New Milestar Tire is First U.S.-Produced Tireco Product

April 5, 2021

The new Milestar Weatherguard AS710 Sport all-season tire represents a significant milestone for Tireco Inc. The product, which was introduced in March, is the company's first tire that's made in the United States.

The decision to produce the Weatherguard AS710 Sport in the U.S. “was done in an effort to continue to diversify our production base across multiple countries,” according to Andrew Hoit, Tireco’s vice president of sales and marketing.

The Weatherguard AS710 Sport is produced in Tennessee. (Hoit declined to identify its manufacturer.)

The benefits of domestic production for Tireco’s dealers “are consistent with the benefits for Tireco,” says Hoit.

“This product has a consistent, U.S.-based manufacturing source that will shorten our manufacturing and supply chain lead time, as well as support our domestic jobs and economy."

Domestic production also “amplifies” the Milestar brand’s marketing message of “More Reasons, More Value," he adds.

While Tireco decided to produce the line in the U.S. prior to recent tariff announcements by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Hoit adds that “given the recent tariff landscape, a tertiary benefit, of course, is that U.S.-based production avoids the risk of tariff implications and potential supply disruptions.”

When asked if Tireco plans to manufacture other products in the U.S., Hoit replied that the company “continues to work with our manufacturing partners around the world, including the U.S., to source the best-quality products for the Milestar brand.

“Consider a brand like Nike or Apple," he says. Regardless of where these companies' products are manufactured, "they control all quality assurance standards, along with product design and marketing. At Tireco, we take a similar approach with our Milestar brand.”

About the Author

Mike Manges | Editor

Mike Manges is Modern Tire Dealer’s editor. A 25-year tire industry veteran, he is a three-time International Automotive Media Association award winner and holds a Gold Award from the Association of Automotive Publication Editors. Mike has traveled the world in pursuit of stories that will help independent tire dealers move their businesses forward. Before rejoining MTD in September 2019, he held corporate communications positions at two Fortune 500 companies and served as MTD’s senior editor from 2000 to 2010.