Bob Ulrich

Editor

Bob Ulrich was named Modern Tire Dealer editor in August 2000. He joined the magazine in 1985 as assistant editor, and has been responsible for gathering statistical information for MTD's "Facts Issue" since 1993. He has won numerous awards for editorial and feature writing, including five gold medals from the International Automotive Media Association. Bob earned a B.A. in English literature from Ohio Northern University and has a law degree from the University of Akron.

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2009 SEMA Show-goers: a 'who's who' of the tire industry

By: Bob Ulrich

TCI (Tire Centers LLC) offered advice for buyers walking the floor.

The best phrase I can use to describe the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association, or SEMA, Show in Las Vegas is that it "exceeded expectations."

Yes, the number of exhibitors was down about 12% -- a little less than that in the Tires, Wheels & Accessories (TWA) section. And attendance was down, too, by my observation. Given the state of the economy, both were expected.

There were still close to 1,700 exhibitors at the SEMA Show, however. By my count, 271 of them were in the TWA area. I wouldn't be surprised if the average attendee-to-booth ratio was better than last year, and that was unexpected.

And what attendees! Representatives from the top five independent tire store chains were there: Discount Tire Co. Inc., Tire Kingdom Inc., Les Schwab Tire Centers, Monro Muffler Brake Inc. and Somerset tire Service Inc. So were Belle Tire Distributors (eighth on the Modern Tire Dealer 100 list) and Pomp's Tire Service (10th). And that's just in the top 10.

According to Detroit Auto Salon News, decision makers from Big O Tires, Canadian Tire Corp., Pep Boys--Manny, Moe & Jack and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. also were in attendance. American Tire Distributors Inc., American Car Care Centers Inc., the Tire Alliance Group -- they all had executives visiting suppliers and dealers.

The Big Four tire manufacturers may not have displayed on the trade show floor (well, Tire Centers LLC, a Michelin North America Inc. subsidiary, had a booth), but they had representatives there, too. For example, Bridgestone Americas Inc. held a two-day dealer meeting in Las Vegas, and previewed a number of new tires that will be introduced at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.

Continental Tire North America Inc. held its annual party at Caesar's Palace. CEO Matthias Schonberg told the crowd that Continental's sales in North and South America were the best ever.

There's a reason the heavy-hitters came to the show. They all knew attendance would be down, and who was and wasn't going to be there. But they wanted to know what the pulse of the industry was like first-hand.

They wanted to know how the recent imposition of tariffs on Chinese consumer tires are truly affecting everyone. Price increases were clarified at the show. Foot traffic at the booths manned by Chinese tire manufacturers sure looked sparse to me.

Post-tariff passenger and light truck tire imports from China will decrease over the next three years in comparison to pre-tariff shipments, but they will not drop to zero. Dealers found out that American Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. will continue to import consumer tires from China. So will Hercules Tire & Rubber Co.

China Manufacturers Alliance LLC may be importing Double Coin consumer tires from China to the United States "in the near future," according to Charles Chen, a vice president with Double Coin Holdings Ltd.

The attendees with smaller shops also want to know what's going on. The 20 Group members in attendance will no doubt discuss what they learned with their fellow members the first chance they get.

None of this takes into account the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), which was held in conjunction with the SEMA Show. I heard it, too, was well attended. Some of the exhibitors had booths at each show.

There's a reason the week of the SEMA Show and AAPEX is referred to as Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week.

Related Topics: AAPEX, Chinese imports, SEMA Show, Tire tariffs