Modern Tire Dealer articles from August 1997

Modern Tire Dealer archives from August 1997

Jimmy ... Charles ... don't leave us when you're needed so badly. (deaths of Jimmy Stewart and Charles Kuralt signal end of an era)(Editorial)
August 1, 1997... When you're spending a lot of time on airplanes and drifting off to sleep so many nights in hotel rooms somewhere, you have time to take a different look at the world. It was while my wife and I were on vacation "out West," for instance,...

Under pressure to succeed: run-flat technology enters the aftermarket. (Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co and Michelin Tire Corp introduce run-flat tire systems)(includes related articles on run-flat tires)(Product Announcement)
August 1, 1997... Run-flat tire technology in one form or another has been around almost as long as the pneumatic tire itself. Active sealant tire research began in the 1890s. Patents for everything from multiple air chambers to self-sealing tires quickly...

Why keep on checking belts and hoses? (techniques for determining belt and hose deterioration)
August 1, 1997... If you want the work, look for impending problems It has been well over 50 years since I first reported for work as a beginning gas jockey at Milt Jenkins' service station. I had been attending a technical high school and figured I knew all...

Goodyear chief's philosophy ... steady as she grows. (interview with Sam Gibara, pres and CEO of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co)(Cover Story)(Interview)(Company Profile)
August 1, 1997... Sam Gibara may be diminutive in stature, but no one has ever questioned his willingness to step in, take charge and put his judgment on the line. Last year he confidently took over as Goodyear's top executive from the legendary Stan Gault, a...

At Bridgestone/Firestone ... confidence, optimism is growing. (interview with Masatoshi Ono, CEO of Bridgestone/Firestone Inc)(Cover Story)(Interview)(Company Profile)
August 1, 1997... You can sense a growing confidence and optimism in Masatoshi Ono who heads Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. (BFS). And why not? The company's financial turnaround continues as its sales and market share in the U.S. improve consistently and...

At Continental General ... ready to move ahead. (interview with Bernd Frangenberg, CEO of Continental General Tire Inc)(Cover Story)(Interview)(Company Profile)
August 1, 1997... Now in his fourth year at Continental General Tire, Bernd Frangenberg believes the company, which has struggled during the 10 years since it was created when Germany's Continental Tire acquired America's General Tire, is now positioned to...

At Cooper Tire ... consistency's the key. (interview with Pat Rooney, Cooper Tire and Rubber Co's CEO)(Cover Story)(Interview)(Company Profile)
August 1, 1997... In an industry in which frequent, drastic and often surprising changes are taking place, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is a model of consistency. The Findlay, Ohio, manufacturer just churns along turning out tires and profits - and doing so by...

Commercial sales with Saeli: award winner follows the basics when dealing with fleets. (interview with Tim Saeli, Treadco Inc sales representative)(Interview)
August 1, 1997... Tim Saeli has an enviable sales background. He began his 12-year career in the commercial tire industry at Michelin Tire Corp., but only after completing the company's intense 14-week training program, considered by many one of the best...

All-out hustle: industrial tire dealer knows how to diversify. (Stanley Industrial Tires Inc sells industrial tire products and services)(Company Profile)
August 1, 1997... By his own admission, Bruce Stanley caters to a niche market. And he does - sort of. He presides over Stanley Industrial Tires Inc. in Gladewater, Texas. But the name of the company - the "Industrial Tire" part - doesn't do his business...

More bang for the buck: equipment tips for your service trucks.
August 1, 1997... Getting the most bang for the bucks invested in the tire service business hinges largely on two things - how thoroughly a dealer knows his competitive environment, and how well he deploys the right resources for the right job. Acquiring the...

Now is the time to sell up to quality and performance. (tire industry report)
August 1, 1997... Quality and performance are now the key words purveyors of goods use to describe their products. In today's strong economy, carriage trade names like Mercedes, Gucci and Godiva are selling exceptionally well. Now is the time to emphasize your...

Smoke again selling Vredesteins: Dutch tires return to the U.S. (Al Smoke heads Vredestein Tires USA)(Company Profile)
August 1, 1997... Vredestein is looking for a few good dealers. The Dutch tiremaker has returned to the U.S., this time on a permanent basis, says the company's managing director, Robert Oudshoorn. A full line of passenger tires is now available from the...

Las Vegas show will have tire dealer activities; seminars, special events planned. (Specialty Equipment Market Assn and Tire Assn of North America to hold conventions in Las Vegas, NV)
August 1, 1997... Promoters of this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas Nov. 4-7, are promising more than six miles of aisles, 4,700 exhibit spaces and 35,000 expected buyers. This encompasses the 400-plus booths held by...