DES MOINES, Iowa — Titan International Inc. has begun training Titan dealers through Titan University (Titan U), giving Titan dealers classroom instruction, hands-on training and sales components they can use in their tire shops.
During last year's inaugural class, more than 400 students attended. This year's session will offer two learning levels for intermediate and advanced tire and wheel education.
Registration is open for the remaining 2019 sessions.
"I've been in the tire business since 1994 and believe it's always good to learn from and share ideas with other dealers throughout North America on what's worked and what doesn't in the ever-evolving tire industry," according to John Sparks, president of Sparks Commercial Tire in New Philadelphia, Ohio, and Titan U graduate.
"There's always room to expand knowledge, and Titan U provides more of a focused classroom setting to drill in on what's new."
Class sessions are held in a 1,500-sq.-ft. classroom and 8,000-sq.-ft. training area near Boone, Iowa.
The remaining 2019 sessions include:
- Titan University 1.0: An overview of all industry segments, catered to new hires or less-experienced dealers wanting to expand their knowledge of agriculture and off-the-road tire and wheel products. Sessions available are Feb. 18-20 and Feb. 20-22.
- Titan University Agriculture Tire & Wheel 2.0: An advanced ag tire and wheel education, which Titan said is ideal for graduates of the 2017-18 Titan U class, as well as more intermediate and advanced dealers. The session will focus on priority product lines, key features and benefits, optimum tractor setup, Titan's low sidewall technology (LSW) fitments and key selling tactics, as well as classroom sessions on engineering and compounding. Sessions available are Feb. 4-6 and Feb. 11-13.
- Titan University OTR Tire & Wheel 2.0: Learning about Titan's OTR product offerings on both tires and wheels, with a focus on Titan's core product portfolio, compounding, tire pressure evaluation and site analysis and continued wheel education. Session available is Feb. 6-8.
"We want to help dealers better serve their customers," Paul Hawkins, senior vice president of aftermarket sales at Titan, said.
"Titan University gives tire dealers the exposure and opportunity to learn about the applications they may not be selling to currently, but gives them the complete training to do so in the future."
The training and certification is open to Titan dealers, Titan Strong Seller Associate dealers and partner equipment dealers. For more information, email: [email protected]