Over the past four years a group of commercial tire dealers has set aside competition in the name of improving safety across their businesses, as well as the whole industry. At this year’s Safety Leadership Summit, the group included more than 40 representatives of tire dealerships and industry suppliers and leaders, and they covered everything from cell phones to cribbing to shoes.

"I started in 1973 and have never seen the business like this," Morry Taylor, chairman of Titan International Inc., recently said. "No one knows when this is going to slow down, but it's real hard to see any slowing anytime soon."

Bridgestone Americas Inc. is investing $60 million in its Bandag tread rubber manufacturing plant in Abilene, Texas. The infusion will increase the plant's output by 16% and will include a 50,000-square-foot expansion.

American Tire Distributors Inc. has added a steer tire for long-haul and super-regional applications, the Strong Guard H-LS, to its Hercules brand lineup.

Autel Energy - Autel’s U.S. brand of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions - made its global debut at the North American International Auto Show Sept. 14 in Detroit, Mich. During the event, Autel showcased "an ecosystem of viable and reliable electric vehicle EV charging solutions."

The Tire Industry Association is offering three in-person, hands-on training classes in September and October for automotive, commercial and earthmover tire technicians.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association Show’s 2022 New Products Showcase will expand to include two new product categories.

Ben Johnson, director of product management for Mitchell 1, will present the Lunch & Learn: Electric Vehicles session titled, “EVs Are in Your Future! How Will it Impact Your Shop?” on Sept. 24 during the ADAPT Automotive Technology Summit in Arlington, Texas. 

Trelleborg Wheel Systems has released its newest steel-belted tire, the MPT100. The radial tire is designed for multi-purpose vehicles and fertilizer trucks used in ground spreading.

The Tire Industry Association has extended early bird registration for the 68th annual OTR Tire Conference until Oct. 6.  The event will take place Feb. 22-25, 2023, at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, in Tucson, Ariz

Global Rubber Industries Pvt. Ltd. has opened a corporate office in the United States. The office is located at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina for ease of access to the company's growing customer base.

Bridgestone Americas Inc. says it is the final stages of selling 25 GCR Tires & Service locations and four retread plants to a couple of "strategic buyers." The transactions will close later this month.

Bridgestone Americas Inc.’s truck and bus radial tire manufacturing plant in LaVergne, Tenn., is celebrating 50 years of operations in 2022.

The new line features a range of OE oil, fuel, air and cabin filters for applications on domestic and import cars, vans, SUVs and light trucks.

BendPak Inc. has introduced its new Dannmar D4-12A alignment lift which can be used to perform two- or four-wheel alignments and general service work on cars, SUVs and light trucks weighing up to 12,000 pounds. 

Green Bay, Wis.-based Pomp’s Tire Service Inc. has acquired Tredroc Tire Services Inc., which is based in Elk Grove Village, Ill. The transaction - which includes 17 locations, four retread plants and two distribution centers - closed on Sept. 2.

Southern Tire Mart LLC has expanded its footprint by nearly 40 locations with the recent acquisitions of Phoenix, Ariz.-based Redburn Tire Co. and 26 Bridgestone Americas Inc.-owned GCR Tires & Service locations.