Discount Tire Co. promotes CEO
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-Discount Tire Co. named CEO Gary T. Van Brunt vice chairman, though founder Bruce Halle remains chairman of the Scottsdale-based tire retailer.
Tom Englert will replace Mr. Van Brunt as CEO. Mr. Englert, who joined the company in 1975, most recently served as executive vice president, overseeing supply chain and purchasing.
Tire dealers sign on with Mighty
ATLANTA-Mighty Distributing System of America has added seven tire dealerships around the U.S. as Mighty Auto Parts franchisees, and an eighth franchise agreement is pending.
The dealerships are: Adirondack Tire Corp. of Albany, N.Y., Colony Tire Corp. of Edenton, N.C., Tire Wholesalers Inc. of Troy, Mich., Thomas Tire Co. of Asheboro, N.C., CSB Partnership (Big O Tires) stores in Capistrano Beach, Calif., Clark Tire & Auto Service in Hickory, N.C., and Delta World Tire Co. of New Orleans. Collectively, these outlets operate more than 75 retail locations.
A contract also is pending with Tire Guys Inc. of Billings, Mont., with 31 Tire-Rama outlets.
RMA issues tire repair publications
WASHINGTON-The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has issued five new or revised Tire Information Service Bulletins (TISB) and an updated wall chart detailing tire puncture repair procedures.
The chart gives step-by-step, industry-recommended tire puncture repair procedures, as well as general information and safety warnings regarding puncture repair. It is available in both passenger/light truck and truck/bus versions.
The new bulletins are: TISB Volume 5, ``Demounting and Mounting Procedures for Motorcycle Tires''; TISB Volume 31, ``Light Truck Tire Repair Limits''; TISB Volume 41, ``Tire Bead Lubricants,'' also including information on mounting aids, bead sealers, sealants, balancing substances and flammable substances; TISB Volume 42, ``Application of Winter/Snow Tires and Studded Winter/Snow Tires''; and TISB Volume 43, ``Avoid Tire Bead Damage on Tire Mounting Machines That Secure the Rim from Underneath.''
All of these are available for purchase from the RMA at www.rma.org or (800) 325-5095, ext. 242.
Cooper names SUV/LT manager
FINDLAY, Ohio-Marcus A. Hancock has been named manager of sport-utility vehicle/light truck tire development for Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
Mr. Hancock's responsibilities include managing and leading the development of new SUV and light truck products for the Findlay-based firm's North American market.
A native of England, Mr. Hancock joined Cooper-Avon Tyres in Melksham, England, in 1989 as a technical assistant in tire design and development. He also has worked as design engineer and senior design engineer at Cooper-Avon.
Goodyear to sell plantation stake
AKRON-Goodyear has agreed to sell its 95-percent stake in an Indonesian rubber plantation to Bridgestone Corp. of Japan.
Terms of the deal for Goodyear Sumatra Plantations (GSP) were not disclosed. Goodyear said the sale will not impact its ability to acquire natural rubber for its operations.
The deal will be completed following approvals in Indonesia.
BFS, Conti hiking tire prices in '05
AKRON-Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire L.L.C., Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc. and Continental Tire North America Inc. (CTNA) are raising tire prices.
BFS's price hikes will affect the replacement, original equipment and export channels, the tire maker said. BFS will hike prices on passenger and light truck tires up to 5 percent, on truck and bus tires up to 7 percent and on farm and off-the-road tires up to 10 percent or more. The increases will affect Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, associate and private brand tires.
CTNA will raise prices up to 6 percent on all its flag, associate and private brand passenger and light truck tires Feb. 1. Specific details as to market line and/or size have yet to be released.