Six tire makers to hike prices
AKRON-Citing the continuing escalation in raw material costs, as well as increases in petroleum- and energy-related expenses, six more tire companies have announced plans to raise tire prices-all effective on Oct. 1.
Paris-based Group Michelin said it will raise prices on its passenger and light truck original equipment (OE) tires worldwide, averaging 6-8 percent.
Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc. will increase tire prices up to 5 percent on its passenger, light truck and commercial truck tires, depending on the model. The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.-based company last raised prices July 1.
Yokohama Tire Corp. will boost prices on all its products. The Fullerton, Calif.-based tire maker said the increases will be up to 7 percent on consumer, medium radial truck and bus and commercial light truck tires, and up to 8 percent on off-the-road radial and bias tires. The price hikes include Yokohama, associate and private label lines.
Specific details, including in-line adjustments, will be announced at a later date, the company said.
Hankook Tire America Corp., based in Wayne, N.J., will raise prices up to 5 percent on its passenger, high-performance, light truck and medium truck tires.
Rancho Cucamonga-based Falken Tire Corp. will raise prices 5 to 7 percent on the following tires under the Falken brand: Ziex ZE 512 (14- and 16-inch); RT615; Radial A/P; Landair H/T; and STZ04.
Taiwan tire maker Federal Corp. said it will raise prices by 7 percent across its full line of tires.
ITDG, Friend Tire form group
MONETT, Mo.-Independent Tire Dealers Group L.L.C. (ITDG) and Friend Tire Co. have formed a combined marketing group.
The combined group initially will be known as the ITDG/NTD and have potentially 400 dealer members representing more than 800 locations, according to Michael Cox, ITDG president and CEO.
Tequesta, Fla.-based ITDG will handle the administrative role of the combined groups as it pertains to purchases, membership notifications and vendor communications, he added.
Friend Tire, based in Monett, is the distributor for the Nationwide Tire Dealers group, which has 300 affiliate members located in 22 states in the South, Midwest and Mountain states. ITDG comprises 103 members including 56 shareholders in 11 western states. Combined, the group has a national presence that covers much of the U.S. except for the New England states, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Montana and Alaska.
The ITDG/NTD alliance will continue all programs each group had offered members separately, Mr. Cox said.
Amerityre names new president
BOULDER CITY, Nev.-Kenneth C. Johnsen has been named president of Amerityre Corp., taking one of the posts held by the firm's founder, Richard Steinke, who continues as chairman and CEO.
Mr. Johnsen, 47, has served as a director of the firm since last October and has resigned from the board as he assumes his executive post, Amerityre said.
He is a director of Joy Global Inc., was a director, president/CEO of Geneva Steel from 2001 to 2005, and had served in a number of other capacities there since 1991.
Goodyear grows pact with Pilot
AKRON-Goodyear's Wingfoot Commercial Tire Systems L.L.C. subsidiary is expanding its operating agreement with Pilot Travel Centers L.L.C., agreeing to add 13 more Pilot truck service centers to its network by year-end.
Wingfoot began operating eight locations in April 2005 through an exclusive agreement. A Goodyear spokesman said nine more centers opened in June and will be followed by two in October and one each in November and December. More truck centers are planned in the future, he said.
The agreement provides an avenue for more growth along major highways, Goodyear said. Service centers will be developed at existing Pilot centers as well as at new travel centers.
Pilot operates 268 travel centers in 40 states. Wingfoot-operated service centers offer new tires, retreaded tires and limited mechanical service and preventive maintenance as well as roadside assistance.
Car Care Month materials ready
BETHESDA, Md.-Promotional materials for Car Care Month in October are available through the Car Care Council.
The group, which runs the ``Be Car Care Aware'' consumer education campaign, suggests shops order their materials by Sept. 1. To order materials, visit www.carcare.org.
Resources include a 56-page book that discusses recommended maintenance and repair for consumers plus descriptions of major vehicle systems and parts.