How do you view the changes happening in tyre retailing, the way it goes more and more digital?

This is the inevitable outcome of the internet and the ease it provides for researching tyre types, performance attributes, pricing and communicating with a tyre store. The Covid-19 pandemic has fast-forwarded consumer use and acceptance of online purchasing and communication with retailers, in general, so I think this will occur with tyre retailing. In the U.S., it is estimated that traditional brick-and-mortar retailers are seeing more than 15% of tyre revenues coming from online sales. This is likely to grow, although the majority of replacement tyres likely will continue to be sold and serviced in the more traditional manner of customers interacting with the tyre store directly. Tyre retailers will have to offer both online and in-store operations to be able to service all tyre customers. 

How do you see retailing strategies changing in the changing business environment? 

I think convenience will be the buzzword going forward. Thanks to the growth of general online sales, consumers are becoming accustomed to purchasing products and services via the Internet and having products delivered directly to their homes. This also applies to tyre sales and service. Tyre dealers will need to have an effective website that includes information on various tyres and brands, tyre pricing and the ability to make an appointment. Tyre consumers also will come to expect periodic updates via texts as their vehicles are being serviced. Customers choosing to sit in the waiting room while new tyres are installed or serviced will want to be able to connect to the shop’s Wi-Fi to do work or surf the Internet. The waiting room will need to be clean and inviting. In addition, there likely will be growth in mobile tyre retailing and service, where the tyre shop comes to customer, either at home or work. Why? For convenience.

How is TIA involved in this sector as an industry organisation?

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) serves the tyre retailing sector primarily in two ways. It offers certified tyre service training to tyre technicians and serves as a watchdog for tyre dealers concerning local, state and federal legislation that could negatively impact their businesses. Safety is the watchword when it comes to training, both for the technician as well as the vehicle owner. Over the past two decades, TIA has trained more than 200,000 tyre technicians worldwide on the proper ways to mount, demount and service all types of tyres. Through this, TIA training has helped raise the professionalism of the tyre service operation by teaching technicians the proper ways to service tyres. This in turn has helped make the driving public safer.

Through its Government Affairs efforts, TIA focuses on representing the interests of tyre retailers and the tyre industry in tyre-related legislative issues that could negatively impact the industry and the driving public. Each year, the association monitors scores of proposed bills and legislation and weighs in to fight for the best interests of the industry and tyre retailers.

The association also offers various member benefits that help tyre dealers reduce costs and better run their businesses. 

What is your take on online retailing? What are its advantages as well as disadvantages?

Online retailing is here to stay and will continue to grow. The advantages are obvious. It allows tyre customers to make tyre service appointments any time day or night, to research products, do comparison shopping all without leaving their own home. There is a lot of upside to online retailing. The tyre dealer gains from online retailing because it generates business in a sense automatically and helps in tracking sales and inventory. But there are downsides, as well.

Today, many tyre makers have begun selling tyres direct to consumers via the Internet, bypassing the dealers and using them only as installers. This has upset many dealers, as they lose out on the tyre sale and only generate revenue via the installation charge. Thus, it is crucial for tyre dealers to have their own online tyre operation, in addition to their brick-and-mortar stores, so when consumers are searching the Internet to purchase a tyre, the tyre dealership can not only make the tyre sale online but also schedule the installation. In addition, savvy dealers will use the opportunity to turn that installation customer into their own tyre and service customer in the future. 

Another downside to online retailing is it is more difficult for dealers to build a personal relationship with the customer. One of the strengths of the independent tyre shop is the development of personal relationships and trust with customers. This customer loyalty has served tyre dealers well for over 100 years and kept the independent tyre dealer as the No. 1 channel for the purchase of replacement tyres in the U.S. I don’t see that changing dramatically. Tyres are a major purchase for most consumers and most vehicle owners don’t understand these products. They rely on their trusted independent tyre dealer to guide them in selecting the right tyre at the right price. Online retailing makes developing and retaining that personal relationship more difficult, but I expect the entrepreneurial spirit of tyre dealers to find a way to overcome this issue. 

What is your take on tyre manufacturers doing their own retailing? 

There is nothing wrong with tyre manufacturers operating their own retail tyre store chains. Many do, although this does put them into a competitive situation with their own independent tyre dealer customers. Independent tyre retailers are used to various types of competitors, from tyre company stores, to auto dealerships, to mass merchandisers, to auto service shops and oil change outfits that sell tyres. Now they are contending with online tyre sellers. Historically, independent tyre stores have overcome their competitors through their deep knowledge of the tyre business, their business savvy, their close relationships with customers and ability to evolve and make decisions quickly. I don’t see this changing, even with the growth in online tyre retailing. (TT)

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”