BURLINGTON, Mass.-The New England Association of Independent Tire Dealers elected Bruce Jergensen of Import Tire Co., Glastonbury, Conn., president during its annual meeting, Oct. 21 in Sturbridge, Mass. Other officers elected include: Benjamin Kravitz of Summit Tires of Mass. Inc., Brockton, Mass., vice president; RolandLesieur of Maynard & Lesieur Inc., Nashua, N.H., treasurer; and James Melvin of Tire Pros of Woonsocket, R.I., secretary.
New members to the board include Anthony Koles of Montvale Tire Co., Melrose, Mass.; Joe Apicella of Tire Pros Inc., Framingham, Mass.; Jim Nicolson of Nicolson Tire, New Bedford, Mass.; and Rick Platt of Connecticut Tire, New Britain, Conn.
NTDRA offers 'GE Exchange'
WASHINGTON-The National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association has endorsed a new long-distance telephone program, ``GE Exchange,'' that provides members with savings of up to 34 percent off existing long-distance carriers' charges.
The program offers a premium service that uses the AT&T network, Sprint and other major carriers.
Members who join the ``GE Exchange'' before Dec. 8 will receive a cash rebate based on individual company long-distance usage. After a 90-day period, if the member is not satisfied, General Electric will switch the customer back to his previous carrier at no cost.
For more information, contact JMR Marketing at (800) 222-2450 or Gurnie Hobbs, NTDRA group managing director, membership services, at (800) 876-8372.
OTDA show to offer profit tips
LONDON, Ontario-The Ontario Tire Dealers Association has designed its 1995 convention and trade show to help dealers better compete in the marketplace.
The convention, with the theme ``Come Alive in '95,'' will be held Jan. 26-28 at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Ed Harper, deputy house leader of the Reform Party of Canada and a tire industry veteran, will present the keynote address and John Wright of Toyo Tire Canada will be a luncheon speaker.
The convention's eight seminars will cover the topics of: tax planning for the family-owned business; generating more profits from service bays; credit card sales in today's marketplace; earning extra money from the automotive aftermarket; competing with warehouse clubs and other discount tire dealerships; analyzing the role of the independent tire dealer in the 21st century marketplace; marketing high performance to achieve high profits; and proper repair techniques for high performance tires.
For more information, contact the OTDA, 682 Valetta St., London, Ontario N6H 2Y6; (519) 641-2548.
In brief....
The newly independent Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association, which operates the Maintenance Awareness Program (MAP), elected Harold D. Ellis of Midas International, as its first chairman. The board also appointed John Iennaccaro of Montgomery Ward, vice chairman, and Robert August of Monro Muffler Brake, secretary/treasurer.
The National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association will host an exhibitor space selection meeting for its 75th Anniversary Trade Show, Jan. 18, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans. The convention is slated for Oct. 12-14.
The NTDRA also has begun registration for its 1995 Off-The-Road Conference, Feb. 23-25, at the Southampton Princess Hotel in Southampton, Bermuda, which is expected to draw representatives from all segments of the OTR tire industry.
For information and registration, contact Gurnie Hobbs or Mary Ann Thompson at (800) 876-8372 or (202) 789-2300.
The Automotive Service Association Management Institute (ASAMI) has introduced a video cassette highlighting the benefits of the institute's management education program. The video is designed to expand industry awareness of the ASAMI Accredited Automotive Manager program and is available to industry leaders and representatives who have contact with shop owners.