XT UTV and trends in the off-road segment [5:34]
- Size expansions and products on the horizon in 2021 [7:30]
- Enhancements to its Traction dealer program [10:01]
- Kenda’s response to the International Trade Commission’s anti-dumping investigation into PLT tire imports from Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam [13:10]
- What Kenda Tire officials want dealers to know about the brand this year [17:00]
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
To learn more about the DOC's investigation, go to: https://www.tirereview.com/doc-affirms-duties-on-imported-plt-tires/
To learn more about Kenda Tire, visit: https://powersports.kendatire.com/en-us/

Virtual AAPEX Recap & 2021 Plans for an In-Person Event Jan 19, 2021

Show notes

As trade shows, tire launches and other events continue to go virtual into 2021, we wanted to provide a look back on one of the largest aftermarket trade shows to go online and see how it turned out.
That show is the Virtual AAPEX Experience, co-owned by the Auto Care Association and MEMA, the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers’ Association. This past year, AAPEX transitioned its show offerings into the virtual experience with a laser focus on the shop owner and service professional’s needs.
In this episode, we catch up with Mark Bogdansky, vice president of meetings and events for the Auto Care Association, and Vic Tarasik, owner of Shop Owner Coach who is a former shop owner and member of the AAPEX Show Committee. Bogdansky and Tarasik explain:
-Attendance of at the first-ever AAPEX Virtual Experience and who made up the audience [1:51]
-An update on the dedicated tire section at the show and what’s in store for AAPEX 2021 [4:13]
-How AAPEX is working to incorporate more tire and tire service equipment into its live bays in Joe’s Garage [5:45]
-Why tire dealers should invest in coming to next year’s show and the ROI they’ll see from attending [7:43]
-The importance of ADAS training and how AAPEX is building its training on this topic [9:13]
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
To read the full interview with Vic and Mark, go to https://www.tirereview.com/aapex-show-enhances-tire-offerings-tire-dealers/

Simplifying Credit Card Processing for Repair Shops with 360 Payments Jan 15, 2021

Show notes

With the start of a new year, it’s the perfect time for independent tire dealerships and businesses alike to rethink old processes, set new goals and learn more about technology and how to use it to your advantage.
In this episode of What's Treading with Tire Review, we talk about how you can do just that with credit card processing. Sure, it's not the sexiest topic to start off 2020, but it is important in the daily transactions of your business.
With proper education, one company in the industry is looking to simplify credit card processing for automotive repair shops and tire dealers alike - 360 Payments.
We speak with Jesse Maddaugh, founding partner of 360 Payments, to get a better understanding of how the company works, how it's looking to help shop owners, and Jesse delves into those little nuances you should look out for as a business owner when selecting a credit card processing company to work with.
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
Catch up on past episodes or watch video episodes of the What's Treading with Tire Review podcast at https://www.tirereview.com/category/podcasts/.

Opportunities & Challenges in the Tire Industry: Club 3633 Members Sound Off Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

Sure, 2020 has been a treacherous year. There've been supply challenges, along with an unprecedented set of business decisions you’ve had to make as a tire dealer. But despite this, there are chances to turn those challenges into opportunities.
In this episode, we speak with members of our 2020 Class of Club 3633, Tire Review’s group of industry innovators and influencers. This year’s members delve into the challenges they and the industry have been faced with and how they’re flipping the script to turn them into opportunities to grow, learn and innovate.
In this episode, we hear from:
- Kameron Butcher, general manager of Lynn Wood Service Center with two locations in northern Utah. Learn more Kameron at https://www.tirereview.com/club-3633-kameron-butcher/.
- Alex Chavez, lead technician at Pasco Tire Factory in Pasco, Washington. Learm more about Alex at https://www.tirereview.com/club-3633-alex-chavez/.
- Austin Hale, OTR regional sales manager or McCarthy Tire Service. Learn more about Austin at https://www.tirereview.com/club-3633-austin-hale.
- Trent Wallin, north central regional sales manager for Alliance Tire Americas. Learn more about Trent at https://www.tirereview.com/club-3633-trent-wallin.
Greg Karson, business development manager for Nexen Tire America. Learn more about Greg at https://www.tirereview.com/club-3633-greg-karson/.
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
To nominate a tire industry rock star for our 2021 Class of Club 3633, go to https://www.tirereview.com/club3633-nominate/

