Magazine for the professional tire industry
Issue link: https://mtd.epubxp.com/i/630954
MTD January 2016 News/views TBC's Midas subsidiary is adding franchisees and growing sales TBC Corp.'s Midas International Corp. subsidiary has recruited 23 fran- chisees in the past six months and achieved 27 consecutive months of comparable store sales increases. TBC says the multi-national brand, which started out as a muffer spe- cialist in the mid-1950s and became the frst nationwide brake-service provider in the 1970s, is now a multi-service car-care provider with over 2,000 shops in 13 countries. With a major focus on tires in recent years, Midas is exceeding growth targets by opening new stores with three different constituents: entre- preneurs that are new to the auto industry; independent automotive/tire stores that convert to Midas; and existing franchisees that are opening up additional locations and building new ones. Blackburn OEM Wheel Solutions expands Blackburn OEM Wheel Solutions Inc. is starting the new year in a larger home. The location provides more space for the com- pany's corporate offces and warehouse as well as additional shipping and receiving docks. The company remains in Macedonia, Ohio, where it was founded in 1983. "Purchasing this facility enables us to meet the needs of our growing staff and improve our internal effciencies," says Torrey Black- burn, Blackburn's co-owner. Toyo restructures its operations in the U.S. A major reorganization at Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. has resulted in a new leader at Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. And the name is a familiar one. Tomoshige "Tomo" Mizutani is now chairman and CEO of both Toyo Tire U.S.A. and Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. Toyo also promoted Roy Bromfeld, who gave up his chief operating offcer duties and took over as president of Toyo Tire U.S.A., replacing Mizutani. Also, as of Jan. 1 director Iori Suzuki gave up his position as senior vice president and general counsel for Toyo Tire Holdings of America Inc. and took on the responsibilities of president, replacing Mizutani. Suzuki also was named a corporate offcer. Denso releases catalog Denso Products and Services Americas Inc. has released its first engine management catalog featuring 1,119 part numbers covering more than 42,500 models of cars and light trucks on the road. National ad campaign begins ITW Global Brands has launched a national advertising campaign with a 30-second commercial featuring the new Rain-X Latitude Water Repellency wiper blades and Rain-X Quantum wiper blades. Firestone will be OE Bridgestone Americas Inc.'s Firestone brand Destination LE2 tire in sizes P245/75R16 and P265/65R17 will be original equipment on select models of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma. Mitas wins award Mitas a.s. was named AGCO Corp.'s Supplier of the Year 2015 in the engineering and innovation category during AGCO´s supplier day for the Europe, Africa and Middle East region. ZC Rubber adds TBR line Zhongce Rubber Group Co. Ltd.'s (ZC Rubber) factory in Thailand has produced the first truck bus radial (TBR) tire in a new TBR product line. Michelin sponsors race Michelin North America Inc.'s BFGoodrich brand will be the presenting sponsor of the Polaris RZR Mint 400 desert race March 9-12, 2016, in Las Vegas. R.O. Writer links with Transtar TBC Corp. subsidiary R.O. Writer's shop management software now connects to Transtar Industries Inc.'s online ordering system for transmission and drivetrain-related products. New flotation tire Alliance Tire Group (ATG) has released a tire using VF technology (very high flexion) for tanks, trailers, special equipment and other machinery in the agriculture segment that is consistently used in fields and travels to and from fields. bites Tomoshige "Tomo" Mizutani took over as chairman and CEO of both Toyo Tire U.S.A. and Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. on Jan. 1. Torrey Blackburn says the company's purchase of a larger headquarters and warehouse will improve customer service. 12