Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • Mid-Year Report
  • ADAS
  • News
    • OPINION
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • Humanitarian Award
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • Best Places to Work
    • RUSSIA WAR IN UKRAINE
  • 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
September 12, 2005 02:00 AM

Tire community hurt, but helping

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Information about Hurricane Katrina's impact on tire makers, marketers, distributors and dealers remains sketchy at best 11 days after the horrific storm struck the Gulf Coast.

    That in and of itself tells a lot about this storm's impact. Even the major tire makers and some large dealer chains still don't know the fate of all their stores in the region or the whereabouts of every employee-this in an era of instant communication.

    What we do know is that arguably the worst natural disaster in U.S. history has wreaked havoc on the region, impacting along with it the tire business. Some stores reportedly were destroyed. Some are under water, others damaged. Countless workers have been displaced-wondering if they will have jobs to go back to-and many of their homes lie in ruins.

    In New Orleans, at the risk of stating the obvious, the tire business is effectively out of commission, at least until the city pumps out all of the water, begins to rebuild and its citizens return-a process likely to take months, if not years.

    While no tire plants operate in the region, tire making and distribution could be impacted. New Orleans is a major shipping hub for natural rubber and the Gulf Coast region is a center of oil refineries and drilling as well as home to many petrochemical feedstock producers.

    With shortages a possibility and more upward pressure on the prices of raw materials used in tire manufacturing, tire prices likely will continue to rise.

    Tire distribution also could be delayed due to damage to the transportation infrastructure.

    Many wholesalers and tire marketers that use New Orleans as a port of entry have had to shift shipments to other ports, which are likely to be jammed with cargo. Trucking resources also will be affected as delivery of relief supplies take priority.

    Despite all the destruction and chaos, there's positive news as well. The tire industry is rallying around those who've been affected, with many companies offering donations of money and pitching in by providing much-needed clothes, water and other essentials.

    Some outlets are reopening and many dealers are helping with the cleanup by providing tires and tire repairs to keep recovery, emergency, police and construction vehicles running.

    Every year for the past 12 years, Tire Business has recognized an independent tire dealer or retreader for his or her humanitarian work on behalf others. It's a trait many dealers share.

    Right now, your fellow tire dealers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama need your help, along with the hundreds of thousands of others left devastated by the storm.

    The overall economic impact of the storm on business is yet uncounted. But as communications slowly normalize, we'll learn more about the damage Katrina has wrought-and what we all can do to help those in need in our tire dealer community.

    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
    Average executive salaries found in Tire Talent report
    2
    Discount Tire installs RoboTire at Arizona store
    3
    Conti rolls out new taglines for Conti, General brands
    4
    UPDATED: Goodyear to close 'redundant' Cooper tire warehouses
    5
    Trail Tire growing brand in Western Canada
    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.

    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 © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Mid-Year Report
    • ADAS
    • News
      • OPINION
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • Humanitarian Award
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • Best Places to Work
      • RUSSIA WAR IN UKRAINE
    • 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