Bridgestone CEO: Confronting COVID & Focusing on Tires as a Service Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

Coming off the heels of its Consumer Tire Business Meeting, Bridgestone made it clear it's creating a path to become a mobility solutions provider of the future.
But just what does that mean? In this episode of What's Treading with Tire Review, we speak with Paolo Ferrari, Bridgestone Americas' president and CEO, to gain insight into Bridgestone's long-term business strategy and how dealers fit into the formula. Ferrari also delves into:
- Dealing with supply and demand challenges this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;
- How digital technologies and data play a role in shaping mobility solutions of the future;
- The meaning of tires as a service, how it can change tire retail, and how dealers can leverage this;
- Bridgestone's outlook and the health of the tire industry in 2021.
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
Or, stay tunred to tirereview.com for your latest podcast updates: https://www.tirereview.com/category/podcasts/" target="_blank">

How GB Auto Grew 450% in 3 Years & Plans for Future Growth Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

Private equity firms have long been in the tire industry, and a few have been making waves during the coronavirus pandemic. One of them is GB Auto Service, a company backed by Greenbriar Equity Group that has grown over 450% in just three years - and has made three acquisitions since July.
In this episode of What’s Treading with Tire Review, we spoke with the company’s CEO, Frank Kneller, about its growth, including:
- What GB Auto looks for in companies it acquires
- How the portfolio of companies has maneuvered during COVID-19
- The company's performance goals
- And its growth trajectory for the future.
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
You can also check out past episodes at tirereview.com: https://www.tirereview.com/category/podcasts/

Sneak Peek: Product Demos to Catch at AAPEX's Joe's Garage Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

With SEMA360 kicking off Monday and the AAPEX Virtual Experience starting today, welcome to your first virtual industry week!
In this episode of What's Treading with Tire Review, we get a sneak peek from the companies demonstrating their products in the Joe's Garage section of the AAPEX Virtual Experience.
More than 15 different automotive aftermarket companies are slated to conduct product demos this week, and we caught up with several of them that came to our Garage Studio here at Babcox Media to film their demonstration in advance of the show.
Listen to what JohnDow Industries, Coats, 360Payments and Tekmetric have in store.
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

Continental Senior VP of Sales: Resiliency During COVID-19 & Big Plans for 2021 Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

COVID-19 has affected tire manufacturers in a myriad of ways, and Continental Tire the Americas is no exception. While the company has made changes to its dealer program this year, they've shown resilience with the help of industry partners and have a big 2021 ahead.
On this episode of What's Treading with Tire Review, we sat down with Bill Caldwell, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Continental Tire the Americas. Caldwell joined Continental about 17 years ago after stints with Michelin and Ford. In this interview, Caldwell explains how Continental has been keeping up interactions with customers amid the pandemic, how the company has navigated supply and demand through it and what to expect from the company the rest of the year and into 2021.
Listen here or subscribe to What's Treading 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
Catch additional episodes of What's Treading here and stay locked to tirereview.com to get your latest tire industry updates.

How To Capture The Real Value Of A Virtual AAPEX Experience Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

Although AAPEX had to cancel its in-person event this year, the Virtual AAPEX Experience will feature dozens of training sessions and the opportunity for shop owners, service advisors and technicians to meet with exhibitors to learn more about products and services for their shops.
In this episode of What's Treading with Tire Review, we feature an episode from the Shop Owner Podcast with host Doug Kaufmann. Doug talked with Vic Tarasik, founder of Shop Owner Coach, about the benefits and opportunities presented at this year’s Virtual AAPEX Experience.
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
You can register to attend the 2020 AAPEX Virtual Experience at aapexshow.com.

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