Prabhash Subasinghe oversees all operations of Global Rubber Industries (Pvt.) Ltd. (GRI), from product development and manufacturing to the Sri Lanka-based company’s sales operations, which span 50 countries.
Paolo Ferrari, president, CEO and COO of Bridgestone Americas Inc., returned to North America at an interesting time. He assumed his current role on Jan. 15, a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the continent.
Thousands of tire dealers across North America have turned to no-credit finance providers as a way to reach more customers and capture additional sales at the front counter. And now, with the economy in a constant state of uncertainty thanks to COVID-19, dealers say this service is even more critical.
Selling tires to construction fleets has always been a tough business. And it has become even more challenging as construction companies apply extra scrutiny to their tire budgets and purchasing decisions due to continued, COVID-19-driven uncertainty.
Bridgestone Corp. is accepting unpredictability and bracing for the possibility of a second wave of the coronavirus in Japan and abroad. In establishing its first financial forecast of the year, the tiremaker says it is assuming a drop in demand in the fourth quarter of 2020.
The Automotive Aftermarket Parts Expo (AAPEX) has canceled its in-person trade show for 2020 due to COVID-19, and instead will offer a virtual experience for attendees.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. experienced a net loss of $6 million during the second quarter of 2020 versus net income of $9 million during the same period last year. During 2Q 2020, Cooper’s net sales fell 26.9% to $496 million.
The latest tire shipment forecast from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) predicts about 53.3 million fewer tires will be shipped in 2020 than last year due to the economic downturn forced by COVID-19.
John McCarthy Jr., president of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.-based McCarthy Tire Service Co. Inc., which is ranked number 21 on this year's MTD 100, is looking to the rest of 2020 with a sense of optimism.
Sales at Monro Inc. for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 reflect the effects of COVID-19, with sales in April, May and June dropping 22.1% compared to the previous year. Tires, which account for more than half of the company’s sales, were easily the best performing category, and they were down 14%.
Michelin Group recorded a 22.4% drop in tire volumes in the first half of 2020, and the company is forecasting a tough road for the global tire industry for the remainder of the year, with double-digit declines in the passenger, truck and specialty tire markets.
After a few tough months, car count has picked up at Omaha, Neb.-based Jensen Tire & Auto. With 21 retail locations, the company is the 54th largest independent tire dealership on this year's MTD 100. In this MTD exclusive, Matt Jensen provides an update on customer demand at his dealership and explains why "cash is king."
The Specialty Equipment Market Association continues to plan for an in-person 2020 SEMA Show, but organizers also are watching a spike in coronavirus cases in Las Vegas and working on a virtual element to meet the demand of international attendees who may face travel restrictions.
The latest market analysis from Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc. shows tire volumes recorded their best month of the year in June, and July is showing even stronger signs of a recovery.
Customers visiting any of the 610 NTB Tire & Service Centers or Tire Kingdom stores in the U.S. will be required to wear a face covering as of July 23.
Love's Travel Stops will begin requiring customers to wear face coverings at all of its locations — including Love's Truck Care and Speedco locations — on July 29.
The Tire Industry Association and other trade associations are asking United States Senate leadership to authorize allocation of at least $37 billion to state departments of transportation.
Attendees of this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association Show will be required to wear face masks or face shields as part of the association's COVID-19-related safety plan.
A customer walks into your store, hands you a credit card and says, “This is what I want for my vehicle. Just run the card and we’ll discuss the price later.” Craig Dobrin, vice president of operations at Marietta, Ga.-based Butler Tires & Wheels, says this type of interaction has become a regular occurrence at the four-location dealership.
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