In light of the on-going large OTR tire shortage, OTR tire manufacturers say it's up to tire dealers to make sure that customers get the most out of their rubber. "The industry still can't produce enough tires to meet demand," says Tim Good, manager, global accounts, off-road tires, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
"A lot of dealers are looking at ways to increase tire life," Good recently told moderntiredealer.com. "They're looking at retreading and pulling the tires in time so they can be retreaded."
Jeff Vasichek, vice president of sales and marketing for Titan International Inc., says tire dealers must "get very close to the end user and put in place practices to extend the life of the tire. Best practices will extend the product, which ultimately will give a lower price per hour."
"I think there’s been a learning curve between manufacturers, dealers and end users," says Gary Nash, director of OTR sales for Yokohama Tire Corp. "We’re all in this together."
For a look at how Phoenix, Ariz.-based Redburn Tire Co., one of the country's largest OTR tire dealerships, is helping customers weather the supply crunch, see the December 2006 issue of Modern Tire Dealer magazine, available now.
