Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/328077
MTD June 2014 News/views quotes by email. Offering shoppers the ability to request a price by email helps to validate their buying interest, according to Sylvester. He says dealers "went back and forth" on whether to display prices online. "A lot of people use prices on the Internet to go to where they normally do business and try to get them to lower their prices. We're going to try this, and if it doesn't work we'll put the prices there. I've talked to a lot of people in the industry, and half believe you should put pric- ing on the Web and half don't." A Web portal for dealers will launch in June. It will show tire suppliers at frst, with parts suppliers to be added later. "We're trying to create it so they don't have to shop around for the best price. They just need to spend time selling tires," says Sylvester. The program includes the Pirelli, Goodyear, Continental and Nexen brands with more manufacturer agreements expected soon. Sylvester has talked to at least six indepen- dent dealers with multiple locations who have expressed interest in joining the group. The group also is looking for people to partner in opening new locations. "In a year I would see our- selves to be at least double where we are today in terms of membership and revenue," says Sylvester. "I built the busi- ness plan based on becoming 50 or 60 stores, but I think the sky's the limit." United Tire & Service cel- ebrated its 17-store launch on April 29 with a grand opening at the store in Ardmore. The company donated $5,000 and a percentage of proceeds from opening day sales to Mothers Against Drunk Driving in the name of Ian Mann, a technician from the Downingtown location killed by a drunk driver. "We hope this real life David and Goliath story inspires other small business owners to hold their own against industry conglomerates," says Sylvester. Send an email to staff@unitedtire.com or visit www.unitedtire.com for more information. — Ann Neal Rice Tire expands Rice Tire Co. has opened its sixth store in Maryland. The eight- bay store in Gaithersburg was purchased from Montgomery Tire Service Inc. The company has 10 stores in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Dealers fund scholarships The Louisiana Independent Tire Dealers Association (LITDA) has created the "Dollars for Scholars" fund raiser. Each year on a given Saturday, participating locations will donate $1 for every tire sold to the LITDA scholarship fund. STS sponsors contest Somerset Tire Service Inc. is sponsoring "The Great American Road Trip" contest to raise awareness of vehicle and tire maintenance. New leader at Nokian Tyres The board of directors of Nokian Tyres plc has named Ari Lehtoranta CEO and president, effective Oct. 1, 2014. Current CEO and President Kim Gran will retire Sept. 30 and remain on the Nokian board. Phoenix updates website Phoenix Systems LLC has launched a major update to its website, www.brakebleeder.com, to give customers better access to the company's brake bleeding and testing products and information. Bridgestone adds training Bridgestone Commercial Solutions has added e-learning, mobile learning, performance-based, instructor-based and mentoring options to its dealer training. TGI will supply Wabash Tire Group International LLC (TGI) has signed a tire supply agreement with Wabash National Corp., a diversified manufacturer. TGI carries more than 40 tire brands. Hornsby Tire expands Hornsby Tire Distributors Inc. has added a wholesale distribution center in Columbus, Ga. The Dothan, Ala.-based company also has D/Cs in Dothan, Birmingham and Huntsville, Ala. bites Dealers stand united Nine partners evolved to become a group of 14 dealers who united to establish bulk buying power, shared business services and a single brand identity. Ken Sylvester is president of the group, United Tire & Service LLC. He and Tim Steigerwalt run the retail side of the company while Jeff Cohen and Andy Chafolsky are responsible for the wholesale operation. The members and their store locations, all in the Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania, are: Harry Bickel — Downingtown; Bob Cox — Ambler; Andy Chafolsky — Quakertown; Alex Curtis — Phoenixville; Bill Damico — West Chester; Al Dumas — Wilmington; Pete Getz — Concordville; Steve Harvilla — Rosemont; Eric Russo — Philadelphia; Lenny Salvato — Paoli; Ken Sylvester — Ardmore, Downingtown, Feasterville; Tim Shook — Havertown; Tim Steigerwalt — Southampton, Willow Grove; and Pete Weidner — Colmar. 10