ASA Tire Systems nears bailout end
NASHUA, N.H.—ASA Tire Systems is nearing completion of its $1 million Tire Dealer Bailout Program but is still taking applications through year-end.
ASA said that more than $1 million already has been awarded to dealerships needing improvements in their technology infrastructure.
Nationwide, nearly 400 independent tire dealerships have submitted grant requests, and many have taken advantage of them, according to the software firm. Several dealerships are still being considered for funding.
Any application received before the year-end deadline is eligible for funding and will be included in the review process, ASA Tire Systems said. The monies—in the form of grants that do not have to be paid back—are for dealerships' use to update or replace “outdated infrastructures and improve their technology capabilities,” the company added.
Dealers can apply for the remaining funds online at www.asatire. com/bailout.
Kal Tire shuffles management
VERNON, British Columbia—Kal Tire Ltd. reorganized the responsibilities of its senior management team recently, promoting several executives to new positions.
Effective in November, Tom Foord, founder of the Vernon-based tire dealership, is the company's chairman emeritus after previously serving as chairman of the board. Ken Finch, who served as president of the company for the last five years, succeeded Mr. Foord as chairman of the board.
Taking over for Mr. Finch as president is Robert Foord, who most recently served as senior vice president, Mining Tire Group. Bob Wallis, who most recently served as senior vice president, finance and chief financial officer (CFO), has taken over Mr. Foord's position with the Mining Tire Group.
Ken Chaun, who has held various roles in his six years at Kal Tire, has replaced Mr. Wallis as senior vice president, finance and CFO. Most recently he was vice president, finance.
Bauer Built moves Iowa store
DURAND, Wis.—Bauer Built Inc. has moved its Mason City, Iowa, tire center from its downtown location to an expanded and modernized site west of the city on U.S. Route 18.
The Durand-based dealership said the relocation will help it serve customers better and to broaden its product and service offering to include truck and bus alignment capabilities. The new tire center is also part of Bauer Built's ongoing efforts to upgrade and expand its facilities as part of its growth plan.
The dealership operates 28 tire centers, nine distribution centers and seven Michelin Retread Technologies plants in seven states.
TIA sets ATS, CTS schedule
BOWIE, Md.—The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has released the 2010 schedules for its Automotive Tire Service (ATS) and Commercial Tire Service (CTS) Certified Instructor programs.
The ATS and CTS programs are designed to certify individual tire technicians as instructors who can conduct TIA Certified Technician courses at their places of business. As in past years, TIA will offer three- or four-day training sessions in Baltimore and Denver. The sessions are:
ATS: Baltimore, three-day courses, Feb. 23-25 and Sept. 21-23; four-day courses, Feb. 23-26 and Sept. 21-24; and Denver, three-day courses, May 11-13 and Dec. 7-9; four-day courses, May 11-14 and Dec. 7-10.
CTS: Baltimore, three-day courses, April 7-9 and Nov. 17-19; four-day courses, April 6-9 and Nov. 16-19; and Denver, three-day courses, Jan. 27-29 and Nov. 10-12; four-day courses, Jan. 26-29 and Nov. 9-12.
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