MTD Mid-Year Q&A: CMA Remains Focused on Customers

CMA/Double Coin remains focused on “market- and customer-centric strategies,” says Aaron Murphy, the company’s senior vice president.

MTD: Can you bring us up to speed on CMA/Double Coin's business so far in 2025? What have been some of the company's challenges and achievements?

Murphy: In the first quarter of 2025, business was brisk as we capitalized on the growing value segment. With economic headwinds such as tariffs and other uncertainties, our products continue to perform well as a cost-effective alternative to higher-priced tires. One of our biggest challenges lately has been the unpredictability of product costs and not knowing when those costs might change. Tariffs, in particular, have created a murky outlook. We've heard from many of our customers that they’re feeling the same uncertainty.

MTD: What's your take on the state of medium truck tire and OTR tire demand in the U.S. at the moment?

Murphy: Truck tire demand seems steady, but not growing in 2025. We must also remember that 2024 was a banner year in replacement market truck tire sales. In the OTR segment, business is not picking up as we expected. We feel this is due to the economic challenges we are currently facing. In the OE segment, business continues to trend downward.

MTD: Do you have any supply concerns relating to tariffs the Trump administration has imposed? Could this force CMA to source tires from other places?

Murphy: CMA does not source any products from China, so (the tariff imposed on China) has no effect on us. However, these same tariffs are impacting our production bases in Thailand and Turkey, so we are feeling the strain of ocean transportation and cost increases.

MTD: Confia Tires recently announced that it's the exclusive distributor of CMA's Warrior TBR line in the U.S. Why did CMA/Double Coin revive the Warrior brand?

Murphy: The Warrior brand is a proud and longstanding brand of Double Coin.  As we realigned production, we found the right partner to promote the brand.

MTD: In late-2023, it was announced that CMA/Double Coin would be manufacturing TBR tires under the Rolling Big Power brand for Turbo Wholesale Tires LLC. Is private branding a big part of CMA/Double Coin's business?

Murphy: Private brand production is an important part of our business model as a profitable manufacturer. While it hasn’t traditionally been our core focus, we welcomed this unique opportunity to partner with a strong company. The collaboration has been very successful and we’re proud of how well the partnership has worked.

MTD: Is CMA/Double Coin still in growth mode when it comes to adding distributors and dealers in the U.S. market?

Murphy: We are always exploring growth opportunities that align with and support our existing distribution network. At CMA, our focus remains on market- and customer-centric strategies. We value our dealers and are committed to supporting them as we grow.

MTD: What can we expect to see from CMA/Double Coin during the rest of 2025?

Murphy: Much depends on how the current economic headwinds unfold. We remain confident that once the landscape becomes clearer, CMA/Double Coin will continue to be a key part of our customers’ product selection.