Skip to main content
EVENT TRACKER
Keep track of rescheduled, canceled industry events with our COVID-affected event tracker - Powered by Snap Finance
Close
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
  • European Rubber Journal
tb-logo
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • OPINION
    • CORONAVIRUS
    • AUTO INDUSTRY
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • FACTORY FIXES
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • INTERNATIONAL
    • MOTOR SPORTS
    • NEW PRODUCTS
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • SEMA/AAPEX
    • SMALL BUSINESS
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • COVID takes dealers for roller-coaster ride
      A year later, pandemic's full tire industry impact unclear
      Tire Cologne canceled; rescheduled until 2022
      New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
    • DTM switches horses mid-stream; awards race tire contract to Michelin
      Icahn Auto trims fiscal 2020 operating loss despite 14% lower sales
      Oshkosh unit gets contract for new USPS local delivery vehicle
      Sumitomo adds treadwear-detection to 'Sensor Core' toolkit
    • F1 extends Pirelli's supply contract through 2024
      Titan eyes solid recovery in 2021 as ag sector rebounds
      4 Wheel Parts celebrates 60th anniversary with deals, promotions
      CarAdvise partnering with RepairSmith mobile repair services
    • Goodyear joins connected mobility pilot program in Ohio
      Michelin launches high-scrub, weight-sensitive X One Multi T trailer tire
      TRAC Intermodal redirects retread biz 100% in-house
      Giti rolling out range of GT Radial-brand urban/regional truck tires
    • USTMA joins coalition supporting passage of Equality Act
      McMahon's Best-One increases its minimum wage to $15
      Oshkosh unit gets contract for new USPS local delivery vehicle
      Conti recalling 94,000 Conti-, General-, Barum-brand LT/SUV tires
    • F1 extends Pirelli's supply contract through 2024
      Maxam adding multipurpose radial, solid OTR tires
      Goodyear names Patterson to lead Cooper integration efforts
      DTM switches horses mid-stream; awards race tire contract to Michelin
    • F1 extends Pirelli's supply contract through 2024
      DTM switches horses mid-stream; awards race tire contract to Michelin
      Bridgestone World Solar Challenge canceled due to pandemic restrictions
      Pirelli, Goodyear ink sedan racing series contracts in Canada, Europe
    • Snap-on debuts Triton-D10 diagnostic tool with scan, lab scope capabilities
      Maxam adding multipurpose radial, solid OTR tires
      Michelin launches high-scrub, weight-sensitive X One Multi T trailer tire
      Giti rolling out range of GT Radial-brand urban/regional truck tires
    • COVID takes dealers for roller-coaster ride
      Investment groups to acquire Mavis Tire network
      Vogue Tyre offers $75 rebate on set of 4 tires during March
      4 Wheel Parts celebrates 60th anniversary with deals, promotions
    • Snap-on debuts Triton-D10 diagnostic tool with scan, lab scope capabilities
      Pennzoil offering carbon-neutral lubricants for passenger cars
      Washington dealership uses new-school solution for recruiting auto techs
      Marinucci: Customers may ignore dangerous conditions
    • TIA seeking nominations for Tire Industry Hall of Fame
      SEMA survey shows resilient auto aftermarket in 2020
      SEMA scholarships and loan forgiveness now available
      WTC hosting webinar Jan. 20 on load-capacity standards
    • SEMA survey shows resilient auto aftermarket in 2020
      Trade groups oppose minimum wage increase proposal
      New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
    • Goodyear joins connected mobility pilot program in Ohio
      Titan eyes solid recovery in 2021 as ag sector rebounds
      Michelin launches high-scrub, weight-sensitive X One Multi T trailer tire
      Goodyear names Patterson to lead Cooper integration efforts
    • Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      Stocking Tires for Crossover SUVs
      Sponsored By AppointmentPlus
      Three Important Lessons Learned for the Tire Business During a Pandemic
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
  • SHOP FLOOR
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Video: Balancing Tire
      Safety tips for wheel balancing
      An introduction to wheel balancing
      Wheel weights: Balancing form with function
    • Video: Demounting
      Tire changer types, tips and trends
      How to clear rim rust and corrosion
      An introduction to demounting, mounting and inflation
    • Video: Safety
      Customers
      Considerations for shop safety policies
      Introduction: Creating a culture of safety
    • Video: Tire Repair
      Essential tools, materials and equipment for tire repair
      An introduction to tire repair
      How to properly patch a puncture
    • Video: TMPS Service
      The life-saving work of TPMS
      An introduction to TPMS service
      The importance of proper relearn procedures
    • Video: Training
      Internship ideas to attract tech talent
      Choosing the right auto service tech school
      Intro: Finding and training technicians
    • Video:Vehicle Lifting
      The gravity of proper lift points
      Safety essentials when using jack stands
      An introduction to lifts and lift safety
    • Video: Wheel Torque
      The importance of torque specifications
      Introduction to proper wheel installation
      Torque check and recheck recommendations
  • Multimedia
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • PODCASTS
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
  • Awards
    • Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
October 31, 2001 01:00 AM

TANA is Disney's world now

Todd Stumpf, Tire Business staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    LOUISVILLE, Ky.(Oct. 31, 2001)—Steve Disney knows he isn't starting from scratch. At the same time, the new president of the Tire Association of North America (TANA) is itching to get started.

    Filling what he termed the big shoes of Nick Hodel, Mr. Disney is looking to follow in his predecessor's footsteps. The incoming president credited Mr. Hodel with moving the association forward and is looking to build on that foundation.

    Mr. Disney, 45, has been married to wife Cathleen for 23 years. The couple have two children. They perhaps represent the fourth generation of Louisville-based Disney Tire Co. Inc., which began in 1950 when Mr. Disney's father and uncle started it from scratch. Before joining the dealership full time after his graduation from Vanderbilt University, Mr. Disney worked there summers.

    He takes over the reins of TANA as it celebrates its 80th anniversary during the Specialty Equipment Market Association/International Tire Exposition, Oct. 30-Nov. 2 in Las Vegas.

    Looking ahead, Mr. Disney sees a year of reinforcing TANA's “three primary missions.” He defined those as providing training and education opportunities for TANA members, advocating government relations and public relations for the tire industry, and continuing to produce the International Tire Expo.

    “Those three things are kind of the pillars on which we stand,” he told Tire Business.

    Other goals Mr. Disney would like to accomplish include increasing TANA membership and working together with the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) as part of a a proposed merger of the two groups.

    He doesn't believe the slumping economy will hurt the industry, nor is he concerned about the influx of car makers into the replacement tire market.

    Upping the numbers

    Mr. Disney estimates TANA's membership at 3,600 independent dealers but he sees that as a drop in the bucket compared to what it could be. He lists improving the figure among his chief goals, believing increased enrollment can only make the association stronger.

    “There's strength in numbers,” he said. “When we need to approach the government on behalf of the welfare of the tire industry…the stronger our membership numbers are, the more credibility we have in terms with any regulator or legislator that we are dealing with. In that sense, we need all the resources we can get.”

    He believes membership can and will increase. Selling the benefits of the association may lure non-members—yet it's not merely a matter of asking them to join, but clearly illustrating why they should, Mr. Disney said.

    “There are a lot of independent tire dealers that don't belong who rely on the efforts of the few to benefit the many,” he said. Consequently, TANA must do a better job of selling the benefits it offers, including its Car Care One credit card program, training programs and other direct member benefits.

    “That is going to be one of the agenda items for the year,” he said.

    Mr. Disney also alluded to the advantage of membership in terms of networking and consulting. Members can learn how other members run their businesses. What works for one, after all, will likely work for another.

    He also said the development of a passenger and light truck tire training and certification program has only added to the appeal of belonging to TANA.

    Right time to get together

    A year ago Mr. Hodel talked about it as a goal, and Mr. Disney is hoping to finally get some sort of TANA-ITRA cooperation off the drawing board and into reality.

    If nothing else, he enjoys a home-field advantage of sorts. With Disney Tire located in Louisville, Mr. Disney is literally a stone's throw from ITRA's offices. He refers to ITRA President Tom Raben—who operates Evansville, Ind.-based Raben Tire Co.— as a peer.

    “I have locations in Evansville and he has locations in Louisville,” Mr. Disney said, illustrating how close the two actually are.

    “We'll have no trouble working together. I know Tom and have a great deal of respect for Tom and the (ITRA) staff here in Louisville. I am very enthused about the possibilities there.”

    Mr. Disney said that for as long as six years TANA and ITRA have been looking to join forces in some way and have taken “an active approach” toward getting together. It seems only logical that the two groups—whose memberships share many interests, objectives and agendas—would come together in some way at some point.

    Still, he said he has no explanation as to why that hasn't happened. But he believes it eventually will.

    “There are no obstacles that I can see that couldn't be overcome,” he said.

    Concerns and consternation

    Despite myriad reasons for tire dealers to be worried—such as possibly slowing tire sales—Mr. Disney brushes aside the notion, calling the industry “fairly strong.”

    He said it's natural to assume some fallout will occur from more than a year of massive tire recalls, terming that “borrowing against future demands.”

    But he called it only a softness, not a weakness.

    Likewise, a stalled economy— while not to be ignored—is no bane to tire dealers.

    Mr. Disney subscribes to the theory that bad news for the economy can be good news for tire dealers, saying people will replace tires first, cars second.

    “I think all dealers who are equipped to offer products in a wide variety of price ranges, with the corresponding features and benefits that go along with those price ranges, will stand to do well in a down economy,” he said.

    Although Mr. Disney said he expected attendance at this year's SEMA/ITE show to be down a peg or two in wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he doesn't envision any long-term fallout. By this time next year, assuming travel has returned somewhat to normal, he believes the show also will return to normalcy.

    Addressing the threat of dealers losing some replacement tire sales to programs operated by auto makers, Mr. Disney compared this to the influx a few years back of discount wholesale clubs offering tires. In fact, he believes warehouse club customers may shift their tire buying to auto dealers.

    He pointed out that an advantage tire dealers always will maintain is from an education and information standpoint because they're specialists, while he referred to fringe tire sellers as generalists.

    A drawback he thinks car dealers will run into is expensive bay time being used for minor tire repairs and adjustments.

    “That's probably something they're not going to be fond of, where (tire dealers) are quite used to that,” he said.

    “Yes, they are a threat,” he said of tire-selling auto dealers.

    “Yes, they have great resources. But in the long run I see them capturing a certain share and staying basically at that level at the most.”

    Changing of the guard

    Regardless of what TANA has or has not done over the past year, there's no denying the mutual admiration society that exists between Messrs. Hodel and Disney. Each spoke glowingly of the other and stressed the importance of the continuity that exists within the framework of the TANA heirarchy.

    “He knows most of the people in the industry,” Mr. Hodel said of his successor. “He's in the wholesale tire business, so his grassroots are independent tire dealers.

    “He knows what independent tire dealers need.… I'm going to have the easiest past president's job in the world.”

    Mr. Hodel said he expects Mr. Disney to enhance the association's training and certification programs, as well as further efforts toward TANA-ITRA cooperation.

    He also emphasized the importance of maintaining contact with state associations. Mr. Disney, himself, is on the board of the Kentucky/Tennessee Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association.

    Mr. Disney also emphasized the importance of TANA's training and certification programs.

    “I believe we have new modules to develop to follow along after the passenger/light truck-mounting/dismounting certification program,” Mr. Disney said.

    “We have a very active training committee that involves not only individuals from our board and our membership, but also the industry at large.”

    He credited the TANA leadership staff with maintaining an inward focus over the past several years, but intimated that it may be time to start shifting the focus outward.

    He also singled out Ross Kogel, TANA's executive vice president, as being the organization's leader. And he stressed the importance of the tire industry playing a role in government affairs, noting the reactivation of TANA's political action committee as crucial in pursuing the industry's agenda.

    Finally, Mr. Disney summed up his new role, saying the blueprint has been laid for a successful tenure as TANA president.

    “TANA is in excellent health in all respects,” he said. “If I can only continue the good work of my predecessors I will be quite pleased.”

    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].

    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
    • 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.

    tb-logo
    Reader Services
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • 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 © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • OPINION
      • CORONAVIRUS
      • AUTO INDUSTRY
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • FACTORY FIXES
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • INTERNATIONAL
      • MOTOR SPORTS
      • NEW PRODUCTS
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • SEMA/AAPEX
      • SMALL BUSINESS
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • SHOP FLOOR
      • BALANCING
      • DEMOUNTING
      • SAFETY
      • TIRE REPAIR
      • TPMS
      • TRAINING
      • VEHICLE LIFTING
      • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Multimedia
      • VIDEOS
      • PHOTOS
      • PODCASTS
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • Awards
      • Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award