BFS breaks ground for warehouse
NASHVILLE, Tenn.-A Tennessee contractor has begun work on a new distribution facility for Bridgestone/Firestone in Leba-non, Tenn., that will service customers in the tire maker's mid-south region.
Panattoni Development Co. is constructing the 750,000 sq.-ft. facility, which it will lease to BFS. Once operational in April 2003, BFS will consolidate two smaller warehouses in Memphis, Tenn., and Lawrenceville, Ga., the company said.
``Our primary motivation for selecting Lebanon was that from this location we'll have the ability to provide overnight delivery service to more than 98 percent of our customers within a 500-mile radius,'' said Nelson Miller, director of distribution.
The new facility will have capacity for more than 1 million tires ranging in size from passenger and industrial to large OTR, BFS said. At full capacity, it will employ more than 200.
Hankook Web site more interactive
WAYNE, N.J.-Hankook Tire America Corp. has revamped its Web site, making it more active and interactive for consumers and dealers alike, the company said.
The tire maker describes its new site-www.hankooktireusa.com-as a ``hands-on, utilitarian source of information about the company, its mission and the extensive product line of passenger, high-performance, original equipment, light and medium truck and bus tires for consumer and commercial applications.''
As for interactive features, ``drivers can find a nearby Hankook dealer, dealers can keep track of the latest trends and news from research and development, and the general public can get a bird's-eye view of an evolving, rapidly growing tire company,'' Hankook said.
Murder trial set for December
SANTA ANA, Calif.-The trial of a man accused of killing Mickey and Trudy Thompson has been postponed until Dec. 9 due to scheduling conflicts among the trial lawyers.
Michael F. Goodwin, originally scheduled to stand trial July 8 at Orange County Superior Court, is being held without bail in the county jail. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, with three special circumstances: murder for hire, lying in wait and multiple murder. He was arrested Dec. 13, 2001.
Auto racing legend Mickey Thompson and his wife Trudy were shot to death in the driveway of their Bradbury, Calif., home March 16, 1988, as they were leaving for work at 6 a.m.
GreenMan buys Calif. recycler
AZUSA, Calif.-GreenMan Technologies Inc. has purchased Azusa-based Unlimited Tire Technologies Inc. for an undisclosed amount and has changed the crumb rubber processor's name to GreenMan Technologies of California Inc.
It also will seek to increase the Azusa plant's scrap tire collecting capacity beyond the current 1 million-plus annually and direct some of the tires toward cement kilns in California.
BFS offers rebate on Affinity LH30
NASHVILLE, Tenn.-Bridgestone/Firestone is offering a $40 rebate on any set of four Firestone Affinity LH30 tires purchased between June 23 and Aug. 3.
The promotion also provides buyers of the new H-rated tires with a year of roadside assistance in the U.S., if they are purchased using a BFS family credit card. These include the Bridgestone, Firestone, Bridgestone/Firestone, Dayton, Road King, Peerless, Gillette or TireStarz credit accounts.
Roadside assistance includes free jump-starts, tire changes (with an inflated spare), fuel/fluid replacement, lock-out service and towing, with certain restrictions applying, the company said.
Humanitarian Award deadline is July 31
AKRON-There's still time to nominate a deserving tire dealer or retreader for the 2002 Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award, sponsored by Tire Business.
July 31 is the deadline for submitting nominations for the award, which annually recognizes an independent tire dealer or retreader who has made a difference in his or her community through charitable and/or civic work.
This year's recipient will receive a $1,000 donation to the charity of his or her choice and will be honored at the Specialty Equipment Market Association/International Tire Expo show, Nov. 5-8, in Las Vegas.
To submit a nomination, call Tire Business at (330) 865-6148.