Three Pillars of Success: How FCSS, Sailun Tire USA and the Ironhead Tire Brand Built a Winning Formula

    June 5, 2025
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    For Joshua J. Benson, Vice President of Sales at First Choice Sourcing Solutions (FCSS), the continued growth and success of the Ironhead brand of commercial truck tires is no accident — it’s the result of nearly 20 years of strategic partnership with Sailun Tire USA (STU), built on three key pillars: relationships, product quality and controlled distribution. 

    Pillar One: Trusted People 

    Joshua reflects on the early days of his relationship with STU. “When Sailun Tire USA began focusing on tire manufacturing in the mid-2000s, Lou Fontana — now President of First Choice Sourcing Solutions — began working closely with their team to source product,” Joshua explained. “I became involved shortly after selling Sailun made product and since then, Lou, myself and Mark Hadley, FCSS VP of Operations — have built and maintained a strong relationship with the STU team.” 

    That partnership laid the groundwork for the 9 year and counting work and collaboration between FCSS and Sailun Tire USA and has continued to thrive. Lou forged a close working relationship with key individuals at STU who are now part of the company’s senior leadership. “We’ve had the privilege of working with them since those early days,” he said. “It’s been incredible to see their growth into leadership roles. That kind of consistency and trust with the people we work with is crucial to our ongoing success.” 

    The enduring relationship with the STU team forms the first of FCSS’s three pillars: trusted people. “Having worked with the same STU core team for nearly 20 years, they have proven we can rely on them. That trust is fundamental to our continued investment in the partnership,” Joshua added. 

    Pillar Two: Product Quality 

    The second pillar is product quality, and Ironhead has consistently delivered in this area. Managed exclusively by FCSS in the USA, Ironhead is known for offering durable, retreadable and competitively priced commercial truck tires designed for regional, mixed-service and long-haul applications. 

    Engineered with advanced technologies, Ironhead tires are built to perform reliably in challenging road conditions. The brand emphasizes strength, longevity and resistance to wear, ensuring performance across a wide range of environments. This focus on innovation ensures Ironhead stays ahead of industry trends, with features like improved tread designs, enhanced durability and advanced materials to maximize efficiency. 

    “We just enhanced our Truck Tires with a three-retread, seven-year warranty,” Joshua noted. “That’s something FCSS backs — and it’s built on years of positive results.” STU’s continued investment in manufacturing innovations — such as the EcoPoint3 liquid-phase mixing process — has allowed Ironhead to evolve in both performance and value. “They’ve stayed cutting-edge,” Joshua said. “That’s what makes this partnership work.” 

    Pillar Three: Controlled Distribution 

    The final pillar is controlled distribution — a strategic advantage for FCSS. “We control Ironhead truck tire distribution across the U.S.,” Joshua said. “That allows us to work directly with our partners and ensure that the product is positioned for success. It’s not just available — it’s supported.” 

    This exclusive control allows FCSS to tailor dealer programs, ensure consistent inventory and help customers build confidence in the Ironhead brand. “It’s a product that our dealers get behind — they believe in it, they stock it and they sell it,” he added. 

    A Proven Formula 

    Together, the strength of the relationship, the dependability of the product and the intentional approach to distribution have helped turn Ironhead from a tire line into a recognized leader and trusted name in the commercial truck tire industry. 

    “We’ve partnered with the right people, we’ve seen the innovation and we’ve built programs around a dependable product,” Joshua said. “Those are the three pillars — and they all tie back into what makes Ironhead, and the partnership, successful.” 

    For more details on Ironhead’s full line of commercial truck tires and passenger tires, visit Ironhead Tires. To learn about FCSS’s dealer programs and distribution opportunities, visit First Choice Sourcing Solutions.