Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • BEST PLACES TO WORK
  • News
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Resources
    • Events
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
February 15, 1999 01:00 AM

`WAIT AND SEE' ATTITUDE: SOME DEALERS SUSPICIOUS OF Y2K PROBLEM

Chris Collins
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    AKRON—Tire dealers—like the population as a whole—are concerned, bemused, in some cases a bit suspicious of the ``Year 2000 Problem.'' A sampling of comments from dealers found that some are very interested and are actively taking steps to protect their businesses.

    Others are taking a ``wait and see'' attitude, believing that no major problems will surface.

    ``I guess I'm not real concerned about it, but I guess I should be,'' said Suzy Darter, owner of Marion Tire Co. in Marion, Ind. An independent Goodyear dealer, she isn't worried about her office computer system because it's tied into Goodyear's extensive dealer network.

    Marion Tire also has a manual backup of its records. Ms. Darter thinks the worst-case scenario would be mistakes on accounts or inventory but said, ``I'm not looking at a big problem.''

    Mark Lefebvre, president of Concord Tire and Auto Service Inc. in Concord, N.H., found that 1998 was ``a great time to upgrade'' because of Y2K concerns. His company has spent about $17,000 on new equipment and software.

    The dealership's office functions are fully integrated on a computer system with a software package from ASA Tire Systems Inc., Mr. Lefebvre said. But he's not as confident about computer-controlled equipment on the shop floor.

    Concord's two locations have three FMC alignment machines, and Mr. Lefebvre said he hasn't heard anything from the company about them yet. As for other diagnostic equipment in the shop, he said, ``I'm reasonably confident they are Y2K compliant.''

    Dean Cadieux, manager of Sloat Tire Co. in Batavia, N.Y., said his dealership uses the Tire Works program from Signal Software Corp.

    Sloat Tire spent $9,500 to upgrade its mainframe computer and six terminals. The firm sells a wide variety of passenger, light truck, farm tires and small tires and wheels for implements.

    The dealership could process orders on paper if it had to, Mr. Cadieux said. ``If (the computer) goes down, we'll survive.''

    Another dealer with a Signal system is Lelon Cross, owner of Cross Tire and Auto Service in Little Rock, Ark. He plans to spend $7,500 for both a software upgrade from Signal and for new hardware and, ``considering that our system is five years old, that's not too bad.''

    Mr. Cross also has an alignment unit from Hunter Engineering Co. and has been told it is Y2K compliant.

    Bauer-Built Inc. in Durand, Wis., has spent the past year purchasing new hardware and software, according to President Jerry Bauer.

    The company has 50 different business operations, all connected to a main computer, Mr. Bauer said.

    A lot of dealers have been pushed into upgrading their systems by suppliers and customers.

    ``Our major customers insist that we be (Y2K) compliant,'' said Doug Campbell, sales manager at International Truck and Tire in Sarnia, Ontario.

    Dan Rygel, owner of Auburn Tire Factory in Auburn, Wash., thought his computer network was in compliance. He was told his system was OK by a local technician who built it, he said.

    Then, when Mr. Rygel attended a meeting of the Northwest Tire Factory buying group, dealers were given a software disk to check their machines. He discovered two of his three computers, both less than three years old, would have Y2K problems.

    ``If I found out about it later, it would really be a problem,'' he said, adding that each of the machines will cost about $200 to fix.

    Big Four Tire Service Inc. has served its clientele in Sacramento, Calif., for 27 years without using any computers, according to owner Martha McAfee. Her bookkeeper uses a computer at home to keep the company's books.

    Mrs. McAfee is convinced that people are ``making a big hoopla'' of the Y2K problem. ``I'm sure it will be solved,'' she said.

    Marion Tire's Ms. Darter noted that phone companies have developed systems that allow people to screen out calls from telemarketers.

    ``If we have the technology that can screen out calls from an aluminum siding salesman at dinner time, then we can solve this problem," she said.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Icahn-owned Auto Plus files for Chapter 11 protection
    2
    Goodyear to trim jobs amid 'uncertain' economic outlook
    3
    Gills Point S acquires Hogan Tires of Maine
    4
    Bridgestone Americas creates corporate philanthropy post
    5
    Truck sector leads U.S. tire market; consumer down
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • News
      • HUMANITARIAN
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Resources
      • Events
        • ASK THE EXPERT
        • LIVESTREAMS
        • WEBINARS
        • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
        • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION