MEMPHIS, Tenn.-U.S. Tire & Exhaust has joined American Car Care Centers as a member distributor for Wisconsin and Minnesota. U.S. Tire, a division of U.S. Oil Co. Inc., is a large distributor of tires, exhaust systems and other automotive parts and accessories. The company services more than 7,000 accounts in six states from its main warehouse in Combined Locks, Wis.
MUSCATINE, Iowa-Bandag's net earnings fell 11.5 percent to $23.9 million for the third quarter, ended Sept. 30, as sales edged up 2 percent to $194.1 million, compared with the year-ago period.
The retread materials and equipment manufacturer showed similar results for the nine months, with net income plummeting 16.3 percent to $59.9 million as revenues climbed 2.2 percent to $553.3 million.
A Bandag spokesman said much of decrease in income was due to the cost of replacing distribution the company lost when it ceased doing business with Treadco Inc.
NEW YORK-The late Gertrude Crain, chairman emeritus of Crain Communications Inc., which publishes TIRE BUSINESS, will be inducted into the National Sales & Marketing Hall of Fame, Oct. 15. The event is sponsored by the Alliance of Sales & Marketing Executives.
The honor is awarded to corporate leaders who personify outstanding sales and communications skills in transforming their companies into industry leaders.
Besides Mrs. Crain, who died July 20, the other inductees include: William R. Chaney, chairman & CEO of Tiffany & Co.; David D. Glass, president & CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.; Edward H. Meyer, chairman, president & CEO of Grey Advertising Inc.; and Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president & CEO of Federal Express Corp.
WASHINGTON-Ford Motor Co. is recalling 134,770 trucks and minivans for incorrect tire pressure information on the certification labels.
Involved in the recall are Aerostar minivans, F350 trucks, Explorers, Rangers and F250 trucks, all manufactured between December 1995 and March 1996.
The tire supplier for the vehicles sent Ford certification labels which recommend the same tire pressures for front and rear tires, when in fact the rear tires should have higher pressures, a Ford spokeswoman said. Premature rear tire wear could result if the error is left uncorrected, Ford said.
Ford will begin notifying owners Oct. 18. The company will provide corrected labels.
DES MOINES, Iowa-The Firestone Agricultural Tire Co. has made its debut on the Internet with a World Wide Web site displaying the company's products and services for the agricultural market.
The site, located at http://www.firestoneag.com, includes information on several agricultural and forestry tire designs, the 60-year history of Firestone farm tires, details on the company's product-test facility and answers to frequently asked technical questions.
``This is part of our continuous effort to lead the way,'' said Lauren Foltz, Firestone's senior marketing analyst. ``We're anticipating that this new web site, which will be updated periodically, will be a valuable resource for farm and forestry tire users.''
WASHINGTON-The U.S. Small Business Administration has expanded its Internet home page to include detailed information about the services offered by the offices of Business Initiatives, Disaster Assistance, Government Contracting and Surety Guarantees.
The four new program sites offer information such as dates and locations of training seminars, addresses of Business Information Centers, one-stop centers for business training and the latest information about assistance being provided to disaster victims.
The SBA home page can be accessed at: http://www.sba.gov.
TOKYO-Bridgestone Corp. feels so confident after its Formula One (F-1) tire testing, that it will move up its entry into the race series to 1997 from 1998.
Since June, the company said it has conducted extensive tire testing at circuits in Japan, the United Kingdom, Spain, France and Italy, and has visited half of the 16 Formula One venues. Test results and the completion of production and supply arrangements encouraged Bridgestone to revise the company's schedule for an earlier entry, the company said.
Bridgestone will supply tires made at its Tokyo Technical Center to the Tom Walkinshaw Racing Arrows team, which will bring F-1 points leader Damon Hill on board next season.