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August 27, 2010

Prevent OSHA violations and keep money in your pocket

A recent Webinar on OSHA violations proved to be quite informative. The headline said it all: "OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited Violations by Dealers."

Tags: Mounting and balancing, OSHA, Technicians, Training

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Friday, August 27, 2010 8:42 AM | » Comments(2)

August 21, 2010

How low can low rolling resistance go?

Until tires become nothing more than ball bearings, low rolling resistance in a tire has its limits. But we're far from reaching those limits.

Tags: Fuel efficiency, green, Low rolling resistance, Yokohama Avid

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Saturday, August 21, 2010 2:56 PM | » Comments(0)

August 16, 2010

The Racing Effect

Is "Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday" still relevant today? MTD Editor Bob Ulrich says... maybe.

Categories: Bobs Videos
Tags: Bob's Videos, racing effect, Video Blog

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Monday, August 16, 2010 9:27 AM | » Comments(0)

August 13, 2010

Right to Repair legislation: blog, blog, blog or blah, blah, blah?

Since writing my first B.O.B. blog in November 2008, I have addressed the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act on a number of occasions. I back both national and state Right to Repair legislation because I believe independent repair shops need access to the same repair information afforded car dealerships.

Tags: ASA, NASTF, Right to Repair Act

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Friday, August 13, 2010 2:42 PM | » Comments(3)

August 4, 2010

With tire demand greater than supply, who will fill the void?

When supply is greater than demand, tire manufacturers tend to reduce supply. Maybe they shift to a five-day production schedule. Maybe they close a plant. But they all find ways to reduce costly inventory.

Tags: Chinese imports, Market share, Supply and demand, Tire tariffs

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Wednesday, August 4, 2010 1:05 PM | » Comments(0)

July 26, 2010

Right to Repair: The dominoes are about to fall

On July 6, two days after Independence Day, the Massachusetts Senate passed S. 2517, otherwise known as the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act. The vote was unanimous -- 38-0.

Tags: Automobile Service Association, Barry Steinberg, Direct Tire, Right to Repair Act

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Monday, July 26, 2010 9:44 AM | » Comments(0)

July 16, 2010

The truth about LeBron James -- and tire sales

Because I’m from Akron, Ohio, and because I am a sports fan, and because I love my Cleveland sports teams, I was asked by a lot of people if I thought LeBron James would stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers prior to his July 8 announcement.

Tags: Conrad's Tire, Enger Auto, Martino Tire, MTD 100, Sullivan Tire

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Friday, July 16, 2010 2:06 PM | » Comments(0)

July 8, 2010

The top 25 independent tire dealers prefer... Michelin

Which brand is number one (and two and three) among the top independent tire dealers in the United States? Well, Bridgestone is number three, based on the brands marketed by the top 25 dealers in the country.

Tags: Discount Tire, Major brands, MTD 100, Snider Tire, STTC, Tire Kingdom

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Thursday, July 8, 2010 6:55 PM | » Comments(1)

June 28, 2010

The future may be close for BMW concept vehicle

This concept vehicle is 181.1 inches long, 74.8 inches wide and 48.8 inches high. It has a curb weight of 3,076 pounds.

The recent International Automotive Media Awards (IAMA) ceremony marked the conclusion of the 19th International Automotive Media Competition.

Tags: Concept vehicles, green, Hybrid vehicles, IAMA

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Monday, June 28, 2010 11:00 AM | » Comments(0)

June 20, 2010

Dateline Shanghai, part two: tire dealer secrets

Brenda Leblanc (left), with Jose and Lucy Rios at the Italy Pavilion.

In my 25 years at Modern Tire Dealer, I have never interacted with a more eclectic group of tire dealers and their wives than I did on our recent trip to Shanghai, China.

Tags: Cleveland Indians, Modern Tire Dealer, OTR, truck tires

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Sunday, June 20, 2010 9:04 AM | » Comments(1)

June 17, 2010

Dateline Shanghai, part one: the World Expo

Jan and Rick Stewart of Action Tire Co. pose with Bibendum.

"Each day, compel yourself to do something you would rather not do." - Fortune (really Proverb) cookie, June 5, 2010

Tags: Bibendum, China, Independent tire dealer

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Thursday, June 17, 2010 10:40 AM | » Comments(0)

June 4, 2010

Used tires are not abused tires

When I hear the phrase "used tires," I always think of affordable alternatives to new tires. I never think "scrap tires," which, by their very description, are unusable.

Tags: Legislation, RMA, Sean Kane, Used tires, Used Tires Inc.

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Friday, June 4, 2010 11:37 AM | » Comments(3)

May 28, 2010

Tread depth controversy lingers on, or how to get some publicity for only 26 cents

Not much has changed since our July 2008 story on the minimum tread depth controversy. The government still only requires that tread wear indicators be visible when the minimum legal limit of 2/32nd-inch is reached.

Tags: Tire Industry Association, Tire Rack, Tread depth

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Friday, May 28, 2010 11:36 AM | » Comments(0)

May 20, 2010

Ever the aggressor, Titan's Taylor buys Denman assets

There is nobody in the tire industry like Morry Taylor, chairman and CEO of Titan International Inc. He is one part white collar worker, one part blue collar worker, and one part showman.

Tags: Denman Tire, Farm/ag, Morry Taylor, OTR

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Thursday, May 20, 2010 1:17 PM | » Comments(1)

May 14, 2010

Not all words ring true in sad end to Denman Tire

"It is my personal belief, based upon my long experience in the rubber industry, that this company is bound to make a huge success..."

Tags: Manufacturing, Sandy Pensler, Specialty tires

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Friday, May 14, 2010 1:56 PM | » Comments(0)

May 8, 2010

Successful marketing tips from Walterville

Customer service is the rule in Walterville.

When it comes to marketing and customer service, having a small-town sensibility is a good thing. And there is no smaller town than Walterville.

Tags: ITDG, Marketing tips, Sears

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Saturday, May 8, 2010 1:23 PM | » Comments(2)

May 3, 2010

MTD on the Web

Modern Tire Dealer has doubled its already strong Web presence. Both www.moderntiredealer.com and our new Facebook page promote interaction with tire dealers and other industry leaders.

Categories: Bobs Videos
Tags: Bob's Videos

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Monday, May 3, 2010 12:16 PM | » Comments(1)

May 3, 2010

Winter Tires: Two or Four?

All 50 states have experienced snow this year, which is great for tire dealers. But what happens if a customer wants to buy only two winter tires instead of four?

Categories: Bobs Videos
Tags: Bob's Videos, Winter tires

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Monday, May 3, 2010 12:15 PM | » Comments(2)

May 1, 2010

Big spat between Big O and some of its franchisees

Lawsuits are tricky things to cover. In this day and age, people believe the accused is guilty until proven innocent.

Tags: Company-owned stores, Lawsuit, TBC

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Saturday, May 1, 2010 5:40 PM | » Comments(0)

April 28, 2010

LRR: The New Buzz Phrase

Before too long, all tires will be rated on their fuel efficiency in some way. Why not embrace the marketing opportunities?

Categories: Bobs Videos
Tags: Bob's Videos, LLR

Author: Bob Ulrich | Posted @ Wednesday, April 28, 2010 6:12 PM | » Comments(0)

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